The crowd was stunned, but I was the first to lunge forward, pounding my fists on Yvonne and Papa.
"Why would you betray Mama and me? You're both the worst!"
My hand accidentally grazed Yvonne's belly-not hard, but she yelped in pain.
Without a second thought, Papa kicked me. I crashed into a wooden cabinet, my bones rattling from the impact.
Mama scooped me up, her stubborn face streaked with tears.
A moment later, she wiped her eyes and, with every ounce of strength, slapped Papa across the face.
He was a general, but that slap nearly sent him sprawling.
"Katherine!" Yvonne stepped between them, her voice pleading.
"I'm four months along. Jameson's been supporting you all these years. Without him, you'd be just another she-wolf on display like the rest of us!"
"Please, show some mercy and let us have this."
"Jameson, you wanted my pup for her, to use as a cure?" Mama's voice trembled.
Papa's face showed no guilt. "Yvonne's frail. This might be her only chance to carry a pup. We already have a daughter. You should be grateful."
"So all this time, when Yvonne said she was staying at a suitor's private , that suitor was you?"
Papa nodded.
Mama swayed, and despite my own pain, I rushed to steady her, helping her stay upright.
"What a clever plan," she said. "My pup and I waited eight years in this club, scorned by the pack for eight years."
"So when you truly love someone, you hide them away."
Mama's face grew calmer, and by the end, a faint smile curled her lips.
Papa gently brushed a strand of hair from Yvonne's face. "Your flower dance captivated the sprawling pack of Joravia. How could I bind with a she-wolf of your status as my true mate?"
"But Yvonne-she never fought or clawed for attention. I passed her off as a minor official's daughter. No one will dig into her past."
"You've made your choice. Don't regret it," Mama said softly.
Papa actually paused to think, then frowned. "If you give up the pup in your belly, I'll pay a hundred gold to buy you out as a lesser mate."
"A hundred gold's nothing to sneeze at," the Laura chimed in.
"For Clara's sake, just bear it."
They always told Mama to endure for me, never realizing I didn't want to burden the she-wolf who loved me most.
"Mama," I said, "I don't want him as my papa anymore. I just want you."
A flicker of pain crossed Papa's eyes, but Yvonne's sharp gasp quickly stole his attention.
"Jameson, this little troublemaker's kicking up a storm. When can we head home?"
"Let's go now," he said with a cold huff.
"I'm done with this stubborn she-wolf and her unruly pup."
He strode off with Yvonne, pausing only to hiss at Laura to make sure Mama suffered in the labor den.
Tears stung my eyes, but Mama stood calm, stroking my head.
Laura had the fortune hauled away, then turned to find another fortune quietly piled in the back garden.
"It's for me," Mama said, reaching out her hand. "Clara, let's go."
At the gate, the same covered litter from that night waited steadily.
An old wolf, looking like a steward, hurried over and lifted the carriage curtain for Mama and me.
"Katherine, please hurry. Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge are waiting for you at the manor!"
