GIVING UP ON US

ANASTASIA'S POV

The journey to Bloodhound pack territory was just as endless as I remembered.

The cars turned and rolled along winding roads, through a forest, then a field, then more forest. Deja vu washed over me as the feeling of realising just how far away it was from my own home hit me. Mother had been dramatic with her goodbyes to Anastasia for good reason. The pack might as well have been the other end of the world.

Or out of the world entirely from what I remembered about it. Although I'd been happy for most of my life in it, the Bloodhound pack was absolutely beautiful and mesmerising. The view of the gardens, fields and mountains had practically been a part of my few joys in my marriage with Grey. It had been so beautiful that I'd never gotten used to it.

So when the view finally opened up to the territory, a beaming smile broke out on my face.

Massive stone walls rose in the distance, trimmed in climbing. Flowers bloomed in bursts of colour, their scents trailing faintly even through the open car window. Trees so tall they seemed ancient, shaded acres of green that stretched as far as my eye could see. It was wild and manicured all at once.

Even though I’d seen it all before, I was just as stunned as the first time I set my eyes on it.

As our cars slowed at the enormous gates, I felt my breath catch. The iron swung open smoothly and we drove through and down the path that stretched ahead, long and perfect, lined with trees and bushes trimmed to perfection, steadily leading us toward the sprawling mansion at the heart of it all.

The Alpha’s mansion. A place that, in my former life, had been my home.

The cars rolled to a stop in front of the castle like mansion. Waiting on the steps were servants and a couple higher ranked staff.

I stepped down, smoothing my skirts just as Amelia appeared from the other. She was wearing that smug smile, as if the land, the walls, the sky itself belonged to her already.

“Ladies, welcome.” A loud voice greeted.

I looked up to find Griffin, the mansion's butler welcoming us with a small bow. I fought to contain my pleased reaction of seeing him again.

“Bless the Moon Goddess for your safe journey,” he said theatrically and I bit back a chuckle. He'd always sounded, looked and acted like he belonged on Broadway rather than the front steps of an Alpha werewolf’s home.

“My name the Griffin, the butler,” he said, one hand to his chest, before introducing the older woman beside him. “This is Greta, the housekeeper.”

The woman bowed politely and while Amelia only acknowledged her with a small nod, I smiled brightly at her. “Nice to meet you,” I said, warmth rising unbidden to my chest.

Greta.

Memories struck hard. In my past life, she'd had been my safe place. My mother in all but blood. She’d cared for me in ways my real mother never had.

Amelia had mocked me endlessly for my friendship with her. Said I was pathetic and so desperate for affection I’d cling to a servant.

I remembered forcing her to apologise once, during a staff meeting I was overseeing, wielding my power as Luna to defend Greta. But of course, she'd gone off to tattle to Grey soon after, and Grey… he’d confronted and scolded me in front of everyone.

My stomach turned. How much humiliation had I swallowed back then?

I glanced at Greta again, my smile bittersweet. Poor woman. She wouldn’t have me as Luna this time. She’d be stuck with Amelia. Sweet Greta didn’t deserve that.

Amelia’s syrupy voice pierced my thoughts. “Oh, I wasn’t prepared for this! It’s all so gorgeous and just BEAUTIFUL! You guys must feel so at peace living here.”

I restrained myself from scoffing at her performance. If she was already performing for Griffin and Greta out here, I wondered what act she'd put on when we meet the Bloodhound family. She’d probably pretend to trip and hope Grey would catch her.

Griffin smiled politely at her, thanking her for the compliment, before clapping his hands to the footmen to take our luggage. Clara tensed immediately at the sight of strange hands on my belongings, but I touched her arm lightly. “It’s fine,” I murmured.

Griffin ushered us forward, through the massive double doors.

As soon as we were inside the grand foyer, Clara gasped behind me, and honestly, I couldn’t blame her.

Marble floors that gleamed like mirrors, chandeliers so large and glittery hung from the high ceilings, tapestries embroidered with lores of Bloodhound pack wolves lined up the walls. This wasn’t just wealth. This was legacy, carved into every place.

I’d seen it all before, countless times in my past life, yet even I still found it stunning.

Out of the corner of my eye, Amelia was grinning like she owned the place already. When she caught me looking, her smile widened into something smug, her eyes practically saying, LOOK WHAT I HAVE AND YOU DON’T.

I turned away. She could have all the eight wonders of the world for all I cared. As long as she left me in peace.

We were ushered up the grand double stairs and through a wide hallway that led to the grand hall—the Bloodhound pack’s most used space for events and parties.

My pulse quickened at the sight of the already gathered crowd, the murmur of voices, the way every pair of eyes turned on us when the servant at the entrance announced our arrival. Amelia basked in it, her chin high, her smile wide as we walked down the flowered aisle prepared for us.

Me? My stomach knotted. My heart pounded harder with every step. Social anxiety? Maybe. Or maybe it was the deja vu of walking into this same setting before. Or maybe it was because I already knew who I’d find sitting right there at the end of the flowered ais5.

Grey Bloodhound.

At the right hand side of his father, Alpha Bart, in a throne-like chair almost as flashy as the Alpha’s own.

My chest tightened.

