Chapter 3
882words
The celebration chatter died instantly. Every eye turned toward the future Alpha King, but mine were drawn elsewhere.
At the edge of the Shadowfang group, partially hidden in shadow, stood a figure I'd never truly noticed in my previous life. Ethan's cursed half-brother, the one everyone whispered about but never acknowledged.
Tall, lean, with dark hair and intelligent eyes that seemed to see through everything. Unlike the others who watched tonight's drama with casual interest, his gaze held something different—a depth that suggested he understood far more than most.
When our eyes met across the courtyard, I felt it.
A pull. Subtle but unmistakable. The whisper of a connection that had nothing to do with political alliances or arranged marriages.
Something real in a world built on lies.
I forced myself to look away, focusing on the approaching storm.
Ethan and I had been inseparable once.
When we were cubs, barely old enough to shift, our fathers sealed a blood pact uniting Moonlight and Shadowfang packs through our future mating.
When Pack bullies targeted me for being "too soft," he was the first to bare his teeth in my defense.
When his reckless stunts landed him in trouble with the elders, I was always the one pleading his case.
Before Cassandra poisoned everything between us, no one questioned that I would be Ethan's Luna.
But tonight, on the most sacred eve of my life, he brought his omega whore.
Cassandra looked ethereal in her flowing white dress, every inch the pure maiden as she clung to Ethan's muscled arm.
He leaned down to whisper something that made her blush and giggle—a performance entirely for my benefit.
When she spotted me watching, her expression shifted to practiced panic. She broke away from Ethan and rushed toward me.
Without hesitation, she dropped into the deepest submission pose, forehead pressed to the stone floor.
Exactly like in my previous life.
Even the single tear trailing down her cheek was perfectly timed.
In my first life, this pathetic display had torn at my heart. I'd never wanted to be the cruel alpha female who tormented weaker omegas.
I remembered how her trembling vulnerability had made me ache with guilt, how I'd rushed to help her up, stammering apologies.
I remembered how, after my ceremony failed and Ethan begged to break our engagement, I hadn't fought him. Out of respect for our families' ancient alliance, I'd even tried to help them both.
I remembered my own words, spoken with such naive good intentions:
"Cassandra is just an omega, Ethan. She has no political connections, no power..."
"The Council will never accept her as Luna Queen. It would destroy her."
"Why not wait until you've secured the throne? Then you can choose whoever you want..."
I meant good for both of them. But Ethan twisted that I was jealous and cruel to an innocent omega.
But this time would be different.
This time, I remained perfectly still.
When her dramatic bow received no response, she began pressing her forehead harder against the stone, each impact echoing through the sudden silence.
Maya's fingers dug into my arm, her wolf whimpering at the omega's distress.
Every Pack member in attendance watched this spectacle with bated breath.
I gently squeezed Maya's hand and smiled.
What was the hurry?
Let the little actress earn her applause.
By the fifth bow, blood began to trickle from Cassandra's forehead onto the stone floor. The metallic scent hit the air, triggering protective instincts in every wolf present.
"Enough!" Ethan's voice cracked the silence.
He strode forward, his Alpha presence commanding absolute attention. Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee beside Cassandra, gathering her trembling form into his arms.
"Look what you've done," he snarled at me, his eyes blazing with fury. "She's bleeding because of your cruelty."
The crowd murmured agreement, their expressions turning hostile toward me.
I remained perfectly still, watching this performance with detached fascination.
"Apologize," Ethan demanded, his voice carrying the full weight of his Alpha authority. "Apologize to her now, or—"
"Or what?" I interrupted softly, my voice cutting through his threats like ice.
The entire courtyard fell silent.
I stood slowly, every movement deliberate and graceful. When I spoke again, my voice carried a calm certainty that made several wolves step back instinctively.
"Tomorrow is my Recognition Ceremony," I said, my gaze never leaving Ethan's shocked face. "Tomorrow, the truth comes out."
The promise in my words sent a chill through the crowd.
Cassandra's sob caught in her throat, her eyes wide with something that looked suspiciously like fear.
But before I turned away, I let my gaze find that mysterious figure at the edge of the Shadowfang group. When our eyes met again, I felt that pull strengthen.
I smiled, not at the crowd's shock, but at the possibilities this second chance had revealed.
"Cassandra," I called out softly, my voice carrying clearly in the stunned silence. "I do hope you're prepared for tomorrow. Some bonds... aren't as permanent as they appear."
The fear in her eyes deepened, and I caught the faintest tremor in her perfectly composed facade.
I turned away, with Maya hurrying beside me.
Tomorrow would change everything.
