The chill of the early morning air in the Snowfang Pack territory was a stark contrast to the warmth of the bustling city I had left behind. The scent of pine and fresh snow filled my lungs as I stepped out of the car, my eyes tracing the familiar silhouette of the pack house against the pale winter sky. It had been years since I last set foot in this place, and yet, everything seemed to have remained unchanged, as if time itself had stood still, waiting for my return.
My son, Carsten, had grown into a formidable Alpha, his presence commanding respect and loyalty from every member of the pack. His engagement to Harper, the daughter of the River Howl Pack's Alpha, was a union that promised to strengthen the bonds between our packs and secure a prosperous future for all. I had high hopes for their union, envisioning grand gatherings and the laughter of future grandchildren echoing through these halls.
The quaint restaurant where we had dined the night before was a place where old memories mingled with new beginnings. The laughter we shared over shared stories and the warmth in Carsten's eyes as he looked at me were a balm to my soul. When he posted the photo of us with the caption, "The most important woman in my life," it was a moment of pure joy, a public declaration of the love and respect we held for each other.
However, I was unaware of the storm that was brewing, a storm fueled by jealousy and paranoia. Harper, my son's fiancée, had seen the photo and the affectionate words that accompanied it. In her mind, she had twisted the innocent gesture into something sinister, convinced that I was a threat to her的地位 and her future as Luna of the Snowfang Pack.
The morning after our reunion, as I walked the familiar halls of the pack house, lost in memories of my late mate and the life we had built here, I felt a presence behind me. Turning, I was met with an unexpected sight: Harper, her face twisted in anger, standing with a group of her friends. Her eyes were filled with fury, and before I could even greet her, she stormed toward me, her hand raised.
The slap came without warning, a stinging blow that made my head spin and my cheek burn with pain. I stumbled back, shocked and disoriented, as Harper's friends sneered from behind her. She grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking me closer with a force that belied her petite frame.
"You shameless woman!" Harper spat, her voice dripping with venom. "How dare you seduce Alpha Carsten?"
I yelped in pain, struggling to understand what was happening. "Harper, what are you talking about? I'm not—"
"Don't you dare lie to me!" she screamed, her grip tightening. "I know exactly who you are, you filthy mistress! You've been sneaking around behind my back, trying to steal Alpha Carsten from me!"
I felt a surge of anger mixed with disbelief. This was my son's fiancée, the woman who was supposed to become my daughter-in-law, and she was accusing me of such vile things. I tried to remain calm, to reason with her, but her mind was already made up. She saw me as an enemy, a rival for Carsten's affections, and there was no reasoning with her in this state.
"Harper, please, you have it all wrong," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I am Carsten's mother. There is no other relationship between us."
But Harper was beyond listening. Her anger had turned into a madness that drove her to desperate measures. She wanted to eliminate the threat she perceived me to be, and in her twisted mind, the only way to do that was to remove me from the picture entirely.
I didn't see the blow coming, the sudden darkness that engulfed me as I was struck from behind. The last thing I heard was Harper's voice, cold and calculating, giving orders to her friends to take me away.