---- My children can only be born by Aria." He stared at Scarlett's belly, then told his trembling assistant, "Handle it. Remember-no anesthesia." Scarlett collapsed in terror. She couldn't believe the Kieran who had once doted on her could suddenly turn so vicious. She crawled on the floor, clutching at his legs. "Kieran, please no! It's your child too!" "It's my fault-I shouldn't have coveted Luna's position. But everything I did was because I love you!" "We're so compatible together. Didn't you say you couldn't get enough of my body? I refuse to accept this! If I had met you first, I would have been your mate!" Kieran kicked Scarlett away, his disgust undisguised. "You? Compared to Aria? I was just playing with you. No matter what, I would never marry you." ---- "Abort the child and get out of my sight. You don't need to work at Blackwood Hospital anymore either." "Not destroying you completely is my final mercy! " His grandfather sipped his tea calmly, speaking without emotion. "Kieran, I'll say two things. First, I don't care how you handle her, but I'm claiming the child in her belly." "Second, your father and I carefully groomed you to give this pack an excellent heir. If you continue wallowing like this, how do you face your father who died for you? How do you face the pack members who trust you?" His grandfather's words pulled Kieran's thoughts far into the past, to memories so distant they seemed blurred. But he clearly remembered his father's words: " He's just a child. If you need a hostage, take me instead. An Alpha is more valuable to you than some milk-drinking pup, isn't it?" ---- He'd slept for so long after that. When he finally woke, he only heard news that rogue wolves had tortured and killed his father, leaving no remains. From that moment, his grandfather had reminded him constantly that he carried his father's legacy, that he must be a worthy pack heir without any missteps. His world had become dark and colorless until he met me in college. He'd caused his father's death, and now he'd lost me too. Seeing Kieran's tears streaming down, his grandfather patted his head and handed him an invitation. "Winters Pack's banquet is the day after tomorrow. Remember to attend on time. You know our pack barely survived its turbulent period -we need time to develop, and that requires Winters Pack's support." "Finding Aria will also require substantial financial backing. If anything happens to our pack, our members who depend on Blackwood ---- resources will suffer first. Kieran, you must distinguish between what matters most." Kieran remembered a charity donation ceremony from long ago, where I had waited with a bouquet, saying, "You know what? Alpha Kieran looks radiant when he's being handsome and kind- hearted." He'd laughingly asked for a reward, and I'd stood on my tiptoes to kiss him for the first time. "Our Alpha must work hard and earn well so pack members can live better lives." Suddenly Kieran's hollow eyes regained focus. He wiped his tears and told his grandfather, "I'll be there on time and will definitely secure Winters Pack's support to give our pack a stable development period."