Chapter 1

“That's your sister's betrothal gift. How dare you touch it!”

The moment Cora’s fingers touched the blood-red rose, Father snatched the rose back and shoved it into my hand.

“Alina, you’re the sensible one. You can handle this. Prince Julian might be weak, but his position on the Vampire Council is untouchable. He's a perfect match for you.”

He turned to Cora. His tone instantly softened as he smoothed her messy hair.

“My Cora is too delicate. She can’t handle the vampires' twisted ways. Marrying the Werewolf Alpha… that’s where she’ll truly be happy.”

I looked down at the blood-red rose in my palm.

My nails dug into my flesh. A sharp pain shot through me.

The pain was real. It proved I was alive again.

In my last life, I did what my parents wanted. I let Cora, the "weaker" sister, have the stronger mate. I let her marry into the wolf pack.

I thought it was love.

Until the night I went into labor. She burst into my birthing chamber, covered in blood, a sharp dagger in her hand.

“Why do you get the heir?” Her scream sliced through the room. “I should be the future Queen!”

The blade pierced my chest. She grabbed my wrist, pulling me with her into the abyss.

In the final moment of our fall, she whispered in my ear. Her voice was full of manic glee.

“Alina, you were born to be beneath my feet.”

I snapped back to reality.

Suddenly, Cora snatched the rose from my hand.

She stared down at the flower. It looked like clotted blood. Her finger slowly traced each petal. A chilling smile crossed her lips.

“Father, I'm not marrying anyone else. I want Prince Julian.”

Just that one sentence. I understood instantly.

She was reborn, too.

Seeing her determination, my parents looked troubled. They both turned to me.

I knew that look.

For as long as I can remember, she competed with me for everything. I always had to let her win.

Even with the family’s honor on the line, they thought of Cora first. They wanted her to have the stronger, more powerful match.

“If Cora wants him, she can have him.” My voice was calm, emotionless. “The treaty only cares about who gives birth to the first hybrid heir. It doesn't matter who we marry.”

I reached out and calmly took the wooden box a servant held out.

Inside lay a moonstone pendant. It was carved with a wolf totem.

Outside, two cars were parked side by side.

One was a glossy black Bentley. A velvet runner covered in petals led to its door. Classic Julian.

The other was a deep black SUV with sharp, aggressive lines. It screamed raw power. That was Jaxson's.

Before we got into our separate cars, Cora turned back. She looked down her nose at the moonstone in my hand.

“Be careful, sister.” Her voice was filled with undisguised contempt. “Alpha Jaxson is a madman. He doesn't know the first thing about being gentle.”

“But my Prince...” she brought the rose to her nose, inhaling deeply, eyes closing in bliss. “Even the flowers he sends are as sweet as honey. So thoughtful.”

Under the envious gazes of the staff, she straightened her back and slid into the Bentley.

I took a half-step back.

“Then I hope you survive the nightmare you just stole, sister.”

Once I was in the SUV, I checked the moonstone again and again.

It was clean. No dark magic.

But the flower in Cora’s hand was far from perfect.

Those glowing petals weren't a blessing. They were a trap.

The vampire's enchantment magic would take full effect in three days. It would cloud the wearer's mind. It would make them lose control in public.

Soon, all the guests would see the esteemed future Queen utterly humiliated.

And all Julian would need to say is, "Her mind is unstable, her bloodline is flawed." He could tear up the betrothal. He could even demote her to a blood slave.

In my last life, that trap was meant for me.

This life, it’s her turn.