Chapter 1

After my rebirth, I watched coldly as my "fallen" mate, Liam, returned in disguise—posing as my sister's mate, Jacob.

In my past life, I had believed that same lie.

This time, I would make him pay for his betrayal.

I stood before Liam's coffin, staring at the face identical to Jacob's.

"Elena, you must decide." Alpha Arthur's voice echoed through the great hall. "As his fated mate, you may remain loyal to Liam's memory and serve as the eternal guardian of our pack. Or…"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the gathered werewolves.

"You may plead with the Moon Goddess to release you from the bond… and reclaim your freedom."

Jacob and Liam were Arthur's twin sons. A year ago, during the council, Jacob had been named heir and acknowledged as my sister Isabella's destined mate.

The hall fell into silence, every breath held as they waited for my answer.

Isabella touched my shoulder gently, her voice sweet as honey. "Elena, Liam loved you so much. How could you…"

"I choose to sever the bond."

My words cracked like thunder. Shock rippled through the room, followed by a storm of whispers.

Even Alpha Arthur was stunned, knowing how deep my love for Liam ran. He asked again, "Are you certain?"

"I am." My voice was steady. "I will sever my bond with Liam, and I ask the Moon Goddess to grant me a new mate."

At that, "Jacob's" face drained of color. Rage twisted his features. "Elena, are you insane? Liam's body is barely cold, and you dare—"

I raised my head, meeting his furious eyes as his fingers intertwined tightly with Isabella's. He still dared to condemn me? My lips curled in a silent, bitter laugh.

Go on. Keep pretending.

Last time, I had been blind enough to believe it.

Though I had faintly sensed the weakened mate bond between us, it had taken me months of torment to confirm the truth—that the wolf before me was Liam, not Jacob. He had diluted our mate bond through a blood pact, masking his deception.

But now, reborn, I knew exactly who he was. Every word he spoke reeked of poison.

"Enough!" Luna Victoria suddenly stood, fury blazing in her eyes. She pointed at me, voice shaking with rage. "You heartless woman! My son gave his life to protect this pack, and you would discard him and seek another mate?"

Victoria had always despised me. In her eyes, I was unworthy—neither graceful nor gentle enough. If not for the Moon Goddess's decree and the alliance between our families, she would never have accepted me as her son's mate.

"If Liam truly loved me," I said evenly, cutting through her tirade, "he would never wish for my soul to be chained to endless grief."

Her hand struck my cheek in a sharp crack.

"At my son's funeral, you dare to beg for a new mate? I will never allow it!"

I looked into the coffin, at the face of the wolf inside, and my lips twisted in scorn. In my past life, I had been too blind to notice—it wasn't Jacob's body at all.

Victoria took my disdain as defiance, spewing venom with every word, until Alpha Arthur finally ordered the guards to intervene.

All the while, Liam clung protectively to Isabella's hand, shielding her as though afraid the conflict would frighten her.

It was then I noticed the necklace at her throat: the Moon's Tear, sacred emblem of the Luna's status. He had already bestowed it upon her. Jacob's title and mate bond had been usurped by Liam's greedy hands.

I laughed bitterly.

In my last life, Liam had whispered promises. "When I ascend as Alpha, I'll place the Moon's Tear around your neck. Before the pack, you'll stand as the most honored Luna."

But the Luna in his heart had never been me. And as the jeers rained down on me, he chose once again to remain silent—breaking the vow he had once sworn to protect me forever.

Sensing the shift in my expression, Isabella stepped forward, unease flickering in her eyes. "Elena, calm down. Liam loved you. You shared so many beautiful moments. Do you really want to destroy that?"

I ignored her pleading. My resolve was carved in stone.

Still unwilling to relent, Liam growled, "Elena! Must you cause such a scene? How could you do this to my brother?"

I sneered. "Your brother died for the pack. That is his honor. But it does not mean I must be buried with him."

"You ungrateful, faithless woman!" Victoria pointed a shaking finger at me. "Do you not care for the bloodline of Silver Creek Pack? Do you not care for your father's name?"

I drew breath to retort, but Isabella's voice rang out instead.

Her tone trembled, but her words cut with unwavering resolve, "Elena, if word spreads, do you want every pack to believe the bloodline of Silver Creek is as cold and heartless as you?"