Unwanted Mate's Redemption

I had known Marcellus Cruz since we were children, destined to be mates from the start.

But when he traveled to the Blue Pack’s territory to compete in the pack trials, he was claimed by Raelyn Nelson, the Alpha’s daughter, as her chosen mate.

When I received the news, I packed my belongings and made the journey from the Silver Moon Pack to the Blue Pack, walking for months to reach him. When I arrived, Marcellus knelt before my car.

“Karina, I swear, I will never love anyone else but you!”

Marcellus told me that Raelyn, the Alpha’s daughter, was understanding and allowed me to stay in the pack as his chosen mate. Except for the title, our relationship would be no different from that of a mated pair.

The man I had admired since childhood, now pleading with me so desperately.

I couldn’t help but soften.

When my first son, Dorian, was born, Marcellus stayed by my side throughout the entire delivery.

The Cruz family had been waiting for an heir for generations, and I was blessed to give them a son.

But before I could even hold him, he was taken to the main house.

Marcellus came to discuss with me the idea of registering Dorian under Raelyn’s name.

“With the title of heir, Dorian won’t be looked down upon in the pack.

“Raelyn’s family, the Alpha’s bloodline, will naturally take care of him as their own.”

Marcellus’s words couldn’t hide the fact that he was using my son to maintain Raelyn’s status.

Everyone in the pack knew that Raelyn had fallen ill after her Come of Age Ceremony, her health fluctuating ever since, making it difficult for her to conceive.

The Alpha’s family had no choice but to claim Marcellus, a Beta with no background, as her mate.

I understood everything, but I didn’t want to put him in a difficult position.

Later, Raelyn remained childless for years.

While I gave birth to a second son, then a third, and finally twins.

“If they’re separated from their eldest brother by rank, how will they get along as siblings?

“They’ll still call you Mom, and they’ll still honor you as their mother. If they don’t, I’ll break their legs myself.”

Marcellus’s words left me with no choice.

A mother’s duty is to think of her children’s future, after all.

My sons stayed with me until they were three, then moved to the main house to be raised by Raelyn.

Raelyn treated them well, never scolding or hitting them.

I often visited with homemade treats or clothes, asking about their studies and taking note of their growth.

I tried everything to spend more time with them.

Until one day, I saw Dorian and Quentin breaking the cupcakes I’d made into pieces to feed the fish.

Dorian trembled as he apologized, no longer calling me “Mom” but “Miss Watson.”

Quentin, who had always been the most affectionate, used to wrap his chubby arms around my neck and snuggle against me.

But now, he too refused to acknowledge me.

“Our mother is the Alpha’s daughter, the rightful Luna of the Cruz family. You’re just a servant of the pack, unworthy of being our mother!”

In an instant, my heart shattered more completely than the crumbs floating on the water’s surface.

When Marcellus found out, he brought the boys to me that night, forcing them to apologize.

He was a Beta, usually calm and composed, but I had never seen him so furious.

“Listen to me, the woman standing before you isn’t a servant—she’s your mother!

“She carried you for ten months and brought you into this world. The way you spoke to her today is beyond disrespectful!”

Marcellus’s defense gave me some comfort.

As for the boys, I could only protect them. I couldn’t bear to punish them.

But from that day on, I never made them treats again.

The day Dorian passed the pack trials and led the victory parade, Raelyn invited me to watch the celebration.

When Dorian dismounted from the crowd and walked toward me, I was filled with pride.

Passing the trials at fifteen, he was even stronger than his father.

It was worth the effort I’d made to ask my mother to bring tutors from the Silver Moon Pack.

But the joy in my eyes faded when Dorian walked past me.

He presented the ceremonial flower to Raelyn, his gaze filled with admiration.

“Everything I’ve achieved is thanks to your guidance, Mom. You’ve worked so hard for me.”

I watched as he handed the proudest moment of a mother’s life to someone else.