(Astraea's POV)

Before I could say another word, Linda clapped her hands and announced, "All right, everyone! Time for our gratitude activity! Each child will give their handmade flower to their parent and say one thing they're thankful for."

The kids scattered toward the craft table where a row of paper flowers sat drying - the ones they'd spent the morning making. Some were lopsided, some drowning in glitter, all of them precious in the way only a child's handiwork could be.

Cyprian grabbed two.

One was large, carefully assembled, with a pink ribbon tied around the stem. Someone had clearly helped him - the folds were too neat for a five-year-old's fingers. The other was small, crooked, with one petal barely hanging on by a glob of glue.

He walked right past me.

Didn't slow down. Didn't glance my way. He went straight to the back of the room where Melina sat among the other parents - as if she belonged there - and held out the big flower with both hands.

"Thank you, Mommy Melina, for playing with me every day."

Melina's face melted into a perfect expression of touched surprise. She pressed the flower to her chest like it was made of gold. "Oh, Cyprian. I love it. Thank you, baby."

Then Cyprian turned around. He walked back to me and thrust the small one toward me, his expression flat, almost annoyed, like completing a chore.

"This one's for you. Melina told me to make an extra one. She said I shouldn't forget you."

She said I shouldn't forget you.

My own son needed to be reminded - by his father's mistress - that his mother existed.

Melina's voice floated over from the back row, sweet as syrup. "Cyprian, say 'I love you' to Mommy."

Cyprian rolled his eyes and mumbled, "Love you." Then he spun around and ran back to Melina's side without waiting for me to respond.

I looked down at the crumpled flower in my hand. One petal fell off and drifted to the floor.

When I raised my eyes, Melina was watching me. The corner of her mouth was slightly curved - not quite a smile, but close enough. Her gaze said everything her mouth didn't.

You see that? I'm the one who decides when your son shows you affection. I'm the one who teaches him how to treat you. I'm the one in charge here.

"Next up!" Linda announced, trying to keep the energy going. "Each child will present their family drawing on stage and introduce their family members!"

One by one, kids climbed onto the little platform at the front of the classroom, proudly holding up crayon masterpieces. Mommies and daddies and pets and baby siblings, all smiling under bright yellow suns.

Then it was Cyprian's turn.

He held up the same drawing I'd already seen - the house, the three people inside, and the nameless figure outside in the rain.

"This is my daddy." He pointed to the tall stick figure. "This is Mommy Melina." He pointed to the woman with long hair. "And this is me."

Linda gently prompted, "And this person here?" Her finger indicated the figure standing alone outside the house.

Cyprian hesitated. For the briefest moment, his eyes flicked to mine.

"That's... someone who does things for our family."

A little boy in the front row raised his hand. "Cyprian, where's your mommy?"

Cyprian turned and pointed directly at Melina.

"She's my mommy. Right there."

The classroom went dead silent. I could hear a parent behind me inhale sharply.

My vision blurred. I blinked hard, forcing the tears back down. I would not cry in this room. Not in front of these people. Not in front of her.

"Is that really what you think, Cyprian?" My voice came out steadier than I expected.

"Of course it is!" he shouted from the stage, irritated that I even had to ask.

I turned to look at Melina. She wasn't even trying to hide it anymore - her lips were curved in quiet satisfaction, her chin slightly raised. But she played her part flawlessly, leaning forward with a concerned expression.

"Cyprian, sweetie, you can't say that to Luna. I'm just your nanny, okay?"

That only made Cyprian angrier. "Stop lying! I know who's good to me and who isn't!" His small hands balled into fists at his sides. "Melina is my real mom! She plays with me, she cooks for me, she doesn't have a million stupid rules!"

His voice rose to a near-shout. "My real mom is sick all the time and acts like the whole world owes her something!"

"That's enough, Cyprian."

Dominic's voice cut through the chaos like a blade. I don't know when he arrived. He stood in the doorway, an alpha's oppressive aura radiating from his body, making the air in the classroom grow thin.

He crossed the room in four strides, lifted Cyprian off the platform, and set him down firmly. He crouched to Cyprian's level, his hands on Cyprian's shoulders, face stern.

"That is your mother. She lost her wolf bringing you into this world. She nearly died so you could live. You will never speak to her that way again. Do you understand me?"

Cyprian pressed his lips together and stared at the floor.

Dominic stood and turned to me. In front of every parent, every teacher, every pair of watching eyes, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his chest.

"I'm sorry, Astra. I should have been here sooner. This won't happen again. I promise."

The room softened. I could already hear the whispers starting up - "What a devoted mate." "Alpha Dominic adores his Luna." "It's clearly the nanny's fault."

His arms were warm. His voice was tender. His performance was flawless.

I lifted my head to look at him, and in the eyes meeting mine, there was nothing but love. As if the man who, just hours ago, had been in my bed, beside me, buried in Melina's breasts, was not him.

And his hands on Cyprian's shoulders? I'd watched them carefully. The grip was gentle. Loose. A father who was performing discipline, not delivering it.

I stood motionless in his embrace for three seconds. Then I placed both palms flat against his chest and pushed.

"Don't touch me."

It wasn't loud. But the parents closest to us heard it. Dominic's arms froze mid-air.

"Astra -"

"I said, don't touch me."I shouted loudly.

I picked up my bag and walked out of the classroom. Behind me, Dominic called my name. And then Melina's voice, calm and considerate as always:

"Alpha, maybe Luna just needs some space to cool down. Sometimes people need to be alone when they're emotional."

I made it to the parking lot. Got in the car. Started the engine.

Dominic appeared at my window, knocking on the glass. His mouth was moving, but I couldn't hear him over the blood roaring in my ears.

I floored the gas and pulled out of the lot, leaving him standing there.