My Child Belongs to Another Mother

By the time Evelyn Hart finished making her preparations, night had already settled over the territory. The corridors of the Whitmore estate were quiet beneath the silver wash of moonlight, yet when she stopped outside the nursery, she could hear soft crying from within. The sound should have drawn her inside immediately. For an entire month, she had risen before anyone else whenever the pup cried. She had learned how to hold him, how to soothe him against her chest, how to hum softly until he settled. Her body had moved toward him before thought ever caught up. But tonight she remained standing at the doorway. Because no matter how hard she tried, she could still hear Adrian and Vanessa’s voices. You gave me an heir. She thinks Eli is hers. The words lingered like poison. Her fingers slowly curled against the wooden frame. If this had been yesterday, she would already be carrying him in her arms. Now— she no longer dared. That child was not hers. The nursery door opened. The nursemaid stepped out carrying the crying infant. Seeing Evelyn standing there, she visibly relaxed before quickly lowering her head. “Luna, you’ve returned.” There was careful reproach hidden beneath her respectful tone. “The young master has been restless for some time. Nothing could calm him. We tried sending a messenger hawk, but you never answered.” Evelyn said nothing. Her eyes settled quietly on the child. Moonlight fell across his small face. His eyes had not yet developed their final color, but she suddenly noticed things she had somehow overlooked before. The shape of his brows resembled Adrian. But the faint dimples near his mouth— they belonged unmistakably to Vanessa. How had she never seen it? Or perhaps— she had never truly been allowed to. “I chose you to care for the heir,” Adrian’s voice came from behind them, calm but carrying enough authority to make the nursemaid lower her head immediately. “Not to question your Luna.” The nursemaid apologized and passed the child over. Adrian accepted him with practiced ease. His movements were natural. Gentle. He adjusted the blanket, rested one hand against the pup’s back, and murmured softly through their pack mindlink. Almost immediately, the crying eased. Evelyn watched quietly. Too quietly. Adrian looked at her and frowned slightly. “Why did you leave the territory today?” She lowered her gaze before answering. “I went to gather some things.” His eyes remained on her for a moment before he approached. With the child resting in one arm, he reached out and brushed her cheek with the backs of his fingers. His touch remained warm. Once, that warmth had made her feel safe. Now she only wondered how many lies those same hands had touched. “You look pale,” he said softly. “Has your wolf been unsettled? I was gone too often these past moons. You should have taken better care of yourself.” Evelyn resisted the urge to step away. “It’s nothing. I’m only tired.” She turned slightly, causing his hand to fall. Something flickered briefly in his eyes. Then it disappeared. “Are you upset with me?” His voice remained patient. “I know I’ve neglected you recently. Tomorrow I’ll stay within the territory. We’ll take the pup to the sacred spring.” She forced a faint smile. Adrian reached out and touched her hair before carrying the child away. When he returned a short while later, he held a carved stone cup. Warm moon-herb milk. The familiar scent reached her immediately. He offered it naturally. “Drink this before sleeping.” Evelyn looked at the cup. Then suddenly remembered. Ever since he had proposed having a child, her nightly moon-herb mixture had changed. When she asked, Adrian had simply smiled and said— The pack healers prepared a special blend. It helps your wolf rest. At the time she never questioned him. Now— she accepted the cup. Raised it to her lips. Pretended to drink. When his attention shifted, she quietly emptied the liquid into the flower basin near the window. Her expression never changed. “I’m tired.” She placed the cup down. “I’ll sleep first.” Adrian studied her retreating figure for several seconds before following. That night she lay beside him with her eyes closed. His breathing eventually deepened. His scent remained calm. Steady. But Evelyn no longer trusted any of it. Time passed. Then— she felt movement. The bed shifted. Adrian rose carefully. Evelyn kept her breathing even. She listened to him move across the room and quietly leave. Several moments later, she opened her eyes. Silently, she followed. Adrian didn’t head toward the council chamber. Nor the nursery. Instead, he crossed the estate grounds beneath the moonlight and walked directly toward the residence beside theirs. Evelyn stopped behind a row of pale cedar trees. The door opened. Vanessa appeared. She wore loose sleeping robes and immediately stepped into his arms. “Adrian.” Her voice softened with concern. “You must be exhausted.” She looked up at him. “Every night you calm her mind and then come here…” Adrian