Reborn

Something is touching my hand; pinching and slapping. I feel myself floating far away; it's not peaceful here. All I feel is pain and hate.

The pinching and slapping continues; it's a nuisance even in this horrible sea of anger. Everywhere is dark and wet but somehow, I feel the dry slapping on my hand.

I start to hear a voice from far away.

“Wake up, Lady Madeline…wake up!”

In an instant, my body jolts forward, feeling as though I swallowed the ocean.

I sputter out terrible coughs and heave for quite a while before I gain my senses. When I open my eyes, my whole world takes a pause.

In front of me, is a very familiar face.

My lady-in-waiting, Runa.

Huh?

I'm alive?

I look about, observing the room. With each breath I take, my heart skips a beat.

There are clothes and jewelry spewed everywhere, the chamber is in total disarray and an incense pot is sitting on my window sill.

I remember this day but I'm not supposed to be reliving it.

What's going on?

On this particular day, King Damien was hosting a great party. One in which various other shifter kingdoms had been invited.

The room was in disarray because I had been trying on dresses the night before.

Today was the day I met Lily. A woman who will grow to be my best friend in a short span of three months.

A woman who I never knew was out to wreck my life.

Was this real? I have to pinch myself to make sure that I'm not dreaming. I remember Damien's sharp claws and the feeling of them piercing my gut.

I remember the burn of rejection and the way my heart shattered at their betrayal.

How come I was…

A small, insane smile creeps over my face as I realize.

This was the moon goddess’s doing. She was the mother of mates and the bonds they shared. Perhaps my horrific death had made her grant me this second chance.

Now I'm back where it all began; three months ago on the day of the imperial banquet.

“My lady? Are you alright? The entire castle is getting ready for the event and you are still sleeping?! No, come now. We must be quick.”

My lady-in-waiting has always been such an over dramatic person.

She's an Ordinary, a normal wolf with basic abilities. Even if I was lower in strength compared to her, Runa never made me feel like that.

Instead, she gave her all to protect me every time I faced rejection from bitter court maids who couldn't stand an omega Luna.

It takes me a while to come down from my shocked state.

“R-Runa, the party doesn't start until the evening. Why rush now? I'm sure it's not up to noon.”

Runa makes a face, grabbing my arm. Her brown hair is a mess and those beautiful green eyes glitter up at me.

“Well, I want you to look your best. You shall be future Luna afterall. The coronation is in three months. We must make sure the entire kingdom respects you! So, my lady, we shall start now.”

I laugh a little because I can recall this exact conversation. Reliving it all over again is unusual.

“Fine, Runa. But breakfast first.”

“Of course!”

We spend the day doing mundane things like eating berries and soaking myself in a rose bath for hours.

By the time the bells of the palace start to ring from afar, Runa has finished pinning the last flower ornament to my hair.

“A queen should never be late.”

Of course.

I look at myself in the mirror. My skin, a pale and almost white color, blends into the deep wine colour of my evening dress.

My hair is even starker and the jewels on top of it look like drops of blood on white snow.

But the thing that truly stands out is my pair of gold, piercing eyes.

In my previous life, they were warm and lovable. Now, I see a very big difference.

I've become cold.

I had died and returned to the very timeline that caused my own despair. Well, unfortunately for my oppressors, I will not just change the fates that killed me— I will make sure they pay dearly.

Those two— Damien and Lily— won't even know what hit them.

A cruel smile grows on my face before I quickly wipe it off.

The bells are ringing louder now— the king-to-be and his queen must make an appearance.

“Runa, shall we?”

My lady-in-waiting immediately helps me up to my feet, allowing the dress to pool about my feet like spilt red wine. She takes my gloved hands in hers and guides me out of the chamber.

A group of stewards and guards wait outside my quarters with a carriage.

“My lady,” the steward greets as he takes my hand and leads me inside. Runa joins me afterwards and soon, we are off to the main halls of the huge palace.

I arrive at the same time he does.

In this timeline, our mate bond is still intact. So once Damien is in the vicinity, I instantly know.

I sit in the carriage, waiting.

The doors are opened and he's right there— a hand outstretched, a genuine looking smile on his face.

My entire world crumbles and I grip my skirts.

The last time I saw this face, my entire life was coming to an end. My blood runs hot and cold at the same time as it feels like I'm looking death straight in the eye again.

“My lady,” Damien says with such passion. I gulp down my uneasiness and allow my lips to curve upward.

“My Lord.”

He takes me then, into the huge ballroom courts and the announcer screams our introductions.

We are received at once and spend most of the night socializing with many.

Throughout, I cannot keep my eyes away from the crowd. I'm searching; knowing she will come.

And then her sharp red head pops out from the crowd.

Lily.

I never noticed it before but I do now— the first person she seeks out in the crowd is him.

My mate.

I watch how she composes herself and develops a false look of sadness before walking towards us.

So she had been scheming from the very beginning.

I look away from her and wait.

Oh poor Lily. This time, I will use your own games against you.