Reborn, I Choose his Uncle, the Alpha King

Nyx

Staring at my reflection in the golden-framed mirror, I could hardly recognize the woman looking back.

Glittering silk draped over my shoulders, embroidered with silver thread that caught the morning light. On my head rested a crown of intricate silver vines, waiting to be officially pinned into place during today’s ceremony.

Today was the day. Draven Thorne, my mate, my husband, was finally taking his rightful place as Alpha King. And I would stand right beside him as his Luna.

My heart clenched, joy and nerves collided. A year. Within a year everything in my life had changed and I could still recall how it all began.

How after entering this pack I was targeted, my body burning with a fever I couldn't control. But then Draven, the nephew of the reigning Alpha King swept in and saved my life. In the heat of that feverish night, our bond had been consummated.

Everything moved so fast after that. We were engaged, and soon after, married. He had treated me well, gentle and kind to the point of happiness.

Even when tragedy struck and I lost the baby from that consummation months later, he never blamed me. Instead, he'd held me tight, whispering that we would have another family someday.

I fell for him completely after that, handing him my entire heart without a single reservation.

And now, we are entering a new chapter.

Lucien, the former Alpha King and his uncle had passed away childless. Draven as the only presiding heir was stepping up to the throne. His status, along with mine, would rise and we would rule the realm together.

Everything was settled, so why did I feel so strange?

"You're just nervous, Nyx." I whispered to myself.

Since morning, a strange numbness had lingered at the back of my mind. It felt like a fog clinging to my thoughts, but I brushed it off.

Given the stress of the coronation, it made sense to feel a little off. To clear my head, I reached for the glass that Lilac, Draven’s younger sister, my sister-in-law and closest friend brought for me.

The cool sensation washed over me as soon as I took another sip, yet the feeling hadn't stopped. Before I could worry further, the door clicked open.

I spun around just to find that it was Lilac that entered.

"Lilac?" I smiled only to freeze as I saw her outfit.

"Your dress…” I spoke, as I set the glass down on the vanity table. “it looks almost like…”

I couldn't finish my sentence but my gut tightened strangely. Her gown for the coronation was exquisite and regal. Given that she was his sister it wasn't surprising.

Why then, did it look identical to mine?

Lilac offered a sweet smile, walking closer to gently smooth down my sleeves.

"What are you talking about Nyx? Is there something wrong with my dress?" she asked softly and sighed. "I get it. There's no need to be anxious, your mind is playing tricks on you."

Before I could respond, She gently turned me back toward the mirror, her hands resting warmly on my shoulders.

"Look at yourself. Today's a big day.” She murmured, “Are you prepared?"

Her words immediately reminded me of what was to come. The dull tingling sensation persists.

"I... I don't know," I admitted, as I stared at our reflections side by side. "I feel so nervous and strangely…numb. Is that normal?"

“It's perfectly normal.” She assured me, “But in that note…If you need to clear your mind, I can tell you a story.”

Story? My brows furrowed at her strange offer, but I nodded in the end.

“Once upon a time,” she murmured, voice strangely low “There was once a man and a woman who loved each other deeply, but could never be together. It was impossible, given how they were openly bound by a fake relationship. So they stayed apart, watching from the shadows, plotting for the day fate might finally bring them back. But their story happened before then, since childhood.”

Confusion sank in. I blinked, trying to focus my eyes on her through the mirror.

"What are you talking about?” I asked, “Whose story is that?"

She didn't answer. Instead, she kept telling the story. The more she spoke, the heavier my limbs felt. My mind began to blur at the edges until the strange tingling sensation shifted to nothing.

What was wrong with me?

"Lilac..." I tried to say, but my voice sounded weak. Slurred. "I... What's… happ—”

My knees gave out before I could finish. I crashed onto the floor. Staring up at the ceiling, a wave of terror washed over me.

"Li..lac…" I choked out. Why was it so hard to speak? "Help... I… something is... something… wrong..."

