Chapter 8

Shawn could see the devastation in Lilith’s eyes, masked beneath a fragile smile. His daughter—his princess—had been humiliated. And in the ruthless world of werewolves, where reputation defined power, gossip could get a legacy.

He sighed. “Do you want to transfer schools?”

Lilith hesitated, then looked up, wide-eyed. “I want to find Justin. Can I go with him?”

Shawn’s brows furrowed. “You want to join the entertainment industry?”

That world was one he didn’t trust—cutthroat, scandal-ridden. He had fought with Justin about it for years. But the boy had made a name for himself, carving out his own empire under flashing lights and viral cameras.

Selene’s voice was sharp with judgment. “And what’s wrong with that? Justin’s doing amazing. If our daughter wants in, she goes in!”

She turned to Lilith, her voice immediately softening. “He’s coming back tomorrow. There’s a reality show next month—he’ll take you with him.”

Lilith’s eyes lit up, and she leaned into her mother’s embrace. “Thank you, Mom. You’re always on my side.”

But while the mother-daughter pair basked in their echo chamber of praise, the world outside was cracking open.

(Mia’s POV)

The moment we were clear of the hospital doors, I yanked my arm from Avery’s grip.

“What now, Avery?” I snapped. “Want revenge? Want to drag me back and punish me again?”

His hand dropped to his side, fingers twitching as if still searching for mine. That empty space between us felt colder than the wind.

He looked… hollow. Like a man losing something he did not know he needed until it was gone.

“You’ve changed,” he said quietly. “You’re like a hedgehog now. You Always ready to strike. You used to… want me to notice you.”

I did. Once.

But not anymore.

His gaze searched for mine. “Mia… did you…did you come back, too?”

My breath caught.

Too?

I masked my shock with a sharp laugh. “What are you even talking about? Did you hit your head harder than we thought?”

Avery let out a shaky breath, eyes studying my face like it held all the answers.

When I didn’t crack, he smiled bitterly. “Forget it. Doesn’t matter. I just… I was wrong. In every way that counts. I’ll do right by you from now on.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Say that to your precious sister Lilith. I don’t need your redemption, and I sure as hell don’t want it.”

“Not worthy.”

The words came out of my mouth, but they shattered him.

His face crumpled. His body stiffened. He had said it so many times to me in our last life—You’re not worthy of being my sister.

Now I said it back.

And it broke him.

In truth, I wasn’t the one who wasn’t worthy.

He wasn’t worthy of me.

But he didn’t get to know that.

He didn’t get to have that truth.

"I’m sorry..." he whispered, eyes glassy with unshed tears.

But I was already gone.

---

I ducked into a public restroom and locked the door behind me. I hadn’t come here for Avery’s tears—I came for power.

My phone buzzed.

REID: Miss Mia, the company’s set up. Address is across from Snow Moon Pack. Want to see it?

ME: No. You’ll run all visible operations. I’ll stay in the shadows. And don’t forget our deal: destroy Shawn.

I trusted Reid with my life. In our past life, he’d proven himself loyal until the bitter end. In this life, he would be my sword—and I would be the silent hand that guided it.

I shed my clothes and personal, transforming.

Gone was the cool beauty of Snow Moon Pack’s lost daughter.

In her place stood someone forgettable: cheap jacket, twin braids, nerdy glasses. Even in disguise, though, I drew curious looks. I guess vengeance still had a glow.

I slipped past the VIP ward, this time without incident, and found the room I needed.

As soon as I reached Norman’s door, a vase shattered at my feet.

“Get OUT! All of you—out!” the voice bellowed inside.

A full-blown meltdown.

Inside, Norman’s face was twisted in agony. Eyes wild, mouth frothing with rage, his hands flailed as medical staff tried in vain to hold him down.

“Let me die!” he screamed.

“Sedative—now!” someone shouted.

But it was useless. His decades-long migraines had made him immune. The injection only made him worse.

Without hesitation, I stepped forward, silver needle in hand.

Before anyone could stop me, I pressed the needle into the center of his scalp.

The chaos paused. His eyes, once bulging, slowly relaxed.

The pain ebbed.

A tall man—his son, Beta Sean—lunged at me.

“Who the hell are you?! Don’t you dare stick needles into my father—”

“If you want him to live, you won’t touch that needle,” I said coolly, gripping his wrist with just enough pressure to warn.

Sean froze.

“Who are you?” he demanded, less sure now. “I’ll call security if you don’t explain.”

“I’m here to treat his illness.”

He scoffed. “You? You’re what—nineteen? You don’t look qualified to treat a hangnail.”

But before he could advance again, Norman’s voice cut through the room.

“Stop.”

Sean blinked. “Father?”

Norman sat upright, the wildness in his eyes replaced by wary calm. “The pain…it’s gone. I can actually think again.”

Sean was stunned. “It’s only been fifteen minutes.”

Norman turned to me with a look of desperate hope. “You know medicine?”

I removed the needle, eyes steady. “A little.”

“Who are you?”

“Just call me Mia.”

He stared at me more closely. “You’re the girl Snow Moon Pack just found, aren’t you?”

I gave a tight smile. “Something like that.”

“Can you cure me?”

“Yes. But it’ll take daily treatment for a week. And rare herbs.”

Norman didn’t hesitate. “Done. Name your price.”

“I don’t want your money.” I stepped closer, voice cold.

“I want you to cut ties with Snow Moon Pack. End your alliance. Never cooperate with Avery or Shawn again.”

Sean bristled. “Why? Aren’t you Avery’s sister?”

Norman didn’t speak right away. He studied my second-hand coat, the unbrushed hair, the fire behind my mask.

He understood.

“You’ll have my word. But only after I’m cured.”

“Fair enough.”

I checked the time. The Pack Doctor will arrive soon. I needed to disappear.

“Until then, don’t tell anyone about me.”

And with that, I vanished like a shadow—leaving behind the first fracture in Snow Moon Pack’s empire.