Until the Day I See My Son Again

Few days before my son’s birthday, he died. It was all because Eddy Winslow, my Alpha and Elric’s father forced my sick son to participate in the competition. His motive was a playful bet he made with his omega mistress, Trista.

Elric wanted to get his father's attention and care like before, so he agreed to it. My son fought against much stronger contestants, twice his age, so he got injured. His fever made his condition worse and he got knocked unconscious.

During that chaos, Eddy was flirting with his favorite omega instead.

My uncle who was Elric’s doctor called from the hospital, telling me that he didn’t have much time.

I rushed into the ICU ward, determined to be with Elric in his final time.

“If I win, Dad promised he’d take care of us more, Mom.”

“I just want us to be like before. Dad was so much happier back then.”

Just when I was preparing for my son's funeral, I decided to close all of my social media account to tone down all news about my husband and his mistress’ activities. However, something caught my eye. It was a post from Trista’s InstaPic account, appearing on my feed.

Trista was basking in a breathtaking view from the top of a tall building in the pack’s Central Metro. Eddy was there, mingling with her and other business owners.

Beneath the pictures was a caption: [It was a fun experience! I learned a lot from these awesome people!]

I scoffed.

My Son died because these two was making a silly bet. Now, they were having the time of their life without taking responsibility?

I had enough. I would never forgive them!

***

My uncle called me around the early evening with a devastating news….

“Uncle Davon, be honest with me. Can you, or can you not save Elric?” My voice trembled with frustration.

“It’s tough, Sal.” My uncle’s sigh crackled over the phone, heavy with concern. “Miracles are a long shot right now. The medical team found Elric two hours after the hunt ended.

“When we found him, he was on the brink—severely dehydrated, barely conscious. He must have been pushing himself too hard with that fever. We’re doing everything in our power, but it’s critical.”

Tears threatened to fell from my eyes, I ended the call with heavy heart.

“I see. Thank you, Uncle. I’ll come to the hospital soon.”

Anger bubbling up from within me. I immediately went upstairs, towards my husband’s study.

“Mrs. Winslow--” My husband’s personal butler stopped me by the door.

“Move, Gareth,” I said, summoning every ounce of calm I could muster.

My wolf surged within me, my jaw tightening as an animalistic snarl rumbled in my throat. I stood my ground, my gaze locking onto my husband’s private butler secretary and bodyguard with an unyielding intensity.

Normally, he would try to dissuade me from entering my husband’s study, but this time, he hesitated, then stepped aside, recognizing the power and resolve in my eyes.

A cough, raw and insistent, clawed its way up my throat, finally breaking free in a fit of harsh bursts.

“Thank you…” I muttered, taking a deep breath to steady myself, the wild energy still coursing through my veins.

Then, I shoved the door open. My anger peaked, causing it to slam against the wall with a resounding crash.

“Eddy, are you out of your mind?!” I shouted, my voice raw and unrestrained.

My husband stood with his back to the door, his hands lingering on his favored omega's thighs as she sat provocatively on his study desk.

Trista glanced at me sideways, her casual demeanor only fanning the flames of my rage. But what truly shocked me was Eddy’s reaction—

He didn’t even flinch!

“You sent Elric into a hunt!” I yelled again, my voice cracking as a couple of coughs escaped. Finally, Eddy pulled away from Trista, but only slightly.

Something inside me snapped. Ignoring the tightness in my chest and my usual submissive nature, I rushed forward, undeterred by the potential consequences. “Don’t you realize your son has a high fever since last night?!”

“Behave yourself, Salvia,” Eddy said calmly.

A surge of alpha aura ghosted over my shoulders, weighing me down and pushing me effortlessly to my knees. Eddy was using his absolute alpha command. Despite my resistance, I lowered myself until my forehead touched the floor.

“No need to exaggerate.” He stepped closer, squatting low in front of me. “That kid is fine. He’s an alpha and he’s my son. He’s just pretending to be sick. He’ll be alright joining some simple exercise.”

Simple exercise? The seasonal hunting event was far from that! If it were simple, why would two pack council members and three representative judges from neighboring packs must attend this “simple” event?

