Chapter 4

When we arrived at the assembly grounds, we walked inward together. Ethan suddenly shoved me aside and grabbed Jason's hand. "I want to walk in with Mommy and Daddy!" He flashed me a smug, defiant grin, while Jason merely patted his head affectionately. "Sarah, he's just a kid. Don't take it to heart. We'll head inside first."

I stood frozen in place, staring at the silhouettes of their happy family of three, swallowed by pure revulsion.

Stepping into the hall, unaware pack members immediately stepped up to offer congratulations. "Alpha Jason, are these your mate and son? What a handsome couple, and the pup looks so sharp!" Lisa smiled and offered her thanks, while Jason chuckled without correcting them. Margaret stood beside them, grinning from ear to ear with a doting tenderness I had never once seen directed at me. But the moment her gaze landed on me, the smile vanished instantly. "What are you standing there like an idiot for? You're in the way. Go help out if you have nothing to do."

I didn't move an inch.

"Get moving! You can't even pop out a pup and all you do is cause trouble. If you won't work, get lost!"

Clutching the evidence in my hand, I reminded myself to endure just a little longer—not everyone had arrived yet. A good show required a full audience.

Silently carrying a tray of food, I walked past Lisa when she suddenly stuck out a foot. The scalding broth spilled over my clothes, but Lisa shrieked first, cradling her wrist where a few stray drops had splattered. "Jason, it hurts so much!" Jason rushed over immediately, blowing gently on Lisa’s arm with deep concern. "Sarah, why can't you pay attention to what you're doing? Let's go rinse it first." He threw an annoyed glare my way and frowned. "Go change your clothes quickly; the ceremony is about to start. Don't be so clumsy next time."

Ignoring the judgmental stares around me, I bore the sting and stepped aside. *Hold on, just hold on,* I told myself. That shameless pair was about to pay dearly.

By the time I changed and stepped back out, the gathering was already underway. Jason was on the platform delivering his speech: "Thank you all for attending our family assembly. Due to my mate's physical condition, we have been unable to produce an heir since our mating." Sympathetic glances turned toward me, but I kept my head down, remaining silent. "Ethan's arrival is a gift from the Moon Goddess, our future anchor. Everything I own will be passed down to him."

Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd. Someone presented a bouquet of wild blossoms onto the stage. Jason took them, dropped to one knee, and handed them to Lisa. "I cannot thank you enough for bringing this child into the world. You are welcome to visit him whenever you wish, and he will always honor you as his mother." Lisa blushed, accepting the flowers as the cheers grew louder.

Watching their interaction on stage, I felt a dizzying illusion that I was watching a mating ceremony. Jason followed the crowd's gaze and looked toward me, casually calling out that it was time for me to join them on stage. I walked forward step by step as Jason instructed, "Lisa has gifted you a child, and you must repay her kindness properly. Now that you have a son, everything must revolve around him. You can't be as willful as before. Since you've never raised a child, you'll need to consult her often..."

Hearing this, I let out a cold laugh, stepped up, and shoved him aside. Turning toward the crowd below, I projected my voice clearly for every single person to hear: "Consult her? I don't think that will be necessary. I will have my own biological children in the future. But as for why I couldn't conceive for seven long years—I'm sure everyone gathered here today would be very interested to know the truth!"