Chapter 3

Marcus bent down, studying Owen's face as if he were trying to solve a puzzle.

"What's your name? How old are you?"

Owen pressed closer to me. I was about to pick him up and leave when he peeked around my shoulder and answered, "I'm Owen. I'm four."

Marcus went still.

"Four?" His gaze sharpened. He reached out a hand. "Come here. Let me get a better look at you."

I stepped in front of Owen, blocking his path. Marcus's hand stopped in midair.

"What are you doing, Nora?" His expression darkened. "He's my pup, too. You can't keep me from holding my own son."

I stared at him, convinced I'd misheard. "What?"

"Why else would you bring him here?" Marcus straightened, a cold smile spreading across his face. "You thought you could use the boy to get something out of me. That's why you showed up tonight, isn't it?"

For a moment, I couldn't find the words to answer.

Owen happened to have the same eye color as Marcus, and the dates seemed close enough to fit his assumptions. Apparently, that was all Marcus needed to decide the boy was his.

Whispers began to spread through the crowd.

"Did she secretly have the Alpha's pup?"

"She's using a child to get what she wants? How shameless."

"Does she think having his son makes her Stonecliff's Luna?"

Celeste folded her arms, watching us with a satisfied smile.

I straightened Owen's rumpled collar and gently guided him in front of me.

"You're wrong, Marcus. Owen isn't your son."

His smile faltered. "Then why does he look like me?"

"He looks like his father." I met his eyes without hesitation. "His father is Rowan."

Marcus burst out laughing.

"So the fool you mated with has been raising my boy as his own?" He shook his head in disbelief. "You took my child, found another wolf to shelter you, and taught him to call someone else Dad?"

Owen clutched my dress and glared at him.

"I already have a daddy. He's much better than you! You're not my daddy!"

Marcus's hands curled into fists.

"You've taught my pup to hate me."

Owen held on to me even tighter. Marcus stared at his small hand gripping my dress, as though it were proof of some scheme I'd planned rather than a frightened child seeking comfort from his mother.

Celeste raised her voice so the whole hall could hear.

"You never marked Nora, Marcus. That makes this pup illegitimate." She glanced around at the watching guests. "A child whose father isn't even certain has no claim to my son's territory."

People began pointing at Owen and muttering among themselves. The word bastard passed from one whisper to the next.

Owen buried his face against me. When he finally looked up, tears clung to his lashes, and his lower lip trembled.

"Mommy, what's a bastard? Are they talking about me?"

The hurt in his voice cut straight through me.

Only moments ago, he'd run into the hall with a smile on his face. Now he was staring at a room full of adults, trying to understand why they were saying such cruel things about him.

I kissed his forehead and held him close.

"Don't listen to them, sweetheart. You're my son, and you're your daddy's son. One day, you'll inherit Silverpine."

Owen sniffled and tightened his grip on my collar.

"Still keeping up the act?" Marcus stepped toward us, his patience clearly running out. "I don't have time for this. What do you want? Money? A place to live? A piece of territory? Just name your price."

I lifted Owen into my arms and headed for the exit.

Marcus quickly moved in front of me, blocking the way.

"Where are you taking my pup?"

"Move." I looked him straight in the eye. "When Rowan arrives, you'll answer for everything you've done tonight."

"You brought him here to see me. Don't pretend you're offended now."

"He isn't your son. Get out of my way."

Marcus's face twisted with anger.

Before I could take another step, his palm struck my cheek.