Chapter 1 1

In my previous life, when I was about to give birth, my Alpha mate open my belly with a silver dagger, removed our unborn pup, and cut it to pieces before my eyes. All this happened because I stopped him from accompanying his vulnerable Omega mistress on a hunt, and then that omega was killed by a rogue wolf in the forest. Thanks to the Moon Goddess, I was reborn on the full moon night—the day he was going to accompany Sarah to hunt. The full moon night is an important celebration for werewolves, when Alphas must lead pack members in prayers to the Moon Goddess. But my mate Derek, the pack Alpha, chose to abandon our traditions and me, his pregnant mate, to accompany his fragile Omega assistant Sarah to hunt in the forest. "Vivian Gray, Sarah is a helpless Omega with no one to rely on. What's wrong with me taking her out for the full moon? If you don't want me to take her out, would you prefer I bring her back home? Would that make you happy?""If that's what you really want, fine. The three of us can go together. But I'd have to take care of Sarah—she's an Omega after all. With your pregnancy, I can't look after you both." His angry words made my head spin. I stared blankly at the sneering man before me and the woman beside him with her hurt expression. The woman tugged at Derek's sleeve, whimpering. "Derek, don't talk to Vivian like that. If she doesn't agree, let's just cancel. I've spent so many years alone anyway.""I'll be fine celebrating by myself this year too." The woman tried to sound casual, but her smile looked more painful than tears. Derek's face darkened as he grabbed her hand and comforted her softly. Seeing I didn't react, he grew more impatient. "Vivian Gray, what scheme are you plotting now? Planning to complain to my parents again? I warn you, I'm the pack Alpha now. My parents have stepped down and can't back you up anymore. If Sarah suffers because of you again, I won't let it slide.""When will you get over your jealousy? I'm just taking Sarah hunting, that's all. You're still the pack's Luna. Why are you so needlessly jealous?""If you don't say something, I'll take that as a yes, and don't you dare say anything different in front of my family." I finally snapped back to reality amid Derek's harsh warnings. He opened his mouth to say more. But I spoke first. "Fine." Derek's expression froze as he watched me silently pull out a suitcase and start packing his things. He felt something strange about the situation. In the past, even mentioning Sarah's name would trigger my jealousy and cause a huge fight. Now he was planning to take Sarah hunting alone on the full moon night, and I was calmly packing his bags as if nothing was wrong. Derek eyed me suspiciously, and when his gaze fell on my slightly swollen belly, he suddenly understood and gave a scornful laugh. "So it's true what they say—females about to become mothers really do change. You're so gentle now, not rough like other female Beta warriors." He leaned against the doorframe, his face full of mockery. Sarah bit her lip, looking so delicate and pitiable. "Vivian, please don't be angry. The Alpha is only taking me because he feels sorry that a single Omega like me has never experienced the thrill of hunting.""If you're uncomfortable with me being alone with your Alpha, don't force yourself. I can go experience it by myself.""Really, Vivian, stop packing." Sarah tried to grab the suitcase from me, but it crashed to the floor. My hands trembled as I held his clothes, looking at the teary-eyed woman before me. Only then did I truly believe I had been reborn, back to the day Sarah went to the forest alone. In my previous life, on this very day, Derek wanted to take Sarah forest hunting, but I refused and forced him to stay. The matter even escalated to the former Alpha and Luna—Derek's parents. Under his parents' pressure and his Alpha responsibilities, Derek had stayed behind, and Sarah went to the forest alone, crying, only to be brutally killed by rogue wolves. When Derek found out, he only said, "She's dead, so be it. She was just a low-ranking Omega. I don't care about her." Afterward, he seemed to remember I was his true mate and started paying attention to me. I thought that although our mating was arranged by our families, my love had finally been reciprocated. But when I was about to give birth, he cut open my belly and tortured me to death. It was only then I understood—Derek believed that because I made him stay with the pack, forcing Sarah to hunt alone, I had caused her death. He had never loved me.

