Chapter 1

In my previous life, my fate had been tampered with, and as a result, I died a gruesome death. When I got to live my life a second time, I vowed to get even with my mate and cousin.

I would take back everything that was mine.

…

"Elena, I don't think I'm going to hold out much longer. You should pick one of these four werewolves to be your mate so that when I breathe my last, I can rest in peace under the radiant presence of the Moon Goddess."

I stared blankly at my father, Sebastian Griffin. Realization suddenly hit me—I'd gotten reborn on the day I chose my mate.

Noticing Dad's grayish hair, I felt the urge to cry.

In my previous life, Dad's wounds miraculously healed after Leo Martinez and I formed our mate bond. But not long after that, I started going berserk frequently, and strange curse marks emerged all over my body.

In order to look for a cure, Dad traveled through numerous werewolf packs. In the end, an avalanche swallowed him whole while he was traversing the Eternal Frost Range.

Suppressing the surging hatred burning within me, I clenched my fists so tight that my nails bit into my palm. "Dad, I choose Aidan to be my mate."

Although Aidan Rosales was not the strongest werewolf among the four candidates, he had quietly delivered herbs to me whenever I got injured.

After my sudden death in my previous life, he was the only one who swore to the Moon Goddess beneath a full moon to unearth the truth behind my death, even though everyone else advised against it.

On the night he discovered the conspiracy Leo and Sylvia Campbell were hatching, they ripped him apart.

Dad's ears twitched. "Have you thought it through? I thought you've always been clinging to Leo ever since you were young. You'd always said you wanted to bond with him when you were grown up, hadn't you?"

"Selecting a mate is no light matter. I've now come to fully understand my own feelings."

I looked up at him. In my previous life and the current one alike, Dad had always thought of the non-native werewolves as one of our own. However, he ended up dying without his remains ever being found.

"As long as you're happy. Aidan is loyal and dependable. I can rest assured if you pick him as your mate." Dad sighed. Subconsciously, he rubbed his finger against the relief of the Moon Goddess on the side of the throne.

When I left the meeting hall, I saw Aidan and the other three candidates walking toward me.

Callum Stone teased, "Elena, did the Alpha King ask you to choose your mate today? Who did you choose?"

I glanced at Leo. A cold glint flashed in his amber eyes.

Theodore Gibson scoffed. "Do you even have to ask? Elena is always clinging to Leo. She must've been dying to form a bond with him, so he has no choice but to be with her."

Leo's expression remained grim. His gaze was dripping with menace when he looked my way.

I turned my gaze upon Aidan, who was crouching in the shadows. His drooped ears suddenly twitched.

He always did that when he was nervous.

I smirked. "On the night of the moon ritual, the Moon Goddess will reveal my choice."