Chapter 2

James came home stinking of Emily's perfume.

Bee-lined for our bedroom.

I blocked the door. "Hold up."

He blinked, annoyed. "Avril?"

Hand on my bump. "You've been rolling in late—and loud. I'm done losing sleep. Healer says I need full rest. Starting tonight, you're in the guest room. Don't wake me again."

He wasn't used to pushback. Tried to keep his tone smooth. "Yeah, I was late. Emily's been... a mess. She needed me. I'll keep it down next time. But not sleeping together? I'm just worried—"

"Worried something might happen to me?" I cut in, tapping my belly. "Then let me rest."

He hesitated. Eyes flicked, calculating. Then: a tight nod. "...Fine. But if anything feels off, you call me. Right away."

Worried about me? Please.

All he cared about was whether my pup would survive—so they could pass it off as Emily's.

If the Moon Goddess hadn't reset the clock, I might've believed that act.

But fake concern? It stays fake.

I hid the steel in my eyes and smiled sweetly. "Don't worry. I'll make sure the pup's born healthy."

He exhaled, relieved. Ate it up like he always did.

To him, I was still the fool who dumped her legacy for love.

Back then, Ebonfang Pack was nothing.

I was next in line to lead Silverlune Pack—strongest Alpha-blooded she-wolf of my generation.

But the second I chose James, I threw it all away to play the docile Luna.

Didn't matter that my bloodline was purer. He never doubted he could keep me on a leash.

This time?

He couldn't be more wrong.

***

In the days that followed, I played the weak card—too tired to do even basic Luna stuff, stuck in bed "for the pup."

Only a total idiot gets reborn and still breaks her back for the guy who ruined her.

Without me running things, James spiraled. Alpha life? Already hectic. Without his Luna? Chaos.

Still, every spare second he had went to Emily. Every checkup, every mood swing—he was right there, playing doting mate. Gave her all the rare supplements too, like she was carrying gold.

But I didn't care.

If I wanted something, I took it.

James could glare all he wanted—I didn't flinch.

I was the real Luna. Period.

Emily sulked like the victim, so James doubled down—spoiled her even harder, like that'd balance the scales.

The Ebonfang wolves started catching on. Whispers spread. Something wasn't right.

My friend, Lina, finally broke. "Avril, I know they're step-siblings, but James is way too close to Emily... Just be careful."

I smiled, squeezed her hand. "I've got this."

Careful? Please.

The closer he clung to Emily, the better.

I needed all eyes on her—not on the fact that my bump hadn't grown at all. Still sitting at six months.

***

Time passed. Emily's belly ballooned.

James started sweating.

"Avril, your bump looks kinda..."

He wouldn't stop hovering—asking questions, trying to check me himself.

I dodged every time. Smiled. "The pup's fine. Just a quiet one. If something was wrong, don't you think I'd say?"

He frowned, clearly not buying it—but he couldn't poke a single hole in my story.

Finally, Emily's due date crept up.

The pack healer told her to stay off her feet and move into the pack clinic.

But James had other plans—two expecting wolves giving birth at the same time? Perfect cover for a swap.

Emily didn't like the risk, but she played along. Came back to the manor, eyeing my bump like it might explode.

Three more days. Then she cracked.

Even through the wall, I heard her sobbing to James.

Two hours later—knock on my door.

He walked in, fake smile locked in place, holding that "tonic." Same one from my last life.

"Babe, now that you're further along, the pup needs more nutrients. Drink this while it's hot. You've gotten so thin."

I glanced at the mirror. Glowing, full-faced, obviously well-fed.

Laughed under my breath.

Not sure if it was his bad acting or the recycled lies that got me.

Held out my hand, no hesitation. "Sure."