Chapter 2

I quaffed the Love Potion in one go and stood where I was, holding my breath as I waited for something to change.

Nothing happened.

However, I didn't doubt the effect of the potion even for a moment.

In my last life, what the potion had done to Jason was carved deep into my memory. Some changes were never meant to happen instantly.

The cool air of the night slipped down through my collar, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around myself. Only then did I realize that I had been wearing nothing but a thin silk nightgown ever since I had opened my eyes in this new life.

I glanced at the time.

Tonight was the Moon Goddess Festival.

What was I doing on this night in my previous life?

I remembered now.

I had started getting ready five hours in advance so I could dance with Jason at the opening of the festival. It was the first time the future Luna would appear formally in front of the whole pack.

I had naively believed that would be the beginning of acceptance and recognition.

But when I arrived, I saw that Jason was reaching out his hand to invite Lilian to dance instead. The bonfire lit his profile, focused and gentle.

Lilian had worn a gorgeous gown and a smile sweeter than honey.

In that instant, every gaze in the square swung toward me at the entrance.

Jason saw me and only furrowed his eyebrows, but he didn't let go of her hand. "Brenda, why have you arrived so late? Don't you understand basic punctuality even when you're the future Luna?"

I wanted to say there were still three minutes before the Holy Fire was lit, that I was not late.

I wanted to say I had taken so long to get ready because I cherished the festival.

Yet, Jason never gave me the chance to explain.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, watching him and Lilian turn to the center of the plaza.

I watched her skirt bloom like a blossoming flower. I watched his hand rest lightly on her waist, where I should have been.

And I… All I could do was wait until they finished however many dances they wanted before I went to beg Jason to dance with me.

That was when the idea to give Jason the Love Potion took root.

I couldn't stand the feeling of being completely ignored and forgotten, like I was invisible.

Now that I thought about it, there was nothing worth crying over.

Why must I prove I existed through someone else's eyes? What about my own eyes? I still have myself, don't I?

Looking at the elaborate gown in my wardrobe now, covered in pearls and diamonds, all I could feel was its weight.

In the end, my hand stopped on a simple white robe. It was a plain healer's robe with only a quiet moon motif embroidered along the waist sash.

After changing into the robe, I stood in front of the mirror and studied myself.

I knew it! This style suited me best.

-

The festival plaza was already bustling with activities.

The traditional overture of the Moon Goddess Festival was playing in the air, solemn with restrained joy.

In my last life, I had walked into this very melody.

I had gone in like a princess awaiting her coronation and ended up being the most embarrassing fool in the festival square.

I paused in the shadows behind a stone pillar and happened to hear Lilian's soft, sweet voice float over from the altar.

"Brenda's still not here. Alpha Jason, the Holy Fire is about to be lit, and everyone's waiting for the opening dance. What's wrong with her?"

"She's always been so capricious," Jason said with a sigh. "No reason to wait for her. Lilian, you dance with me first."

The music played.

Only then did I step out.

In the center of the plaza, Jason was spinning with Lilian in his arms. His gaze moved past her shoulder, and it collided with mine in the air in just one moment. He mistimed his step so slightly it was almost like it never happened.

I kept my eyes straight ahead and walked past them, heading for the healers' seats.

In my last life, it was the place I had given up for the sake of becoming Luna.

Several senior healers sat there, speaking with each other in a low voice.

In my last life, I had never paid them any attention. Every thought I had was fixed on Jason.

This time, things were going to be different.

"Good evening, Mr. Byrne."

I stopped beside the white-haired elder and bowed to them as a junior. It was a standard bow, but I was a little rusty. Byrne lifted his cloudy yet sharp eyes and studied me for a moment.

"So you finally show up," he said as he let out a short huff. "You do remember I was your teacher."

"I remember everything you ever taught me," I said. I sat down in the empty chair beside him and poured him half a cup of warm herbal tea. "Your stomach is weak. You should drink this at night."

Byrne shot me a sideways look, his mustache twitched as he took the cup. "Save the act. Who was it that sent my letter of recommendation back and said she would stay in the pack for her Alpha?"

I dipped my head, tracing the rim of the cup with my fingertip. "I didn't know any better then. But now... I want to live for myself."

The air went quiet for a brief moment.

Then, a shadow fell across the table.

Jason's voice sounded above me, tightened with a strain most people would never notice.

"Brenda, why didn't you do anything when you got here? I've been looking for you for the opening dance."

I turned and saw that there was just the right amount of concern on his face. Lilian stood half a step behind him, her hand resting lightly on his arm, with a gaze wishing it could pierce through me.

In my last life, I would have already been shaking and crying while I tried to explain myself by this point.

Now, I just nodded to Byrne and the other elders.

"Excuse me," I said as I rose to my feet and walked to the tree nearby.

Lilian followed. She looked me over from head to toe and gave a false, bright smile.

"My, Brenda! Why did you come dressed like this? You're supposed to wear a gown for the Moon Goddess Festival. The wind on the plaza is so strong, you should be careful not to catch a cold."

"Since I'm observing the festival as a healer, I should wear an outfit that's worthy of my profession," I answered calmly.

"Brenda, what are you talking about?" Jason rebuked in a low tone laced with a hint of impatience. "You're here as the future Luna of our pack. It's fine even if you missed the opening dance. Lilian was only helping me keep the ceremony going. This is the Moon Goddess Festival, not a place for you to become a green-eyed monster."

Lilian stepped back just a little and lowered her eyes. "Luna Brenda, please don't have any misunderstanding. It's all my fault..."

"I'm not misunderstanding anything," I cut her off. My voice was so calm that it even surprised me. "The procession of the ceremony naturally comes first. You both danced very well."

Jason froze. He couldn't say anything that he had prepared in his mind. Even Lilian looked up quickly, doubt and surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Anything else?" I asked. "Mr. Byrne is still waiting for me."