I gritted my teeth. How did things turn out like this?

Desperately, I tried to lift my head. Beyond Eddy’s sandals, my eyes landed on Trista’s mocking thin smile. The sight of her curved lips stirred my frustration even more.

I had tried to keep myself silent, letting them do as they pleased in hopes that Elric would continue to receive Eddy’s financial support for his education, health, and more things for his future.

I thought things would be alright since the general public would only see my family's facade, that I had "accepted" Trista’s presence in my household.

But now… now Elric was fighting for his life in a small hospital near the hunting grounds. If it weren’t for Uncle Devon being one of the paramedics in charge at the event—

I would have lost my son without ever knowing how, when, or why.

Footsteps approached, and Trista pulled Eddy up, wrapping her hands around him.

“Salvia, don’t blame Ed!” she drawled. “I was just teasing when we talked about El’s strength, you know. I told Ed that he’d be able to compete against the top five hunters from last season. That’s why Ed sent him into the hunting fest!” Isn’t that right, Ed?”

‘El’? ‘El’ she said?

Eddy chuckled, moving his arm to wrap it around Trista’s waist. I noticed his black bead and small fangs bracelet slide down his arm—that ’oh so precious bracelet’ he had worn since rekindling with Trista—hanging loosely from his pajama robe’s sleeve.

As he chuckled, Eddy responded to Trista, “I've told you, Trista. A pampered kid like him wouldn't even stand a chance against the top ten, but you wouldn’t believe me.”

“Ed!” Trista cooed, leaning into him. “How could you doubt your own pup’s abilities? Just wait and see! I will win this bet! El definitely belongs in the top five hunters this season!”

‘Win this bet’? My son was in critical condition in a hospital bed—And they were treating this like some game?

“Enough!” I screamed, my voice raw and echoing through the clearing. Summoning every ounce of strength left in me, I pushed myself up, my eyes locking onto Eddy’s with a ferocity that could cut steel.

“Cough! Cough!”

My body rebelled against Eddy’s overwhelming absolute alpha command, the strain nearly unbearable. I doubled over, a violent coughing fit wracking my frame. As the spasms subsided, I wiped my mouth, my hand coming away smeared with blood.

“Stop pretending with those annoying coughs of yours!” Eddy snapped, his voice dripping with disdain. He raised his hand, ready to strike, but Trista stepped in, her touch stopping him cold.

Eddy regarded his favored omega with a calm nod before turning back to me, his eyes glinting with menace. “You’re lucky. Normally, I wouldn’t spare a wolf who dared challenge me with such disrespect.”

I wiped the blood and saliva from my mouth, my gaze unwavering. Clenching my fists, I stood tall, my body trembling but my spirit unbroken. I faced Eddy and Trista with a quiet, defiant composure, fighting through the dizziness that threatened to pull me under.

I clung to this marriage for Elric's sake, clinging to the hope that somehow, despite the mess, a semblance of peace might find its way to him.

But now, with my son lying in a hospital bed, his father refusing to believe in the severity of his condition, I felt the weight of my decision.

There was this strong devastating regret and guilt telling me that I was too late.

Keeping this marriage seemed pointless if it wouldn’t make things better for Elric. Not in the past, not now, not ever.

The conviction in my heart grew stronger.

With steely resolve keeping tears at the dam of my emotions, I met Eddy's gaze and said with equal coldness, “Call your lawyer. We’re getting a divorce.”

Eddy whom was caressing Trista’s hair instantly snapped his attention to me. His eyes widened with a hint of resistance. “What nonsense are you--”

“You heard me right, Eddy. I wanted a divorce.”

Scoffing, Eddy let go of Trista in his arm. “Forget it, you’re not in your right mind.” He looked at his watch before walking towards me and said, “You just need some time to calm down, Sal. Don’t be ridiculous." With that he proceeded to go past me and left with Gareth.

“Ed! Wait up!” Trista looked at me with a scowl before she ran after him.

Alone, I let my tears fell down my cheeks.

“Cough! Cough!”

Ugh… coughs and sobs combo wasn’t the nicest to have....