chapter 1

"Mia, are you sure you want to give up everything to join the Fourth Generation Defense Project of the Werewolf Empire? From now on, your identity and whereabouts will be classified, known to no one."

Mia Lambert looked at the officer in his blue-green military uniform and replied firmly, "I'm sure."

"Very well. I hereby announce that you are officially a member of the Defense Project. You have half a month to get prepared. Is that acceptable?" asked the officer.

"Of course!" replied Mia.

"Do you need arrangements for your husband and child at the base?" the officer continued.

"No, thank you," said Mia.

Taking a deep breath, she added, "If they ever ask about me, just tell them I'm dead."

With the officer looking surprised, Mia completed a series of formalities before leaving the base.

The alliances of various packs formed the Werewolf Empire, and the Defense Project was specifically designed to fend off foreign invasions and protect the entire empire.

To fight on the battlefield and defend the people of the Werewolf Empire was her lifelong aspiration.

By the time she returned to the Midnight Pack, it was already the afternoon of the next day.

A chauffeur picked her up from the airport. As Mia gazed out at the familiar streets, memories of the past six years flooded her mind, stirring a whirlwind of emotions.

Six years ago, she retired from the wolf tribe's battlefield, met Yash Brown, and by chance, they became mates and she became the Luna of this pack, leading to the birth of their child that same year.

As the Luna of the Midnight Pack, she had always confined herself to the role of the perfect Luna, aiding Yash in protecting the pack.

Yet, the low growl of Alice within her never ceased, constantly reminding her that their destiny was to be warriors on the battlefield, not docile beings confined to family life.

She had once lived a relatively stable life with Yash, but everything changed after Yolanda Meyer appeared.

Yolanda was an ordinary omega in the Midnight Pack, who saved Yash's life during a fire and was thereafter regarded as a savior by him.

On sunny days, he made soup for her. On rainy days, he brought umbrellas to her. Yash spent most of his time outside with her.

The moments that should have belonged to Mia were gradually consumed, and by the time she noticed, there was hardly anything left.

Even their son began to feel that Ms. Meyer was better, running to cling to Yolanda and rejecting her as his mother.

At first, Mia fought back, unable to resist asserting her claim before Yolanda.

But eventually, she realized that no matter how hard she tried, the hearts of both father and son had already gravitated towards Yolanda, and she could no longer pull them back.

So, she decided to give up.

Since they liked Yolanda so much, believing she was better than their wife and mother, she would simply relinquish her position.

Just then, the car suddenly stopped.

She looked up and found that the chauffeur had not taken her home but had instead arrived at the foot of a steep mountain, a wave of displeasure rising within her.

The chauffeur explained quietly, "Luna, the Elite Training Camp assigned a task to Sean. They need you and the alpha to complete it here."

Mia frowned, about to question who authorized such a decision, when Sean Brown hurried over.

"Mom, you finally made it! Dad and Ms. Meyer have been waiting for you for a long time!"

He said excitedly, pulling her out of the car.

At that moment, she inexplicably wanted to pull her hand back.

Down the mountain, Yash and Yolanda stood together.

They were dressed in matching casual outfits, their appearances well-suited, and given their similar ages, anyone unaware of the situation might think they were a family of three.

Mia smirked sarcastically.

"Why are you just now arriving?" Yash said impatiently. "Sean's task counts towards elite rankings. The harder the challenge, the higher the rank. So, I chose this steepest peak for rock climbing. Go change your clothes. We're starting now!"

Mia's wrist had been injured by a wolfsbane silver blade six years ago, and that scar still ached on rainy days.

The doctor had advised her never to lift heavy objects, let alone rock climb.

Yash was aware of that, yet he seemed to have forgotten, or perhaps he simply didn't care.

Disappointment washed over her.

"I won't rock climb," she refused.

Yash frowned. "If you can't do it, learn. For the sake of Sean, you should at least try."

"Yeah! Mom, just give it a shot!"

Sean's hopeful voice cut through her, unaware that his words sliced through her heart like a knife.

Mia looked at them and coldly shook her head. "I said I won't."

"How could you..."

Just then, Yash was about to lose his temper when Yolanda stepped forward, jokingly saying, "Is the Luna afraid? If you're so scared, I could accompany Sean instead. But after the climb, he'll have to call me Mom!"

She laughed heartily.

In the past, if Yolanda had said something like this, Mia would have felt anxious.

No matter how hard it had been, she would have completed the task with Sean.

After all, they were her husband and son, and knowing Yolanda had always coveted their bond, how could she let this opportunity slip away?

But now, she simply stared at Yolanda, pondering for a moment before nonchalantly nodding. "That's not out of the question.

"Since that's the case, I'll leave it to you, Ms. Meyer."

Yolanda was left speechless.

After Mia finished speaking, she turned and walked away.

Yolanda, Yash, and Sean exchanged glances, bewildered.

After a while, Yash angrily shouted at her, "That's good! Yolanda, let's do it together! When we film it, we'll say you're Sean's mom and see how she regrets it!"

Regret it? He doesn't know that you don't care anymore. Alice, Mia's wolf, scoffed, her voice laced with mockery.

But Mia didn't see Yolanda watching her retreating figure, a glint of calculation in eyes.

This was exactly what Yolanda wanted!