Second Life, No More You

The Blood Moon was out, and the surge hit us hard. I was trapped under the wreckage of the den. Trapped right there with me was Lina, Kaius’s childhood sweetheart.

My front paw was crushed under a boulder—I couldn't feel a thing—and sharp, stabbing pains were radiating through my stomach. Then came the footsteps of the patrol. Just like last time, I heard Ethan, Kaius’s Beta:

"Alpha, I’ve got Elena’s scent! She’s right here!"

The rocks above were pried away, and moonlight hit my face. I saw Ethan’s panicked expression. "Elena, hang in there! We’re gonna get you out, okay?"

But Kaius, my mate, looked like his mind was a million miles away. Suddenly, his comm-link buzzed. A shaky female voice came through:

"Kaius? Where are you? I’m so scared... the beasts are right outside..."

I could see it in my head—Lina playing the "damsel in distress" perfectly. Kaius didn't look at me for a single second. His voice went all soft as he copped a plea with her.

"Lina, baby, don't be scared. I’m coming for you. I won’t let anything happen."

He sounded so gentle, so desperate to save his precious girl, that he completely forgot his pregnant mate was currently bleeding out under a pile of rocks right in front of him. Ethan had to nudge him before he even acknowledged I existed.

When he finally looked at me, his eyes were ice cold. He scowled, not even trying to hide his disgust.

"I told you to stay in the safe zone since you're knocked up. But no, you had to come to the front lines to find me. You happy now? You satisfied being stuck here?"

"There are pack members out there who actually need protection, and we’re wasting resources digging you out!"

Even hearing it a second time, the words cut like a knife. In my last life, I tried to explain that I was here helping the healers. But he had insisted I was just "jealous of Lina" and trying to steal his attention.

This time, I didn't bother. I was done with the talk.

Lina’s voice came through the comm-link again, sounding weak and "selfless."

"Kaius... is Elena trapped too? Save her first... I... I can hold on a little longer..."

Kaius’s frown deepened. He didn't look at me; he just asked Lina for her status. She started sobbing.

"I’m in the small tent at the edge of the territory... it’s so loud out there... my hand is crushed, Kaius, it hurts so bad... I don't wanna die before I can finally be yours..."

Hearing her "confession," Kaius’s eyes went red. "Lina, no! I’m not letting you go! I’m coming right now!"

He turned to the squad, ready to move out. Ethan blocked him, looking frantic. "Alpha, what about Elena?! She’s in bad shape, man. If there’s an aftershock, or if the next wave hits, and she’s carrying the heir..."

Kaius cut him off with a sneer. "Elena’s fine. She’s in a safe pocket. She can wait five minutes without dying."

Then he looked at me. "You’re doing this on purpose. You know Lina’s claustrophobic, so you’re using that pregnancy to force my hand, hoping she dies in that tent! You’re a healer, Elena—you know how important hands are for our craft. You have zero empathy. You’re a cold-hearted b*tch, and I’m not letting you win this time."

Every word was a bullet to the chest, but I was already numb. I just stared at him. Quiet. No drama.

The trauma of my past life had finally shown me who this man really was. He didn't love me. Maybe he never did. My pup and I were always going to be second place to his childhood sweetheart.

Fine. I’m done. I won’t fight for him anymore.

Ethan still refused to budge. "We have to pull her out first!"

"Ethan, move!" Kaius barked. "Resources are thin, and Lina is closer to the kill zone. It’s more dangerous there."

I looked at Ethan and gave him a tiny nod. "Go with him, Ethan. Don't worry about me."

Then I looked at Kaius. My voice was flat, dead. "Go. If I make it out of this alive, I’m going to the Elders. I’m breaking the mate bond."