Verdant Basin [M]aiden Pink

Despite Alder's intentions, none of this made her feel better. In fact, the rumble in his chest made her close in on herself, instantly feeling less secure. His children weren't even old enough to understand; they were infants. Honey was flooded with regret -- she saw herself as a homewrecker, an accomplice to a father's lacking concern.
At least he didn't plan to keep her a secret for too long. One day she might even be able to walk along his ranks, though she didn't necessarily want to. That would mean having to look his wife and mistress in the eye everyday and Honey wasn't quite sure she would be able to. Feeling the knot loosen between them and free her from his reach, Honey stepped forward and sat back on her haunches, now being able to look directly at Alder.
I just...I don't want our offspring to have inconsistent parenting and I'm sure you'd want the best for them, too. So if you can't be there now...then maybe you shouldn't be there at all. Honey's voice was low but she meant every word she said. If Alder couldn't commit to her and her name, then he simply didn't have to be involved.