Chapter 12
Matthew
Having his parents call and suggest ‘coming over for coffee’ was a major red flag.
Matthew was torn. On one hand, he didn’t want Toby to be tainted by the narrow-mindedness and prejudices his parents had shown him growing up. But he also didn’t want to deny them access to their grandchild.
It was the point-scoring that annoyed him most.
Even after everything Claudia had said and done, they were still defending her actions.
Which was why he was shocked when they mentioned the latest podcast from The North Star Sentinel, the city’s online gazette.
Right there on the front page, under Moonlight Matters, was a feature interview with Claudia.
Toby had taken one look at his grandparents standing stiffly in the foyer and bolted upstairs with Barney. Leaving Matthew to deal with them.
Once the niceties were over—and his mom had commented on his hair needing a cut—it was straight into name-dropping, anti-bear slurs, and… her.
Matthew had his coffee halfway to his mouth when his mom pulled up Moonlight Matters on her phone.
The podcast’s host, Orin Blay, was a wolf shifter known for tough conversations. No matter the subject, he was impartial. He didn’t editorialize—he reported. And not even he could deny that Daniel and Matthew’s relationship, their bond, and the court case were news.
Orin’s voice was smooth as silk with a touch of gravel—perfect for pulling in listeners and putting them at ease.
“Welcome to Moonlight Matters, where instinct meets insight. Today I speak with Claudia Hamilton—legal advisor, activist, and most recently, challenger of one of the oldest bonding precedents in our city’s history. Claudia, thank you for joining me.”
“A pleasure, Orin. I only wish it were under better circumstances.”
Her voice came through clear—full of confidence and arrogance. Matthew knew the look on her face. He’d seen it often. Smugness with a touch of zeal.
Orin didn’t waste time.
“You’ve made waves lately, contesting Alpha Daniel Sanders’ claim of bond with Matthew Hamilton. Many question why now. Why reopen old wounds?”
Claudia’s attempt at sounding hesitant was textbook—wanting everyone to hang on her every word. Drama-llama.
“Because the wound never closed. Daniel Sanders exploited a forgotten ritual—a Hollow Moon Rite—to trap my ex-husband in a legal bond without his knowledge or consent. If that stands, who’s next? How many outdated customs will be used to cage shifters into obligations they never agreed to?”
True to form, Orin kept his tone neutral.
“But Matthew was present during the ceremony, yes? And bore signs of bond resonance?”
Most listeners wouldn’t notice the shift in Claudia’s tone—but Matthew did. Frosty. Clipped. Defensive.
“Emotional manipulation is not consent. Bears—especially male alphas—thrive on dominance. They scent control, not connection. Daniel used silence as a weapon. He didn’t offer love. He offered shackles.”
The subtle hmm from Orin was loud and clear to Matthew’s shifter hearing. He wasn’t buying it.
“Some argue you’ve launched a smear campaign. You’ve shared details of Daniel’s personal history, implied emotional abuse—yet he hasn’t responded publicly. Do you think that silence strengthens or weakens his position?”
“Silence is cowardice. Typical of Northern Bears—they growl in court, then vanish behind pack loyalty. And let’s be clear—bears? They weren’t built for love. They were built to conquer. That’s not a partnership. That’s possession.”
Matthew couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
With every word, he wanted to burn the bitch down.
How dare she.
If anyone was guilty of possession and domination, of emotional manipulation—it was her. That quip about shackles? Being married to her had felt like a jail sentence.
And confusing silent strength for cowardice?
Just who the hell was she describing—because it wasn’t Daniel.
Saying he wasn’t built for love? She couldn’t be more wrong.
What made Matthew want to roll on the floor laughing was the idea that Claudia knew anything about loving anyone besides herself.
He was so het up he almost missed Orin’s next question.
“Bold words. Are you not concerned this paints your collective as hostile?”
Boom.
A blow Claudia hadn’t expected.
She was so used to getting her way that when things didn’t fall into place, the claws came out.
“I speak the truth. If packs want to protect their alphas at the cost of omegas, then let the city see it. Let mothers question if they want their sons bonded into outdated dominance. Let clients ask if Sanders & Sanders offers counsel—or coercion.”
Ha! Just as he’d predicted—Claudia was getting snippy.
But that bit about mothers questioning their sons’ bonds? Protecting omegas?
Pure comedy gold.
Matthew couldn’t hold back his laughter any longer. Claudia was delusional.
If his parents thought listening to her spew vileness about his bond mate was going to make him recant his choice, they were beyond wrong.
The interview wound to a close.
“You’ve certainly given the public much to consider. Thank you, Claudia. This has been illuminating.”
Claudia used that voice—the one she thought was charming and gracious.
“Let light find what dominance hides.”
Throughout the whole interview, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hamilton sat primly, staring at their son like he’d grown two heads.
When he broke into laughter—tears running down his cheeks, struggling for breath—his mom picked up where Claudia left off.
“Matthew, Matthew darling, I don’t think this is something to laugh about. Claudia is sticking up for omegas against oppression. This just proves we were right to choose her for you.”
If Matthew hadn’t been sitting down, he would’ve fallen down.
All this time, he’d hoped his parents would see through her bullshit. See her the way he did.
But that would never happen.
That was becoming painfully clear.
They would never approve of Daniel. Or their relationship. Or their love.
Just like they never approved of his haircut. Or how he dressed. Or what color he painted the kitchen.
What was so wrong with duck egg blue? It was calming. Homely.
Two feelings he never associated with his parents growing up.
And here he was—a bonded adult—and they were still trying to run his life. Still trying to make his choices for him.
Well, enough was enough.
He took one last look at his father—eyes so much like his own—and filed it away for safekeeping.
Then looked at his mother. Her blonde hair, so much like his, now streaked with gray.
It was time to cut the apron strings.
Time for them to let him go.
Standing, he walked down the hall to the foyer and opened the door.
“Matthew, where are you going? Did you not hear me? Don’t walk away when I’m speaking to you. Donald, don’t just sit there—do something!”
“Son, answer your mother when she speaks to you.”
Matthew turned, voice steady.
“Mom. Dad. We will never agree on this. I love Daniel. He is my mate. I love a male alpha. An Ursus-shifter. These are all things I can’t—and won’t—change. A parent’s love for their child should be unconditional.
For everyone else, maybe. But not for me.
I’ve jumped through every hoop you’ve asked of me. And for what?
I’m done dancing to your tune. Done with your belittling my life. Done trying to live up to your expectations.
I think it’s time for you to leave.”