(Cillian's POV)

Just as I was about to release Lorelei from my protective embrace, she grabbed my arm. Her fingers trembled against my skin.

"Cillian, I'm still not feeling well. Can you accompany me to get some moonlight herbs?" she asked weakly.

I frowned, my eyes shifting away from Elowen's disappearing figure. Something twisted in my chest as I watched my mate walk away, her shoulders rigid with hurt.

"Of course," I rumbled softly, acknowledging Lorelei's request.

We walked to the Moonstone Apothecary in silence. My mind kept drifting back to Elowen's cold expression, the way she'd called me "Alpha" with such formal distance.

Lorelei noticed my distraction. She smiled cautiously, her voice hesitant.

"Cillian, I need to ask you something important."

I turned to her, waiting.

"Could you help get Oliver enrolled in Crescent Ridge Academy? He needs proper pack documentation, and I was hoping you could temporarily register him under your pack name." She quickly added, "It would only be temporary and kept secret from the other pack members."

I stared at her, my wolf Logan stirring uneasily within me. Logan always recognized Elowen as his mate, which was against my own feelings.

The wolf's restlessness made my jaw clench.

(Lorelei's POV)

I avoided Cillian's intense gaze, worried I had overstepped.

"Have I offended you?" I asked worriedly.

Cillian's expression darkened. "Putting Oliver under my direct pack lineage isn't appropriate."

My heart sank, but he continued.

"However, I could arrange for my grandmother, Ottilie Blackclaw, to adopt him as a step-grandson within the Blackclaw bloodline."

I was shocked. This would make Oliver the same generation as Cillian within the pack hierarchy. The implications were staggering.

Cillian pressed forward, his Alpha authority seeping into his voice. "Are you unwilling?"

I hid my calculating thoughts behind a mask of gratitude. This could elevate my position within the Crest Moon Pack through my son's connection to the Blackclaw lineage.

"No, I'm honored by your generosity," I agreed, feeling both resentful and hopeful.

(Elowen's POV)

Cillian didn't return to our shared den all night.

In the past, I would leave the moonstone lanterns lit for him. Not anymore. It didn't matter whether my mate came back or not.

As I headed to the Northern Territory Central Healing Institute, I encountered Lorelei and Oliver in Lantern Grove beneath the estate's ancient oak trees.

I moved to pass them, but Lorelei stopped me.

"Healer Elowen," she addressed me formally.

I paused, my wolf Cora bristling slightly. "What do you want?"

Lorelei's expression was carefully concerned. "Do you dislike me?"

I brushed off her question. "That's unnecessary concern between pack members."

Lorelei approached with Oliver clinging to her side. "I'm also heading to the Central Healing Institute after dropping Oliver at the academy. Cillian could give you a ride."

She paused, her voice casual. "He spent the night at my residence."

The words cut through our strained mate bond like silver. I suppressed the hurt, keeping my voice cold.

"I have my own transportation."

Lorelei insisted, reaching for my arm. I forcefully pulled away from her touch.

She stumbled and fell to the ground.

Oliver saw his mother fall and pushed me with surprising strength for a young pup.

"Bad woman!" he shouted.

My phone clattered to the ground. Oliver stomped on it repeatedly with deliberate malice, his small feet crushing the device.

My wolf's protective instincts flared. I pulled Oliver away from my phone, causing the boy to fall and begin crying dramatically.

Cillian arrived in his sleek black vehicle. His wolf's presence immediately filled the space as he rushed over.

"Elowen!" he called, genuine concern momentarily betraying his usual emotional distance.

Oliver cried to Cillian through his tears. "She pushed me!"

Lorelei checked Oliver for injuries while confronting me. "You shouldn't take your anger out on an innocent pup."

I fought to maintain my composure. "You're ignoring the fact that Oliver intentionally destroyed my phone."

Lorelei dismissed it. "Oliver was just protecting his mother instinctively."

Cillian's Alpha authority radiated displeasure. "You're overreacting by confronting a pup."

I was wounded by his blatant favoritism. "I didn't push Oliver."

Cillian questioned sarcastically through our mate bond. "Would a young pup fabricate lies to frame my mate, Healer Elowen?"

My heart broke at his distrust. I realized the futility of defending myself.

"Encountering you was my misfortune," I said.

As I turned to leave, Cillian's Alpha command stopped me in my tracks.

He softened his tone slightly. "Apologize to Oliver. He's just a pup."

My hands clenched into fists as Cora snarled within me. I turned back to face Cillian.

I pointed to the security cameras mounted beneath the moonstone lanterns throughout Moonhaven Estate.

"If the surveillance footage shows I was at fault, I'll apologize. But if it proves my innocence, I refuse to bow to false accusations."

I left without another word, my wolf's dignity intact.

(Lorelei's POV)

I quickly diverted Cillian's attention, worried about what the surveillance might reveal.

"Oliver is unharmed. I believe Elowen didn't act with malicious intent."

I shifted the conversation urgently. "Cillian, please take Oliver to Crescent Ridge Academy. He's about to be late for enrollment."

He pulled away from my touch. "I've already contacted Headmaster Thompson. You should escort Oliver yourself. All arrangements have been made."

Cillian returned to his vehicle and drove away, leaving us behind.

I watched Cillian's car disappear, squeezing Oliver's hand tightly enough to make him whimper in pain.

Realizing my grip, I smiled with cold calculation. "You did well, Oliver."

The young pup didn't understand the manipulation but was happy to please his mother.

I stroked his face. "Do you want Cillian to become your new Alpha father?"

Oliver nodded eagerly.

"Then continue charming him. Make the Alpha grow more attached to you."

(Cillian's POV)

I arrived at the Blackclaw Consortium headquarters. My assistant Amber Stone informed me that Ottilie Blackclaw was waiting in my private office.

Inside the Command Chamber, Ottilie questioned me immediately.

"Why did you place Lorelei in the same healing institute as Elowen?"

I asked defensively, "Did Elowen complain to you about the arrangement?"

Ottilie reprimanded me sharply. "Are you suspecting your own mate? Is Elowen the type to create pack drama through complaints?"

I retorted sarcastically. "You arranged Elowen into our mating bond. You pressured me into accepting the union."

Ottilie laughed coldly. "If Elowen had truly complained, Lorelei wouldn't have had the opportunity to return to the Northern Territory. Don't underestimate your mate's restraint."

"Stay out of Elowen's affairs," I warned.

Ottilie scoffed. "Lorelei accepted ten million from me to leave you years ago. What's so appealing about such a mercenary she-wolf?"

"Lorelei wouldn't have left if you hadn't interfered with our relationship," I retorted.

Ottilie laughed bitterly. "You're mistaking fool's gold for precious metal. You'll regret your blindness one day."

She declared firmly, "I will no longer interfere with your mating bond with Elowen. You can sever it if you truly wish."

Ottilie walked out of the Command Chamber, leaving me alone.

My jaw tightened, my wolf Logan pacing restlessly within me as my expression darkened.

Regret it? How could I possibly regret it. Elowen had gained the status and security she wanted through our mate bond - she couldn't leave me.

No, she wouldn't dare leave me.