---- Chapter 2 Becky's Pov "What nonsense are you spewing now?" Alpha David's voice rumbled like thunder, shaking the very air between us. The tension in the room was palpable, but I stood my ground, unflinching under his piercing gaze. "It's been eight years, Alpha David," I declared, my voice steady, yet edged with finality. "I'm leaving." Alpha David's features twisted in a snarl, his wolfish anger rising to the surface. His aura pressed down on me, almost suffocating. "Why are you making a fuss now?Dorian's just a cub. Don't take his childish antics to heart. Today is his birthday. Come along, don't be difficult. 1'1l deal with him later." Before I could respond, his hand clamped around ---- mine, tugging me toward the door. I yanked my hand away, my eyes cold as I faced him. "You promised me, Alpha David. WhenDorian turned eight, I was free to go. Why am I making a fuss?" As I spoke, a voice sliced through the thick air, sharp and biting. "Becky, how dare you cause such a scene? You always manage to steal the spotlight, even ona day meant for my grandson!" I didn't need to turn around to recognize Sara's voice. She was the one who had struck the deal with Alpha David, promising me freedom onceDorian turned eight. So why was she now making such a racket? "1m not stealing anything, Sara," I shot back, my words laced with ice. "You were the one who said I could leave after eight years." Her lips twisted into a venomous sneer. " OnDorian's birthday, Becky? You couldn't wait ---- until tomorrow?" Alpha David intervened, his voice too smooth, too calculated. "It's fine, Sara. Becky didn't mean to disrupt things." I could see through him now. Years ago, I would've believed it, but now I knew his words were just an empty attempt to keep me by his side, trapped in this unending cycle. "Come, let's go join the party," Alpha David said, ahint of impatience creeping into his voice. I didn't protest, letting him lead me into the crowded celebration.Dorian and his friends were already in the middle of their chaos, but as soon asDorian saw me, his face hardened, turning to stone. "Look,Dorian," one of his friends called, "Your mother is here." Corvin's lip curled in disgust. "She's not my ---- mother." The sting of his words didn't pierce my heart like they used to. Now, I stood unmoving, only watching as Alpha David sighed deeply, pullingDorian into line. "We don't speak like that,Dorian. Becky is your mother now. She's taken care of you like her own." Corvin's face contorted with rage. "She's not my mother! She killed my mother!" His voice cracked with fury as he pointed at me, accusing me before the entire room. Whispers rippled through the hall, the guests' eyes darting to me like I was some kind of pariah. "She's the boy's aunt." "Why does he act like that toward her?" "Obviously, she's done something wrong. He doesn't like her..."