wrapped one arm around her waist and kissed her forehead. “It’s nothing.” Vanessa leaned closer. “But I’m afraid.” Her voice became smaller. “What if she remembers?” Adrian was silent for a moment. Then he answered calmly. “She won’t.” Evelyn’s body turned cold. “The moon-herb blend was adjusted by our healers long ago. It suppresses fragmented memories and keeps her wolf in deep rest. She won’t wake.” Vanessa smiled. Then rose onto her toes and kissed him. “Adrian… you always think of everything.” Evelyn stood motionless beneath the trees. Her blood felt frozen. She watched him touch Vanessa’s hair. Watched his expression soften. Watched them walk inside together. And suddenly— everything became clear. The milk. His nightly absences. The neighboring residence. The carefully controlled peace she had mistaken for happiness. None of it had been accidental. She bit the inside of her mouth until she tasted blood before turning away. Back in her room, she lay awake until dawn. When Adrian returned, he moved quietly and slipped into bed behind her as though nothing had happened. As though betrayal had become routine. He pulled her gently against him. Pressed a kiss to her forehead. His voice was warm. “Evelyn.” He rested his chin lightly against her hair. “When the sun rises, let’s take our pup to the sacred spring.” She closed her eyes. Forced back everything threatening to surface. Then she answered softly— “Alright.” But this time— she no longer believed a single word he said.

The sacred spring within the Whitmore territory was quieter than usual that morning. Weekends were often reserved for family rituals and young pups learning to strengthen their connection with their wolf, yet the spring itself remained calm beneath the pale sunlight. Silver mist floated above the water’s surface, and moonstones embedded along the edge gave off a faint glow even during daylight. Pack members believed the spring carried traces of the Moon Goddess’s blessing and that exposing newborns to its waters would help stabilize their instincts and awaken stronger bloodline recognition. Evelyn stood near the stone edge, her expression calm as she watched Adrian approach carrying the child. His steps were unhurried. If someone looked only at the surface, they would see a devoted Alpha and his mate bringing their pup for blessing. Only Evelyn knew how false that picture had become. As Adrian reached her side, he glanced at her naturally and said, “The spring guide changed today. The previous one was called away by the healers.” Evelyn merely nodded. She didn’t ask questions. Her attention had already shifted. Standing several steps away was a woman dressed in the loose white garments worn by attendants of the sacred spring. Her face was partially hidden beneath a light veil and her hair was braided according to custom. Most people would not have looked twice. Evelyn recognized her immediately. Not because of her face. But because she already knew. The slight dimples whenever she smiled. The narrow shoulders. And beneath the scent-masking herbs— that familiar scent. Vanessa Sterling. For a brief moment, something cold curved inside Evelyn. She lowered her eyes and said nothing. If Adrian believed she remained ignorant, then she would continue pretending. “The pup has been restless during recent blessings,” Adrian said as he passed the child into the attendant’s arms. Then his gaze lingered on Evelyn. His tone softened. “You’ve been unusually quiet.” She looked toward the water. “You can decide.” Adrian studied her for a moment but didn’t press further. Evelyn stepped closer to the spring and sat on the smooth stone edge. The water reflected pale light. She stared at the surface without seeing it. Then— a sudden force struck her from behind. There was no warning. No instinct. No time to react. Her body pitched forward. Cold water swallowed her instantly. The shock drove the air from her lungs. Her entire body sank. The sacred spring was deceptively deep in its center because it connected to underground currents carrying moonwater beneath the territory. Evelyn had never learned to swim. As a child, she had always feared deep water, and Adrian knew that. Her arms moved instinctively. She struggled upward. Water rushed into her mouth. Her chest burned. Her thoughts became scattered. Through the blur she tried to reach upward— tried to call through the mate bond— Adrian… Save me— Someone entered the water. For one fleeting second, relief rushed through her. Then fingers closed around her arm. Not to lift her. To push. Her body was forced deeper. Her eyes widened. Even through distorted water— she understood. The person holding her down was Vanessa. Panic exploded inside her. Her wolf reacted immediately. Instinct overrode reason. She struggled violently and clawed at the arm restraining her. Her nails tore skin. She felt flesh break beneath her fingers. But Vanessa didn’t release her. She held her there. Long enough for her chest to ache. Long enough for darkness to gather at the edges