Chapter 1 Chapter 1

My mate, Alpha Larry, marked my best friend, Chloe, betrayed me, and killed me and our unborn pup with a silver dagger. Reborn on the day I was meant to choose my mate, I chose Larry's younger brother, Derek—an outcast in a wheelchair, with a wolf they said was broken. The first thing I did after my rebirth was march into the Blackwood Alpha's office and declare my choice. With the decision made, I walked out of his office. But the moment I stepped out the door, my path was blocked. Larry stood in the middle of the hallway, three of his followers flanking him. They barred my way, all wearing the same arrogant smirk. "Finished sucking up to my father already?" Larry asked, crossing his arms and looking down at me. "Working hard to secure your spot as the future Luna, are we?" I stopped and looked at him calmly. "Move." He clicked his tongue, shaking his head as he looked me up and down. "Look at you. The Silver Moon princess, gracing our pack with your presence. You're just desperate to marry me, aren't you?" Larry slowly walked closer, unleashing the full force of his Alpha aura. "The connection between us was destined by the Moon Goddess. You can feel it, can't you?" I could. That damned fated mate pull, wrapping around us like a chain. But this time, I refused to be bound by it. "Even after we're mated, I expect to be with whoever I please," Larry said, his smirk casual. "That's only fair, don't you think?" A familiar, sharp pain lanced through my heart. He'd said the exact same thing in my last life. At our mating ceremony, in front of the entire pack. Only this time, he was saying it sooner. He… he was reborn, too? Did he really expect me to accept this filthy mate bond again, just like last time? "And you expect me to accept such an insult?" I sneered. "Insult?" Larry raised an eyebrow. "It's called reality, Reina. Did you really think fated mates meant we had to be faithful?""Reina!" A cloyingly sweet voice called out from down the hall. Chloe came jogging over in a pink dress, looking fragile and sweet. She stopped in front of us, feigning breathlessness, and gave Larry a soft look before lowering her head. "I heard voices and was worried you two were fighting," she said quietly. "Reina, are you okay?" Larry immediately moved to her side, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "It's fine. I was just discussing some post-marriage arrangements with the princess." A flash of hurt crossed Chloe's eyes, but she quickly hid it. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have interrupted," she said, stepping back with red-rimmed eyes. "I was just worried... Larry, you know how intense you can be. I didn't want you to upset Reina." A perfect performance. The exact same script as my past life. She always pretended to be the understanding friend while meddling in my relationship with Larry. I was once so blind I'd considered Chloe my only friend in the Blackwood Pack. But I wouldn't be fooled by her again. "Chloe's right," he said, turning back to me with a frown. "As the future Luna, you need to learn some humility.""Humility?" I couldn't help but laugh. "To you?""To your future Alpha," he corrected, his tone leaving no room for argument. "It is the will of the Moon Goddess." Larry took a step forward, his aura pressing down harder. "Don't think being the Silver Moon princess gives you the right to be defiant. In the Blackwood Pack, I'm in charge." I looked at him, then at Chloe playing the damsel by his side. They thought they had everything under control. "Larry, I think you've misunderstood something," I said calmly. "Misunderstood?" he scoffed. "You came all this way to our pack to finalize our mating ceremony, didn't you?" He turned to Chloe. "Go on ahead. My future Luna and I have things to discuss." Chloe nodded obediently, casting a worried glance at me before she left. Once she was gone, Larry's smirk turned into a full-blown sneer. "Keep this up, Reina, and don't be surprised when I reject you at the ceremony."

