Chapter 1

I calmly tucked away my acceptance letter from Northern Werewolf University. When I stepped into the villa, laughter floated out from the dining room.

At the table, my parents and Tatiana were happily eating together.

The moment I walked in, the warm atmosphere turned icy.

I pretended not to notice. I no longer tried to force my way into their little circle as I did in my last life. I simply sat down and picked up the cutlery with quiet, practiced elegance.

In my previous life, I worked tirelessly to catch up on the Alpha family's aristocratic etiquette, yet Tatiana's natural poise only made my awkwardness look like a joke.

At every banquet, I was the laughingstock. Even my parents complained, "Stop copying Tatiana. Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough?"

"This is awful. No matter how much you try, you can't get rid of those lowborn habits you picked up as a rogue wolf."

This time, I didn't imitate anyone. And oddly enough, the natural distance in my manner made me look more like the noble daughter they had always wanted.

Mom watched me, a little stunned. Before they could bring up giving the family inheritance to Tatiana, I spoke first. "Mom, Dad, I'm going to study at Northern Werewolf University."

Everyone stared at me in shock.

Dad slammed his cutlery down. "Northern Werewolf University? What for? The Northern Territory is basically wilderness. Going there is no different from living like a rogue again!"

Tatiana put on her usual mask of concern. "Sheila, did your scores fall short? The Northern Territory is tough. I know you got used to hard life, but why put yourself through that?"

I looked at her calmly. I didn't rise to her bait anymore.

In my last life, I fell for her little provocations countless times. She always spoke as if she cared about me, pushing just hard enough to make me lose my temper. She played the gentle, graceful sister while I came off as unhinged.

Now, her tricks could no longer shake me.

I said, "My scores were more than enough. I've already been accepted, and the decision is final."

A moment of silence hung in the air.

Dad's expression darkened. "You made this choice. Don't come crying to us when you regret it."

For once, Mom placed a slice of chocolate cake on my plate and sighed. "Eat more. You look too thin."

I didn't touch it. She had long forgotten that I was allergic to chocolate. But Tatiana loved it, so almost every dessert at home was chocolate. Even the dishes on the table rarely included anything I liked.

It didn't bother me anymore. I ate just enough to stop the hunger and politely excused myself.

I no longer twisted myself into knots to please them or turned my life into a comedy act for their amusement. I finally understood that I never truly belonged here.

Back in my room, I began packing. Once my admission to Northern Werewolf University was confirmed, I booked a flight for three days later.

Now every day was a countdown to leaving.

I had just closed my suitcase when Matthew Rosario appeared at my doorway and said, "I heard you're going to the Northern Territory? I need to reconsider whether our engagement is still worth keeping!"

My hands stilled, and a familiar ache tightened in my chest.

This was the man I had loved for two lifetimes.

In my last life, I refused my parents' suggestion to switch fiances and insisted on marrying him.

However, after we bonded, he volunteered for patrol duty, choosing to spend every night in the Dark Forest rather than come home to me.

The one night he finally claimed me, drunk and half-conscious, he spent the whole time calling Tatiana's name.

Even our son grew closer to Tatiana, often sighing, "Why isn't Aunt Tatiana my mother? I'd rather she be my mother."

In this life, I refused to cling to a love that was never mine. So, I met his eyes and said softly, "Alright. Let's cancel the engagement then."