Tears Of Heaven

The moment the Moon Goddess granted me a second chance, I snapped my eyes open.

"Miss Pemberton, you must be exhausted — did you fall asleep?"

The makeup artist swept a brush lightly across my face.

I shook my head and didn't answer.

The Mating Ceremony started soon after.

The officiant was about to announce the exchange of Bonding Tokens when I caught a figure slipping in through the side door.

Serena Voss. My Alpha mate's witch childhood sweetheart.

She wore a server's uniform, head lowered, carrying a tray draped with red cloth.

My heart lurched. Memories from my past life flooded back like a tide.

The Curse Circle on our anniversary.

The hex when we moved.

And... the eve of the Marking Ceremony, when she wore my ceremonial gown and crawled into Damon's bed.

I stared at her.

She walked up to the officiant with a smile: "The tokens need to be re-wrapped. Let me take care of it."

The officiant didn't suspect a thing and handed over the token box.

I strode over and pressed my hand down on hers: "That won't be necessary."

Serena looked up at me, eyes wide and innocent: "I'm just helping re-wrap them —"

"I said that won't be necessary."

The next second, I snatched the token box and opened it in front of everyone.

A Hex Rune sat quietly inside — dark parchment covered in cursed symbols, impossible to miss.

The entire hall went silent.

Damon frowned and walked over: "What's going on?"

I picked up the Hex Rune, turned to Serena, and said every word clearly: "Serena Voss, care to explain this?"

The innocence on her face instantly turned to hurt. Her eyes reddened and her voice trembled: "I just... I just sensed that your bloodline clashes with Damon's. I was afraid the curse would harm him... I didn't mean anything bad..."

She started crying as she spoke, looking at Damon with those pitiful eyes.

Damon sighed, his tone laced with helplessness: "Serena just cares too much about me. Don't hold it against her."

That line again.

In my past life, every single time, it was that same line.

I smiled, picked up the Hex Rune, and slowly pressed it onto Serena's forehead in front of everyone.

"Then let me help you with that."

"I think the one who needs cleansing is you."

Dead silence.

Serena stood frozen, tear tracks still wet on her face, the rune wobbling on her forehead.

Damon's expression darkened: "What are you doing?"

I looked him in the eye. My voice wasn't loud, but every person in the hall heard it: "Damon, your childhood friend swapped our Bonding Tokens for a Hex Rune at my Mating Ceremony. You don't ask her why she did it, but you ask me what I'm doing?"

Damon had nothing to say.

I turned to Serena and smiled: "Serena, you say Damon and I have a Cursed Bloodline clash. Then go ahead — tell me exactly how we clash."

Serena stammered, tears still flowing: "Last time you and Damon went out for your anniversary, he got into a car accident right after leaving the house. Do you want to get him killed this time too?"

At her words, the guests started whispering: "That's terrifying. Is she really a cursed wolf?"

"I heard her last boyfriend left because of the same curse."

Surrounded by their mockery, my face gradually went pale.

Hearing the crowd, Damon's composure faltered too. He quickly moved to soothe me: "Ivy, Serena's just joking. Let's continue the ceremony, okay?"

If this were my past life, I would've been moved. I would've ignored this mess and gone on with the ceremony.

But the truth was, behind my back, he'd already been in Serena's bed.

I caught the flash of guilt in his eyes.

I yanked my hand free: "No need. We're not right for each other. I'm not going through with this."