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Ignoring Larry's taunts, I turned and walked away. That evening, I attended the formal dinner before the alliance ceremony. The pack's senior members were already seated. The old Alpha smiled as he introduced them to me. "Larry should be here any minute," the Alpha said, glancing at the time with a slight frown. Ten minutes later, the hall doors finally opened. Larry strode in, looking sharp in a suit, but I picked up something else on the air. His own masculine, Alpha musk was tangled with the sweet perfume of another she-wolf. Chloe followed close behind him, her cheeks slightly flushed and her dress a little wrinkled. "Sorry, everyone. Had to take care of something urgent," Larry said nonchalantly as he walked to the main table. Everyone could smell the mingled scents, but no one dared to say a word. Larry sat down next to me, and Chloe took the seat on my other side. "Not angry?" Larry whispered, his voice laced with challenge. I cut into the steak on my plate, my movements graceful. "Why would I be?" He narrowed his eyes, seeming unsettled by my reaction. "Most she-wolves would be jealous.""I'm not most she-wolves." Larry tapped his fingers on the table, his powerful Alpha aura rolled off him in waves. But tonight, I was unnervingly calm. His aura washed over me like a harmless breeze. He sensed it, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "You've changed, Reina," he said, his voice low. "There's a power in you... it's stronger than I remember." I put down my silverware and turned to him. "I'm always growing." Larry reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a fine, black velvet box. "Since you're here, I suppose it's time I gave you this." He opened the box. Inside lay a silver crest, engraved with the Blackwood Pack's wolf head symbol. "Ah, the mate's crest," the old Alpha observed. All eyes were on us. According to tradition, if I accepted the crest, I was publicly accepting our mating. Larry picked up the crest, about to hand it to me. "Oh!" Chloe suddenly cried out, her elbow accidentally bumping Larry's arm. The crest slipped through his fingers, landing with a soft splash in Chloe's wine glass. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!" Chloe scrambled to her feet as red wine splashed onto her dress. "I'm so clumsy!" Larry immediately stood up, dabbing at her dress with a napkin. "It's fine, it was just an accident." He fished the crest out of the wine glass and carefully wiped it clean. "It's soaked in wine and covered in Chloe's scent now," Larry said, a glint of malicious satisfaction in his eyes. "But that's okay. You two are good friends, after all." He turned to Chloe and said gently, "As an apology, you can have it." A flicker of joy crossed Chloe's face, but she quickly waved her hands. "No, I can't! It's for Reina!""She won't mind," Larry said, looking at me with a challenging glint in his eyes. "Right, Reina?" The entire hall fell silent. Everyone waited for my reaction. For an Alpha to give his mate's token to another woman in public was a blatant humiliation. Memories of my past life flooded back. He had shamed me just like this before, mocking my bloodline for not being pure enough, for not deserving his respect. Back then, I had cried and begged for his forgiveness, only to be met with more ridicule. But this time, my heart was still. I slowly stood up, ready to leave. "Sit down," Larry commanded, his Alpha voice cracking like a whip as his aura slammed down. "Where do you think you're going?" he snarled, his voice low. I stopped and turned to face him. "We're fated mates, Reina," he said, his smile smug. "Throw whatever tantrum you want. You'll always come crawling back to me. The Moon Goddess herself decreed it. You can't fight fate." Larry stepped closer, his voice turning flippant. "Instead of acting all high and mighty, you should just accept reality. Our union is inevitable." I stared at him silently before speaking. "And who," I asked, my voice dangerously quiet, "said I would accept a tainted bond?"