I couldn't even hear my words over my racing pulse. I tried to shift, to stand up and that was the moment the dread sank in.

I couldn't move my body.

Through my position, I found Lila in my eyeshot but she didn't rush to my side. Instead, she slowly walked towards the table and picked up the glass I'd been drinking from.

"Did you enjoy it?" she asked, her voice dripping with a mocking tone I'd never heard before.

“W-Wh…what?” I was forced out, dumbfounded. She stepped towards me, her silver-threaded hem brushing against my arm as she looked down. A chill ran through me at the sight of her sneer.

"Wolfsbane powder," she said. “Pure, concentrated, and untraceable until it locks every single muscle in your body. A perfect way for you to die."

What was she talking—

I didn't have time to think when she suddenly raised her foot and pressed down on my shoulder. Blinding pain filled me at the sharp heel digging in, yet I could scream.

"I’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time." Lilac sneered, her eyes flashing with hatred. "Every night you spent in his bed made my blood boil. Every time you called me your best friend, I wanted to tear your throat out. But it's over now. Now I’ll finally take my rightful place as his Luna.”

"Lu…Luna?” I forced out, mind spinning in total confusion.

What was she saying? It didn't make sense.

Lilac burst out laughing, an ugly sound that echoed off the stone walls. Many. Hair was suddenly grabbed hard and painful, bringing tears to my eyes as she leaned down.

"Oh Nyx." she pouted, yet her eyes were filled with venom. "You really are the most gullible creature I have ever met. I can see the confusion in your eyes. Why on earth would I say this? I'm his sister, it doesn't make sense.”

I grunted at the pain but her words hit me hard. It was exactly like I thought. She pulled harder before leaning in.

“There's one thing you don't know though.” She smiled, “We aren't really related. I'm his ‘adopted’ sister and we’ve been lovers long before you ever set foot in this pack.”

The world tilted on its axis. Adopted sister? Lovers?

"No...“ I breathed out, heart aching. I couldn't believe it. Draven and Lilac were together?

It was impossible. He loved me. She was his sister.

“Let me guess what you want to say. He loves you?" She mocked, shoving me away. My head collided painfully with the floor.

“Surprise. He never did. You were just a pawn to us to make sure the Alpha Title was secure. After all, you are the so-called Divine One, blessed by the Moon Goddess. Who would ever deny you?” she continued.

Tears but my eyes, half from the pain and from her words.

“No.” I denied it. “S-aved…he saved…”

‘He saved me,’ I tried to say. The Draven I knew flashed into my mind. care, attention and devotion all these while.

He'd protected me then. How could she say he was using me? How was that even possible?

"Still so foolish.” She tutted, “he ‘saved’ you? Did you really think it was a coincidence that you were drugged by someone on your very first night here? You think it was pure luck that Draven happened to rescue you?"

My heart skipped a beat, but Lilac's face grew even more vicious.

"I was the one who drugged you that night. He didn't save you from anyone, because we planned it, all so he could claim you and bind you to us."

The words were like knives sinking into me.

‘It couldn't be true.’ I repeated in my mind like a mantra, yet the vile look in her eyes told me that it was.

"You really deserve to see what a fool you’ve been before you draw your last breath." Lilac’s voice dropped, laced with venom and triumph. “That pup you lost? Draven gave you abortion medicine to get rid of it. And while you wept over your pup’s death, he was filling my womb with his true heir."

The air left my lungs all at once, sucked out into a cold, bottomless void.

I wanted to scream, to cry out. To rage, yet whatever strength I had in speaking was gone. I couldn't feel my throat anymore. I couldn't speak.

All I could do was watch and listen to Lilac's laughter.

Suddenly, the doors at the front of the room swung wide open with a loud bang.

My heart leapt into my throat. Hope flared in me.

Someone. Anyone. A guard, an elder, a pack member, anyone who could see what was happening here, who could save me from this nightmare.

I forced my eyes toward the doorway to find a tall, broad figure stepping into the room.

Draven.