My mother-in-law didn’t hesitate for even a second.

       “Yes, yes, this is an excellent solution,” she said, nodding eagerly, her tone dripping with relief.

       Beta Rebecca, ever the actress, adopted the most pitiful expression she could muster. “I have no objections. Alpha Clarissa, I’m truly sorry for everything. Once the pup is born, you can raise it. I’ll leave the Red Moon Pack and never show my face to you, Alpha Derick, or the child again.”

       Hearing this, I couldn’t help but laugh—sharp and humorless.

       Of course, she had no objections! Why would she?

       She got a hefty payout, a free pass on parenting, and zero accountability, all tied up with a neat little bow. Who wouldn’t leap at such a deal?

       Alpha Derick, growing increasingly impatient, scowled. “Clarissa, my parents have said everything that needs to be said. Why are you being so difficult?”

       And then, with breathtaking audacity, he locked eyes with me and said, “If you weren’t my fated mate and you didn’t love me so much, I wouldn’t have even bothered marrying you.”

       His words hit like a slap, but I didn’t flinch. Instead, I held his gaze, my voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

       “Then as you wish,” I said coldly. Drawing a deep breath, I added, “We won’t get married.”

       The room fell into stunned silence.

       Alpha Derick’s eyes widened in shock, his face a mix of disbelief and outrage.

       Then—

       “Well said, Clarissa!” My mother clapped her hands, a proud smile spreading across her face. “I fully support you!”

       Meanwhile, Derick’s parents turned pale, their confidence visibly shaken.

       “Clarissa, marriage is a serious matter,” my mother-in-law stammered, desperation creeping into her voice. “You can’t just walk away like this!”

       “You need to think this through carefully,” my father-in-law chimed in, his gaze darting to his son, now clearly frustrated. “Derick, step aside.”

       Alpha Derick clenched his jaw but turned to help Beta Rebecca, who was still clutching her stomach like the tragic heroine of a poorly written drama.

       But his parents weren’t ready to give up. They turned back to me, their faces contorted into strained smiles.

       “Clarissa, dear, you’ve always treated us with the utmost respect, like your own parents,” my mother-in-law began, her voice a syrupy plea. “We only want what’s best for you. Please reconsider.”

       I fixed them with a steady stare.

       For years, I had genuinely admired them, treating them like family. But now? Now it was clear their concern had nothing to do with me.

       This wasn’t about love or family; it was about securing the marriage—securing their grandchild.

       When my resolve didn’t waver, my mother-in-law turned her attention to my own mother.

       “Alpha Esmond, Luna Valerie, surely you understand,” she implored. “Please, talk some sense into your daughter. If she cancels the wedding now, it will ruin her reputation!”

       My father-in-law nodded vigorously. “Yes, in-law, think about Clarissa’s future. Her reputation must be protected at all costs.”

       Their thinly veiled manipulation made my stomach turn. Narrowing my eyes, I crossed my arms.

       “So, you’re using my reputation as leverage now?”

       For the briefest moment, they faltered. But the hesitation vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

       “Clarissa, that’s unfair,” my mother-in-law said, her voice now a polished mask of concern. “We’re thinking of you, too.”

       “Yes, our intentions are good,” my father-in-law added smoothly, though the insincerity in his tone was impossible to miss.

       I scoffed, my voice cutting like ice. “Good intentions? Your son cheated on me before the wedding, and you’re just as shameless as he is.”

       That was it for my mother. Losing all patience, she grabbed my hand. “Clarissa, let’s go. We’ve had enough of this nonsense.”

       I squeezed her hand gently, shaking my head. “Not yet, Mom.”

       Turning back to my in-laws, I let my gaze linger on each of them before speaking, my voice steady but laced with contempt.

       “You knew about Alpha Derick and Beta Rebecca all along, didn’t you? You hid it from me, rushed this wedding, and tried to lock me into a marriage just so Rebecca’s pup could have a place in your family without complications.”

       I laughed bitterly, the sound sharp and cutting.

       “No wonder you pushed us to sign the papers before the ceremony. You really thought this through, didn’t you?”

       Their masks slipped for a moment, but they quickly recovered.

       “Clarissa, this is for your own good,” my father-in-law said, his tone carefully measured. “You love Derick. Marrying him allows you to stay with the man you love and bring our grandson into the family. It’s the perfect solution.”

       “Perfect solution?” My mother’s hands clenched into fists, her face red with fury. “What an absolute joke!”

       Her face burned with fury. “How dare you deceive my daughter like this? Is there no limit to your shamelessness?”

       And then—finally—my mother-in-law dropped her mask. Her expression hardened into a sneer.

       “It’s too late for your protests now,” she said, her tone cold and cutting. “Clarissa and Derick are already legally married. If you don’t want your daughter to carry the shame of being a divorced woman, she should accept reality and stay married. It’s in everyone’s best interest.”

       My father-in-law chimed in, his smirk oozing condescension. “Clarissa, think carefully. You wouldn’t want to carry the label of a second-marriage woman, would you?”

       Rebecca, who had been enjoying the spectacle with silent amusement, suddenly joined the fray, her saccharine smile enough to make my skin crawl.

       “Clarissa,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness, “it’s just one more pup. Raising it won’t be that hard.”

       She sighed dramatically, as though she were the victim here, and added, “This was such a small issue, but you’ve blown it completely out of proportion. Now both packs are at odds because of you. Was it really worth it?”

       That was the last straw for my mother.

       “You—” she growled, lunging toward Beta Rebecca with a hand raised, ready to slap that smug smile right off her face.

       I moved quickly, catching her wrist just in time and stopping her.

       “Mom,” I said softly, but firmly.

       Instead, I turned to my in-laws, a slow, deliberate smirk creeping across my lips.

       “Sorry to disappoint you,” I said, my voice steady and brimming with confidence.

       Alpha Derick’s parents froze, their stiffened postures betraying their unease.

       “What do you mean?” my father-in-law asked, his voice sharp and suspicious.

       I folded my arms, meeting their gazes head-on, and let the moment linger.

       “Alpha Derick and I never got the marriage certificate.”