Chapter 1

"Everyone, welcome to the Shadowmoon Pack! I'm Scarlett. I happen to be free today, and I thought I'd take you all to visit a friend's estate."

"They have a private horse stable and a gallery full of rare weapons. You can look around as much as you like!"

The moment I heard Scarlett's familiar voice, my whole body jolted. Then it hit me.

I'd been reborn.

In my last life, this was exactly when Scarlett had offered to bring her newly acquainted Pack friends to Alex's estate for a visit.

The others lit up immediately.

"Seriously? That's the Vito family heir's estate, isn't it?"

"Scarlett, you're close enough with Alex to just walk into his private estate?"

Scarlett waved her hand with a laugh, her face full of pride barely disguised as modesty.

"We've known each other since we were kids. He's always been so good to me. We're all Pack, right? What's the harm in a little visit?"

Everyone looked at her with envy.

Then Scarlett turned to me.

"Rowena, I heard his estate has really tight security. Outsiders can't even get in."

"You're Alex's fated mate, aren't you? You must have a way to get us inside?"

I looked down at my crest and didn't answer.

Scarlett immediately linked her arm through mine.

"Come on, Rowena. Just help us out! The estate guards know your crest. As long as you bring us along, they'll let us right through."

She blinked at me, her voice dripping with that coaxing sweetness.

"Besides, it's not every day we all get to know each other. I just want to show everyone Alex's estate. You wouldn't refuse such a small favor, would you?"

Watching that entitled expression on her face, my breathing grew sharp.

In my past life, I'd said yes.

Once inside the estate, Scarlett had acted like she owned the place, parading her new friends through every room.

Whenever she saw something she liked, she told them to help themselves. She even led them into restricted areas.

"Don't worry, take whatever you want. Alex and I are so close, he'd never get upset over something like this."

She'd said it with such conviction, as if the entire estate belonged to her.

I'd even warned her back then that Alex's study and the guard tower were private, off-limits without permission.

Scarlett had agreed to my face. Then the moment my back was turned, she'd slipped into Alex's study.

She stole the defense plans and classified records stored inside, then sold the intel to an enemy pack.

Before long, border guards were ambushed. Several Pack members died.

And Scarlett pinned it all on me.

She claimed that only I, with a mate bond to Alex, could have accessed those secrets through our bond.

Alex believed her.

He didn't even give me a chance to explain before deciding I'd betrayed him and the entire Pack.

After that, I was stripped of my title as Luna, branded a traitor, and in the end, I died under the hatred of my own people.

The memory of that suffering made my blood run cold.

This time, I would never let Scarlett use me again.

I lifted my head and pulled my arm free from hers.

"Sorry. I can't take you in."

The smile on Scarlett's face froze.

"Why not?"

"If you want a tour, get Alex to approve it himself. Without his permission, I'm not bringing any of you through those gates."

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

Scarlett's eyes went red, and she looked at me with that wounded expression.

"Rowena, I just wanted to take everyone out for a good time. Do you not like me? Is that why you won't help?"

The others immediately jumped in to back her up.

"Rowena, we're all going to be Pack members. Do you really have to be this stingy about it?"

"Scarlett already said she's close with Alex. What's the big deal about visiting his estate?"

I looked at them coldly.

"If you think there's no problem, then go ask Alex for permission yourselves."

The words had barely left my mouth when Alex appeared from behind the crowd.

He'd clearly heard the argument. His brow furrowed, and he went straight to Scarlett's side.

"Rowena, what are you making a fuss about now?"

Scarlett immediately lowered her head and bit her lip.

"Alex, I'm sorry. I just wanted to bring some new friends to see your estate. Rowena probably thinks I shouldn't have..."

She didn't accuse me outright. She just wore every ounce of hurt on her face.

Alex's expression darkened on cue.

"It's just a day at the estate. Was it really necessary to shut her down that hard? Scarlett isn't some stranger. Just bring them in."

I looked at him, and the last thread of hope inside me went dark.

"The estate is yours. I have no authority to decide who comes and goes."

"Since you think it's fine, tell your guards to let them through on your orders. Why does it have to be me bringing them in?"

The question caught Alex off guard, and irritation flashed across his face. He shoved me.

"Rowena, you're going to be the Pack's Luna someday."

"If you can't even handle something this small, how are you ever going to fit in?"

I couldn't help but laugh.

In my last life, it was because I trusted him that I personally escorted the thief who stole his secrets and sold out his people right through the front gate.

This time, I would never make the same mistake.