Chapter 166

Chapter 166

(Rose: Eden’s mom Pov)

Memories flashed, and I remembered how it all began…

The Silvermoon Pack wasn’t far from mine, it felt like crossing into another town. As soon as I arrived, I made my way to Belle’s parents‘ house, hoping for a familiar, comforting face. Belle had always been my safe haven, the friend I could lean on.

“Hey Rose! Belle’s at the Alpha’s house,” her mother said, wiping her hands on a cloth as she stood by the door. “There’s a small gathering there tonight.”

I thanked her and made my way toward the Alpha’s residence, thinking it would be a quiet chance to share the news with Belle. I hadn’t told anyone yet. Not even my own family knew I was pregnant. I needed to share this with someone I trusted.

When I finally found her at the gathering, Belle’s face lit up as soon as she saw me. “Rose!” she squealed, pulling me into a tight hug.

Just then, the delicious earthy musk, like the smell of a forest after a heavy rain–raw flooded my senses. My wolf, Izza, reared her head, howling,

“Mate.”

I turned in the direction and saw him. Griffin–the young heir to the Alpha position. The man I’d heard so much about from Belle, but never met in person. He was striking, with a presence that commanded attention, and I could feel the unmistakable pull of the mate bond between us.

My heart raced. Was this truly happening?

Griffin’s eyes locked on mine, and he seemed just as stunned. Within moments, he walked over and took my hand to lead me away from the gathering. It felt like we were the only two people in the world.

We found ourselves outside, the evening air cool and quiet around us. My heart was pounding, but I barely noticed anything but him. When he reached for me, I didn’t hesitate, leaning closer, wanting nothing more than to be near him.

But just as our lips leaned closer, parting slightly, his whole expression changed. His eyes suddenly darkened, and his gaze shifted down toward my stomach. His wolf stirred, and a look of realization dawned on his face.

“I… I can smell a small pup growing inside you,” he whispered, the words thick with accusation.

My chest tightened. “Yes… I came here to tell Belle. I didn’t know I would meet you,

Griffin’s face contorted in fury, his eyes hardening as he took a step back. “You came here, carrying someone else’s child, and you expect me to accept you as my mate?” His words cut, laced with resentment.

“Please,” I reached out, desperate to hold onto him, to explain, but he shook me off.

“That’s unacceptable! You… you betrayed me before we even met,” he spat, turning away from me. “What’s your name?”

“Rose… Rose, Willows,”

“I, Griffin Silver, son of Alpha Damanac, reject you Rose Willows as my mate and Luna,” he said, and my heart shattered at his words and I could feel the bond weaken. It took me a lot not to fall to the ground in pain..

I stood on my feet, “No,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I won’t accept your rejection. Please forgive me. I would fight and even stay till I win you back.”

He looked back at me, coldy “Then stay. Let’s see how long you can endure this.”

For the first time, I felt truly lost. I should’ve gone back to my own pack, but I couldn’t leave. I felt bound to him, and held onto the hope that he’d see reason, that he’d forgive me. I moved into Belle’s parents‘ house, determined to stay close to him, hoping he would change his mind.

But days turned to weeks, and Griffin grew colder. I saw him less and less, no matter how I tried. And eventually, Belle’s behavior toward me changed too. My best friend became distant, her smiles faded until she became so cold…

One evening, she walked into my room “I’m marrying him,” she announced, folding her arms.

I felt my heart drop. “Belle… he’s my mate. You know that. How can you…?”

“He chose me, Rose.” She met my gaze, her tone laced with triumph. “He’s made his decision, and it isn’t you.”

I couldn’t believe it. But when the day came, I stood there, watching my mate marry my best friend. My heart shattered with every vow they exchanged. And as if that wasn’t enough, they made me serve as the lead waitress during the reception, carrying trays, while Griffin’s gaze never left mine, a satisfied smirk tugged at his lips.

I felt the full weight of what I’d lost. But I clung to the hope that one day Griffin would come to his senses, that the bond would bring him back to

It didn’t.

Griffin’s parents eventually stepped down, after passing the Alpha title to him and crowning Belle as Luna. They moved into the Alpha’s house, and I stayed, begging them for a place. I lowered myself, asking if I could at least work there, if not as his mate, then as a servant.

Life became a series of endless tasks, the work more strenuous each day, Belle’s bitterness toward me was obvious in every command she gave. She seemed determined to make me regret every second I stayed. She’d send me on the most exhausting errands…

Then, on a cold winter’s night, I went into labor. I gave birth to you, Eden, alone in a small, cold room in the Alpha’s home. When it was over, Griffin came to see you, looking at you with something close to acceptance, and for a time, he grew gentler. I thought, maybe, he was finally seeing us as a family.

I should’ve known better. We fell into a routine, one where I became his secret, sometimes he’d sneak to in the night.

And when I discovered I was pregnant again, everything that night came crashing down. Luna Belle discovered the truth, and Alpha Griffin’s anger flared back to life.

He came to me, yelling for me to leave.

“But I have nowhere else to go, Griffin!” I cried, clutching 3–year old Eden close, with my other hand instinctively covering the small bump.

“I don’t care.” His voice was harsh, and his gaze pierced through me. “You should’ve left long ago.”

They pushed me out of the house, out into the bitter cold. The sky opened up, rain pouring down, soaking me through in seconds.

“…I looked back at the house, my heart shattering with every step. The place I’d clung to, the man I’d loved, the dreams I’d dared to hold–all of it gone. I had nowhere to go, and the road ahead felt endless. And that was how I left, Eden…”