Chapter 1: Reborn

In her previous life, Elara became Cassian's Luna, but never the woman he truly loved. Only in her final moments did the pieces of her life finally fall into place. By then, death had already claimed her.

This time, she would not repeat the same mistakes. She would change her fate before it was too late.

***

~ Elara ~

*House of Ashbourne.*

“Mira wishes to attend the Royal Family dinner next week. She has never met the people who govern Asteria, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to welcome her properly.” Cassian's voice remained gentle.

“Do not misunderstand, Elara. I am merely grateful for the information she has provided outside our territories.”

He offered her a reassuring smile. “The Priestess believes she may be the one destined to save our realm. Until the prophecy is proven, I cannot overlook the role she may yet play.”

Elara blinked, her amber eyes lowering for a brief moment.

She had heard those very same words in her previous life.

Back then, she had believed him without question. She had convinced herself that Cassian's concern was born solely from duty. That once the mystery of the frost was solved, everything would return to the way it had been.

But it never did.

The prophecy became the reason Cassian and Mira spent even more time together. Every investigation and every journey they shared drew them closer. Before Elara realized it, Cassian's heart belonged to another.

The only thing binding them together was the Alpha King's decree of their marriage. 

“So, are you okay if Mira comes with us next week?” Cassian asked. 

It was one thing to invite outsiders to the castle's social gatherings. Bringing one to the Royal Family's monthly dinner was something else entirely.

Only family and their highest-ranking officials were invited. The dinner had never been 

a place for strangers.

Yet Cassian wanted Mira there.

'The family dinner...' Elara's thoughts drifted back to her previous life.

Anger surged inside Elara as memories flooded back. She remembered the curious glances, the whispered conversations, and the humiliation of sitting across Cassian while he brought another woman to the Royal Family's dinner.

Then… she remembered something else.

The anger slowly faded, replaced by a faint smile.

“It's fine. She can come with us,” Elara said.

If she was going to change her fate, it would be on the day of the Royal Family dinner. 

“Thank you, Elara. I know you would understand,” Cassian said while getting up. He offered Elara a warm hug, and she accepted it. “I missed you. I have been so busy these days; I haven’t been able to visit you.”

His words almost made her forget the future that awaited them both.

Because right now, he was still the Cassian she knew. 

Cassian, her childhood friend, her confidant, and her betrothed.

The Alpha of the Ironwood Territory and the Crown Prince of the kingdom of Asteria. 

Cassian smiled warmly, his hazel eyes filled with the same tenderness she had once treasured. His fingers gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Only one more month,” he murmured. “Then you'll become my Luna. We'll finally build our home together, have children, and one day rule Asteria as its Alpha King and Luna Queen.” 

Elara remained silent. She knew that in just a week, Cassian would begin to fall for Mira. This time, she would never marry him.

But their marriage had been decreed by the Alpha King. The king had arranged it to strengthen the bond between the Crown and House Ashbourne. If Elara wanted to break that decree, she needed another way to preserve that alliance.

“Prince Cassian, are you finished yet? We need to leave before noon, or we won't reach Ironwood's border before nightfall.” 

A young woman stepped into the room as though she belonged there. Her chestnut hair was loosely braided, and her brown eyes shone with curiosity. There was an untamed confidence about her that felt strangely out of place. 

Her gaze landed on Elara, and her eyes lit up. “Oh! You must be Cassian's fiancée.”

She looked Elara up and down with open curiosity. “You're so beautiful... and so proper. Nothing like me.”

Cassian smiled faintly. “No, you're nothing like Elara. She was raised to become Asteria's future Luna. She has spent years studying diplomacy, military strategy, and court affairs.”

Mira blinked in surprise.

“Truly?” Her eyes returned to Elara. “You look far too delicate for all that. I thought ladies of the court only attended banquets and embroidery.”

She laughed softly before adding, “Then Lady Elara must be the one keeping the books while Prince Cassian wins the battles.”

Cassian's smile faded.

Before he could answer, Elara spoke.

“And who might this lady be, Cassian?” she asked calmly. “Since when does one enter House Ashbourne without so much as announcing oneself?”

Mira's smile faltered.

Cassian stiffened, finally realizing how improper the situation appeared.

“Mira, this is Lady Elara Ashbourne, my betrothed.” Cassian gestured toward Elara before turning back. “Elara, this is Lady Mira Rowan. She's the woman I've been telling you about.”

“Elara, forgive her. Mira has not yet learned the customs of our kingdom,” he said. “She was raised in the abandoned lands of Embre and has never lived under royal rule. No discourtesy was intended.”

His voice softened as he added, “Her knowledge of the lands beyond our borders may be the key to understanding the spreading frost.”

The frost.

The words echoed in Elara's mind.

In her previous life, the entire kingdom spent years trying to understand how the spreading frost moved across the realm. Believing Mira was the prophesied savior, they consulted every priestess and scoured every ancient record, hoping to awaken the dormant power they believed lay within her.

Only before Elara's death did she realize they had placed their faith in the wrong person.

Elara stood, no longer interested in continuing the conversation. “You should go. I wouldn't want to keep my fiancé from his journey.”

Mira lowered her head. “I'm sorry if I caused any misunderstanding.”

Without waiting for a reply, she quietly excused herself.

Once they were alone, Cassian studied Elara's face. 

“Did Mira offend you? You've changed. You seem cold,” he said softly. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”

Elara met his eyes. “I haven't changed, Cassian. I've always been the same.”

She paused before asking, “But what about you? Are you still the man who vowed to my dying mother that you would love and protect me for the rest of your life?”

Cassian frowned, clearly caught off guard.

“Of course I am,” he replied without hesitation. “I gave your mother my word. My love for you will never change.”

Elara held his gaze for another moment. “Then remember your promise.”

Her voice was calm, almost gentle. “Because if the day ever comes when your heart no longer belongs to me, I won't beg you to stay.”

Cassian stared at her. “Elara…”

“If that day comes,” she firmly continued, “I'll respect your choice. I only ask that you respect mine as well.”

“Because I will not.” She clenched her jaw. “Tolerate it.”

Cassian searched her face, as though trying to understand what had changed. Finally, he smiled. “You worry too much, my love.”

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I'll see you at the Royal Family dinner.”

After he left, Elara remained standing in silence. 

She made her way to the third floor of Ashbourne Manor and looked toward the distant peaks of Frostfang.

For several long minutes, her gaze remained fixed on the snow-capped mountains.

Somewhere in those northern lands was the only man who could free her from the Alpha King's decree.

“I'll see you in a week, Alpha Prince Kael.”