15 In his office, Alpha Nicholas was buried in paperwork when his phone suddenly buzzed-it was a call from Marcus. "Alpha, young Kai has a fever of 103 degrees. We're all worried something serious might happen." Nicholas's face went dark as he asked, "Have you called the pack healer?" "We did, but Miss Silvermoon said not to worry about it. She's... she's gone out to some social event." "What?" Nicholas's expression turned thunderous, his voice filled with shock. "I'm coming back right now. Get the healer over there immediately." Racing through the rain to get home, he found Kai exactly as he'd feared: the pup's face was flushed red, his small body shaking uncontrollably. The pack healer was already there, giving him medicine, his expression grave. "How did it get this bad?" "Alpha, the fever's been raging for four hours now. If we'd waited any longer, it could have caused permanent damage," the healer said quietly, his face serious. "The pup has a weak constitution-he should have been treated immediately." A tight knot formed in Nicholas's chest. He remembered how things used to be... with June around, she could sense the slightest illness in the pups before it even showed symptoms. Often, she didn't even need to touch them to know exactly what was wrong. "Where's Megan? I haven't seen her anywhere." Marcus hesitated, then finally spoke up. "Miss Silvermoon said... well, she called it just a minor cold and wen to Mrs. Whitmore's birthday party. She didn't want to miss it." Nicholas pulled out his phone and dialed Megan's number. It rang forever before she picked up, the background filled with loud laughter and music. "Nick?" Megan's voice was light and tipsy, like the whole thing was no big deal. "Kai's fever is almost at 104 degrees. Where the hell are you?" "Oh... I'll come back right away!" For the first time, Nicholas had really snapped at her, and Megan's tone instantly shifted to panicked apology. "I'm so sorry, Nick. I thought it was just a regular cold... I'm on my way now." An hour later, Megan rushed in, still in her elegant party dress, her makeup as flawless as ever. With tears in her eyes, she threw herself at Nicholas, looking completely pitiful. "Nick, I had no idea Kai was this sick..." Nicholas stared at her perfect makeup and the faint smell of alcohol on her, feeling irritation rise in his chest But looking at that face he'd once been obsessed with, he couldn't help but soften. "Let it go this time. Just b more careful next time." Late that night, Kai's fever finally started to break. Nicholas's phone rang again-it was an urgent call from his beta. "Alpha, there's an emergency with the northern border that needs your immediate attention." Nicholas glanced at his son sleeping in the bed, hesitated for a moment, then said, "Megan, watch him for a bit. I'll be back as soon as I handle this." Megan nodded obediently, her expression all gentle concern. "Don't worry, I'll take great care of him." Nicholas hurried out, but at the front door, he patted his pockets and realized he'd left his keys inside. He doubled back and was just reaching the door when he heard Megan's sharp voice cutting through from inside. "You little brat, stop faking being sick! You ruined my whole party!" Kai's voice came back weak and tearful: "I'm sorry, Aunt Megan... I didn't mean to..." "I'm warning you, don't you dare play the victim in front of your dad!" Megan's tone was brutally cold, without hint of mercy. "If you say one word out of line, I'll make you regret it!" "I-I won't say anything..." Kai sobbed. "I'll be good... please don't hurt me..." "Smart pup. Just like your bitch of a mother-" Outside the door, listening to every word, Nicholas felt his world collapse. The image of the pure, kind woman he'd loved shattered in an instant. He kicked the door open with a thunderous crash. Megan spun around in terror, meeting Nicholas's furious glare. "N-Nick..." Her face went pale as she stammered, "Let me explain... I just-" But Nicholas was already striding forward, his hand connecting with her face in a sharp slap. She staggered back, hitting the wall, her carefully styled hair falling loose. "I had no idea that behind my back, this is how you've been playing the loving stepmother..." "If you can hit him and threaten him today, what's to stop you from doing worse tomorrow?" "Get out." His voice was ice-cold. "Pack your things and leave Blackstone territory right now. I never want to see you again." Megan clutched her face, tears smearing her makeup as she pleaded desperately, "Nick, I was just upset... I really love these pups. I'll treat them better from now on." "Love?" Nicholas laughed bitterly. "Is that what you call hitting and threatening them?" He turned to Kai on the bed, who was huddled in fear, his little face streaked with tears. Chapter 15 Nicholas's heart felt like it was being torn apart-how blind had he been not to see the terror his pups were living in? "Daddy..." Kai reached out timidly, his eyes wide with panic. "I was bad... I'll listen to Aunt Megan. Please don't leave me..." Nicholas knelt by the bed, gripping his son's fevered hand tightly. "No, son. It's Daddy who was wrong." He looked back at Megan, his eyes filled with such disappointment and disgust that she stepped back. "I never imagined you could be this kind of person." Megan tried to protest, but Nicholas had already hit the call button. "Security, get this woman off my territory immediately." As Megan's cries faded down the hallway, Nicholas collapsed exhausted into a chair by the bed. Kai tugged carefully at his sleeve, sobbing pitifully. "Daddy... I miss Mommy. Will you bring her back?" Nicholas's throat tightened. He pictured June walking away with that final, determined stride, remembering all the coldness and hurt he'd inflicted on her, a dull ache spreading through his chest. "Daddy..." Cora had woken up somehow and was rubbing her eyes as she approached. "I miss Mommy too. When will she come back?" Nicholas pulled both pups into his arms, unable to find words, bitter regret filling every corner of his heart.