Chapter 2 2

Remembering my past life—how I was cut open while still alive, my child brutally torn to pieces—sent a chill down my spine. Since fate had given me a second chance, I would make Derek and Sarah pay for what they did. I ignored Sarah's feigned distress and Derek's angry shouting. Instead, I calmly picked up the suitcase and continued packing. Seeing my composed demeanor, Derek suddenly shoved me in frustration. "Stop pretending to be so understanding, Vivian. Don't think that acting magnanimous and packing our bags means I'll accept you," he snarled. "Let me tell you something—even though we're mates, I will never give up Sarah. She's the one I truly love, and she'll always be part of our family. Everything you have, Sarah must have an equal share. If you can't accept that, then you're not worthy to be my mate or the pack's female Alpha. I'll reject our bond." I'd heard these words countless times before. In the past, I would have argued with Derek, questioned him, even threatened him using our baby as leverage. But now, I was actually desperate to break our bond. "Fine, let's end our bond then." Suddenly, the room went so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I watched the shock spread across Derek's face as I coldly stated, "Perfect timing, since I never loved you anyway." Derek and I had known each other since childhood—childhood sweethearts, some might say. He was the Alpha heir from birth, while my family belonged to an ancient werewolf nobility. We were destined mates, our union representing an alliance between our powerful families. Everything should have gone smoothly, but two years ago, an Omega named Sarah appeared as Derek's administrative assistant. I remember first seeing her in Derek's council chamber. I had brought Derek some snacks and walked in on him berating his assistant. The little assistant had just started dealing with complicated pack affairs and didn't understand the rules of resource exchange with neighboring packs. Derek had seized on her mistake, verbally abusing her relentlessly, even threatening her with fire punishment. She stood there red-eyed, on the verge of tears. Everyone around feared becoming collateral damage, so no one dared defend the Omega. Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore. I stepped forward to resolve the resource issue and pleaded for Sarah's case. Only when Derek saw me did he let the terrified assistant off the hook. Back then, he told me that such a stupid and weak wolf didn't deserve to live. Yet somehow, not only did she survive, but she also ensnared Derek, who became obsessed with her, willing to give her everything. He even killed my child for this Omega. Derek thought I was acting irrationally out of jealousy, but when he realized I genuinely wanted to break our bond, he panicked for a moment. He reached out to touch my face. At that exact moment, Sarah covered her mouth and sobbed: "Alpha, Vivian, if you separate because of me, I'll be the pack's sinner! I'll leave. I'll go far away and never disturb you two again." After she ran away crying, Derek's expression reverted to the disgust I'd grown accustomed to these past two years. "Vivian Gray, you just had to make trouble for me now, didn't you? You're the pack's female Alpha—you should care for and love every member of our pack. You shouldn't be so petty toward Sarah, who's just an Omega. Acting like this, you're completely unworthy of being my mate.""You're pregnant now. If I reject you, you're finished. Your high-and-mighty family won't accept a pregnant she-wolf without a mate." Derek's face darkened, his eyes cold as he finished speaking and hurried after Sarah. What he seemed to forget was that as a female warrior, I wouldn't let a child become my burden. The pregnancy was less than three months along—it could be terminated. As for breaking our bond, while my family valued the alliance with the Alpha, they valued family members more. Besides, the pack Alpha didn't necessarily have to be Derek. My phone's vibration pulled me from my thoughts. I checked the message—it was from Sarah. "Luna, what does it matter if you're his mate? Derek will always take my side.""This year, you'll have to endure the full moon celebration alone with your big belly. Next year after the baby is born, you'll have a little half-breed to keep you company. Then you won't be so lonely." Every word dripped with provocation. I'd received plenty of similar messages over the past two years and had even forwarded screenshots to Derek. But Derek always said she was just an insecure Omega, and that as the female Alpha, I shouldn't take it to heart and should be more accommodating. He was certain I couldn't leave him, that I was bound to him for life, which was why he behaved so recklessly. Taking a deep breath, I contacted someone I hadn't spoken to in a very long time. The full moon celebration was the most important day of the year for our pack, and I planned to give Derek a special gift that night.

