2. Reborn

Hope’s POV

I open my eyes with a small groan. My head pounds dully as a soft light filters through. The creak of a chair draws my attention.

“Hope?”

My father’s voice drags me from my haze. I blink once— twice—and the world organizes, sharpens. I inhale a sharp breath, in shock.

I can see.

My wolf whines, just as confused as I am.

I jolt upright, heart thundering against my ribs. The last thing I remember is the fall from the cliff.

I gulp, studying my father's worried expression. His skin is smooth, and the crinkling around his eyes has lessened.

“Papa?” My voice cracks. “Wh—what happened?”

He grips my shoulder, and I have to concentrate to hold back the sudden tears that threaten to spill. “You took a hit to the head while watching a sparring match. One of the warriors got careless. You passed out.” His smile is forced as he runs a gentle finger across my forehead. I wince when he touches the left side of my forehead. “The healer says you’re lucky all you got is a pretty nice goose egg.”

This can't be possible. I know this story. This time, but it isn't possible…isn’t it?

I study his face. His face is smoother. No gray in his beard, no limp in his stance.

I blink again, taking in the room. “How long was I out?”

“Not long. A few hours at most.” He frowns as he analyzes my face as if he could see any ailment I might have.“How are you feeling?”

Pressure builds behind my eyes. My wolf whines. None of this makes sense. Memories overlay reality as I look at the whitewashed walls and the scratched wooden floors near the bed. The smell of pine needles and antiseptic. Drown out my father's firewood scent.

The scene is the past come to life, one from years ago. From the first time I met Keith.

How is this possible?

What happened after the fall?

Who pushed me?

I can feel my anxiety rising, but I'm helpless to stop the spiral.

I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, ignoring my unsteady limbs. “What’s today’s date?”

“Hope—” My father reaches for me, trying to steer me back to the bed.

“What’s the date?” I shout, pulling my arm from him.

This can’t be real.

My wolf paws and pushes at the barrier of my mind, sensing my distress and wanting to protect me from it.

Papa hesitates. “March fifteenth.”

“And the year?”

“2006. Same as this morning.” He grips my arm gently. “How about we take a seat?”

I let him lead me back to the bed.

My breath catches. I feel my heart stutter, and I blurt. “I’m eighteen.”

He gives me a worried look. “Yes…”

I grip the blanket seeking comfort.

I was twenty-one yesterday.

The nausea that rolls through me makes me thank the goddess I’m sitting. My wolf paces but doesn't try to dissuade my triangle of thought.

I was twenty-one. Blind for three years.

I—I died, I think.

Keith— I can't even bear to finish that one.T he betrayal, the pain, the fire… all of it rushes back.

I died.

“Here, drink this,” my father says, handing me a glass of water.

I take it from him, if only to give myself something to do.

I’ve been sent back. Reborn.

Could it be the Goddess left this as a gift for me?

His brows knit together. “Hope…”

I turn to Papa, a thousand thoughts swirling in my head. Among them all two take the presidency.

No one can know, and I have to avoid Kieth at all costs.

If I am being given this chance to reduce everything, I need to make sure I do this right.

I put on my best bashful look. “Sorry Papa. I'm okay now. Everything was just…confusing for a few seconds there.”

“Of course. You were just knocked unconscious. It's normal to be out of sorts when you wake up.”

Papa pats my shoulder. “ I'm going to let the healer know you've woken up. Alpha Keith will also want an update on your health.”

I press my lips together and nod. My mind is racing. This is the day. The one where everything begins.

The succession ceremony of the Lotus Pack. Keith assuming his role as Alpha. I was here to represent our pack since my sister was off handling pack business. And then—I was knocked out.

Just like now.

And when I woke up the first time… he came.

Young, charming. A new Alpha is ready to ensure that the alpha family of an allied pack wasn't offended by the incident.

That was the moment everything changed.

Our eyes met, and we knew we were fated

He hadn't even gotten the full apology out before his wolf rose to the surface and called out to mine.

My father's hand was on the door. She was about to exit when I whispered, “No.”

“What?” Dad asks.

“There's no need to inform anyone. Papa.” I said quickly.

“Hope, you’re not making any sense—”

“I am.” I face him, my voice steadying. “I think I should head back to the pack. Tonight.”

He shakes his head. “Absolutely not. You need to rest—”

“You’ve always trusted me,” Standing and taking my hands and mine. “Please. Trust me now. I can’t explain it all, but if I stay, something bad will happen.”

“You’re afraid of Keith?”

“No, of course not,” I add quickly when I see the signs of flaring temper in Papa’s eyes. Signs of flaring temper in my father's eyes

He's a fierce Alpha me and my sister mean more to him than anything. If he knew the truth, if he even suspected that I had ill feelings toward Keith, it would cause tension between our packs.

War is the last thing I want.

I just want to be free.

