Reborn, I Chose His Uncle

The bass from the Eclipse Pack’s grand ballroom vibrated straight through the soles of my boots, but inside my chest, there was only a freezing, hollow silence.

One week. I had exactly one week until the Blood Moon.

In my past life, this was the night I had dressed in crimson satin, waiting like a naive fool for Nyxen to pick me up. Instead, he had left me behind, showing up to his own pre-mating bachelor gala with Aphra on his arm.

I had swallowed the humiliation back then, putting on a brave face to defend his honor, convinced by his whispered lies that it was "just politics" and that I was the only she-wolf who truly held his heart.

What a joke.

I pushed open the heavy oak doors of the ballroom, stepping into the lion's den.

The party was in full swing. Alcohol flowed, wolves danced, and right at the center of the VIP lounge sat Nyxen Stormborn. And draped across his lap, looking small and fragile in a pale white dress, was Aphra.

Nyxen’s hand was wrapped possessively around her waist. He was whispering something into her ear, making her blush and giggle, completely ignoring the fact that his betrothed—the woman he was supposed to bind his soul to in seven days—had just walked into the room alone.

"Look who finally decided to show up," Jaxon, one of Nyxen’s closest enforcers, sneered loudly enough for the surrounding tables to hear. "The fierce warrior princess. Careful, Nyxen, she looks like she's about to challenge Aphra to a duel."

A ripple of mocking laughter broke out among the inner circle. Aphra shrank back into Nyxen’s chest, her eyes wide and watery, playing the part of the defenseless victim to perfection. "Nyxen... maybe I should leave. I don't want Lucy to be angry with me. I'm just a scentless Omega; I don't want to cause trouble..."

"Stay right where you are," Nyxen said, his voice laced with Alpha authority. He didn't even stand up to greet me. Instead, he looked up, his dark eyes meeting mine with a mixture of cold disdain and absolute certainty.

"Don't worry about her, Aphra," Nyxen said smoothly, loud enough for the gathering crowd to hear. "Lucy knows her place. She understands that I’m forming our mate bond for the sake of our Pack's alliance; my heart belongs to you. She’s mature enough not to throw a tantrum."

He expected me to flinch. He expected me to argue, to demand respect. Instead, I just walked over to the bar, picked up a glass of champagne, and took a slow sip.

"You don't need to worry, Aphra," I said, my voice remarkably calm, cutting through the ambient noise of the party. "I'm not angry. In fact, I couldn't care less."

The laughter at the table died down a little. Jaxon scoffed, crossing his arms. "Oh, come on, Lucy. Save the tough-girl act. You walked in here alone while your future mate is openly holding another woman. You're practically radiating fury."

"I'm really not," I replied, turning my gaze directly to Nyxen. The future Alpha was frowning now, clearly displeased by my lack of tears. I gave him a small, cold smile. "I'm not hurt because I have no intention of mating with him. The Blood Moon won't be binding us."

A heavy silence dropped over the immediate area, followed quickly by a wave of hushed whispers.

Nyxen’s grip on Aphra’s waist tightened so hard she gasped. His eyes narrowed, a flash of irritation crossing his face before it was replaced by a smug, knowing smirk. He stood up, gently putting Aphra aside, and took a step toward me.

"That's enough, Lucy," Nyxen said, his voice dripping with fire. He thought I was throwing a tantrum. He thought this was my desperate attempt to get his attention. "I know you're upset that I didn't pick you up tonight. I know it hurts your pride to see me with the woman I truly love. But playing these childish games and threatening to break a sacred Pack contract? It’s beneath you."