Today marked the fiftieth anniversary of the hospital and the grand introduction of this year's largest shareholder. The scent of wine and roasted meat filled the air, soft orchestral music played in the background, and elegant laughter echoed around the hall. Yet beneath all that warmth and celebration, I could feel several pairs of eyes fixed on me, one pair more piercing than the rest.

Lucian's.

Kael sat beside me, his arm resting casually behind my chair. Our little boy was perched on his lap, giggling as he tugged at his father's tie. Kael let him play, patient as ever, his gaze soft every time he looked at us. Across the table, Amanda's smile faltered. Her eyes flicked toward our family with a mixture of discomfort and envy.

The music faded slightly when a man in his sixties stepped onto the podium. The Director of Howlshade Medical Centre, a figure respected by everyone in the room, adjusted his coat and smiled with quiet authority.

"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice boomed warmly through the microphone, "tonight we celebrate not only the hospital's fiftieth anniversary but also a new chapter in its history."

Applause followed. Anticipation rippled through the hall.

"As you know, medical science is ever-evolving. To keep up with these advances, we must continue to innovate and expand. That is why I'm honoured to announce that we have a new major investor joining our institution someone whose contribution will fund the construction of a new surgical and trauma wing."

A wave of murmurs spread across the tables. Curious faces turned in every direction.

Then the Director looked straight at our table.

"It is my pleasure to introduce our newest and largest investor, Professor Kael Alaric."

Applause thundered through the hall. Kael rose slowly, our son still in his arms. His presence commanded attention even without effort. That natural Alpha aura, calm, powerful, dignified made even humans instinctively straighten in their seats.

From across the room, I caught Lucian's expression stiffening. His jaw tightened; his eyes locked onto Kael, wide with disbelief. Amanda leaned toward him, whispering something, but he didn't respond. His gaze stayed fixed on my husband the man who now stood where he once had.

"Thank you," Kael began, his deep voice smooth and steady. "It's an honour to be part of this institution. I believe the future of this hospital lies not only in preserving its reputation but in driving innovation. This investment is not merely financial, it's a commitment to excellence, to healing, and to the people who entrust their lives to us."

Then his tone shifted slightly. "And, of course, this city is personal to me. It's home to my family the place where I want my son to grow up watching his parents work, strive, and give something meaningful back to the world."

The room erupted into another round of applause. Some of the staff exchanged glances, whispering about the way he had used the word family and the subtle mention of "our pack." Kael had never hidden who he was: Alpha of the Stormfang Pack, now standing in the very heart of Howlshade's territory.

He turned toward me and our son, offering a small, proud smile.

I met Lucian's eyes from across the hall. His complexion had gone pale; his fists clenched tightly under the table. Amanda tried to calm him, but it was clear he was struggling to contain his anger. He understood exactly what this meant: Kael wasn't just my husband or the father of my child, he was now a powerful figure inside his hospital, on his ground.

The Director continued, his tone full of ceremony.

"With Professor Kael Alaric joining as our primary investor, the new surgical wing will soon begin construction. And I'm pleased to announce that the Head of General Surgery for the new division will be none other than Dr. Sera Blackthorne."

Applause filled the room again. I rose gracefully, smiling as Kael rested a proud hand on my shoulder. Our son clapped excitedly, his small voice carrying over the applause.

"Mommy's the best!"

Lucian's gaze turned sharp almost venomous. For years, he had seen me as the woman left behind, the failure, the one who walked away in tears. But tonight, in front of everyone, I stood tall as a surgeon, as the Luna of Stormfang, as a mother, and now as the head of a new surgical division in his own hospital.

I bowed slightly to the Director and the audience, then took my seat again. From the corner of my eye, I saw Lucian abruptly push his chair back, the legs scraping against the marble floor. Amanda called his name, but he ignored her, striding out of the hall with clenched fists and a dark scowl.

Kael leaned closer, his voice low and calm. "It seems your ex isn't taking it well."

I exhaled slowly, watching the door swing shut behind Lucian. "Let him feel a little of what he once made me feel."

Kael's hand slid over mine beneath the table, his fingers warm and firm. "He'll never hurt you again, Sera. I promise."

I smiled faintly, eyes drifting to the stage the place where my future had just been declared to the world.

The orchestra began a lighter tune. The clinking of glasses and laughter filled the room again. I turned my attention back to my family. Our son was trying, quite seriously, to cut his steak, his brows furrowed in concentration. Kael chuckled, helping him guide the knife, earning another burst of laughter from the boy.

For a moment, everything felt right. Until I caught sight of movement near the edge of the room, Lucian.

He had returned, his chair scraping loudly as he stood again. Amanda tried to stop him, but he was already striding toward us, every step sharp with tension. Conversations faltered around the hall as people tried not to stare.

He stopped beside our table. His eyes fell first on the small boy in Kael's lap and for a fleeting moment, I saw shock flicker across his face. The resemblance was undeniable: the sharp jawline, the storm-blue eyes that mirrored his own Alpha bloodline.

"Lucian," I greeted calmly.

Kael didn't move, but I felt his aura shift, protective, dominant. His hand settled lightly on my back beneath the table.

"Sera," Lucian said tightly, "may I speak with you for a moment?"

I raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

"About something I should have known a long time ago."

My heartbeat quickened. I could feel where this was going.

Kael's voice came low, commanding. "If you have something to say to my wife, you'll say it here. I don't allow private conversations especially not with the man who once rejected her."

Lucian's jaw tensed. "So this was your plan all along, Alpha Stormfang? Bringing her back here, making her work in this hospital, pretending you've won?"

Kael's tone remained calm, but his power filled the air. "I don't have to pretend. The truth speaks for itself. Sera is my wife, and this child is my son. If you feel defeated, that's not my doing, it's the price of your own choice six years ago."

Lucian's voice cracked slightly. "Sera, is that true? Are you really his Luna?"

I lifted my chin and met his gaze without hesitation. "Yes, Lucian. I am. You rejected our bond, and I accepted it. I am no longer the Luna of Howlshade. I am Luna of Stormfang and I have no regrets."

Amanda appeared at his side, her voice tense. "Lucian, stop. Don't do this here."

He ignored her, his stare locked on me searching, desperate. But before he could speak again, Kael rose to his full height.

"This is not the place for your regret, Dr. Grey. This evening belongs to the hospital, not to your past. If you wish to mourn what you lost, do it elsewhere. But don't ever bring it near my family again."

Lucian's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. His eyes lingered on me for a moment longer, unreadable, before he turned sharply and strode away. Amanda followed, her face pale with humiliation.

I exhaled and slowly sat down again, my hand automatically reaching for my son's. Kael leaned close, his voice soft.

"Are you alright?"

I nodded. "Yes. It's just strange, seeing him like that."

Kael pressed a kiss to the back of my hand. "Let him be, Sera. The past has no power here anymore."

I looked across the hall the light, the music, the warmth of my family and realised that for the first time, I truly believed him. The past was gone and this time, I was the one standing tall.