Chapter 1 My Birthday Girl

BEATRICE

"Mom, Dad hasn't been home for a month. Other boy-wolves said that he had another family and didn't want us anymore." My daughter Bailey looks up at me with wide eyes.

I see her blinking fast to keep them from spilling over. I feel heartbroken.

"My silly girl, you know your dad's busy. He's the Alpha, and he has a whole pack to look after." I hold Bailey’s face in my hands, "and he won't forget that today is our Bailey sweetheart's birthday."

Today is my little girl's birthday. How do I convince Bailey that what those annoying boys who like to bully others say is not true? Or part of it?

Her dad indeed doesn’t care enough to show up. That he never wanted this family in the first place.

My husband is Alpha Enzo of the Silverfang Pack, a perfect Alpha who puts his duty above all else. But to Bailey and me, he’s the man who’s never there when we need him.

Three hours later, the sky is already ink-dark. Bailey barely keeps her eyes open. It’s way past her bedtime. But she still leaves her birthday cake untouched.

I can’t let Bailey keep waiting. Not when I already know the answer.

"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 sigh and start to clean up, but hesitate. I still want Enzo to come home, even if it's just to say a single word to his daughter.

Where could Enzo be? I can’t help but reach out to him through the mind-link.

"Enzo?" I wait. Nothing. Just when I think he’s ignoring me, his voice finally comes through.

"What?"

I grip the edge of the counter. "When are you coming home?"

There’s a long pause, then a sigh. "I’m busy."

My stomach twists. "It’s Bailey’s birthday —"

"So?" His tone is flat, impatient.

I swallow hard. "She’s been waiting for you all day. It would mean so much if you just—"

"Beatrice, I don’t have time for this." His voice turns sharp. "I told you I’m busy."

"She’s your daughter." My voice wavers, but I push forward. "Please… At least say something to her —"

"For goddess’s sake, Beatrice! " He lets out a cold laugh. "I don’t need to drop everything just to see her. She’ll get over it."

My throat tightens. "She thinks you’re bringing her a gift."

He scoffs. "I never said that! That’s your problem. So, handle it."

And just like that, he cuts the link.

I exhale slowly. Enzo never cared. How can he be so heartless?

All I'm asking is just a call and a few words. That’s it.

I step outside the packhouse. If Enzo won’t call, I’ll find him myself. I can’t let Bailey think her dad doesn’t care.

The Lycans have been attacking the border more often. The Alpha has to be there… I get it. But would it really kill him to take one damn minute to say happy birthday to his daughter?

As I head toward the border, a thought lingers in my mind. Why does my husband hate me so much?

He’s 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 walk past a restaurant with its lights glowing on the sidewalk. Laughter and clinking glasses catch my attention. I stop to look inside.Then I see them.

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

And next to him is someone I recognize instantly — Thalia, his ex-girlfriend.

She 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.

That’s when it hits me.

They’re celebrating Thalia’s daughter’s birthday!

And Enzo is right there, looking like a father who actually cares.

But not for Bailey.

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.

On our daughter’s birthday, my husband is celebrating his ex-girlfriend’s daughter’s birthday instead. 

Bailey carefully protected her favourite strawberry cake, forcing herself not to eat it, hoping to share it with her father. But her father is here instead, sharing a delicate big cake with another family, blowing out candles with another kid, making others’ birthday wishes come true.

A lump forms in my throat. I blink hard, but the tears still come. I want to pull Bailey into my arms and tell her she deserves better.

I can give her everything but the one thing she wants most — her father’s love. 

Enzo will never give her that.