But then my eyes strayed and found Nicholas.

He sat far off on the opposite side, his chair no different from anyone else’s. No grandeur, no ostentation. And yet… he drew me in. His presence was heavy, commanding, and my heart pounded harder at the sight of him. He looked every bit as intimidating as the rumours painted him. But then…

His eyes…

They were soft. Warm. Focused.

On me.

Heat climbed up my neck. There wasn’t hunger or pride or ownership in his gaze. No, It was… warmth. Genuine, quiet warmth that flushed my cheeks and made me feel suddenly small, yet seen.

He was looking at me like I was the singular most important thing in the room. Grey never even looked at me like that.

Amelia and I bowed low as soon as we got to Alpha Bart, as Mother had drilled into us, and the Alpha acknowledged us with a regal nod before his booming voice declared for all to hear, “Let us welcome my daughters-in-law!”

Cheers rang out. Amelia glowed. I tried to keep breathing.

Grey rose, stepping toward me, but I veered quickly, heading straight to Nicholas instead.

For a moment, neither of us spoke, just… stared. His gaze held mine so firmly it sent a shiver down my spine. Silence stretched between us until he cleared his throat.

“Where are my manners…” He started in a voice deeper and smoother than I remembered. “I’m Nicholas.” He held out his hand.

I smiled, disarmed by how almost… flustered he seemed. “I’m Anastasia. Nice to meet you.”

A pause.

“Was the journey too tiring?”

“It wasn’t,” I lied smoothly, though every bone in my body ached.

He was still holding my hand. When I pointed looked down at it, his eyes widened and he released it instantly, muttering a low apology. I bit back a laugh. This wasn’t the Nicholas I remembered. He had flirted before, yes—but never like this. Never this awkward. This… cute.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Thank you. You look handsome yourself.” I admitted, not just out of courtesy, but because it was true. He wasn’t dressed to impress like the others, just a simple half sleeve shirt and classic monotone slacks. Effortless. Perfect.

Before I could say more, a man I recognised as his beta, approached, bowing to me with a charming grin before whispering something in Nicholas’s ear. In an instant, Nicholas’s entire demeanor shifted. The warmth drained, replaced by that cold, commanding presence everyone feared.

My heart sank.

“Handle it,” He ordered, but I caught the hesitation in Lucas’s eyes. Whatever it was, it was Nicholas’s to handle.

“Go,” I told him softly. “I’ll be fine.”

His gaze snapped back to me, softening again. “I don’t have to leave.”

“I’ll be fine,” I repeated, forcing a smile.

He lingered, clearly reluctant, before finally nodding. “Only five minutes. I’ll be back.”

I watched him go, his tall frame cutting through the crowd. For the first time since my rebirth, something fluttered in me. Hope. Joy, even. Maybe, this new life wouldn't be bed at all. Maybe learning to love Nicholas wouldn’t even be hard. It'd taken me less than five minutes to realise how charming he was.

In my past life, I'd been too in love with Grey to see it but now the scales have fallen off my eyes, Nicholas Bloodhound was really attractive.

My upbeat moment, however, didn't get to live long. Because Grey suddenly appeared in front of me, shattering everything.

I stared at him. All smiles. All charm. Looking handsome as always, his light brown hair falling into his eyes in the way that I'd once loved.

My own smile vanished. “What do you want?” Out of the corner of my eye, Amelia was glaring hard at me. Like it wasn't her fiance that approached me first.

“Why so cold?” he teased, deep blue eyes sparkling with false affection, voice dripping with false hurt. “We’re fated mates, Anastasia. Don't treat me like a stranger. We’ve known each other since high school.”

“That doesn’t matter now,” I returned flatly. “We’re both now engaged to each other’s siblings.”

My stomach twisted as I looked at him. The boy I had once loved, the man who had claimed to love me back… now nothing more than a reminder of betrayal.

I moved to step past him, but his hand caught my arm. Tight. Too tight. Something dark flashed in his eyes but it was gone too fast that I thought I imagined it. He glanced around, his grip loosening.

“Don’t be like that,” he murmured, smile plastered on. “We’re meant to end up together. The Moon Goddess ordained it. But now you picked Nicholas?” He winced in disgust. “What changed?”

I jerked free from his grasp, hating the way he spoke Nicholas’ name. “Why are you confused? Amelia picked you first. Naturally, I picked the only other choice—your brother.”

His eyes flickered again, irritation flashing like a storm beneath the surface. My past self had ignored that temper, excused it.

Pretended that it wasn't there.

Grey drew a deep breath, straining for calm, then began, “Still… Why did you easily give up on—”

“I know what you’re about to say,” I cut him off sharply. “And it’s laughable. Did you really expect me to fight Amelia for you? Go back to your bride, Grey.”

I stepped past him. My chest ached with betrayal, my eyes burning with humiliation, and I just needed air. I just needed away. I woved through the guests, refusing to take the flowered path to avoid drawing attention to my self. I hurried out the hall and into the large hallway, walking to wherever.

But I didn’t make it far.

A strong hand yanked me back, spinning me around and I came face to face with a now visibly pissed off Grey. His mask had dropped completely now, fury etched into every line of his face.

“How dare you walk away from me?”