My wolf stirs beneath my skin. A low growl rises from my chest, rumbling with rage. She remembers too. The betrayal. The lies. The pain.

She refuses to forgive him.

So do I.

He studies me. His eyes narrow. “You sound like your mother when she saw visions.”

I hate lying to my father, but it's the only way to preserve the bond between our packs while giving me a chance to escape and choose a New path. “ I don't know what this is. But this is something I have to do. I feel it, Papa.”

He sighs. “Fine. What do you want me to do?”

"Say I'm worried about Tessa," I say, folding my arms tight over my chest. Dad lifts a brow, skeptical. "She fought with you. She didn’t even come to the Lotus Pack with us."

He exhales slowly, then nods. "You're not wrong. She's stubborn, like your mother. But how do you expect me to explain that you left after the hit you took?"

“Easy. When I woke up, Tessa had called me asking for me since I was feeling fine and the healers at home are more advanced than the ones in the lotus pack, you let me go,” I answer, seizing the opportunity with both hands.

He considers my words. "You’re not wrong. Blue Rock has always had the best healers."

I try not to show my relief.

This might actually work.

"Alright," Papa says finally. "You can head home. I’ll arrange for Tino to take you back."

Tina was my father's most trusting warrior. He had watched me and my sister since we were little girls.

Making sure not to appear too anxious to get away from the Lotus Pack territory. I started to slip on my shoes and my jacket. Thankfully, I hadn't been changed into a healing gown while I was here.

Of course, it couldn’t be that easy.

A rapid knock sounds at the door moments before Karen, my father's girlfriend, steps in with her too-bright smile. Trailing behind her like lost ducklings were her children: Leah and Tyler.

I use the word children loosely. Tyler was my age, and Leah's one year younger, and the two could not look more different. While Taylor was fair and blue-eyed, his sister had dark brown hair and an olive complexion.

Karen claims that they are both fathered by the same male, but I always have my doubts. I'd never begrudge my father happiness. Many shifters find companionship again after losing their fated mate. The new connection would never be the one they had, but they were capable of loving someone else after the loss.

I want my phone to be happy. He deserves it. However, there was something about Karen that didn't sit right.

Never mind the fact that she hated my sister and I. I can deal with not being liked, but what bothers me the most is the ax she puts on in front of Papa.

Her calculating stairs slide over to me.

I freeze, my spine stiffening instinctively.

“I'm so glad you're up and about, darling. How are you feeling?” She says in that annoying high-pitched voice of hers.

“Better. Thanks.” I say keep my response short.

Right now the only thing I care about is getting the fuck off this territory.

“Clinton,” she addresses Pap,a “Shouldn't you be getting the healer. That was quite a hit she took.”

“No need, sweetheart. I'm sending hope home so she can be seen by our healers,” Papa says casually as if the whole idea was his.

Karen gives me a plastic grin before turning back to Papa. " You're right. Truly, our healers have much more knowledge than the ones on Lotus Pack territory. Oh, why not let Tyler take Hope? I'm sure he'd love the drive. Right, Tyler?"

"Of course, mother," he says, grinning like a fox about to break into a chicken coop. "I’d be happy to make sure Hope gets back home safely."

Dad chuckles. "That’s not a bad idea. It would save Tino the trip."

My stomach clenches. There is no way I’m letting that pompous little mama's boy take me back.

I keep my tone even when I say, "He can’t."

Everyone looks at me, but I just smile sweetly and continue. "Tyler’s license was revoked last month. DUI, wasn’t it?"

Leah’s eyes flash. Karen’s mouth tilts into a barely perceptible frown.

Papa's face darkens as the full force of his dominance is directed at Tyler. "I never heard about this? Is it true, Tyler?"

"I—It was one time—" Tyler stammers.

"You drove drunk?" Dad cuts in, voice rising. "Do you have any idea the lives you put at risk, your own included. You say you want to be a warrior, but until you learn to put your thoughtless, reckless behavior behind you—

Karen steps forward, laying a hand on Papa’s arm and cutting him off. "Clinton, he’s young. He made a mistake—"

"That kind of mistake costs lives," he snaps.

Karen’s lips press tightly. "You're right. Maybe we should finish this talk in private."

He nods.

She shepherds him out of the room, casting me a glare when he’s not looking.

Tyler and Leah just glare at me.

"You're such a narc," Tyler hisses.

I shrug. "Don't blame me for your poor choices. Pap would have found out eventually. How do you think it would have gone if he had been kept in the dark longer?”

His fists clench, but he backs off. Smart choice.

A minute later, Papa comes back through the door. His jaw’s still tight, but his eyes soften when he looks at me.

"Tino is getting the car ready for you," he says. "He’ll be here in a few minutes."

I nod. "Thanks, Papa."

He exits the room, and I ignore the two eyesores as I pack.

There's no need for more conversations or interruptions. I don’t want to give Keith even a whiff of my exit.

The fewer goodbyes, the better.