Royal Hunt Massacre: The Framed Princess Returns

"Welcome to Elyndor, everyone!"

My fiance's adopted sister, Mandy Wells, stood in the center of the lounge, offering a warm smile to every guest who walked through the door.

"As a member of the Silvermoon pack, it's only right that I show you all around. Stick with me during tomorrow's Hunt Festival. I'll take you straight to where the best game is."

I could still feel the agony of being burned alive, but those all-too-familiar words snapped me back to reality.

I held my breath, unable to believe it.

I was back. I had been reborn!

The other werewolves showered Mandy with praise at her words.

"You're the best, Mandy. With you leading the way, we're bound to score big tomorrow!"

"I wonder what reward the Alpha King is offering the champion this year. If I win, I'm definitely sharing half of it with you, Mandy."

Mandy let out a soft laugh and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "You've all traveled so far to get here. It's the least I can do."

Just then, someone glanced over in my direction.

"Aliya, you grew up in Elyndor too, right?"

I forced myself to look up. "Yeah. Welcome to our territory."

Before I could say another word, Mandy wove through the crowd and slid her arm through mine.

Her smile broadened. "Aliya, actually, I was hoping you could do me a quick favor. I accidentally broke my bow during practice this morning. Could I borrow your Crescent Bow for tomorrow? Just for the opening ceremony, I'll give it right back."

The moment I heard those words, all the color drained from my face.

The crowd seemed to fade away, and I was thrown right back into the Hunt Festival of my past life.

Back then, Mandy had borrowed my Crescent Bow too.

Desperate to show off, she paraded her archery skills, soaking in everyone's awe and applause.

But she couldn't handle the power of the Crescent Bow. During a long-range shot, she lost control.

Before anyone could react, the arrow tore across the hunting grounds and slammed straight into the chest of a pregnant Luna.

She collapsed on the spot.

By the time the healers rushed over, she was already gone. Two lives were lost in an instant.

Yet when the enforcers investigated, every witness lied through their teeth. They swore that they saw me holding the Crescent Bow and shooting the Luna to death.

So, the enforcers came to my home.

I tried to explain that Mandy had taken my bow and that I hadn't set foot in the royal hunting grounds.

Mandy, who had followed them there, broke down in tears at my words.

My fiance, Connor Parker, instantly stepped in and pulled her into his chest.

Trembling in his arms, Mandy said through sobs, "Aliya, I know you don't like me, but two lives were lost! How could you pin this on me?"

Then, Connor pulled out a memory crystal.

The projection showed the shewolf drawing the Crescent Bow, and she had my exact face.

After that, no one listened to a word I said. The tribunal found me guilty, and the Alpha who lost his mate executed me himself.

Silver chains bit deep into my wrists as roaring flames swallowed me whole.

I screamed Connor's name until my voice gave out, but he never showed up.

The memory sent a violent shiver through my entire body.

Before I could gather my thoughts, a hand snatched the strap of my bow bag.

I looked up and noticed Connor already standing in front of me.

He unzipped the bag with practiced ease and pulled out the Crescent Bow.

Then, he handed it straight to Mandy. "Here. Use this tomorrow."

My chest tightened.

Even in a second life, he hadn't changed a bit.

Only this time, I was ready.

I stepped forward and snatched the Crescent Bow right out of Mandy's hands.

Gasp filled the room. Connor froze as well.

I pulled the bow tight against my chest. "No."

Mandy blinked. "What?"

My voice stayed low and steady as I replied, "I said, you're not borrowing my bow."

Mandy's expression instantly shifted to pure hurt. "Aliya… did I do something wrong? I just wanted to borrow it so I could coach the others and help them get better results. Is that really so much to ask?"

The other werewolves immediately jumped to her defense.

"Come on. It's just a bow."

"Don't be so stingy."

"Mandy's just trying to help everyone out."

Connor's expression darkened. His voice was laced with warning as he said, "Drop the princess attitude, Aliya Blair. She's only borrowing your bow. It's not like she's asking you to make some huge sacrifice!”

Before I could speak, Connor closed the distance, reaching out to rip the bow from my arms.

Instinctively, I shielded it and took a sharp step back, but my footing gave out.

The next second, I hit the floor hard, and the back of my head slammed against the corner of a table.

A burst of blinding pain exploded through my skull.

Connor froze dead in his tracks. His cold expression shattered, giving way to a flicker of panic.