My Mate’s Regret After Putting Our Child in Jail novel Chapter 2

Unreasonable? I didn't expect Ryan to see me like this.

"Then break our mate bond," I said quietly in the car. "Let me and Marcus go."

"Never." Ryan's eyes flashed dangerously in the mirror. "You're my only mate. Marcus will be my heir after his... training."

The next morning, guards surrounded our house.

Ryan forced a silver-laced water down my throat. Wolfsbane. My wolf howled in agony before falling silent.

He made Marcus drink sleeping grass tea. My son's eyes grew heavy, his small body collapsing into unconsciousness.

"It's for his own good," Ryan said, locking us in. "Until the trial."

A dozen guards took position outside our door.

The next day, voices drifted up from downstairs. Sarah and Katherine – Ryan's mother.

Katherine's hand cracked across my face the moment she saw me.

"We treated Marcus like our own grandson for eight years," she spat. "And you repay us by letting your bastard kill an innocent pup?"

She turned to Sarah, stroking her arm. "You poor dear, suffering in silence all these years, raising Ryan's true son alone."

Sarah dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. "It wasn't hard. Now that Ryan finally acknowledges Jamie, everything was worth it."

Katherine hugged Jamie close. "What would you like, sweetheart? Shall we tour your new home?"

My wolf stirred weakly against the wolfsbane as I watched them parade through my house – my territory.

After they left, Sarah lingered.

"Enjoy these last moments with your son," she smirked. "Silver Prison's calling. Though I doubt he'll survive five years there."

Despite the wolfsbane burning through my veins, my wolf surged forward.

My claws caught her cheek, drawing blood.

Sarah stumbled back, her fake tears forgotten.

"You feral bitch!" she snarled. "RYAN!"

His thundering footsteps approached.

"What did you do?" he roared, rushing to Sarah's side.

My mate. Defending her. Again.

"She attacked me," Sarah whimpered. "After everything we're doing to help Marcus..."

I laughed bitterly. The wolfsbane might weaken my body, but it couldn't touch my rage.

"Help?" I spat. "You're sending an innocent child to prison for your murderous pup."

"Enough!" Katherine burst through the door, her eyes fixing on Sarah's bloodied face. Her wolf exploded forth – massive and silver-streaked with age.

"You dare attack my grandson's mother!" she snarled, fangs bared as she lunged for my throat.

The wolfsbane in my system left me defenseless, but a black blur intercepted – Ryan's wolf, larger than his mother's, planted himself between us.

"Move, son!" Katherine shifted back, trembling with rage. "Eight years! Eight years we've pampered her bastard, treating him like pack royalty!"