Chapter 2 The Rising Ceremony was set for ten o'clock in the morning , two days later . At dawn , I arrived at the banquet hall early , checking the feast and the order of rituals again and again , determined that not a single detail would be out of place . Most of the guests were from the Stone family . None of my own kin came . They had never forgiven me for raising Edward and Vivian's bastard pups . Even after all these years , they still thought I was a fool who had thrown away her life for children who weren't even mine . Edward's parents entered the hall , propped up by attendants , and went straight to the Alpha's table . They seated themselves in the place of honor as if they were the true hosts of the celebration . Edward's elder brother and his sister Melissa came in with their families , filling the rest of the seats at the table . Eight places , all occupied . My sons sat in the middle , flanked by doting relatives . And yet - there wasn't even a chair left for me . " Clara , why are you standing there ? Pour water for your elders , " Melissa sneered , cracking open a seed between her teeth . Melissa had always been bitter . Her mate beat her and cast her aside because she failed to produce a male heir . Only last year , at the age of forty , she finally birthed a son . Since then , she had strutted about with her chin high , pride swelling with every word . The Stones were not like other wolf families . Most packs in our kingdom valued both sons and daughters , knowing that strength and loyalty could emerge in any wolf , male or female . But the Stones had always been different . For generations , they clung to the belief that only male heirs could carry the Alpha's legacy It was said that one of their own elders once declared , " A bloodline without sons is a bloodline already dead . " And so the daughters of the Stone family grew up in the shadows , pushed aside , their worth measured only by the sons they could bear . My boys started to rise and help me , but their grandparents quickly pushed them back down " Stay , my precious grandsons , " Edward's mother crooned , pulling Lucas close . " Look at them so tall , so strong . They are the pride of the Stone bloodline . " " They resemble their father ... though I'd say they look more like Vivian ," Edward's brother muttered . A glare from the elders silenced him at once . 1 circled the table like a servant , pouring wine , fetching dishes , while the Stone elders basked in the glory of my sons . At last , the boys could stand it no longer . They dragged an empty chair to the middle and forced me to sit between them . " Mom , today's our birthday too . It's the day you suffered for us . Please , sit and rest . " Their words made the table fall uncomfortably silent . Melissa smirked . " If my brother knew his bastards had been raised so well , he'd be laughing in his grave . " Edward's father coughed sharply , and she shut her mouth . Then Edward's mother turned to me , her eyes gleaming with false kindness . " Clara , since today is such a joyous day , there's something I'd like to discuss . " forced a smile . " Go ahead . " " Adrian and Lucas are grown now . Soon they'll be leaving this territory for higher training in the capital . You'll be rattling around in that den of yours all alone . " Her smile widened . " When they depart , your father - in - law and I will move in . You can continue working , and I'll handle the meals . " Chapter 2 So that was her scheme . The den I lived in had been bought with my parents ' coin . They had insisted the deed carry only my name , since Edward had died in that reckless Blood Hunt with Vivian before we ever built a life together . My parents had even helped me keep up the payments when grief nearly broke me . And now , with the boys nearly grown , the Stones had set their sights on my territory . I kept my voice calm . " It's not that I don't want you there , but Adrian and Lucas will be bound to the capital's Alpha training halls soon . I've already given up the den . I'll take a smaller place for myself and dedicate the rest of the wealth to their future . " Edward's father slammed his fist on the table , his face dark as storm clouds . " You are still a Stone daughter - in - law ! How dare you make such a decision without consulting the family ? " I blinked at him in feigned surprise . " Everything I've done has been for Edward's sons . Isn't that what you always wanted ? " " Then where is the wealth ? " he barked . " Give it to your mother - in - law to guard . You've always been reckless with resources . " Any other day , they might have let me be . But now , with the twins about to rise higher than the family ever dreamed , they no longer saw me as necessary . Fsteadied my breath and said evenly , " The wealth has already been bound by a Blood Oath Contract overseen by the Moon Priestess . Starting next moon , Adrian and Lucas will each receive a warrior's stipend until they are forty . It belongs to them - no one else . " At that , Edward's father's rage faltered , though his eyes still burned with resentment . " At least you had the sense to leave it for my grandsons , " he muttered . Edward's mother leaned closer , her voice syrupy but sharp beneath . " Then don't waste what's left on another den . Just rent some small place . There's no need to waste coin . "