Chapter 5: The Luna They Had Been Waiting For

Ryder, known for his cold and decisive demeanor, showed a rare hint of warmth the moment he saw me. A faint but unmistakable smile touched his lips.

Darren threw himself into my arms, but the moment he noticed the blood on my hand, his expression shifted with concern. "Mommy, what happened to your hand? Did someone hurt you?"

The moment he called me Mommy, the room fell silent. I heard a collective gasp as everyone turned to look.

The guests who had just moments ago been sneering and watching the spectacle stood frozen in disbelief.

"Mommy? Did... did that child just call Sophia his mother?"

"But isn't that Mr. Weyland's son?"

"Then... doesn't that mean..."

No one dared to finish the sentence.

Ryder walked straight toward me without sparing anyone else a glance. His eyes immediately landed on the injuries on my face and wrist.

The warmth in his expression disappeared instantly, replaced by a terrifying chill.

"Who did this?" he asked quietly.

Although his voice was calm, everyone present felt an overwhelming pressure.

Before I could answer, Darren pointed directly at Hailey.

"Daddy, that bad lady bullied Mommy! She also broke Mommy's favorite bracelet!"

Ryder lowered his gaze and finally noticed the shattered bracelet scattered across the floor.

His expression darkened instantly.

That bracelet wasn't merely expensive—it symbolized our mate bond. He had personally commissioned master craftsmen to create it.

"Who touched my mate?" Ryder asked again.

This time, his tone was colder than ice.

Hailey's face turned pale, but she still forced out a smile.

"Mr. Weyland, you've misunderstood. She stole your Luna's bracelet and pretended to be Mrs. Weyland. We were only protecting your reputation."

"Exactly!" August hurriedly added. "She has always liked lying. We were simply trying to stop her from embarrassing the Aurelis Pack."

Ryder slowly looked toward August.

"You hit my mate?"

August stiffened under Ryder's gaze.

"Mr. Weyland, she's my ex-girlfriend. I was only teaching her a lesson after she kept pretending to know you."

Ryder let out a cold laugh.

"Pretending?"

He gently lifted my injured hand into his own before carefully brushing the dirt away with his thumb.

His movements were unbelievably gentle, as though I were the most precious treasure in the world.

Then he raised our joined hands for everyone to see.

"Allow me to formally introduce my wife, Sophia Weyland, my Luna and the mother of my children."

"Three years ago, I mated with her before the elders of the Lymerian Pack. Every Alpha in attendance witnessed our ceremony."

"The bracelet you called fake was custom-made for my mate. There has only ever been one owner."

The hall fell deathly silent.

August's pupils shrank violently.

"Impossible..." he whispered.

Hailey stumbled backward, nearly collapsing.

"No... That can't be true..."

The Alpha of the Aurelis Pack hurried over with several elders, his face deathly pale.

"Chairman Weyland... We sincerely apologize. We had no idea Mrs. Weyland had already arrived."

The Alpha bowed respectfully toward me.

"Luna Weyland, please forgive our negligence."

Every guest instantly lowered their heads.

Those who had mocked me only moments ago were now trembling with fear.

August stared at me in complete disbelief.

Only now did he finally realize that the woman he had looked down upon for three years... had truly become the Luna of the strongest lycan in all the packs.