3. Fresh start

Liberty pov

During my trial I learned that my father had secretly added me to the list because he didn’t want to disappoint me. I never thanked him and took it for granted. Overwhelmed by sadness I think back to my bogus trial where this act of love from father to daughter was used as evidence that I was a spy working for my father. 

I swallow. I’ll have to change my tune and put in a lot of work. I want this life to be different. I will work for everything. Guilt washes over me. My laziness and entitlement got them killed.. 

 “Dad.. I thought about what you said before. About having to earn my place and having to pull my weight. Naveah and I talked it through and you’re right. We don’t want to claim a spot on birth right. We want to earn our spot. Will you and Cooper help me get to where I need to be?” 

I’d expected my father to be proud of me, to pat me on the back but instead he says nothing. His jaw drops and then he pulls me into a crushing hug like never before. 

“Liberty, I’ve always loved you but right now you’re making me so proud! I’ll train you so you can close the gap with the others.”

When he holds me at arms length I see so many emotions in his face; pride, relief and happiness. Seeing his emotions I let my tears flow. Even if I fail again in this life at least I’ll know I’ve actually tried and that feeling alone makes me straighten my shoulders. 

Basking in my fathers pride I see my mother sitting at the table. She seems somewhat lonely, so I make eye contact with her and give her a small smile raising my brow.

“Oh honey,” my mother starts, swallowing hard, “you still have a little over three months before you leave for the academy. My little girl is all grown up now.”  

Unsaid is she wants to keep me safe at home near her. That she wants me to be dainty and pretty. She’s always sheltered me. Her love left me ignorant and unprepared in my previous life. Her way of expressing her love made me a vehicle to get to her. Another wave of guilt crashes over me.

“Mom, I’m no longer your little girl. Even if I get a wonderful powerful mate who can provide for me and protect me I want to be independent. I want to be able to take care of myself.” I walk over to her and hug her. We cry in each other's arms. 

“Come on Libby, time to put your money where your mouth is,” Cooper taunts me, knowing full well I’m no match for him. 

Groaning, I follow Cooper to receive my ass kicking. To my happy surprise Cooper takes it easy on me. Going through the basics of attack and defense. During the training I feel determination inside grow. I will not relive my life doing things differently, hoping for a different outcome. I need revenge.

Sweaty, bruised and content with my hard work I walk back home to take a shower. My mind goes back to the memories of my time with Hartley. 

The handsome Hartley, second son of the Lycan King Truett and his chosen mate Samantha. King Truett’s fated mate and mother of the heir to the throne Maverick died shortly after giving birth. 

I remember Maverick being alive when I started at the academy but I only had eyes for Hartley. The memory of discovering that the handsome spare heir Hartley was my fated mate now leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I was so proud when I discovered that I was mated to Hartley. 

I felt I deserved it, being the most beautiful alpha daughter of a powerful wolf pack. It really felt like the Moon Goddess was smiling down on me. This time I need to think of a way to prevent Hartley discovering that I’m his mate. 

Do I want Hartley to be my mate again? Can I live my life differently and have a different outcome? Can I forgive Hartley for what he did? I feel anger rising. No. I can't, I won't. Harltey and I will not be happening this time round.

The betrayal runs too deep. He never loved me, only used me to get my father under his control. When that didn’t work he killed my entire family. Including our young innocent son Blake. Exercising revenge on Harley will also mean never holding Blake in my arms again. Can I live with that? Do I want to live with that?

/We will not be gullible in this life. We will be strong and not hope for a different outcome if we are different. We will have revenge,/ Naveah gives words to the volcano of feelings that has erupted in me. 

/But not only Hartley will feel our wrath. Candy, Viera and Verity will also suffer for their role,/ I feel more resolved than ever before.   

I need to carefully go through my memories to see who else I trusted and I shouldn’t have. Did I snub people who were open and honest because I thought of them below my station? I need to plan my revenge. I need to be smart and work hard. I can do this. I have three months to become competent enough to qualify for the Royal Academy. Having the start of a plan feels good“

Over the past weeks I’ve taken up training after school. Usually I’m alone or there’s a few warriors training as well but generally I’m left alone. We greet each other but nothing else.  

Today when I walk into the sparring area I find the twins Verity and Viera waiting for me. I scan the rest of the area but it’s just the three of us. 

Viera is twirling her long strawberry blond hair around her finger. Verity has her arms folded and stares at me with cold ice blue eyes. Both are pretending to be bored. 

“Hello Liberty, trying to get some extra training in?” Verity asks, her voice dripping with venom. 

“We can help you whip your pretty little body into shape. We’ve been training all our lives,” Verity offers, her tone insincere. 

“That’s so kind of you but I’m fine on my own,” I smile hoping that they’ll leave it at this. 

Of course they don’t let it go. Verity and Viera are looking for a fight, picking on me, challenging me to fight both of them simultaneously. Knowing full well that they would easily beat me, they aren’t looking for a spar or training, they’re looking for a reason to hurt me. 

Anger flares up. Those bitches are now openly taunting me. Verity and I never got along as we both wanted to catch Hartley’s attention. Viera was more interested in Maverick. Before the academy I considered her as a friend. Though that was based solely on the fact that the three of us were ranked members of the pack.  

During my time in prison they both visited me on separate occasions. Detailing how they had been sabotaging me and my father for years. Ultimately leading to the death of my parents and brother. Giving them what they wanted so badly: the alpha position. 

/Is it really that we’re training this life that they’re so hateful?/ I wonder.

/We are more visible in this life than in our previous life. That might make a difference,/ Naveah answers sounding thoughtful. 

/It makes sense that if we behave differently others will do that too. The saying ‘the things you do matter, the things you don’t do matter’ is in existence for a reason,/ I sigh as I feel frustration rise.