Page 11 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

"Back to the manor?"

"Yeah."

As the car pulled away from the Guard Station, I looked back one more time. The gray-white building grew smaller and smaller, shrinking to a tiny dot in the rear window. I adjusted the bundle in my arms. The little thing squirmed against me and made a tiny sound, like a kitten mewing.

I looked down at him.

Your mother's gone. But I can find her. I will find her.

Suddenly, the little thing reached toward my finger. Grasped it. Eyes still closed, like a small creature finally finding safe arms, breathing out in relief. My throat tightened. I wanted to say something but didn't want to startle him. After the little thing gripped my finger, like he'd confirmed the scent was safe, he relaxed and sank back into sleep.

I held him the whole ride. Didn't say a word. My heart softened bit by bit, almost painfully.

My mate—she couldn't bear to leave this child. But she still left, crying.

Humans can't sense the mate bond. A voice in my head questioned whether we'd ever see our mate again in this lifetime. But I wouldn't give up. My wolf wouldn't allow it. I wouldn't allow it.

Silver pine Kingdom's streets flowed past the car window. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the trees, landing on the tiny nose in the bundle like a grain of golden dust. I closed my eyes. I'd decided on a name.

"Your name is Liam," I said softly.

Liam. In the wolf language, it meant "come back."

Five Years Later.

The pressure in the Elder Council meeting hall was suffocating. Every elder seated around the table looked like they'd just been pulled from an icehouse.

"Your Majesty." The Grand Elder set his teacup on the table—not hard, but in the quiet room it rang out clearly. "Five years. We didn't object to Liam's adoption at the time, but you keep dragging your feet on marriage. The Luna position remains empty. The gossip has spread across the entire Moonfall Continent. They're saying Liam is your illegitimate child."

I twisted the ring on my finger. Five years. For protection, I'd never publicly revealed Liam's identity. Never even let him appear before these elders. So the Grand Elder didn't know—the rumor was true.

"We think you should dispose of the child—"

"I'm not disposing of the child." I snarled, letting out a low growl.

The Grand Elder frowned. "Why? He's just an adopted—"

BANG! My fist slammed the table. I stared at him, voice coming from the bottom of my throat. My wolf bared its teeth. The Grand Elder felt the Alpha's pressure and shut his mouth.

The atmosphere in the meeting room went rigid.

"If you won't dispose of him, fine. The Hale family can afford to raise one child." Another elder spoke, breaking the standoff. "But the Luna position can't be delayed any longer. The second daughter of the Gray family—good background, clean record. Marry her as Luna. It'll silence the outside rumors and give Liam a mother. More importantly, the Gray family has been in business for generations. They'd be an asset to Hale. What more could you want?"

My fingers rested on the armrest. I didn't move.

"What about Lina?" Elder Ria, who'd been silent in the corner, suddenly spoke up. She stood, somewhat agitated. "She's cared for Liam for five years. More devoted than his own mother would be. Is she just supposed to be cast aside without explanation?"

I looked up at her. She stared back fearlessly. Of all the elders, she was the most fond of Lina. I looked away and let out a heavy sigh inside.

Lina.

Her gentle smile floated before my eyes.

My wolf let out a low growl. It didn't reject Lina. But it rejected me marrying her.

"Enough." I cut off Ria, not wanting to dwell on this any longer. "The Gray family's daughter. Her then. Have someone negotiate. Tell me when the wedding's scheduled."

The Grand Elder's expression finally loosened. The others exchanged glances—satisfied. Only Elder Ria kept staring at me. Her lips moved, but she said nothing in the end. Just sighed.