Chapter 3 3

The moment Derek left, I immediately contacted a pack healer to terminate the pregnancy. Just before the anesthesia entered my system, I received a mind-link message from him. "Vivian, everything I said earlier was just out of anger. Don't worry, you're my mate and the pack's female Alpha. I'll definitely be back for the full moon ceremony. Wait for me.""As for Sarah, just pretend she doesn't exist. I've already talked to her, and she won't interfere with our lives anymore." I stared at those messages with cold detachment as I turned off my screen. For the past two years, Derek had repeatedly neglected pack responsibilities because of Sarah. I had completely given up on him and decided to leave, but on the day I was set to go, he caught up with me. He begged me not to leave, tears streaming down his face. That day, he marked me without restraint. We both lost control, and that's how this baby came to be. But I only discovered the truth as I lay dying—Derek came after me that day only because his family had threatened him using Sarah as leverage. Our families' alliance wouldn't be changed for anyone or anything. So even if Derek loved Sarah more than anything, he had no choice but to become my mate. I felt the warm mass leaving my body. This child had been a mistake from the beginning. When I awoke, I found myself in the hospital room. By then, Derek and Sarah had already reached the forest and started their hunting game. Sarah had sent numerous boastful messages, including several photos of her with Derek. He embraced her from behind, his expression tender—once, he had looked at me the same way. Now, it only made me sick. "Sister, Derek said you also enjoy the feeling of running during the hunt. If I'd known, we should have brought you along.""By the way, he prepared a fireworks show for me. I'll send you pictures later.""Old woman, if I were you, I'd have left long ago. Clinging to the Alpha like this—you're so pathetic." In the past, I would have ignored her, but this time, I replied. "Since you love Derek so much, never let him go." I wanted to see if Sarah would still follow Derek once he had nothing left. After sending the message, I was exhausted and about to put down my phone to sleep when it rang. As soon as I answered, Derek's furious voice came through. "Vivian Gray, what are you doing now? You're already the pack's female Alpha—why do you keep targeting a fragile Omega?""I finally take her out hunting to relax, and you have to make everyone miserable, don't you? Apologize to her, or don't blame me for not showing you any mercy." I frowned, finding his voice irritating. As Derek continued his tirade, I hung up in frustration and blocked our mate bond connection. The day I was discharged from the hospital happened to be the night of the full moon. Back home, I purged everything related to Derek. Clothes, toothbrush, even books he had bought—all packed up and thrown away. This house was mine. His belongings had no place here. Afterward, I returned to my family's estate for a reunion dinner. The night before the full moon ceremony, I was idly scrolling through my phone. Suddenly, a fireworks display shot to the top of social media. Seeing the initials "DH" and "SJ" (Derek Hale and Sarah Johnson), I guessed this was the fireworks show Derek had prepared for Sarah. Sure enough, moments later, Sarah sent me a video. "Old hag, Derek says this fireworks show is only for me. So what if you're soulmates? So what if you're childhood sweethearts? So what if you're pregnant? You still can't win Derek's love.""I've realized that even if you two are mates, it doesn't matter. After all, Derek loves me." Just then, a chat notification from someone else appeared at the top of my screen. I read the message and smiled coldly. Let tonight be the final celebration for this despicable couple. On the night of the full moon, pack members gathered at the sacred altar to pray to the Moon Goddess. Yet Derek, the Alpha, was nowhere to be seen. The former Alpha, Derek's father, glared with a grim expression. "What is wrong with this boy? His usual antics are one thing, but to be late on such an important day? It's your coddling that's ruined him. When he arrives, I'll have to teach him a lesson he won't forget." Derek's mother looked anxious, but when her husband snapped at her, she just lowered her head in resignation. At the altar, everyone wore sour expressions because of Derek's absence. But I knew he was nearby. He was waiting for me to apologize to Sarah. Today's lateness was just his way of teaching me a lesson. I was waiting too—waiting for someone. I tried to calm the pack members, ignoring my repeatedly vibrating phone. Half an hour later, my phone finally went silent. Then Derek approached me, his face dark with anger. "Vivian Gray, are you blind? I told you to apologize to Sarah. This is your last chance—if you don't apologize, we'll break our bond right now." Instantly, silence fell over the gathering. Derek's father stood up, slamming his fist on the table. "You ungrateful son! What nonsense are you spouting? Being late is bad enough, but now you're threatening Vivian? Apologize to her, now!" My father's face turned livid as he scoffed. "Brother Hale, you've raised your son well, haven't you? He clearly has zero respect for my daughter." Derek's father looked mortified as he forced Derek to apologize. Derek stubbornly refused. Then Sarah ran in, tears streaming down her face. "Alpha, don't be angry because of me on such an important day. It's fine if I suffer a little injustice. I've been living with it my whole life anyway." Derek's expression darkened further. He leaned close to my ear and whispered a threat: "Vivian, if you don't apologize, I'll reject our bond in front of everyone. Then we'll see if your family still accepts a discarded pregnant she-wolf.""And I'll spread rumors that your child is some rogue wolf's bastard. Imagine how that would affect your precious family name." I jerked my head up, staring at him in disbelief. Derek raised an eyebrow, trying to manipulate me. "Vivian, it's just one simple apology. Say it, and this will all be over. I'll fulfill my Alpha duties and complete the prayer. You know what choice to make, don't you?" Though my father was angry, he hadn't once mentioned canceling our union. This made Derek even more reckless. He waited confidently for me to bow my head. The next moment, another person burst into the altar ceremony—a tall figure pushed through the doors.