Chapter 3 The Stones were still bickering , their voices overlapping in an endless chorus of demands , when the banquet manager approached and placed a microphone in my hand . " Tonight , we celebrate the twins ' coming - of - age as well as their Rising Ceremony , " he announced . " As their mother , please share a few words and your wisdom . " I lifted the stone , my gaze sweeping over the hall filled with Stone family members . " Thank you for joining Adrian and Lucas's Rising Ceremony . Today is- " But before I could finish , a deep voice cut through the hall . " Today of all days , their true parents should not be absent . " The doors swung open Hand in hand , a man and woman strode inside . My breath caught . Even after eighteen years , I knew those faces instantly . Edward Stone my long - dead mate . And beside him , the woman who had always shadowed me his first love , Vivian Hart . The hall erupted into chaos . Gasps, murmurs , snarls rippled through the gathered pack And yet Edward's parents , seated at the place of honor , showed no shock at all . Their composure was so unnerving it was almost rehearsed . They rose only to draw Vivian closer and seat her proudly at their side . Edward walked straight to me . " Clara , " he said , voice dripping with disdain , " you were never much of a wife . But I'll admit - you've been a fine caretaker . " My sons , stunned , finally found their voices . " What is going on ? " Edward pointed toward Vivian . " She is your true mother . This woman- who clung to me with death threats and kept us apart for eighteen years . ' The words struck like a whip . his eyes slashed toward me " -is nothing but a barren Luna The Stones at the main table joined in immediately , their voices a chorus of accusation . " Yes , it was Clara who refused to let Edward go . " " She chained him to a loveless bond , and because of her , you boys grew up away from your real parents . " " Now you're grown , strong , even accepted into the Royal Academy . At last , the family can be whole again . " My sons stared blankly , unable to move , confusion twisting in their eyes . Vivian pressed forward , tears shimmering as she clasped their hands . " I am your mother . I sent you gifts every year . I watched you from afar after training , hiding so you would never know . Sweet boys .... can't you feel the truth in your blood ? " Then she turned to me with false humility , " Sister , thank you . Thank you for raising my sons so well . Edward slid an arm around her shoulders , his eyes gleaming with cruel triumph . " Clara , enough charades . You and I will annul our bond tomorrow . Eighteen years is long enough . Vivian will take her rightful place as my mate . " Everyone expected me to to collapse , to scream and rage . The entire Stone clan leaned forward , eager for my humiliation Instead , I smiled . Calm , cold , unshaken . Chapter 3 " Very well , " I said softly . " We'll dissolve the bond tomorrow . Let the four of you reunite . " The hall froze . Gasps rippled through the room . Even Edward and Vivian stared at me as if I had lost my mind . " You - are you ins Edward demanded . I tilted my head . " Why ? Isn't this what you wanted ? " Vivian tugged at his arm , whispering urgently . At once , Edward pulled a rolled parchment from his cloak and shoved it toward me , desperate to secure the victory before I could change my mind . " Then sign . Here . This Blood - Breaking Pact severs all ties . From this moment , the boys belong to us , and you are forbidden from ever claiming them again . " Without so much as glancing at the text , I scrawled my name across the bottom . " Mom ? You're abandoning us ? " Adrian's voice cracked with disbelief , his eyes shimmering with hurt . Vivian snatched up the pact with greedy hands , her lips curling into a victorious smile . " Thank you , Sister . Without you , Edward and I would never have known such freedom . " She turned to my sons , eyes glittering , " Come now , you are ours again . She has nothing left to do with you . " Edward's father waved dismissively . " Enough ! Clara , you may leave . You have no place here any longer . " ן I rose slowly . " Leave? " My voice carried a razor's edge . " Not yet . Since the pact is signed , it is time you all learned the truth . " The hall fell into uneasy silence . Edward narrowed his eyes . " What are you playing at ? " At last , I exhaled . Eighteen years I had waited for this moment . Eighteen years of sacrifice and silence . I clapped my hands toward the doors . " Bring them in . " Two shadows appeared in the threshold , slowly stepping into the torchlight . And when the pack saw who they were , the hall descended into chaos once more ...