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

The hall went dead silent. The elders exchanged glances, shocked. They had never seen anyone so openly defy the Alpha heir. Larry's face turned livid, his eyes burning with fury. "Tainted? What are you talking about?""You heard me," I said calmly. "Then tell me, Reina," Larry sneered, "And who else would you choose? That worthless cripple, Derek? The failure who can't even hold his wolf form?" His voice dripped with mockery. "A failure in a wheelchair who couldn't even awaken his Alpha blood?" Just then, a side door to the hall opened quietly. Derek entered, propelling his wheelchair forward. He wore a simple black shirt. His face was pale, but his eyes were clear. A flash of hurt crossed his face when he heard Larry's words, but he quickly masked it. "Sorry to interrupt," Derek said, nodding politely. "Father, you were looking for me?" The old Alpha cleared his throat. "Derek, perfect timing. Come, sit." Seeing Derek, Larry's mocking smile widened. "Look, the cripple himself has arrived." I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out. But the old Alpha's earlier request echoed in my mind: Please keep your choice a secret until the formal ceremony. I had to remain silent. Derek noticed my expression, and the light in his eyes dimmed. He must have thought I was disgusted with him, too. "Derek, you're just in time," Larry said loudly, intentionally. "We were just discussing Reina's standards for a mate. It seems she's not quite satisfied with me." Derek glanced at me, his voice soft. "Everyone has the right to choose.""Choose?" Larry laughed out loud. "What choice does she have? In the entire continent, which Alpha besides me is worthy of the Silver Moon princess?" Derek didn't answer, just sat there quietly. The dinner ended in a tense, awkward atmosphere. On the ride back to my quarters, Chloe insisted on sharing a car with me. "Reina, your performance tonight was... impressive," she said, sitting across from me, fiddling with the crest. The silver wolf head glinted in the passing lights. "Larry was so generous, giving me something this precious," she said, all feigned innocence. "But I think he was just trying to get a rise out of you." I stared out the window at the night, saying nothing. "You know," Chloe continued, "he came to see me this afternoon. He told me all about his plans for your future." Her voice turned syrupy sweet. "He said you were too proud. That you needed to be broken. He fancies himself an expert at taming arrogant she-wolves." The car stopped. As I got out, I heard Chloe laugh softly behind me. "Stop pretending you don't care, Reina. I know you're furious." Three days later, on the night of the full moon. I arrived at the entrance to the pack's sacred grounds as arranged. It was the place for important ceremonies, surrounded by ancient totem poles. "We meet again." Chloe stepped out of the shadows, her face looking unusually pale in the moonlight. "What are you doing here?" I asked. "The same as you. Attending the ceremony," she said, walking closer. "Larry invited me to watch. He said it was important for me." She held up the crest, its silver light flickering. "He came to me last night and told me so many things," Chloe's smile turned strange. "About your past life, your future, and... about the role I play in it." I frowned. "What do you mean?""I mean, Reina, it's all fated. What do you think you're fighting against?" Her voice suddenly became shrill. "Larry told me. No matter how much you fight it, you'll always come crawling back. Because you two are—" She stopped, her face twisting as she stumbled backward. "You... your aura..." Chloe's face went white, as if she was being crushed by some immense force. Her legs gave out and she collapsed onto the ground, the crest clattering on the stone path. "Help!" she shrieked. "She's attacking me!""Reina, what are you doing!" Larry's roar came from the entrance of the sacred grounds. He stormed over, his eyes landing on the fallen Chloe. The crushing power of the Alpha heir's aura slammed into me.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Larry's aura crashed down on me like a tidal wave. My legs nearly gave out from the weight of it. But I gritted my teeth and forced myself to stand tall. Tonight was the alliance ceremony for two packs. I couldn't lose my composure here. "Larry, stop," I said in a cold voice. But he didn't back down. His rage only grew. "What did you do to Chloe?""I did nothing," I said, struggling to keep my voice even. "She fell on her own." Chloe lay on the ground, looking up at Larry pitifully. "I was just trying to talk to Reina, and suddenly I felt this immense pressure...""Liar," I cut her off. Larry's anger exploded. His Alpha aura intensified. "Apologize to her!" His followers behind him joined in. "Yeah, Reina, how could you bully Chloe?""She looks so fragile. You were too harsh.""Just apologize. Don't make things difficult for our future Alpha." Larry strode toward me, his voice a low threat. "I'll say it one last time. Apologize to Chloe.""Or what?" I challenged. "Or I'll reconsider this mating," he sneered. "We may be fated