Chapter 2: Reborn On The Night He Proposes

"I, Liora of Silver Fang, reject your proposal, Alpha Aldric!"

The loud music blared through the grand hall. Wolves laughed in groups, while elders gathered near the throne for the annual Mating Ceremony.

I blinked rapidly, my breathing coming in short, panicked gasps as I gripped the fabric of my dress.

My hand trembled violently as I raised it to touch my chest, searching for the deep, gaping stab wound Lilith had delivered.

There was no blood, I turned around frantically, stumbling slightly as my high heels caught on the edge of the carpet. My eyes landed on a mirror.

The woman staring back at me didn't have hollow eyes, pale skin, or dark bruises under her cheeks.

I was eighteen again, standing in the exact same dress I wore years ago before my entire world crumbled into ashes.

A terrible wave of nausea washed over me, making my knees buckle slightly as terrifying memories flooded my mind. I could still hear Lilith's cruel laughter echoing in my ears, mocking my foolish devotion and my stolen title.

"Liora, my dear, pull yourself together," my father's stern voice rumbled beside me, snapping me out of my trance. "The elders are watching us, and you need to look like a proper future Luna tonight."

I flinched away from his touch. He had always viewed me as a bargaining chip, a convenient bridge to secure an alliance with the neighboring pack.

"F-Father..." I stammered, my voice shaking uncontrollably as tears burned against the back of my eyelids. "I... I can't do this... I need to leave right now..."

"Stop this nonsense immediately," he growled under his breath, leaning closer so the nearby pack members wouldn't hear his anger. "You will stand right here, smile sweetly, and accept Aldric's proposal like the dutiful daughter you are."

I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat, my fingers tightening into tight fists at my sides until my knuckles turned white.

He didn't care about my happiness; he only cared about the power and protection Aldric's warriors could bring us.

Before I could reply, the loud chatter inside the grand hall suddenly died down into an expectant, heavy silence.

The crowd parted down the center, creating a wide path leading directly from the entrance doors to where I stood.

Aldric walked through the opening, his tall, imposing figure commanding the immediate attention and awe of every wolf present.

My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird. The nightmare of my past life was walking directly toward me, completely unaware that I remembered everything he did.

He held a small, black velvet box tightly in his right hand, his sharp gray eyes fixed entirely on my trembling form.

In my past life, this moment had been the absolute happiest and most magical dream of my young existence.

I had accepted his proposal instantly, weeping tears of joy while believing that he truly cherished and loved me above all.

I hadn't known that behind his handsome, noble face lived a monster who would eventually watch me bleed out.

"Liora of Silver Fang," Aldric began, stopping just two feet away from where I stood. "Tonight, before our ancestors and the Moon Goddess, I offer you my heart, my pack, and my protection."

He slowly dropped down onto one knee, "W-Will you..." Aldric continued, his eyes searching my face as he held out the ring toward me. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my Luna and ruling by my side forever?"

The entire room went completely silent, waiting breathlessly for the joyful acceptance they all knew was guaranteed to come next.

My father smiled broadly behind me, his hand resting on my shoulder to gently shove me forward.

A bitter laugh bubbled up in my throat. I took a sharp step backward, shaking my father's hand off my shoulder with total disgust and fury.

"I, Liora of Silver Fang, reject your proposal, Alpha Aldric!" I shouted, my voice booming across the room.

Gasps of pure horror erupted throughout the crowd, echoing loudly.

Wolves stumbled back in shock, covering their open mouths while whispering frantically to one another in utter confusion.

My father's face turned pale white, his jaw dropping open as he stared at me as if I had lost my mind.

Aldric froze completely on one knee, the smooth, confident smirk fading from his face in a single instant.

"L-Liora!" my father stuttered, "Are you completely insane?! Retract those words this instant before you ruin everything we built!"

"Let go of me!" I screamed, yanking my wrist free from his painful grip, "I will never retract my words, and I will never give my life away to a man like him!"

Aldric slowly rose to his feet, he reached out with blinding speed, his strong fingers wrapping around my wrist like a band.

He yanked me forward until our chests were inches apart, forcing me to stare directly into his furious eyes.

"What kind of foolish game are you playing right now, Liora?" he growled, his voice dropping into a dangerous, low whisper. "Repeat what you just said right now, and think very carefully about the consequences before you speak."

"I said no, Aldric!" I shouted back, glaring straight into his icy eyes without a single trace of fear or hesitation. "I would rather lose everything I own than marry a man who only sees me as a tool!"

I pulled back with all my might, twisting my arm until his fingers finally slipped off my bruised skin.

I stumbled back a few paces, rubbing my wrist while keeping my fierce gaze locked on his face.

Aldric stood completely still, studying my harsh expression as if he were trying to read an entirely unfamiliar language.

For a brief, strange second, a flash of deep, agonizing pain flickered in his eyes before disappearing beneath his cold mask.

"You are embarrassing yourself and your entire family in front of the council," Aldric stated coldly, stepping forward once again. "You think you can just reject me and walk away without facing severe consequences for this insult?"

"Threaten me all you want, Alpha," I spat out bitterly, tilting my chin up high to show him my complete defiance. "I am no longer the weak, desperate girl who fell for your empty promises and cold, meaningless words."

He clenched his fists tightly at his sides as he stepped closer, his eyes turning black as his wild wolf pushed to the surface of his darkened gaze.

"You have no idea what you've just done, Liora."

I smiled bitterly. "You're right, Aldric. But you will."