of her vision. Only when Evelyn’s resistance weakened did the pressure disappear. Hands finally dragged her upward. When she reached the surface, she barely had enough strength left to breathe. She collapsed onto the stone shore. Everything sounded distant. Voices echoed. Movement. Footsteps. But she kept her eyes closed. Then she heard Adrian. Not beside her. Elsewhere. His voice carried concern. “You’re hurt?” Evelyn remained motionless. There was a pause. Vanessa answered softly. “It’s nothing.” Her voice trembled. “Evelyn was frightened… she grabbed me.” Then after a silence— “Do you think it’ll scar?” Her voice broke slightly. She gave a weak laugh. “I don’t have much time anyway… I only wanted to leave looking beautiful.” Evelyn’s fingers curled slightly. Silence followed. Then Adrian spoke again. Lower. Gentler. “Don’t say things like that.” She heard movement. Cloth shifting. And then— his voice became quieter. “It won’t scar. I’ll ask the healers for moon-salve personally.” Evelyn didn’t need to open her eyes. She knew. He had gone to her. Not to his mate. Not to the woman who nearly drowned. But to Vanessa. Something twisted painfully inside her chest. Eventually nausea surged upward. She turned her head and coughed violently. Water spilled from her mouth. Immediately she heard hurried footsteps. Adrian appeared beside her. His hands reached for her shoulders. “Evelyn.” His voice was anxious. Concerned. As though she had imagined everything. “How do you feel?” She opened her eyes. Looked directly at him. Looked at the same man who had comforted another woman while she lay unconscious only moments earlier. Then she lowered her gaze. “…I’m fine.” His expression tightened. “No.” Without waiting for agreement, he lifted her into his arms. Exactly as he always had. Careful. Protective. Perfect. Then he turned toward Vanessa. “Bring the pup.” Vanessa lowered her eyes obediently and followed. Evelyn rested against Adrian’s chest. His heartbeat remained steady. Strong. Familiar. Once, she used to listen to that sound and believe she had found home. Now she only felt cold. Because she finally understood— a heartbeat could remain steady even while someone lied. And the arms that held her could belong to someone who had already chosen another long ago.

Evelyn collapsed from exhaustion on the road leading to the healers’ hall before she ever truly reached it. When consciousness returned, she found herself lying beneath pale stone arches carved with ancient moon sigils, the air heavy with the sharp scent of crushed herbs, purified moonwater, and burning incense meant to cleanse illness and poison from the body. For a long while she did not move, only staring upward at the carved ceiling as her mind slowly tried to remember how she had ended up there. Her body felt as though it had been drained of strength, every breath carrying a faint sting in her chest, and when she finally turned her head, she realized she was alone in the recovery chamber. There was no attendant beside her, no healer waiting for her awakening, not even the faint presence of a warding guardian spirit that usually lingered in rooms meant for injured she-wolves. Only silence remained. Beyond the thick wooden door, voices drifted faintly through the corridor. They belonged to two apprentice healers who did not bother lowering their tones, as though they were certain the woman inside would not awaken or perhaps did not matter if she did. “Lady Sterling only suffered a shallow wound, yet Alpha Whitmore summoned every available healer in the hall. I heard even the chief healer himself was instructed to prepare rare moon-salve so that no scar would remain.” A soft laugh followed. “And this one? The one who nearly drowned in the sacred spring?” The first voice answered with undisguised contempt. “She was simply handed over to us. Two apprentices, nothing more.” A brief pause, then a tone filled with mockery. “I passed by Lady Sterling’s chamber earlier. The Alpha was there the entire time, speaking to her through the mate bond, calling her ‘his wife’ again and again. Such devotion is rare even among chosen pairs.” Evelyn’s fingers curled faintly against the edge of the stone bed, though she said nothing. A bitter taste rose slowly in her throat, not from the medicine still lingering in her body, but from memory. How long had it been since she last ran a fever strong enough to shake her bones? She could still remember it clearly. A winter moon had risen heavy and red that night, and she had fallen ill after returning from patrol. Her body had burned with fever, and Adrian had summoned three healers before dawn broke. He had stayed by her side until her breathing steadied, refusing even to rest his eyes, as though her suffering had been unbearable to him. Back then, she had believed it was love. Now she lay in a hall meant for healing, after nearly drowning, and there was not a single soul who had come for her. The door opened without warning, and two apprentice healers stepped inside carrying