Unmatched Wife: Not His To Claim Anymore novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

BIANCA

The papers felt like lead in my hands as I sat across from Marcus in his office. The Beta’s workspace was exactly what I’d expected–organized, and a photo of his mate and pups on the desk. A reminder of what a real family looked like.

“I know this isn’t easy,” Marcus said gently, sliding a pen across the desk toward me. He’d always been kind to me, one of the few in Matthew’s inner circle who’d never treated me like I was less than because of my rogue status. “But I need to explain the process before you sign anything.”

I nodded, trying to focus on his words instead of dwelling on the pain that had settled in my heart.

“The mate bond dissolution requires both signatures,” he continued, his tone shifting to that of a neutral tone, this was probably the only way he could discuss about this without feeling emotionally attached to the case.

“Once both parties sign, there’s a mandatory thirty–day cooling–off period mandated by pack law. During that time, either party can withdraw their consent and halt the process.”

“And if neither of us withdraws?” My voice came out steadier than I felt.

Marcus’s expression turned serious as he answered. “Then the bond begins to fracture. It’s… not pleasant, Bianca. The pain increases gradually over those thirty days as the magical connection tears apart. Some describe it as feeling like your soul is being ripped in half. The bite marks will fade as the bond severs, but the process can’t be stopped once the thirty days pass. After that, you’ll both be free, but the pain during that month-”

“I can handle pain.” I cut him off, thinking of the bruise on my side, of watching my husband comfort another woman in our home, of hearing my son call me evil. “Physical pain I can manage. That will not be an issue for me. Matthew probably would jubilate feeling this fracture happen. That way he is not painted as the evil guy.”

Marcus studied me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “I believe you can. But Luna, there’s a complication you need to be aware of.”

My stomach dropped. “What complication?”

“You need Matthew’s signature first.” He tapped the empty line at the bottom of the document. “Pack law requires the Alpha to sign before the Luna. It’s an archaic rule, something about ensuring the pack’s stability, but it’s ironclad. Without his signature, these papers are just… paper.”

I stared at the unsigned document, my mind racing. “How am I supposed to get Matthew to sign divorce papers without him realizing what they are?”

“That’s the problem.” Marcus leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his graying hair. “Legally, I have to present these to him directly. I have to explain what they are and witness his signature. There’s no way around it–he’ll know exactly what he’s signing ”

“Then he’ll never sign.” The words came out flat, hopeless. “He’ll refuse, claim I’m being dramatic again, tell me we need to work through this for Theo’s sake. He’ll

My phone buzzed in my pocket, cutting off my spiral. I almost ignored it, but something made me pull it out.

Another notification. Another post from Mia.

I shouldn’t have looked. I knew better. But my thumb was already moving, clicking before I could stop myself.

Mia, radiant in the soft lighting, holding a pregnancy test. Her smile was luminous, victorious. And the caption-

“My amazing men took me to get checked today. The doctors say my body CAN carry a baby before I die! It’s all I’ve ever wanted -to be a mother.

Was I alright? Was I alright?

I started laughing. I couldn’t help it.

“She was here,” I managed to say between gasps that might have been laughter or might have been the beginning of a breakdown.

“In my hospital. With my husband. Getting cleared to have his baby. While I was-“I gestured vaguely at the scattered divorce papers. “While I was trying to figure out how to escape.”

Marcus came around the desk quickly, kneeling beside my chair. “Bianca, breathe. Just breathe.”

But I couldn’t. Because suddenly everything made horrible, perfect sense.

Matthew didn’t just want me to cure Mia. He wanted me to cure her so she could carry his child. So she could give him the family he’d always wanted. He wanted to have a family with the woman he actually loved, not the rogue he’d been forced to marry out of bad luck and terrible inconvenient pregnancy.

That’s why he’d been so insistent. That’s why he’d gotten angry when I’d refused. Not just because he wanted to help his first love, but because he was already planning a future with her. A future that required her to be healthy enough to get pregnant.

And I’d been standing in the way of that future.

“I need to get Matthew to sign these. Today. Right now. Before he has time to think about it or talk me out of it or use Theo to manipulate me into staying.”