Chapter 2

In my last life, on this same day, I had been full of hope. I'd hinted that he should come with me to Moonlight Vale to pray.

All I'd gotten was his cold sneer. "We're mates in name only. There's no sincerity here. The Moon Goddess would die of frustration if we showed up praying."

So this time, I expected nothing.

Then Oscar said, almost casually, "I can go pray with you. But forget about a honeymoon. The pack is busy. I don't have time."

I looked at him, surprised. Then I understood.

Oscar's tongue could be cruel, but he wasn't a cruel person.

In fact, he had every quality an Alpha heir was supposed to have. Kind. Responsible. Honorable.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have risked his life for mine .

The first time was when we were ten, on a wilderness training exercise. A landslide trapped us in a cave. He tricked me into eating the last of the food and water—gave me his only chance of survival. If the rescue team hadn't reached us in time, he would have died in that cave.

The second time was when we were sixteen, patrolling the border. Rogue wolves came at us. To save me, he forced his immature wolf to surface. He won the fight, but it knocked him out for a week. To this day, his wolf still loses contact with him sometimes.

The third time, we attended a wolf alliance summit together. There was a riot—planned in advance. He shielded me with his own body, took eighteen blades to the chest. He was practically run through. I came out with barely a scratch.

I still couldn't forget the feel of his warm, sticky blood splashing across my face.

His body slowly went cold. Then stiff. The smell of death began to set in—

The first two times, when he saved me, my heart raced with love.

The third time, all I felt was terror.

"Are you going to Moonlight Vale or not?" Oscar's irritated voice pulled me back.

The familiar tone snapped me out of the memory. I gave him a bright smile. "Yes. We'll go pray together tonight."

I would pray you would be healthy and happy. For the rest of your life.

And there was something I needed from the Moon Goddess.

Oscar's expression softened a little. The driver pulled up just then, and out of habit, he opened the door for me.

"Let's go home for dinner first. Moonlight Vale can wait."

His phone rang. He frowned as he answered.

"Catherine hurt her hand. I'm going to check on her. Go home without me."

"Okay."

He looked surprised. "You used to lose your mind whenever I went to her. What changed?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but he was already laughing coldly.

"Right. The marking ceremony is tomorrow. She's not a threat anymore. Text me when you get home. I'm leaving."

I let out a quiet sigh, swung by the government building to pick up my reassignment letter, and headed home.

Mom and Dad already had dinner ready. The Alpha and Luna were there too.

When I walked in, the Luna grabbed my hand, her face lighting up.

"Aria, back already? Why isn't Oscar with you?"

"Pack business came up. He had to go."

The Luna clicked her tongue. "Unbelievable. We agreed both families would have dinner together. Can't he set the pack aside for one evening?"

Dad laughed and turned to the Alpha. "That's a good thing. Oscar's stepping into the role. Looks like we old folks can finally rest."

The Luna shot the Alpha a look. "If you ask me, he gets it from you."

Mom chimed in. "It's fine. The marking ceremony is tomorrow. They'll have plenty of time together."

I watched them, warm and easy in each other's company, and felt my eyes sting. But I said it anyway.

"Oscar and I aren't going to be mates."