Chapter 1 My Birthday Girl

BEATRICE

On my daughter’s birthday, my husband is busy celebrating the birthday of his ex-girlfriend’s daughter.

My husband, Alpha Enzo, sits at a table, looking more relaxed than I’ve seen him in years.

And Thalia, his ex-girlfriend, rests a hand on his arm, smiling like they share a secret. Then he says something that makes her laugh.

"You always know how to get your way," Enzo teases.

Thalia nudges him playfully. "And you always let me."

My mind goes completely blank.

Across from them, a little girl claps her hands. A cake sits in front of her, candles flickering. Happy Birthday, Celeste is written across the top.

I stand outside the restaurant, watching them cut into a giant birthday cake.

They look like a perfect family.

But I’m the one who’s married to Enzo. I’m his mate. And Bailey is his daughter. His own.

My chest tightens, and my hands go numb.

So, this is why Enzo couldn’t make time for Bailey.

Bailey waited all day. I spent it trying to fill the void he left.

She blew out her candles tonight, wishing her dad would be there. But he’s here instead, making someone else’s wish come true.

What kind of father is he？

“Mom?”

I freeze.

Oh Goddess, it’s Bailey.

I turn around and see my little girl standing there in her pajamas.

But she’s not looking at me.

Her eyes are fixed on the restaurant—on where her dad is.

Where he’s celebrating a birthday. But not for her.

A lump forms in my throat, I blink hard to not let tears down.

I kneel down in front of her, gently blocking her line of sight.

What are you doing here, baby? I thought you were asleep,” I said gently.

Bailey didn’t answer me. She mumbled, “Daddy doesn’t like me, does he? Is it because I’m not good enough?”

I pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her forehead. “That’s absolutely not true, okay? Your daddy is the Alpha, remember? He has a whole pack to take care of—maybe that’s just what he’s doing now.”

I honestly don’t know how many more excuses I can make for Enzo.

But I don’t want Bailey to feel like her daddy doesn’t care about her.

Even if that’s exactly the truth.

"Happy birthday to you…"

Their cheerful voices drift out from the restaurant. I can barely contain my anger. The last thing I want is for my daughter to see their damn happy scene.

I take Bailey home. She didn’t talk much.

"Come on, sweetie. Let’s get you to bed. I will wake you up when Daddy gets home, okay." I force a smile even as my chest tightens. "Maybe Daddy will bring you a present when he gets back."

Bailey’s face lights up. “Really? He’s bringing me a present?” She grins, barely keeping her eyes open. “Oh, I hope it’s a wooden bow.”

"I promise, he would." I give her a small smile.

I kiss her forehead as I tuck her in. “Good night, sweetie,” I whisper.

At the door, I watch Bailey sleep. She looks so small and peaceful. Tomorrow, she’ll ask why her father forgot her birthday.

I have no way to soften the truth. Nothing I say will make it hurt less. My breath trembles as I turn off the light and walk away.

The house is quiet. The cake sits on the counter, and wrapping paper is scattered across the table.

I asked Enzo if he could spare just a moment—just one minute—to say happy birthday to our daughter. But he dismissed me with a simple “Busy.”

And like a fool, I believed him. I told myself he must be out at the borders again, defending the pack, fighting off another Lycan threat. He’s the Alpha, after all. 

I won’t deny it—he’s a good Alpha. Devoted. Responsible. He does everything for the Silverfang Pack.

He’s just cold and distant from Bailey and me. It’s as if we’re just something he has to deal with.

I knew we were only married because we're mates, it's the pack’s traditions, but I tried. I learned to love him. Deep down, I wanted to believe he could love me, too. But he never did.

I know he didn’t choose this. To him, I’m the one who ruined his relationship with his ex-girlfriend. The Moon Goddess made us mates, which meant he had no choice but to separate from the woman he truly loved.

Sometimes, we're still together only because the pack expects us to have more puppies.

And that’s all our marriage is to him. A duty. Nothing more.

I thought the mate bond could change everything.

That maybe—just maybe—it would make him care about us, even a little.

But he never stays. Never shows up. He’s absent from every part of our daughter’s life—every milestone, every scraped knee, every bedtime story.

Sometimes, I wonder whose fault it really is.

But one thing I do know for certain:

My daughter does not deserve to be treated this way.

Their laughter won't stop ringing in my head—that image of them, smiling, celebrating like a real family.

The pain I felt all day snapped into a silent rage. My hands clench so tightly that my knuckles turn white.

I grab the keys and storm out of the house, heading straight for the restaurant.

I move so fast that I twist my ankle and crash to the ground, scraping my knee. My heart is pounding so hard it drowns out everything else. But I push away anyone who tries to help. 

I know I’m a bit losing control, but I don’t care. I just want an answer.

I close in on the table. 

Enzo and Thalia smile as they sing to the little girl, Celeste, before them.

And then I see it… The way he looks at Celeste.

His eyes are soft and warm as if she were his own daughter.

I’m frozen in place. He has never looked at Bailey that way. Not once.

"What are you doing here, Enzo?" My voice shakes with anger. "And why are you with her?"

Thalia's eyes go wide. She looks at me like she's seen a ghost. Then, she quickly lowers her gaze and grips Celeste's hand.

Enzo's once gentle gaze turns cold when he sees me. He exhales sharply. "I told you I’m busy… but, of course, you just have to make a scene. You never know when to quit, do you?"

"Don’t you dare turn this on me, Enzo! Why are you here with your ex and her kid?"

Enzo rubs his temple like I’m nothing but a headache. "Beatrice, you’re overreacting. It’s just dinner with a friend."

"A friend?" I scoff. “Yeah, right. Friends don’t look at each other like that. Friends don’t sit here singing birthday songs like a perfect little family."

I step closer. There’s no way in hell I’m backing down right now.

"You couldn’t even tell your own daughter a happy birthday, but you’re here acting like a dad to someone else’s kid?"

Enzo looks at me with a cold, empty stare. Not a sign of guilt in his eyes.

“I don’t want to say it again, I’m busy.”

“Busy doing what? Cheating on me?” I sneer.

Then Enzo stands up abruptly, taking a step toward me. He lowers his voice, "For goddess’s sake, Beatrice! Can't you just be quiet for once? Don't you get it? I don’t care about you and your daughter!"