Chapter 4

A week passed, and I had completely reshaped my old habits.

When Alder came home, I no longer stood guard by the door waiting for him. I stopped taking his coat, pouring his water, and asking what he wanted to eat. I stopped sending him five texts a day just to receive a simple, dismissive reply.

The change was obvious, but he barely noticed.

During the first three days, I could clearly hear his inner thoughts whenever he passed by me.

[What kind of tantrum is she throwing now? She's probably just waiting for me to go over and coax her.

[Actually, it's nice and quiet this way.

[Maybe she read one of those self-help books about "healthy distance in relationships"? Whatever.]

I caught a sense of relief hidden between the fleeting thoughts.

Fine. If peace and quiet were what he wanted, that was exactly what I would give him.

On Wednesday evening, Genevieve visited again, but this time, she didn't come alone. She brought Danika with her.

"Danika mentioned she's been craving your honey-glazed ribs," Genevieve enthusiastically announced as she stepped through the door. "So I thought… Why not have her join us for dinner?"

Her inner thoughts rang in my mind again. [Only Danika is truly worthy of Alder. This villa should have been hers to begin with.]

Danika gave me a calm, practiced smile, as if she belonged here.

[Today, I'm going to make sure Alpha Alder sees how much better I am than Maeve.]

In the past, I would have panicked and bolted into the kitchen. I would have thrown together a massive five-course meal, then apologized profusely for fear that it wasn't enough.

But tonight was different.

"Apologies, Mrs. Garrison. There aren't many ingredients left in the fridge today.

"Why don't we eat out instead? There's a fantastic new seafood restaurant that just opened downtown."

The smile on Genevieve's face instantly froze, and her inner voice turned sharp and venomous.

[What the hell is this? Every time I visited, there'd always be a full feast waiting for me. How could she be so insensible today?]

"Eat out?" She frowned. "We have a perfectly functional kitchen in the house. Why on earth would we eat out and waste money?"

I shrugged lightly. "We could always order takeout then. What are you in the mood for?"

"Takeout?"

She pressed her lips into a thin, straight line and looked at me the way one might inspect a maid who had just served cold tea.

[Has this she-wolf lost her mind? We have a guest in the house, and yet she wants to order takeout! What kind of Luna does that?]

Witnessing the scene, Danika quickly stepped forward and sweetly said, "Please don't be upset, Mrs. Garrison. Why don't I handle dinner instead?

"I just learned a wonderful new recipe for honey rosemary roasted chicken, and I've been wanting someone to try it."

She walked straight into the kitchen, rolled up her sleeves, and picked up cookware like she owned the place.

Genevieve's foul mood instantly improved.

[Danika is so sweet and delightful. Just look at her, then look at Maeve. There's no comparing the two.]

Sitting on the couch, I quietly watched as Danika bustled through my kitchen. I didn't feel jealous or the urge to intervene because I could clearly hear her thoughts in my mind.

[That's her apron, and I'm not touching it. I'll use Alder's coffee mug instead and make sure she sees me drink out of it.]

When she served the roasted chicken onto the table, it was intentionally plated on my favorite ceramic platter.

[These plates are hideous. Once I move in, the first thing I'll do is replace all of them.]

At 7:15 pm, Alder came out. His steps slowed when he saw Danika in the kitchen.

[What is Danika doing here? She looks beautiful in an apron, just like how I imagined my perfect Luna would look.]

Then, his gaze fell on me. [Why is Maeve just sitting there doing nothing? This isn't like her.]

"Welcome back," I said flatly.

There were just two words, without "Alpha" or a smile, and no standing up to greet him. I didn't even bother putting down my glass.

Alder frowned slightly and thought. [What the hell is wrong with her lately?]

But he didn't ask. He never did anyway.

Danika's dinner was finally served. It was a four-course meal with beautiful plating and restaurant-quality food.

Genevieve took a bite of the roasted chicken and let out a low hum of approval. "This is incredible, Danika. It tastes better than any restaurant. You truly have a gift for cooking."

Deep down, she couldn't help but think. [If only Danika were my daughter-in-law, I'd easily be the proudest, happiest elder across all neighboring packs.]

Danika lowered her head with practical, natural humility. "You're far too kind, Mrs. Garrison."

In contrast, her thoughts were [Keep it coming. Better yet, praise me right in front of Alpha Alder, so Maeve feels ashamed.]

I ate my food in silence.

In the past, I would have immediately jumped into the conversation with a bright, self-deprecating tone, saying, "Your cooking is incredible, Danika! I seriously have to learn from you!"

I would have been willing to say anything just to maintain the superficial peace, to prove that I was trying my best to fit in, and to fill in the awkward silence they intentionally reserved for my "incompetence".

But tonight, I said nothing. The only sound I made was the soft scraping of my fork against the plate.

Genevieve noticed.

After dinner, she approached me. Her tone carried a trace of displeasure as she said, "I have to talk to you, Maeve. You need to drop this attitude at once."

I turned around. "What attitude?"

A disdainful grunt escaped her throat. "You barely spoke a single word during dinner, and in the kitchen, you didn't even lift a finger to help.

"I don't know what's gotten into you, but I have to remind you—your father was the reason you could join the pack. You have obligations and duties. You're not here to sit around like royalty and expect everyone to serve you."

Her thoughts were even harsher.

[What is she doing, putting on airs? She's a completely useless, talentless she-wolf who brings absolutely nothing to the table; how does she even have the audacity to stay here?]

I quietly listened to every word of her humiliation.

For five years, she had skinned me alive with a smile on her face. Every time, I had been willingly handing her the knife.

I would look at her with red-rimmed eyes, my lips trembling as I bowed my head and apologized, "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Garrison. I'll do better next time."

But tonight, I slipped the moonstone ring I had worn for five years off my finger.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Garrison. In that case, let's just break my mate bond with Alder."