Chapter 4
I’d been to banquets like this before.
Back then, William would’ve stood by me without hesitation. He would’ve faced the crowd, silenced the whispers, and taken my hand in front of everyone.
But tonight?
He was pouring tea for her. Holding her hand. Fussing over her.
And I—his wife—was invisible.
I felt my mother-in-law glaring before I even saw her. Her lips curled with disdain.
I snapped, unable to hold back anymore.
“Mom, you know why I can’t have pups. I suffered three stab wounds for you! That’s why I lost my fertility. Don’t keep punishing me for saving your life!”
Her expression darkened. Rage twisted her features. She shoved her chair back with a screech and stood.
“You ungrateful little witch! Did I ask you to save me?” she spat. “You jumped in front of that Feral Wolf all on your own! Don’t you dare guilt me over that!”
Her voice rose to a shriek.
“Is this how you show respect to your mother-in-law? Throwing your barren womb in my face every time things don’t go your way?”
“Listen carefully—Quinn is the Luna now. If you upset her while she’s carrying the Pack heir, don’t blame me when you’re thrown out of this house!”
The hotel lobby fell into an uneasy silence. All eyes were on us.
I opened my mouth to speak—but Quinn beat me to it, her hand protectively cradling her belly.
“Mom, please… don’t be upset.” Her voice was soft and trembling, so fragile it could snap like glass. “If you keep arguing with her like this, it might stress the pup.”
Then she turned to me with those teary, saint-like eyes.
“I don’t blame you, Caroline. I understand. It must be hard—sharing your husband with someone else.” She sniffled. “If it were me, I’d be heartbroken too.”
Bullshit. Every word of it.
She wiped the corner of her eye dramatically.
“If William hadn’t taken me in last year, I would’ve followed my mate into death. But this pup… he saved me. He’s my reason to live now. The goddess gave him to me so I could bring honor to Ember Claw Pack—not tear it apart.”
As if on cue, my mother-in-law melted. Her voice softened, her hand brushing Quinn’s shoulder like she was a fragile rose.
“You’re so understanding, my dear,” she cooed. “No more arguing. We can’t let this joyful day be ruined.”
Then she looked at me like I was something stuck to the bottom of her shoe.
“Some trash should learn when to leave.” She turned back to Quinn, beaming. “Come, sweetheart. Sit down. Eat. We don’t want my precious grandson to go hungry.”
I stood frozen, nausea rising in my throat. And finally—finally—William looked at me.
There was a flicker of guilt in his eyes.
But it was gone before I could even be sure it was real.
“Caroline,” he said, voice tight, “just go home, okay? Don’t upset Mom tonight. We can talk later. Please don’t cause a scene.”
I didn’t say a word. I didn’t give them the satisfaction of another reaction. I turned around and left.
Back home, I packed in silence.
The sound of my own heartbeat was louder than the zipper on the suitcase.
Then came the knock.
I didn’t want to answer. I already knew who it was.
William stepped in, his expression carefully arranged—half-apologetic, half-exhausted. In his hand was a velvet jewelry box.
“Don’t be mad,” he said, like he hadn’t just let his mother humiliate me. “Mom didn’t mean it. She just… says things when she’s emotional.”
“She knows what you did for her. She just doesn’t know how to say thank you.”
He stepped closer, voice softening. “Look… once Quinn gives birth, I’ll give the pup to you. You’ll raise him. It’ll be just like he’s yours.”
“We’ll go back to how things were. Peaceful. Normal.”
“Quinn… she was my brother’s mate. She has no one left. I couldn’t just leave her on the streets, Caroline. Try to understand. Just tolerate her, for my sake.”
He opened the box.
Inside sat Tears of the Aegean—a diamond necklace I once stared at through glass, years ago. I’d dreamed of it, but it was too expensive. Too extravagant.
Now it looked cheap.
Dead.
“You think you can buy me with this?” I asked coldly. “Put it away.”
His smile faltered. “You don’t need to act so dramatic—”
“I’m not acting,” I snapped. “Tomorrow, I’ll send you the divorce papers. Sign them. I’m done with you. I’m done with this Pack. I don’t care what happens to Ember Claw Pack or your precious heir. And don’t come looking for me.”
Something in my words cracked the surface of his mask.
His face darkened. His jaw clenched. And his eyes—normally so emotionless—flashed red.
I wasn’t afraid.
Let him rage.
He’d already lost me.
