Chapter 2

I stared at the appointment letter on my phone, a genuine smile—the first in years—spreading across my face.

How foolish I’d been in my past life.

I’d given up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Kaelan.

Back then, the supernatural races were just starting to integrate into human society. The political landscape was a mess of power struggles and infighting.

My mentor at the academy always told me I had a natural gift for strategy, that I was born to be a diplomat.

"Selene, your talents are wasted on the pack's old traditions," she’d once said.

But I chose the Silver Moon Pack anyway.

All for a man who was fated to never love me back.

I quickly typed a reply: "I will be there on time. Departing in three days."

The moment I hit send, a weight I didn't know I was carrying lifted.

There was another document on the table, stamped in gold foil.

The Elders' decree, naming me Lead Envoy to the Vampire Coven.

It was a great responsibility, and one I now had to formally resign from.

I picked up the document and headed for the council hall.

Just as I reached the door, I heard quiet sobs from down the corridor.

"Why does she always have to take everything from me?" Lila’s voice was choked with tears. "I worked so hard to pass the trials, to get a spot on the mission to the Vampire Coven... and now she's taking that too..."

I froze. My heart hammered against my ribs.

That voice.

That pathetic whimper.

The night we were mated in my past life, she had cried just like that under the moonlight, saying I had stolen everything from her.

"How does this even help the pack?" Lila continued to sob. "Is it just because she's jealous of me and Kaelan?"

I took a deep breath, forcing my wolf to calm down.

I couldn't make the same mistakes again.

I walked toward the corner of the hall.

"Selene."

Kaelan's voice was ice.

He stood at the entrance to the council hall, his Alpha aura crashing down on me like a tidal wave, threatening to crush me.

"The mating ceremony is in three days," he said, each word a bullet. "And you're still trying to push Lila out by fighting for a spot on the mission? Do you have any idea how that could shatter the peace between our races?"

"I'm not pushing anyone out," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"No?" He sneered, taking a step closer. "Sending a Beta of your power on a diplomatic mission? The vampires will see it as a threat, not an olive branch. That's common sense, Selene."

Lila peeked out from behind him, tears still on her cheeks.

"I worked so hard for this chance..." she stammered. "I don't want to be discriminated against just because I'm an omega. I want to serve the pack too..."

Seeing her pitiful, innocent act, I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

"Omegas on the diplomatic mission need a strong healing gift," I said, looking her straight in the eye. "Do you have one, Lila?"

Her crying stopped dead.

"A mission member needs to be able to heal critical injuries in an emergency. They need to soothe a raging vampire's temper with their healing power," I continued. "Even if I wasn't going, the Elders would never give the spot to an omega with no healing gift."

"You—" Lila's face changed.

I took the appointment letter from my bag and slowly unfolded it.

The golden pack seal glittered under the hall lights.

"Lead Envoy to the Vampire Coven, Selene," I read the title calmly.

Even though I was here to resign from it.

"Do you really think an omega has any chance of being the Head of Mission?"

Kaelan's expression froze.

But seeing him defend her like that still sent a twist of pain through my heart.

"I never thought you could be so cruel," he said, his voice dripping with disappointment. "The Selene I knew at the academy... she was kind."

He turned and gently stroked Lila's hair.

"Stop crying. If this is what you want, I'll talk to the Elders. I'll get you another diplomatic opportunity."

His voice was softer than I'd ever heard it.

My eyes burned. I stared at him, watching him comfort her.

I'm giving you your precious love to be your Luna. It's the best gift I could ever give you.

Their figures disappeared down the hall. I gripped the appointment letter in my hand.

Two hours later, I walked out of the Elder's council chamber.

"Your resignation has been accepted," the oldest Elder sighed. "Selene, are you sure you want to give this up? You're the finest strategist I've ever seen."

"I'm sure."

All my pack duties were officially handed over.

The position of Lead Envoy was gone.

Now, I was truly free.

I dragged my exhausted body to the villa—the home meant for me and Kaelan.

I still had some things there.

Once I packed, I would be gone for good.

But when I pushed the door open, I found myself face-to-face with Kaelan.