Chapter 2

Echo POV:

"Echo, wait, let me explain!" Sam took a step forward, hands raised. He let out a low growl, a subtle use of his Alpha tone intended to make pack members submit. "Calm down."

Usually, the Alpha's voice would make my knees weak. But today, the anger in my blood acted as a shield.

"Don't," I warned him. "Don't you dare use your Voice on me."

I looked at the child, Kitty. She was hiding behind Lily's legs. I inhaled deeply, letting the air flow over my olfactory glands.

Sam smelled of fear and musk. Lily smelled of vanilla and milk. And the child...

I frowned. The child smelled of Sam. It was a thick layer of scent, *like she'd been doused in his cologne or held for hours.* But underneath that... there was no genetic link.

Wolves can smell blood ties. It's biological. A father and daughter share a specific underlying resonance. Kitty didn't have it. *Whatever scent masking Lily was using on the girl was strong, but not perfect.*

"She calls you Daddy," I said quietly. "But she doesn't smell like your blood, Sam."

Sam froze. His eyes darted to Lily.

Lily immediately burst into tears. *It was a practiced, elegant performance.* "How can you say that?" she sobbed, pulling Kitty closer. "Just because you can't have children, Luna Echo, doesn't mean you should deny ours! Are you that jealous?"

"It's true, Echo," Sam said quickly, latching onto the lie. "Kitty is mine. I... I made a mistake five years ago. Before we were 'Chosen'. I didn't want to hurt you."

He was lying. I could smell the acrid tang of deceit rolling off him. He wasn't scared that I would leave him for cheating; he was scared I would leave and take my family's influence with me. My father was a Head Alpha. Sam used that connection for loans and respect.

"You are lying," I said. "And you are pathetic."

"Mommy, I'm scared," Kitty whined.

"It's okay, baby," Lily cooed, glaring at me through her tears. "The bad lady is just upset because she's empty inside."

Something inside me snapped.

"I want you to process the adoption papers," I said, my voice devoid of emotion. "If she is your daughter, make it legal. Stop hiding her like a dirty secret."

"I... yes, of course," Sam stammered, clearly confused by my sudden pivot. "I will."

"I'm going to the car," I said. "Don't follow me."

I turned around. As I walked away, the wind carried the whispers of two low-ranking wolves cleaning the orphanage yard.

*"Did you hear? The Alpha and Lily are registered in the Red Creek Pack. Real mates. They say he's just waiting for the Luna to die or leave."*

My hands gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white. The Red Creek Pack. He had a real certificate there.

I sat in the driver's seat, the silence of the car deafening. I reached into my glove box and pulled out a burner phone I had kept for emergencies. I dialed a number I hadn't called in five years.

The screen flickered, and a video call connected.

A face appeared. Stern, scarred, with eyes as grey as a winter storm.

"Echo?" The voice was deep, rumbling like thunder.

"Alpha Father," I whispered. My throat tightened. "I... I want to come home."

My father, the Alpha of the Royal Northern Pack, leaned closer to the camera. He saw my red eyes, the shaking of my shoulders. A low growl started in his chest.

"Who did this?" he demanded. "Is it that mutt you married?"

"I made a mistake, Papa," I sobbed, the first tear finally falling. "I'm not barren. He... he lied. Everything is a lie."

"Pack your things," my father commanded. "I am sending the Elite Guard. They will be there in two days. Do not let him touch you."

"I won't," I promised.

"And Echo?"

"Yes?"

"Let your wolf wake up. You are a White Wolf. *We don't bow to trash.*"

The call ended. I looked in the rearview mirror. My eyes, usually a soft blue, were flashing with a momentary streak of silver.

I drove back to the Pack house. I expected Sam to stay away.

But the next morning, I walked downstairs to find them there. Sam, Lily, and Kitty. Sitting at my dining table. Eating pancakes.

"Good morning, Echo," Sam said, his voice straining for normalcy. "I brought them here. I thought... since you know, we could try to be a family. For the Pack's sake."

*He brought his mistress and his fake child into my home. The audacity was breathtaking.*

*