This was it.

       I stood at the edge of the pack territory, my heart beating quickly. Rowan looked around curiously.

       “Are we going inside, Mom?”He asked, pointing towards the direction of the pack estate.

       I shook my head. “No, pup. We’re going to meet a friend of mine.”

       There was no way I was staying in the pack house. In fact, I didn’t even want anyone to know I was back.

       I held Rowan’s hands firmly as I led him away from the pack estate and towards the other edge of the pack territory.

       Elma, the pack healer lives away from the pack in her beautiful wood cabinet, tucked away between the trees. It didn’t take long for Rowan and I to get to her cabin.

       The huge wooden house glowed almost magically under the rays of the morning sun.

       “Wow…”Rowan gasped in wonder.

       I paused, taking a breath. Would Elma even be willing to meet me?

       Before I could finish my thought, the door flew open, a familiar person. Those green eyes and the long gray hair could only be one person.

       Elma.

       She stood frozen as she looked at me. “Mira?”

       My heart clenched when she looked so unsure, but in the next second, she hurried up to me and gave me a big hug.

       “Oh, darling. I thought you\\\'d never come back!” She said emotionally.

       I hugged her back lightly, “Elma, I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you I was leaving.” I apologise.

       She must have been so sad about me leaving so hurriedly. But she didn’t mention anything.

       Her eyes moved to Rowan who had his eyes on her. She turned back to me in shock. “This…. He’s yours?”

       I gripped her hand. “Can we go inside please?”

       She looked at Rowan and nodded.

       Once inside, I set Rowan down on one of the stools. He tugged on my sleeve.

       “Mom, I feel a bit tired.” he whispered.

       Elma watched us from behind. She came closer and ruffled Rowan’s head. “I’ll go make the bed. Mira, bring the kid inside.”

       I held Rowan\\\'s hands and we followed Elma to a rook in her cabin that used to be just for me. It was clean and neat, almost like I’d never left.

       After we put Rowan to sleep, we left the room. Elma looked at me hesitantly.

       “This boy…” she began, her voice barely above a whisper.

       I already knew what she was going to say. “Yes. He’s Kade’s.”

       Elma went quiet, her gaze softening as she reached out to hold my hand. “You’ve been through a lot.”

       I could tell she understood. Leaving the pack pregnant wasn’t an easy feat. And raising my son wasn’t either.

       This was why I made my decision.

       “I need help to mask his scent.” I said, looking straight at Elma. “I know you can help me. Please, Kade can’t know about my pup.”

       Her expression was troubled. “But……”

       “Please.” I cut in, looking at her with pleading eyes.

       Elma was unable to reject me. She sighed. “Okay.”

       She immediately set to making the potion. I assisted her, reducing any possible delay. I didn’t want me and my son to get in-between Kade and his… Luna.

       So, he’ll never find out.

       By the time we were done, it was the next morning. Rowan was already awake and I handed him warm water with the potion mixed in. He drank it.

       Soon, the familiar scent he’d inherited from Kade changed, to something that scented more like me.

       I sighed, relieved. I felt exhausted from working all night, but it was worth it. I kissed his cheeks and asked him to take a bath while I went over to meet Elma in her living room.

       “Elma can you help me with—”

       “Mira?”

       My words got stuck in my mouth as I heard the familiar voice. I looked up to see the man standing beside Elma. Dark, messy brown hair,  bright golden eyes and tan skin.

       Kade.

       It felt like I could hardly breathe. His expression was surprised. His brows raised.

       “When did you—”

       Before he could finish, his voice was cut off by the sound of Rowan running into the living room.

       “Mama! I can’t find the towel for my hair!”

       Kade’s eyes turned to Rowan and I could see his eyes widened then narrow when he noticed the strange scent. I hid Rowan behind me.

       Kade’s eyes flicked between me and Rowan.

       “Mira, who is he”