"I was negligent in caring for Ryn until she ended up here. I don't want the same thing to happen to you, Mom."The words that came out of Lance's mouth stunned Albert. The Alpha froze as a result of those words. It took some time for him to regain his concentration and speak."Mom?" muttered Albert in a voice only he could hear. "What do you call her?" asked the Alpha.Judith and Lance turned to Albert, waiting for the Alpha to say something."I heard you call her 'Mom'," Albert said.Lance rotated his eyeballs with a bemused expression. The young man curtly said, "So what, is that a big deal to you?"Albert scrolled his gaze at Judith, who looked a little pained. He knew Judith could give a more reasonable explanation than what Lance had just said. However, the woman never made a sound and only looked at Albert as if worried that her two sons would fight. This led Albert to believe that Judith kept their relationship a secret from Lance.Without the response Albert expected from Jud

Albert's hazel irises swayed slowly, scanning Judith's shaded face with a look that was hard to decipher. A few seconds passed, and Albert broke his gaze while licking his lips. When he refocused on his mother, the man's gaze turned cold."I don't need that advice. I need a way to break that damn prophecy," Albert said.Judith took a deep breath and smiled gently."I told you there is no way to break the prophecy, Alpha Albert. You're just looking for something in vain," Judith retorted."Really?" Albert's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying that because you've failed at it before?" Albert smiled a faint smile that seemed skeptical. He continued, "Don't measure other people's success by yours, Mother. Because others may not necessarily have the same misfortune as you."Albert's words struck Judith's heart. Although bitter, Judith had to admit that her son's words were true. Perhaps she was unlucky to have a cowardly Mate like Christian Dexter. Although Albert was Christian's son, they were

Lance's question stiffened Judith's face for a moment. The woman's eyeballs swayed slowly, scanning her son's nether regions that seemed to demand an answer."Tell me, Mom! Have you known about this for a long time?" Lance asked once again."If you mean about me having two sons, then the answer is yes. I gave birth to both of you. Of course, I've known about it since you were born," Judith replied."Then why didn't you tell me? I told you about Ryn and Albert, and you acted like you knew nothing about him. Why did you do that, Mom? Do you have a point?" questioned Lance."You think?" Judith raised one eyebrow. "I knew Albert was my son, but I had no idea Albert and Ryn were mates. And I only found out that you were in love with your brother's mate after hearing about it from you. What do you think I should do as a mother, Lance? You and Albert are my sons. I have a dilemma about that, too," Judith explained."At least you can say that we are ...." Lance hung his words. The man was rel

Judith went to the research site by taking a taxi. It took him about thirty minutes to arrive at the place. The remaining time was still enough to discuss with his friend. It was a different story if he had to research the poison. It could take days or even months to find an antidote.The taxi Judith was in was stopped in front of the gate. She took out some cash to pay the bill and walked towards the door, where a bald man greeted her in a friendly manner."Long time no see, Judith," the man said, extending both hands. "I've missed you," he continued.A hug and a warm smile were a welcome relief for two friends who had not seen each other for some time."I miss you too," Judith replied to the man named Gus."Is your mourning period over?" asked Gus as the hug unraveled.Judith's smile started the answer."I've started to get my life together, but you know what? Trouble always comes and goes." Judith shrugged while pulling the corners of her lips down."Such is life, Judith." Gus chuc

"A face that never ages," joked Santiago, the house owner.Santiago looked at Judith from head to toe as if he couldn't believe the woman standing before him was the same woman who had held his heart decades ago. The man's gaze showed what was on his mind."How you doing, Santiago? It's been a while since we met. You look older," Judith said casually.Santiago wiggled his forefinger as he chuckled. Then, the laughter became louder until the man's broad shoulders moved up and down in time with his laughter."Your mouth is still as spicy as ever," Santiago commented, "but I like it." The man continued his remark with a wink.Judith returned it with a faint smile. She looked behind Santiago and said, "Are you going to let your guests stand here without letting them in?"Santiago laughed loudly. The man opened his mouth to reply to Judith's remark, but his net caught sight of another figure standing beside the woman. His expression looked like he had just realized someone had come with Ju