Chapter 2: Disastrous Party

Elise's POV

I stood in front of the massive house, doubt coursing through me. The thundering music and children's laughter filtered through the walls, reminding me exactly what I was missing.

Today was Lily's ninth birthday, and I hadn't been invited. I didn't even know the party existed. How pathetic is that? Not knowing my own daughter had planned a birthday celebration?

When I called Noah earlier to ask what preparations I should make, he'd snapped that Vivian had everything handled and that I'd better not show up because neither he nor Lily wanted to see me.

I used to be the one planning her parties. They were always held at our home. But this year's celebration was at Vivian's house. Apparently, Lily had asked Vivian to plan this party because, according to her, I never did things the way she wanted. My parties were boring and ugly. She hated them.

Learning that Lily had never liked or appreciated the effort and love I poured into planning for her cut deep.

"You can do this, Amber," my wolf spirit Amber whispered as I tried to gather the courage to approach the house—a place where I was clearly unwelcome.

"It's our pup's party, we shouldn't miss it," she continued.

I stepped forward. The door was open, so I walked in and was completely stunned. Everything looked beautiful; Vivian had outdone herself. It resembled a scene straight out of a fairy tale.

I followed the music to the backyard. The spacious area had been transformed into a fantasy world. Pink and white flowers covered the ground. Tables were draped with shimmering golden tablecloths with chairs covered in white satin fabric, tied with golden ribbons.

Everything looked glamorous and expensive. No wonder Lily hated the parties I planned.

"What are you doing here?!" A shout interrupted my thoughts.

I turned to see Lily glaring at me with anger and disgust, as if my mere presence would ruin her day. Her shouting drew the attention of the guests. Both humans and werewolves stared at us.

"I don't want you here, leave and never come back!" she screamed, her hands balled into tight fists.

"Sweetheart, I came to bring you a gift," I told her gently, my voice trembling as I fought back tears.

Lily reached for the gift. I was about to sigh with relief, to smile at her. But then she threw the gift on the ground and stomped on it, breaking the doll I'd bought her. I stared at the broken doll, a perfect reflection of my shattered heart.

"I told you I don't want you here, and I don't want your stupid, ugly gifts," she spat.

How had it come to this? What did Vivian have that I didn't? All I'd ever done was love them. Given them everything. I'd tried my hardest to be the perfect mate and mother, but none of that was enough. Because Vivian had easily replaced me in their hearts.

"Lily..." I choked out her name, pain clogging my throat.

She cut me off. "No! I hate you, and Dad hates you. We don't want you here. Dad is going to marry Mom Vivian, but you don't want them to be together because you're jealous of her. If you don't let Dad be happy, I'll pray to the Moon Goddess to punish you."

I staggered back, feeling like I'd been sucker-punched. Not just because she hated me enough to pray for my damnation, but because Noah planned to bond with Vivian.

"You don't mean that, Lily. I'm your mom," I cried, unable to stop the tears streaming down my face.

"You're not my mom anymore. I only have one mom, and that's Mom Vivian," she declared fiercely. Then she turned and ran to Vivian.

Vivian wrapped her arms around her, glaring at me while whispering words of comfort. As if she were the birth mother, and I was the intruder.

I couldn't believe Lily had just denied me like that. In front of the guests. How could she do this to me? How could Noah allow this?

Before I had a chance to pick my dignity up off the floor, Noah appeared. He grabbed my arm painfully and dragged me away.

"Please, Noah..." I begged when we were almost at the door.

"Shut up!" he roared, eyes shifting from black to yellow.

His fingers left my arm, moving to grip my throat instead. He squeezed hard, his claws digging deep into my neck. I could feel blood running down my throat, already soaking my shirt.

"Let this be the last time I see you anywhere near Lily or me. Don't touch her, don't look at her. If you come near us, I'll kill you," he threatened, his voice cold.

"But she's my daughter," I whispered, tears streaming down my cheeks.

When he replied, his voice held an icy finality: "You heard her... you're nothing to her, and you're nothing to me."

Without another word, he shoved me out the door. I tried to break my fall with my hands and knees, barely noticing the scrapes or my still-bleeding neck.

The pain from my physical wounds couldn't compare to the pain in my heart. How was I supposed to fight when I felt so broken? Amber was so hurt she'd retreated into the depths of my consciousness, unreachable.

"Hey," a sweet little voice pulled me from my daze.

A boy of about ten stood by my car. He had golden hair and gray eyes. He looked familiar.

"My dad says pretty girls shouldn't cry. And you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," he told me sweetly but firmly.

It touched my heart that this boy thought I was beautiful when my own daughter didn't. Though it hurt, I crouched down to his eye level.

"Thank you, handsome. What's your name?" I asked with a tear-streaked smile.

"I'm Oliver... you're Lily's mom. I don't mean to be bad, but I don't like Lily very much right now. She was mean to you, and that made me angry. I don't like my mom or Lily's dad either. What they did to you wasn't nice."

After he spoke, it clicked. This boy trying to comfort me was Vivian's son.

I realized I could make him resent his mother. Say all sorts of things to make him hate her, but I wouldn't. It wasn't in my nature.

"I know, sweetie, but she's still your mom, no matter what. You should love her and respect her," I said gently.

He stared at me for a moment, then said, "Okay, but remember, even if they don't love you, I love you, and you're the best."

Then he gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek before leaving. I don't know what it was about Oliver, but I felt a connection with him. Something told me our paths were linked in some way.

I got into my car and drove away from my daughter and mate. For the first time in months, I felt a little better.

And it was all because of my enemy's son.