The next morning, as the first light crept through the window, I woke up and realized it was my birthday.
In years past, Theodore would've been up at dawn, buzzing with excitement, planning something special. He'd insist on cooking me a bowl of longevity noodles himself, even if they turned out a gluey mess, and he'd hover until I ate every last bite. He'd surprise me with gifts-sometimes crates of gold and silver jewelry, sometimes quirky trinkets I'd never seen before, or even a whole sky lit up with lanterns that must've cost a fortune.
Growing up, no one but Theodore ever remembered my birthday. Those years with him were the warmest days of my life.
Now, I'm back to being invisible, forgotten.
My eyes stung as I got up and shuffled to the kitchen. I rolled up my sleeves and cooked myself a bowl of longevity noodles, just like he used to. As steam rose from the pot, I could almost see him, back when he was still my sweet pup, circling me on my birthday, calling me "Sis" and begging me to make a wish to "never leave him."
I took a bite, but a tear fell into the bowl, blurring the broth.
A commotion outside snapped me out of it. A group of delivery wolves hauled in stacks of ornate gift boxes, and the head merchant grinned at me. "Lillian, these are birthday gifts from Theodore, picked out special for you."
I froze, staring at the boxes, hardly believing my ears. "These. are for me?"
"You bet!" he said, gesturing to the pile. "Finest silks from the southern packs, a pearl from the deep seas, a gold phoenix hairpin-every one chosen by Theodore himself. Said they're for his heart's mate. And all these years, he's been coming to us to pick out gifts for you, so that's gotta be you, right?"
My fingers trembled. Theodore had showered me with gifts like these before, back when I was his heart's mate. But now? This merchant must've gotten it wrong.
I opened my mouth to explain, but he was already gone, leaving the boxes behind.
Before I could process it, the courtyard gate slammed open with a bang. Sophia stormed in, flanked by a pack of maids and servants, her eyes landing on the gifts. Her face twisted into a scowl.
"Lillian, you've got some nerve!" she shrieked. "Stealing my stuff?"
I frowned. "What are you talking about?"
She jabbed a finger at the gifts, sneering. "These are my birthday gifts from Theodore, and you've got the gall to snatch them? Know your place!"
I started to say it was a mix-up, that the merchant delivered them to me by mistake, but Sophia didn't give me a chance. With a snap of her fingers, her maids rushed forward, one of them pinning my shoulders.
Crack!
A slap landed hard across my face, the sting spreading like wildfire.
"You filthy she-wolf!" Sophia spat. "A hunter's daughter, thinking you can take what's mine?"
Crack! Crack! Crack!
More slaps, one after another, left my cheeks swollen and my vision swimming. Blood trickled from my lip, and the pain made my head spin.
"You think you can compete with me?" Sophia grabbed my hair, yanking my head back. "Theodore's heart is mine. You're just a lowlife who took advantage of him!"
I was dizzy, my face throbbing, blood dripping down my chin. But something in me snapped. I tore free from the maid's grip and swung back, my hand connecting with Sophia's face in a loud smack.
She screamed, stumbling back, a red handprint blooming on her cheek.
"Lillian! You dare hit me?!" she screeched, clutching her face, eyes wide with shock.
