Chapter 4

Isla’s POV

By the time evening settled over Blackthorn Palace, the entire west wing had been transformed.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead while fresh white roses adorned every pillar, golden banners bearing the Blackthorn crest hung from the walls, and servants hurried back and forth carrying expensive dishes and wine glasses.

Anyone who walked in would have thought the palace was celebrating a queen, but I knew better; it wasn't for me, and with a slow breath, I stepped into the already occupied royal dining hall.

Harold, my father-in-law, sat at the head of the table, reading through a report between bites of dinner.

Funny how just now I noticed that Harold, beta to my father, had taken my father’s spot at the dining table, when it had been the norm for the past five years.

Meredith sat beside him, occasionally instructing the servants to adjust the decorations for the evening's celebration.

Across from them sat Kael.

As always, Kael ate quietly, barely joining the conversation, while three seats remained empty, including Damon's chair and the one beside it that had been mine for the past five years, and as I quietly took my seat, one foolish thought crossed my mind.

Maybe… maybe he'll remember before the night is over.

Footsteps echoed outside.

Damon entered the dining hall.

He didn't come alone.

Rowena walked beside him, dressed in a pale blue gown that shimmered beneath the candlelight. One hand rested protectively over her stomach while Damon slowed his pace to match hers.

"Watch your step," he said softly.

"The floor's slippery."

She smiled up at him.

"I'm fine. You worry too much."

"You and the baby are my responsibility now."

His voice carried warmth.

The kind I hadn't heard directed at me in years.

Meredith beamed the moment she saw them.

"There they are. Our little family."

Rowena blushed.

"You'll embarrass me."

Harold chuckled.

"Nonsense. Sit down before dinner gets cold."

I instinctively started to rise, thinking another chair would be brought for Rowena, but before I could, a firm hand shoved my chair sideways without even looking at me.

The legs scraped harshly across the marble floor, forcing me to catch myself on the edge of the table as a servant gasped and the entire room fell silent.

Damon looked down at me and laughed lightly, as though nothing unusual had happened.

Heat rushed into my face.

I quickly straightened my dress.

"I... I'm sorry."

He casually pulled my chair away from the table.

"Move."

I blinked.

"...What?"

He finally looked at me.

"From now on..."

He gestured toward the chair beside him.

"This is Rowena's seat."

For a heartbeat, no one spoke as Rowena widened her eyes in feigned surprise.

"Damon, I couldn't. That's Luna Isla's place." Rowena let out a dramatic gasp and frantically shook her head, but Damon smiled at her.

"Not anymore. Love.”

Love…

A bitter smile escaped my lips.

“You shouldn't be sitting so far away from me. Especially now."

His gaze briefly dropped to her stomach.

"Our child comes first."

Rowena lowered her head, pretending to hesitate.

"If... if Luna Isla doesn't mind..."

Every eye turned toward me; I forced the corners of my lips upward.

"It's alright."

My voice sounded strangely distant.

"I'll move."

I picked up my plate and quietly walked to the empty chair beside Kael.

As I sat down, I felt someone watching.

Kael.

Kael met Damon's eyes, gave a slow, almost imperceptible shake of his head, then silently returned to his meal while Damon ignored him and turned his attention back to Rowena.

"Try the soup. The physician said warm meals are better for you."

Rowena laughed softly.

"You remember everything."

"I have to. You forget to take care of yourself. It’s not just you now."

He filled her bowl, served her the choicest slice of roasted lamb, and Meredith watched with obvious satisfaction.

"That's exactly how a husband should treat his mate."

Harold nodded approvingly.

"The future heir must never go hungry."

I lowered my eyes to my untouched plate, realizing no one noticed, no one cared, and the seat that had been mine for five years now belonged to Rowena.

Conversation flowed easily around the table as they discussed baby names, the nursery, and the celebration planned for later that evening.

I quietly listened, feeling more like a servant than the Luna of Blackthorn. More like a servant than the daughter of the first Alpha who ruled this very palace before.

Just as dessert was served, an elderly omega entered carrying my favorite strawberry cake with a single lit candle and stopped beside my chair, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Happy birthday, Luna."

The room fell silent as I stared at the tiny flame, unable to breathe because the old omega was the only one who had remembered my birthday, and tears instantly blurred my vision.

"T-Thank you..."

Before I could say another word, Damon's amused voice cut through the silence.

"What are you? A child?"

He leaned back in his chair with a faint laugh.

"Are you going to blow out the candle and make a wish?"

A few servants moved uncomfortably.

No one dared speak.

I quickly shook my head.

"N-No… I just..."

My throat tightened.

"I thought..."

I looked at Damon one last time, still hoping he had remembered.

"I thought you'd remember that today is my birthday."

Silence.

Damon frowned as though trying to recall something insignificant. Before he could answer, Meredith sighed impatiently.

"Oh, honestly."

She waved a dismissive hand.

"Must we stop dinner for this? It's only a birthday. You turned twenty-six today, so what? We all forgot. It isn't important. Let's just get on with dinner."

Harold nodded without looking up from his wine.

"Birthdays come every year. There's no need to make such a fuss."

Their words settled over me like cold rain as I looked at the tiny candle, forcing a smile when I realized not even my husband or his parents had remembered my birthday.

I managed a small smile. "I'm sorry."

I carefully closed the cake box.

"I suddenly... don't have much of an appetite."

Pushing back my chair, I stood.

"If you'll excuse me."

No one stopped me. No one wished me a happy birthday.

As I walked out of the dining hall, I heard the conversation resume behind me.

Laughter.

Talk of the baby.

Plans for Rowena's celebration.

As though I had never been there at all.

I had barely taken a few steps into the quiet palace corridor when I heard another pair of footsteps behind me.

They stopped a short distance away.

I turned.

Kael stood there, his expression as unreadable as ever.

Without saying a single word, he walked toward me and held out a small gift box wrapped in dark blue paper.

I stared at it for a moment before slowly accepting it. Our fingers brushed only briefly.

Still, he said nothing.

No "Happy Birthday."

No explanation; he simply looked at me.

For a long moment, his silver eyes searched my face, lingering on the tears and heartbreak his wolf had undoubtedly sensed beneath my forced smile.

Then, without another word, he turned around and walked away, disappearing down the dimly lit corridor.

I stood there alone, clutching the small gift box to my chest, wondering why the only person who remembered my birthday... wasn't my husband.