The familiar name made Theo’s blood run cold. He grabbed the nearest healer’s arm, his grip too tight.
“What did you just say about Alex?”
The healers exchanged uncomfortable glances, their eyes darting to where his fingers dug into her arm.
“Oh… Beta Theo.” The younger healer swallowed hard. “You probably don’t know, since you were busy with Marcus. Two days
ago, while you had all our healers gathered here, there was another early shift case in the east wing.
“Alex…” She hesitated, seeing his face. “The other young wolf. His temperature hit 105. Without the potion, his organs would have started failing.”
+15 BONUS
“His mother was desperate, calling everyone for help. Thank the moon Alpha Ada answered. She crossed three territories in
under an hour with her pack’s emergency supply.”
Theo’s fingers went slack, his face ashen. “You’re absolutely certain it was Alex?”
“Yes, sir. Small pup, golden hair, green eyes…” She trailed off, seeing his reaction. “Do you… know him?”
The second healer jumped in excitedly, “Oh, but sir, everyone’s talking about how amazing you’ve been with Marcus! The way
you gathered every healer, how you stayed by his side…”
“The morning news even did a special feature on your perfect family dynamic with Sarah and Marcus!”
Theo collapsed into a nearby chair, his legs giving out. “Alex is my son. My blood son.”
The healers exchanged shocked looks.
“But sir…” The younger one laughed nervously. “That can’t be right. Everyone knows Marcus is your heir. Sarah just did an
interview about your beautiful family…”
“She was telling everyone how you’re the most devoted mate and father. How you always put Marcus first…”
“The pack radio keeps playing clips about your perfect guidance of Marcus’s first shift…”
Theo’s head snapped up, his eyes flashing dangerously. “Who’s been saying all this?”
The older healer gestured toward Sarah’s room. “Your mate Sarah, of course. She’s been sharing the most touching stories about
your family bond…”
Her voice faltered as Theo’s face darkened.
“Though… it is strange. If Alex is your son, why was his father alone when…” She stopped, realizing too late.
Each word hit Theo like a physical blow. The mate bond in his chest, already weak, gave one final, painful pulse.
He stumbled to Marcus’s room, slamming the door so hard the walls shook.
Sarah stirred awake, artfully blinking her sleep–heavy eyes. “Theo? Why are you standing there in the dark?”
His face was twisted with fury, eyes gleaming dangerously gold in the dim light. “You told the healers and reporters that you’re
my mate? That Marcus is my only son?”
“And Marcus’s early shift…” His voice dropped to a growl. “How did every pack reporter just happen to be here at exactly the
right moment?”
Guilt flashed across Sarah’s face before she smoothly masked it with practiced innocence. Years of pack politics had taught her
well.
“Oh, that?” She kept her voice soft, soothing. “It must have been a misunderstanding.”
11
“You see, when Marcus was in such pain during his shift, he kept calling out ‘Father, Father.‘ The reporters were already here
2/4
covering another story, and they just naturally assumed…”
+15 BONUS
She let her voice trail off delicately, then made a show of looking concerned. Her hand reached for Theo’s arm, a calculated
gesture of comfort.
“Darling, does this upset you?”
“If it bothers you, I can go clarify things right now…” She moved to stand, making sure her legs trembled slightly. “I’ll tell them
all it was just a mistake…”
As she’d predicted, Theo’s hand shot out to stop her. His pride would never let him face such public embarrassment.
“Don’t bother.”
Sarah’s lips curved in a hidden smile as she sank back onto the bed.
She’d always understood Theo’s greatest weakness – his desperate need to maintain the perfect Beta image.
Once a story like this went public, his pride would never let him correct it. The damage to his status would be too severe.
That’s exactly why she’d arranged for every major pack reporter to be here hours before Marcus’s shift even started.
She knew that once Theo gathered all the healers for Marcus, once he used that stolen potion meant for Alex, the story would
write itself.
The noble Beta, sacrificing everything for his chosen heir.
Now, everyone in three territories knew her as Theo’s true mate, Marcus as his destined son. The pack radio couldn’t stop
praising their perfect family dynamic.
Even if that Omega healer had official mating papers, who would believe her now?
Sarah had already paid several low–ranked wolves to spread whispers about how the Omega had used enhanced pheromones to
seduce their Beta.
Soon, that woman and her weak little pup would have no choice but to disappear.
Sarah scrolled through her phone, satisfaction warming her chest as she read headline after headline about how Beta Theo had moved heaven and earth to save “his beloved son” Marcus.
Her gamble had paid off even better than she’d hoped.
