Chapter 4

The résumés I sent out started receiving responses.

Among them, the one I was most excited about came from a pharmaceutical company in the nearby Cinderscorch pack. It was a major enterprise under Coghaven.

I scheduled an interview immediately.

In my past life, I dreamed of having a good job that paid well countless times, but I never had the chance. Now, I was both nervous and excited.

Before I could figure out my next plan, my phone rang with a call from Damon. I hesitated before picking up.

His usual cold voice came through the phone. "Where are you?"

My good mood vanished instantly as I replied, "What do you want?"

His tone turned harsher. "My parents are back, and they want you to join us for dinner."

As the sky darkened, I returned to Shadowmire Manor. There were four people seated at the dining table—Alpha, Luna, Damon, and Raven.

Something felt wrong because everyone had grave, solemn expressions.

As I calmly took my seat, Damon glanced at me before getting up and walking away.

Raven immediately followed him upstairs with a triumphant look in her eyes.

Ignoring them, I turned to the Alpha and Luna with a polite smile.

In my past life, they always tried to speak for me through all those years of Damon's torment. But by then, the Shadowmire pack was already under his rule as Alpha, so they couldn't stop him.

I never blamed them. If anything, I was to blame for being foolish and waking up too late.

"I've thought about it for some time now, Alpha. I'm not suited to be the next Luna of this pack. He hates me, and I'm tired too.

"Staying together will only ruin us both, so it's better if we can let go. Just because we're fated mates doesn't mean we have to stay together."

Tears filled Luna's eyes after hearing my words. "Can't you think about it, Thalia?"

I shook my head. This was the clearest decision I'd made since my rebirth.

Back in my room, I packed up the last few belongings I'd missed out. Just as I turned a corner to leave, Raven stopped me.

Her eyes brimmed with tears as she pleaded. "Please give Damon back to me, Thalia… I'm carrying his pup, and a pup shouldn't grow up without a father."

Seeing the barely noticeable sneer at the corner of her lips, I instinctively stepped back.

In the next second, she grabbed my hand, pressed it to her shoulder, and threw herself backward toward the stairs.

"Thalia!" she cried out.

Then, she started screaming, "It hurts! My pup!"

Tumbling down the stairs, her dress was soon stained with blood as her screams tore through the manor.

Damon rushed out from his study and took in the scene with bloodshot eyes. Without hesitation, he lunged forward and slapped me hard across the face.

"Have you lost your fucking mind? How dare you lay hands on her and an unborn pup! You're just a vicious, heartless bitch!"

The Alpha and Luna rushed over after hearing the commotion, while Raven wailed in agony.

Damon raised his claw and slapped me again, roaring, "Father! Mother! Look at her! She's not fit to be the future Luna for the pack!"

Staring straight into Damon's furious eyes, I pointed at the surveillance cameras and said, "The truth speaks for itself, and don't worry. From this moment on, I'm no longer the pack's next Luna.

"I, Thalia Emberwood, accept your rejection, Damon Hale."