Chapter 3 Insignificant

BEATRICE “I want a birthday gift,” Celeste says, tugging on Enzo’s sleeve with wide, expectant eyes.

Thalia quickly reaches out to stop her, her voice soft but edged with unease. “Celeste, no… we can’t trouble Alpha Enzo any more than we already have.”

I stand a short distance away, silent, watching with clenched fists. My pulse thuds in my ears.

But Enzo doesn’t seem the least bit bothered. He twirls Celeste with a gentle smile I haven’t seen in years—not from him, not for me, not for Bailey.

“It’s alright, Thalia. What do you want, sweetheart?” he asks warmly.

Celeste’s face lights up. “A pretty doll! One that can talk and has lots of dresses!”

Without hesitation, he nods. “Alright. Let’s go find the perfect one.”

I almost laugh. Not because it’s funny—no. It’s the kind of laugh that I find all these things so ridiculous.

Just a moment ago, he told me Bailey’s birthday wasn’t his concern. He said it like it meant nothing. My daughter, his daughter, turning another year older without a father’s love—and he couldn’t even spare a word.

But now? Now he’s promising dolls and smiles to another girl, like it costs him nothing.

Who is his real daughter in his eyes?

Suddenly, Thalia walks over to me, her expression apologetic, maybe even a little guilty. 

“Luna Beatrice,” she murmurs, “I’m sorry… Once this is over, once we get through this… we’ll leave. We won’t cause you any more trouble.”

I look at her, not knowing what to say.

I’ll admit it—I envy her.

I envy how easily she gets Enzo’s tenderness.

I envy that she doesn’t have to fight tooth and nail, like I did, just to be noticed—and still come up empty.

But I also pity her. They suffered a lot.

Still—what about my daughter?

What has Bailey done wrong?

All she wants is her father to care. To love her.

Enzo will never give her that.

I say nothing. I just nod. What else can I do?

Enzo’s voice cuts through the quiet. “Thalia, let’s go.”

I watch her turn, rushing after him. She slips her arm through his, and just like that, they’re walking away—laughing, smiling, a picture-perfect family.

And then, just like that, the thought returns, quietly, like it never left

Divorce.

The thought pops into my head before I can stop it.

It’s not the first time. But, like always, I brush it off.

I can’t just leave.

Bailey needs a home and a father, even if it’s all pretend. At least this way, I don’t have to worry about how I’ll keep a roof over our heads or food on the table.

And it’s not just us. I’m the Luna of this pack. If we break our mate bond, it will hurt Enzo’s wolf, making him weak, and throw the pack off balance.

The pack depends on a strong Alpha and Luna. If I reject him, both of our wolves will suffer severe damage. This will affect our whole pack. Our pack cannot have a weakened Alpha.

And what if Lycans see this as a chance to strike?

Walking away would affect more than just me. The whole pack would feel it.

And once more, I set the thought aside.

On my way home, I shopped and bought a wooden bow.

Bailey has always loved hunting. In our pack, even young pups can join simple, safe hunting activities before they can shift. They use wooden bows and small training swords to prepare them for the real thing. She’s wanted her own bow for as long as I can remember.

She asked for one today. She asked Enzo for one.

My grip tightens around the box as I walk home. This isn’t how it was supposed to go. Enzo should have been the one to get her this. He should have been there to see her face light up.

But he wasn’t.

When I get home, I stop outside Bailey’s door. She’s asleep, curled up in bed. I just wish she’s having good dreams right now.

I let the gift down carefully, then pull out a small card and a pen.

Happy Birthday, pup. I hope you like your gift. – Dad

I stare at the words long before setting the card on the box.

She’ll believe it’s from him.

And if it makes her happy, then that’s all that matters.

*******************

The following day, a loud bang jolts me awake. For a second, I don’t know what’s happening.

I climb out of bed and hurry down the stairs.

Bailey stands in the corner. She’s clutching her wooden bow. Her eyes dart between me and the front door like she doesn’t know what to do.

And then I see them.

Thalia and Celeste are at the entrance. What are they doing here?

Then I see the bags at their feet like they plan to stay.

Oh no.

Enzo looks as calm and unaffected as ever.

I try to make sense of what I’m seeing. My throat is dry when I finally manage to speak.

"What the hell is going on, Enzo?"

Enzo sighs like I’m already exhausting him. "They’re staying here for a few days," he says like it’s nothing. "They don’t have anywhere else to go."

I stare at him. This got to be a joke, right? There’s no way Enzo would let another woman and her child in our house.

I wait for him to say he’s only joking… But he didn’t.

I’m shaking right now. "You’re letting your ex move into our house?"

Enzo shrugs. "It’s just temporary. Don’t start making a big deal out of nothing," he replies.

This is nothing to him like Bailey’s feelings, and mine don’t matter.

For a second, I feel sick, but I refuse to let the tears fall.

How did I become so insignificant to my husband?