Dana POV

　　"Your first mate likely showered you with lavish gifts," I teased lightly, a playful glint in my eye. "But remember, this one holds its value because it's handmade with love," I quipped, prompting him to affectionately pinch my cheeks in response.

　　"I place no value on the gifts bestowed by others, only on those from you," he declared earnestly. "This bracelet you've crafted isn't just a token of affection; it's the most precious gift I could receive on my birthday. With you by my side, I consider myself blessed every single day. You're like a perpetual present in my life, and now, with our baby on the way..." His hand gently caressed my stomach, a tender gesture filled with promise.

　　Closing our eyes, he leaned in, his lips meeting mine in a slow, passionate kiss that spoke volumes of his love and devotion.

　　Breaking away from the embrace, he met my gaze with unwavering affection. "I love you more than words can express, Dana," he whispered, pulling me close once again in a tight embrace, sealing his declaration with a heartfelt hug.

　　Returning his embrace, I found myself lost in a whirlwind of emotions, my gaze drifting towards the window as my mind raced with uncertainty and anticipation.

　　"I love you more than you can imagine," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, the weight of our secret relationship heavy on my heart. "I long for the day when we can reveal our love to the world," I confessed.

　　The parking lot was lit up like a carnival with all those fancy cars gleaming under the lights. Stepping out, I felt a bit nervous but excited in my snug red dress, and I noticed everyone else looked stunning too.

　　Inside the lobby of the castle, it felt like stepping into a fairy tale. There were Alphas and Lunas from different packs, all looking powerful and confident. You could practically feel the energy buzzing in the air as everyone mingled and chatted.

　　And the cameras! They were going off like crazy, capturing all the smiles and laughter. It was clear that everyone there had a special connection to Bathel, which just made the whole night even more magical.

　　I observed their entrance with a sense of unease, feeling the intensity of their gazes as they scanned the room. Their eyes held a fierce determination that made me uneasy.

　　"I'm not comfortable being around them," Xia whispered, her voice tinged with apprehension.

　　I let out a sigh of resignation. "Yeah, they have that Alpha and Luna vibe down, don't they? And those piercing eyes... it's like they can see right through you," I muttered under my breath.

　　Despite my efforts to stay engaged, I found myself continually scanning the room, my anticipation growing as the event seemed on the verge of starting. But Blaire and Ares were still nowhere to be seen, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at me.

　　I just hoped they would arrive soon, I needed them by my side to witness whatever was about to unfold on this momentous day.

　　As the last of the guests filtered into the castle, a hum of activity filled the air, signaling the imminent start of the festivities. My attention was drawn to the grand staircase, where Bathel made his entrance, a radiant smile gracing his features as he descended with Adrian at his side.

　　He effortlessly worked the room, engaging in conversation with each guest, while Anna followed suit, exuding elegance with every step. Caught in a whirlwind of anticipation and uncertainty, I found myself at a loss for what to do, my gaze darting around the room in search of familiar faces.

　　Despite the excitement of the moment, a lingering sense of anxiety gnawed at me as I held onto hope that Blaire and Ares would make their appearance. But Xia's voice cut through my thoughts, urging me to abandon my expectations.

　　"You need to stop clinging to the hope that they'll show up," she remarked, her words injecting a dose of reality into my reverie. With a heavy sigh, I pushed aside her negativity, determined to remain optimistic amidst the swirling emotions of the evening.

　　Unexpectedly, Bathel's voice resonated in my mind, a private message breaking through the noise of the crowded room. "You look beautiful," his words echoed softly, catching me off guard in the best possible way.

　　Swiveling to meet his gaze, I was greeted with a warm smile as he embraced a woman beside him, his eyes were all on me despite hugging another woman. It took me a beat to realize that the woman in his arms was Farrah, his ex-girlfriend, standing alongside her Alpha.

　　Despite the initial surprise, I observed Bathel's composed demeanor as he exchanged pleasantries with Farrah's new beau.

　　I swallowed hard, willing myself not to succumb to the pangs of jealousy that threatened to surface. It was clear from their exchanged glances that both Bathel and Farrah had moved on, and I couldn't deny that Farrah seemed content in her role as Luna of another pack.

　　Still, the mere thought of their past intimacy left a bitter taste in my mouth.

　　"Hey," I responded, turning to face the man who had approached me with a friendly smile, grateful for the distraction from my turbulent thoughts.

　　I returned his smile, albeit with a hint of bashfulness. "Oh, hello..." I murmured in reply, trying to keep my composure amid the unexpected interaction.

　　"So, what brings you here?" he inquired, his tone friendly and genuine.

　　I chuckled softly before responding, "Well, I'm a member of this pack, usually." I answered without hesitation, feeling a sense of ease in his presence.

　　"Ah, got it," he chuckled in response. "I'm Jarius, a beta from the Moon Fierce Pack," he introduced himself, extending his hand toward me.

　　Unable to resist his friendly demeanor, I accepted his hand with a chuckle of my own, feeling a spark of camaraderie in our brief exchange.

　　"I'm Dana- " I began, only to be cut off by Bathel's deliberate cough over the microphone, drawing everyone's attention to him. His gaze locked onto mine, and I couldn't help but smile, knowing he'd likely been watching me the whole time.