For the next few days, I played the part of the perfect hostess.

I mobilized the Pack's best resources to redecorate the guest room according to Cassia's picky tastes.

When I returned to the guest room with the latest style of silk pajamas, I saw Declan was there.

He was using his powerful Alpha energy to meticulously adjust the atmosphere in the room, all to soothe the pregnant she-wolf.

Cassia sat on the bed, looking up at him with a wide smile, then reached out and used her sleeve to wipe the beads of sweat from his forehead.

"Declan, you're so good to me… If only my future mate were half as gentle as you."

Declan didn't pull away. He just sighed, letting her touch him. "Don't worry about that. I'll take care of you both."

I stood in the shadows of the hallway, my composure unshaken as I watched the scene unfold.

In my past life, I would have stormed in and confronted him.

Now, I just tapped on the doorframe.

"Excuse the interruption."

Declan jumped back a step, looking at me with a hint of embarrassment, like a child caught doing something wrong.

"Anya, Cassia is very sensitive to energy fluctuations. Others can't adjust it properly, so I had to help. Don't get the wrong idea."

My chest tightened.

Ever since the mate bond locked us together, I had handled everything. The housework. The Pack's general affairs. I even laid out his clothes every night.

And now he was personally adjusting the energy flow for her.

I gave a small nod, my voice soft. "Of course. She's carrying a pup and needs her rest."

His shoulders relaxed. He leaned in and kissed my forehead. "You've changed. When did you become so… understanding?"

I cut him off, placing the silk pajamas on the table. "If there's nothing else, I'll be heading back."

Then he added, as if he had just remembered.

"Oh, Cassia's birthday is in a few days. Her parents just passed away, and I want to throw a small celebration for her at the manor to cheer her up."

He let out a soft sigh.

I told myself not to care. Not to compare anymore. But it really hurt.

My birthday was around the same time. In the past, Declan would clear his schedule a month in advance, personally pick out my gift, and throw a lavish party.

And this year? He forgot.

Despite it all, I still nodded. "That's a good idea. I'll make the arrangements and ensure it's to her liking."

Declan paused, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

We used to fight constantly over Cassia. Now I was planning her birthday? This change was unsettling to him, but he couldn't put his finger on what was wrong.

He opened his mouth, then just nodded. "Arrange it however you see fit. She's quite far along in her pregnancy, so don't make it too complicated."

I swallowed the bitterness. "Alright."

His gaze softened. He seemed to want to follow me back to our room, but I gently held up a hand to stop him.

"Go and keep Cassia company. Unpacking must be exhausting for a she-wolf so far along in her pregnancy."

Declan frowned. "You really don't mind me being alone with her?"

I used to bristle at any she-wolf who got close to him.

Now, I just shook my head. "Of course not. She's my Pack sister now. It's only right that you take care of her."

This time, I wouldn't stand in their way. Not even once.

His expression warmed. "You've finally matured."

"Cassia has been through a lot. We need to protect her."

"Don't go back to being that jealous person."

No. The jealousy was gone.

I would personally hand Declan over to her—beautifully wrapped—so they could live the life they wanted.

For the next two days, I threw myself into planning her birthday. I was in charge of every detail.

Expensive decorations, bards, even the moon orchids were picked fresh from Moon Goddess Peak and delivered. No expense was spared. The manor was transformed, looking like a scene pulled from a legend.

On the night of the birthday party, the Pack manor was ablaze with lights.

All the Pack's high-ranking members and our nearby allies came. They looked at the lavish decorations and praised my generosity.

The guests poured in, their eyes wide with wonder.

They couldn't understand why I would go to such lengths for a she-wolf from a fallen pack, let alone call her my Pack sister.

I smiled, pretending not to hear the whispers, and then gave Declan a gentle nudge.

"Let Cassia have the first dance. Tonight is her night."

When it was time for gifts, Declan made an announcement that sent a shockwave through the room.

Declan walked onto the stage and publicly announced that he was granting Cassia the right to use the Rathborne family's ancestral Moonlight Hot Springs.

It wasn't just a hot spring. It was the most spiritually potent sacred site in the Sterling Ridge Pack. The very source that had made the Rathborne family renowned.

The entire hall erupted in murmurs. Everyone turned to look at me, their eyes filled with pity and curiosity.

Cassia covered her mouth, her eyes welling with tears. "Declan, this is too precious… Anya will be angry."

"You deserve it," Declan said firmly, not even looking at me. "You need to heal."

Then it was my turn.

I walked forward, holding an exquisite velvet gift box.

"Happy birthday, Cassia."

Inside was a calming bracelet I had commissioned. The materials were rare and the craftsmanship was delicate. Nothing too special, but it was an appropriate, if simple, gift.

At least, that's what I thought.

Cassia took the box, a vicious glint in her eyes. In front of everyone, she eagerly lifted the lid.

"Ah—!"

A blood-curdling scream tore through the ballroom.

A Silver Moon Snake, its fangs coated in wolfsbane, shot out from the box, hissing as it lunged.

She shrieked, stumbling backward, and fell right into Declan's arms.

With lightning speed, Declan struck, sending the snake flying.

Cassia clutched her stomach, her face contorted in fear.

"Anya, why would you do this to me…"

"Anya!" Declan roared, scooping her into his arms, his eyes as cold as frost.

"And I actually thought you had changed."

"I never imagined you could be so vicious! To plot against a pregnant she-wolf in front of everyone."

His voice dropped, laced with killing intent.

No, he had it all wrong. The box was supposed to contain a bracelet. Not a snake.

I opened my mouth to explain, but a sharp, searing pain shot through my hand.

The snake, though knocked away, wasn't dead. It had crawled back and sunk its wolfsbane-laced fangs deep into my palm.

"No… it wasn't me…" I argued weakly, feeling the poison coursing through my blood toward my heart.

"Shut up!" Declan cut me off, his gaze like ice. "If anything happens to Cassia or the pup, I will never forgive you."