3 Reborn in Red

Aira Valerius.

My lungs dragged in air, thick and perfumed with roses, and for a moment, I wondered if death smelled like bridal powder and hair spray. It probably doesn't, right?

My eyes peeled open as I inhaled another sharp breath, and I expected to wake up in oblivion, the pain of my death still fresh, but instead, I found myself staring at my reflection in the mirror.

I blinked once. Twice.

My eyes shifted downwards, my hands were clean. My dress was crisp perfect as it was when I first wore it. My heartbeat was steady; and that terrified me most of all.

My lips parted, and a shaky breath escaped my lips as I felt the world spin. Behind me, the stylist stood, coveniently placing that final pin to complete the look, and I found myself frozen in the spot.

Then my mother's voice came, familiar, repeating the exact words that ran through my head.

"You look absolutely stunning, my dear." She had cooed from beside me, exactly as she did before. "I cannot believe the day is here. You would be Alpha Rico's Luna after years of being engaged and being the Luna-in-training." She then reached out her handkerchief to wipe the tears in the corner of her eyes, and my heart stopped momentarily.

To say I was shocked would be an understatement.

Wasn't I dead?

I could still remember everything vividly, everything that transpired down to the moment I took my last breath.

I had zoned out then, but I could still hear my mother's voice in the background, and everything felt exactly the same.

Then, it dawned on me suddenly.

It could not be...could it?

No. I have heard of it before, but it were all just myths, hearsays with no concrete background.

I blinked and glanced at mother, just in time she said the words that ringed in my head, word-for-word, just as it had happened before.

"You are good for him, Aira. You are good for the pack." She added with certainty.

And just like the other time, I nodded, the my voice low as the response escaped my lips. "I know, Mom. I know." Now, my words held a different meaning, and that well practised smile was nowhere to be seen.

She did not seem to notice--everything going the same as the older course of time. "Good. Now, I need to head back out to entertain the guests before you come out." She made a move to leave, but stopped midway, and turned to look at me. "By the way, have you seen your sister? I have not seen her anywhere around here." Her brows knit, her lips forming a frown.

"No." I swallowed a bitter lump at the thought of my 'sister', and what flashed right before my eyes was her in bed with my fiancee, and watching her as I took my dying breath while she stood over me, holding onto the knife she used to kill me. "But I can help you look for her." I added cautiously, the words escaping my lips before I could even think of saying otherwise.

"No, do not worry about that. I would find her." Mom shook her head, dismissing it. "You are the bride, you should not be seen around until the ceremony. Just wait here. I will go look for her."

"Okay.." I watched as she exited the room, and before the door closed, I quickly turned around, my hand curled by my side, "Mom." I called out, trying to see if this would play differently.

A second passed, and I almost thought my word fell on deaf ears since it did not go with the timeline.

But she stopped, and then she turned to look at me, "Yes, dear?"

I exhaled a breath, my heart rate spiking. Forcing a smile on my face to mask my earlier expression, I then added. "Maybe check down the halls?" I said intentionally. "I think I saw her venture down that path."

Mom's brows drew in, but she nodded. "Alright, dear. I will go look for her now." And then she stepped out, the voices calling for her just like before but she excused herself, unlike back then, and from where I sat, I watched as she turned and made her way down the hall that would take her to the room where Rico and Lisa were.

With her gone, I exhaled a shaky breath, and got on my feet, cautiously making my way over to the full length mirror in the corner of the room, and I stared at my reflection. Everything was exactly the same as it was, and I knew right then that what I was trying to deny was indeed true.

I have been reborn. The heavens are on my side it appears.

My hands curled around the bouquet, and my teeth gritted as I stared at myself in the mirror--my eyes haunted and determined to make a different choice this time around. A tear escaped the corner of my eyes at the thought, but I was quick to wipe it harshly with my free hand. They do not deserve my tears.

I refuse to end up with the same cruel fate.

It was then that something caught my attention, and when I turned my head to the side, I could see it clearly. Right behind my ear, a bit downwards, I saw something that was not on my body before--moon tattoo sort of, half white, and half red. I reached out my hand to touch it, and it was as real as it could be.

For now, none of this was making any sense, but until I figure out a way to take charge of my faith, my mind would not be at ease.

A scoff escaped my lips as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, the white dress staring back at me cruelly.

Funny how my wedding day turned out to be my death day. Only, if I had known, I would not have worn white.

Staring at my reflection a second longer, I turned around and made my way out of the room, determined to make the very first change--getting away from this goddamned wedding.

I threw the bouquet away as I walked past the door.

Let the dress I died in be my armor, the bouquet my last offering. this time, I walk away before the blood spills.