Chapter Two- (Reunion)

Kathryn POV

Everything in the room seemed to freeze as her name slipped from my lips. I was trembling with disbelief. My mother was right in front of alive, radiant, and every bit the beautiful healthy woman I remembered from my childhood. She stood in the doorway, her svelte body swaying as if she could not believe her eyes.

As I gazed at my mother's astonished face, a mix of emotions swirled inside me. Joy, relief, and fear fought for dominance.

This was another life, yet the memories of my past still felt like open wounds. The pain of Marcus's betrayal, and the loss of my child was something I could not overcome.

But I had been given a second chance.

My mind reeled with questions. What if nothing changed? I didn't want to relive my past mistakes.

How could I trust anyone again?

My mother's unsure smile broke through my thoughts.

"Kathryn, is that really you?" she asked, her voice trembling.

I nodded, tears welling up.

This reunion should bring happiness, but anxiety gripped me.

Marcus...the mere thought of his name made me boil within.

My heart still ached, but this time, I vowed to protect it.

No more blind love.

No more vulnerability.

This reincarnation brought a chance for redemption and I would not waste it.

Taking a deep breath, I opened my arms to my mother.

“Mom,” I whispered, embracing her tightly.

For now, I would focus on healing and rebuilding.

The past would have to wait.

The scent of lavender that always clung to her robes filled my senses. She was real. This was real.

“You’re awake,” she sobbed into my hair, her hands cupping my cheeks as she pulled back to look at me. “I thought I’d lost you, my darling. You were so close to…” She trailed off, her voice faltering as her eyes scanned my face, searching for something.

“Mom,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. “I’m here. I’m okay now.”

Her hands trembled as she stroked my hair, as though reassuring herself that I wasn’t a dream. “You’ve been in that coma for weeks, Kathryn. We were preparing for the worst. And now…” Her voice broke again, her tears flowing freely.

Before I could respond, another figure appeared in the doorway. My father.

His face was a mask of indifference as his imposing figure filled the room. I felt nothing towards him. Not even hatred. He wasn't worth it.

“She’s awake,” he said bluntly, his voice devoid of emotion. There was no embrace, no concern, just those two curt words.

“Get ready,” he continued, his tone commanding. “Your grandmother has been worried sick, as have the rest of us. She’ll want to see you immediately. Don’t keep her waiting.”

Grandma. I had totally forgotten about her. She was one of the reasons my mother never got accepted into the Keller home. She called her a home breaker but it was my dad, her son who was the evil one.

He had promised my mother marriage, and she being in love with him had believed him, giving him her virginity which led to me being born.

He had to accept her by force.

I nodded silently, watching him as he turned on his heel, already heading toward the door. Not a single question about how I was feeling, or if I even had the strength to leave the bed.

As the door shut behind him, my mother turned back to me, a flicker of guilt in her eyes. “You know how he is, Kathryn. He’s just…concerned in his own way.”

Concerned? I almost laughed at the words. He had never shown concern in the last two decades and I was well aware about it.

Minutes later, I found myself walking down the grand hallway of the Keller mansion, my mother’s arm linked with mine.

We reached the drawing room, where my grandmother, the matriarch of the Keller family, sat in her golden armchair, looking imposing as ever. I took in her familiar silver hair was pulled back a tight bun and smiled. I really had been reborn.

Her hawk-like eyes marrowed as they fell on me.

“Kathryn,” she said in a cold voice. “So, the sleeping beauty finally awakens.”

I bowed my head respectfully, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes. “Grandmother,” I said politely.

Her lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You’ve kept us all waiting for far too long. I trust you’re ready to resume your place in this family, even after your… extended absence.”

I knew better than to fall for her bait. “Yes, Grandmother,” I replied evenly, my eyes catching the painting she was working on.

“You’ll need to regain your composure quickly, Kathryn. A Keller woman must always be poised, no matter the circumstances.” She yapped on

I forced a smile, ignoring the bitterness in her words. “Of course, Grandmother. I’ll do my best.”

Her gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before she waved her hand dismissively. “Good. Now sit. We have much to discuss. Your absence has caused some… complications that need resolving.”

I took a seat, my mother beside me, her hand resting protectively on mine.

The room fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by the sudden, frantic footsteps of a messenger bursting through the door. He was breathing hard and his face wale place with sweat.

“Lady Matriach! A procession of carriages and chariots approaches the estate,” he announced, his voice trembling. “They bear the royal crest.”

The blood drained from my grandmother’s face as she shot to her feet, her regal composure slipping for a fleeting moment. “The royal palace?” she repeated, her tone sharp and louder than normal.

“Yes, my lady,” the messenger confirmed. “It appears to be an envoy from the royal family.”

I glanced at my mother, who looked just as bewildered as I felt. Royal carriages? Why would they come here of all places? As I stared at the scene thinking, a memory sparked in the back of my mind. A memory from my past life.

This was the day.

The day Marcus, my mate and the Alpha who betrayed me, came to formally ask for my hand in marriage.

My chest tightened, the mere thought of him stirring a storm of emotions. Anger. Pain. Betrayal. This was the moment when everything had begun to spiral out of control in my previous life.

“Prepare the concil hall for their arrival!” my grandmother barked, her voice snapping me back to the present. Her commanding presence returned as she turned to me, her expression unreadable. “Kathryn, straighten yourself up. We must make an impression.”

She paused, her sharp eyes narrowing. “And smile. No one wants to see a sour-faced girl when royalty comes calling.”

I swallowed hard, my hands trembling slightly. The sound of hooves pounding against the cobblestones outside grew louder, the distant clatter of chariots signaling the arrival of Marcus and his entourage.

My heart thundered in my chest.

This was my second chance, and I wouldn’t let him or anyone else control my fate this time.