spanng="EN"(Olivia’s POV)

spanng="EN"Eleonora’s brows drew together at my question. For a moment, herposure slipped.

spanng="EN"“What do you mean by that? Of course Leo is your only child.” she said, but I heard the tremor in her voice.

spanng="EN"Her hands tightened around her wine ss. The crystal stem looked fragile under her grip.

spanng="EN"I wanted to expose her right here and now. The words burned in my throat.

spanng="EN"But Theodore’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Mother, Olivia and I are nning to adopt a child.”

spanng="EN"He reached for my hand across the table. His touch was warm, but I felt nothing.

spanng="EN"“Our family will soon have more than just Leo,” he announced. His smile was strained.

spanng="EN"Eleonora leaned forward, her expression shifting.

spanng="EN"“What’s the adopted child’s name?” she asked. “When can I meet them?”

spanng="EN"Theodore’s answer came quickly. “We’ve only received photo albums from Lyra’s Hope Sanctuary so far.”

spanng="EN"“We haven’t formally met the child yet,” he continued.

spanng="EN"“Don’t ever say anything about Livvy having another pup again.” Theodore looked at his mother seriously.

spanng="EN"I understand.”

spanng="EN"I found myself unable to focus on their conversation. My attention drifted across the table to Isadora.

spanng="EN"Something was wrong with her tonight.

spanng="EN"Isadora was typically the most lively person at any gathering, dominating conversations with stories and ughter.

spanng="EN"But tonight she sat in silence. Her eyes seemed distant and hollow. Seemingly lost in thought.

spanng="EN"What struck me was her eating. Justst week in our pack group chat, she had mentioned wanting to lose weight for summer.

spanng="EN"She had said she would focus on light eating and avoiding rich foods.

spanng="EN"Yet here she was, eating without pause. She focused only on the two richest dishes in front of her–the  braised venison and creamden soup.

spanng="EN"Her fork moved from te to mouth. She barely seemed to taste what she was consuming.

spanng="EN"I wanted to show concert for her I had watched Isadora grow up from a rebellious teenager into a strong  Luna.

spanng="EN"But after Evelyn’s betrayal, I couldn’t afford another misced trust. Not when my world was already crumbling.

spanng="EN"I pushed back from the table, needed to check on Leo’s hand, shot out to stop me, but I was already standing. “To find him myself.”

spanng="EN"The entertainment room buzzed with electronic sounds. I found Leo and iris absorbed in their video game.

spanng="EN"“Leo, don’t stay up toote,” I called.

spanng="EN"He barely nced up from the screen. Just five more minutes, Mom.”

spanng="EN"I was about to respond when a voice drifted from the nearby tea room. The door was slightly ajar, and I  recognized ric.

spanng="EN"“If it weren’t for wanting my brother–inw’s investment, I wouldn’t apany her back to her family home.”

spanng="EN"My blood ran cold. He was talking to someone on the phone, his tone low and intimate.

spanng="EN"“Even if we sleep in the same bed, I won’t touch her, ric continued.

spanng="EN"“She lies in bed like a dead fish,pletely unable to arouse my desire.”

spanng="EN"There was a pause, then his voice shifted. “I only have you in my heart, baby.”

spanng="EN"My first instinct was to burst into the tea room and expose him. But something held me back.

spanng="EN"Isadora deserved to hear this from me first. She needed to know what kind of monster she had mated with.

spanng="EN"I turned toward the study where I had seen Isadora heading earlier. I walked quickly.

spanng="EN"But as I approached the study door, I heard crying from within. The door was slightly open.

spanng="EN"Isadora sat in a chair, tears streaming down her face while Eleonora loomed over her.

spanng="EN"“I want to sever the mate bond with ric,” Isadora sobbed. “I can’t take his betrayal anymore.”

spanng="EN"My heart clenched. She already knew.

spanng="EN"“Absolutely not,” Eleonora said.

spanng="EN"“As the eldest daughter of the Redgrave family, you cannot afford to lose control of your mating,” Eleonora stated. It would beughable to outsiders.”

spanng="EN"Isadora looked up. “But he’s cheating on me, Mother, How can I pretend  verything is fine

spanng="EN"“You are the Luna of the Drake pack,” Eleonora continued. “Your focus should be on controlling power, status.  and wealth,”

spanng="EN"Those things will pave the way for your children’s future,” she added.

spanng="EN"Isadora’s voice broke. “What about my happiness? What about my dignity?”

spanng="EN"Eleonora waved a hand. “ric’s betrayal is amon mistake all Alphas make.”

spanng="EN"“As long as he respects you publicly and gives you dignity, other matters shouldn’t be overanalyzed.”

spanng="EN"I pressed closer to the door, unable to pull myself away.

spanng="EN"Isadora’s next words made my stomach turn: “His mistress is pregnant, Mother. She’s already appearing publicly as the future Line Drake.”

spanng="EN"Eleonora’s response came without hesitation. Since you only have a daughter, you should raise the mistress’s pup as your own if it’s Daughter.

spanng="EN"“Having the mistress around will actually prevent other she–wolves from pursuing ric,” she added.

spanng="EN"Isadora’s voice rose. “Are power and status more important than my daughter’s happiness?”

spanng="EN"The sound of a p echoed through the room. Eleonora had struck her own daughter.

spanng="EN"“All powerful Alphas‘ Lunas go through this, it’s perfectly normal, Eleonora said. “Did you think you special?”

spanng="EN"Sheughed scornfully, bringing up my mother, “Look at your brother’s beloved Livvy’s mother, L ckwood, how foolish to sever her mate bond so easily.”

spanng="EN"My hands clenched into fists.

spanng="EN"“And what was the result? Livvy’s father quickly recovered from the trauma of a broken mate bond, mated with that mistress, and is still living happily with her now. And Lyra? She bore the infamous reputation of a jealous Luna and died within a few years.”

spanng="EN"Eleonora’s voice was mocking. “Do you want to be equally stupid and follow the same path?”

spanng="EN"In her eyes, my mother’s actions had never earned her respect. My mother had always considered her a good friend, yet in her heart, she had always looked down on my mother. My mother’s strength and courage were, in her eyes, nothing but foolishness.

spanng="EN"I could not tolerate anyone ndering or looking down on my mother.

spanng="EN"I shoved the study door open. Both women turned toward me.

spanng="EN"I helped the trembling Isadora to her feet. My gaze met Eleonora’s

spanng="EN"“Isa, don’t be afraid,” I said. I support your decision to sever the mate bond with ric.”