shallow bowls of medicinal brew. The moment their eyes landed on her awake, one of them clicked her tongue in irritation. “So you are awake,” she said coldly, as though Evelyn’s survival itself was an inconvenience. Evelyn slowly pushed herself into a seated position, ignoring the heaviness in her limbs. The second apprentice sneered openly. “What is there to pretend about anymore? You knowingly interfered in the bond of another, and yet you still act as though you are wronged. Lady Sterling and Alpha Whitmore already share an heir, and still you cling to him without shame.” Evelyn lifted her gaze at last, her voice rough from exhaustion. “Who told you I was the one who interfered?” The apprentice gave a short, derisive laugh, as though she had heard something foolish. “No one needs to tell us,” she replied. “Lady Sterling is known within the healer families. She and Alpha Whitmore were bound long before you appeared. Everyone knows it. You are the one who inserted yourself into their bond.” She tilted her head slightly, her expression sharpening with disdain. “The Alpha calls her his mate openly, worries over her more than any Luna, and even commands that not a single scar be left upon her skin. Meanwhile, you—” Her gaze swept over Evelyn’s pale, damp hair and trembling frame. “You are left here, forgotten. Can you not see the difference?” Evelyn said nothing more. She simply lowered her eyes, allowing the weight of those words to settle where it hurt most. Then, without warning, one of the apprentices set down her bowl and retrieved a silver-tipped needle used for medicinal infusion. There was no scent test, no consultation with a senior healer, no proper ritual of verification. She simply stepped forward, seized Evelyn’s arm, and pressed the needle into her skin. Pain flared instantly, sharp and invasive, but before Evelyn could pull away, her wrist was forced down again. The apprentice did not stop after the first insertion; instead, she continued puncturing the same area with deliberate repetition, as though venting resentment rather than administering treatment. Blood quickly marked Evelyn’s skin, staining the pale linens beneath her arm. “This is what happens when you harm Lady Sterling,” the apprentice said flatly, her voice devoid of remorse. “A few needles will not kill you. Stop acting as though you are fragile.” Only after several moments did she withdraw the instrument, leaving behind a bruised, bleeding arm before turning away as if nothing of consequence had occurred. When the door closed behind them, the chamber fell silent once more. Evelyn slowly lowered her gaze to her arm. The puncture marks were numerous and uneven, some already swelling beneath the skin. Blood continued to seep faintly from several points, staining her fingers when she touched them. She reached for the small basin of water and cloth beside the bed, intending to stop the bleeding, but before she could even tear the fabric, her breath suddenly tightened. It began as a pressure in her chest, as though something heavy had been placed upon her ribs. Then came the burning sensation in her throat, followed by a violent tightening that made each inhale feel jagged and incomplete. An allergic reaction. The realization came too late. She reached weakly toward the call bell carved into the stone wall, but no response came. The chamber remained silent, untouched, as though she had been completely forgotten within it. And then she remembered what the apprentice had said. The healers had all been summoned to Lady Sterling’s chamber. Evelyn’s vision began to blur at the edges. Her fingers trembled as she searched for anything, any connection, any thread through the mate bond that might reach him. But even that felt distant, as though something had been placed between them, dulling the connection she once trusted without question. In desperation, she reached for the only thing left within reach of her fading strength and pulled out the communication stone inscribed with Adrian’s name. It was an old artifact used among high-ranking packs when distance separated bonded mates, allowing voice and presence to be carried through the spiritual thread of the bond. Her hands shook as she activated it. The response was almost immediate. A faint connection formed, and for a moment hope flickered inside her chest. “Adrian…” she tried to speak, but her voice broke before the word could fully form. Then, before she could say anything more, the connection wavered. A soft sound followed, distant and indifferent. And then silence. The link was severed. Evelyn’s fingers went slack. The stone slipped from her grasp and struck the floor with a dull sound. Her vision dimmed rapidly, the chamber fading as though even the moonlight carving on the ceiling were being swallowed by darkness. The last thing she saw, faint and distant, was not a healer rushing in, not her mate’s face, but the cold emptiness of a failed bond connection disappearing into nothingness. And then she fell into complete darkness.