mates, but I have no desire for a cruel and vicious Luna." He paused, his tone becoming flippant. "Of course, if you're willing to accept my earlier terms—no strings attached after we mate—then I can let this go." He thought I would compromise just to be Luna, just like I did in my past life. "In your dreams," I scoffed. Just then, the great doors to the sacred grounds were pushed open. The pack's Great Elder emerged, leaning on a heavy staff. Derek was right behind him. To my surprise, Derek looked much better tonight. He was still in his wheelchair, but his eyes were clearer, brighter, as if something long suppressed was finally waking up. "What is going on here?" the Elder asked, his voice heavy. Larry immediately reined in his aura. "Elder," he said respectfully, "my mate and Chloe had a small disagreement." Derek's gaze shot to me, filled with concern. "Reina, are you alright?" His voice was quiet, but it was startlingly clear in the silent night. I nodded. "I'm fine." At the sound of Derek's voice showing me concern, Larry's expression hardened. "This doesn't concern you, Derek," he said coldly. "I'm dealing with a problem with my future Luna." Derek didn't back down. He looked straight at Larry. "Every woman deserves respect.""Respect?" Larry scoffed. "You, a cripple who can't even hold his wolf form, want to lecture me about respect?""Enough," the Elder cut in sharply. "Larry, watch your tongue." Larry shot Derek a resentful look but fell silent. He turned back to me, his voice possessive. "Reina is my fated mate, the future Luna. No one has the right to interfere between us." Hearing this, the Elder's expression turned quizzical. He gave me a long look, then glanced at Larry, and finally let his gaze rest on Derek. A subtle tension filled the air. Chloe struggled to her feet, leaning weakly against Larry. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault. If I hadn't come here, none of this would have happened." The Elder was silent for a long moment before finally saying: "Go inside. The ceremony is about to begin."

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

The sacred hall was brightly lit, and the senior members of both packs were seated. Ancient totems cast long, mysterious shadows in the candlelight. The old Alpha stood on a raised platform, holding an ornate wooden box. "Tonight, under the watch of the Moon Goddess, we hold the mate selection ceremony for Princess Reina of the Silver Moon Pack. And we witness the formal alliance of our two packs." His voice echoed through the hall. Everyone held their breath. "According to ancient tradition, the mated pair will receive the pack tokens, symbols of power and responsibility." The Alpha opened the box. Inside were two ancient rings, carved with intricate runes. Larry straightened his suit, ready to step forward with confidence. He wore the smile of a victor, as if everything was in his control. "Now, will Derek please come to the platform." The Alpha's words boomed through the hall like a thunderclap. Larry froze mid-step, the smile wiped clean from his face. "What?" he stared at the Alpha in disbelief. All eyes turned to the back of the hall, where Derek was. He slowly rose from his wheelchair. His movements were a bit stiff, but he stood on his own. Two attendants stepped forward and helped him into a formal black suit. When Derek appeared before the crowd again, the entire hall fell into a stunned silence. The tailored suit fit him perfectly, and in the candlelight, his pale complexion looked almost regal. But the most shocking thing was his eyes. They were no longer gentle and restrained. They were sharp and wild, restored to their true lupine nature. A golden light burned within them. "Impossible!" Larry roared. "Father, this is a mistake!" A shockwave of whispers rippled through the hall. "Derek? The Silver Moon princess chose Derek?""The one they call the Broken Wolf...?""Wait, look at his eyes..." Derek walked toward the platform, each step steady and strong. He no longer needed a wheelchair. The old Alpha nodded in satisfaction. "Derek, come here.""Father!" Larry rushed forward, his face red with fury. "There must be a misunderstanding! How could Reina choose him? We're fated mates!""Larry, stand down," the Alpha's voice was absolute. "I don't believe it!" Larry spun toward me, his eyes filled with desperation and rage. "Reina, tell them! Tell them this is a mistake!" Every eye in the hall was on me. I slowly rose to my feet, my voice carrying clearly to every corner of the hall: "I choose Derek." The hall erupted into chaos. "Gods, she really chose Derek!""Is the Silver Moon princess insane?""Derek? The one they call the Broken Wolf?" Larry's face went white, and he swayed on his feet. "No... this can't be happening... We're fated...""Take him out," the Alpha ordered with a wave of his hand. Two guards immediately grabbed Larry's arms. "Let go of me!" Larry struggled wildly. "Reina, you can't do this! Our destinies are linked!" The guards dragged him toward the door, but he kept screaming over his shoulder, his voice filled with frantic denial. "Reina, you belong to me! Tell them it's a mistake! You're fated to me!"