Panic and regret flickered through Selene Valeheart's eyes. She started to rush toward me.
But behind her, Dorian Frostclaw collapsed straight to the ground.
In her alarm, she ignored her own injuries and moved to support him, clearly intending to leave.
The Matriarch planted herself firmly in Selene's path.
"You will not leave! You've just given birth—are you trying to kill yourself?"
"Your bonded mate is still in that room! Do you even want this family anymore?"
Hesitation filled Selene's eyes.
"I do! But Dorian was hurt by your staff! I can't just abandon him! Kael... you're watching over him, Grandmother. He'll be fine!"
There was a time when she would have thrown herself in front of danger for me without a second thought.
There was a time when I was never the one she chose to abandon.
I looked at her with hollow calm.
"Grandmother, let her go."
She seemed surprised by my composure.
After all, in the past, I had done anything to keep her from leaving. I had begged, thrown myself at her feet, clawed at my own flesh—cast aside every shred of dignity an Omega could possess.
Her expression grew complicated, as though she wanted to say something. In the end, she simply walked away.