Chapter 1

“Julia, your sister Susan and Alpha Aron have decided to get engaged.”

My father, Henry, said in a low voice, as if announcing a business alliance: “You shouldn’t disturb them anymore. You know what this union means to the Silver Claw Pack.”

Lisa sat beside him; her gaze gentle yet distant. “We’ve already booked your ticket to Oslo; take a vocation to clear your mind. After Aron and Susan’s wedding is over, then come back, alright?”

They sat before the fireplace, red wine shivering in their glasses. I stared at them for two seconds—same tone, same indifference.

I had lived this scene before—because I was reborn.

Reborn to the exact point where they forced me to leave, forced me to give up Aron.

Last time, I sobbed and begged them. I explained again and again that Alpha Aron’s scent matched mine, which was the match the Moon Goddess herself had chosen. I begged them to speak the truth, to stop having Susan replace me. But what I received were their indifference—and his aversion.

Mother only said flatly, “Susan is meeker and purer. Her bloodline can stabilize the alliance most.”

Father sneered, “You’re just an out‑of‑control Omega, Julia. Stop making us clean up your mess.”

At that moment, I understood. In their eyes I wasn’t a daughter, only a tool—born to be help Susan.

The Alpha who once held me in the night and promised to make me Luna didn’t even glance at me when I died. Before my death he even told the healer in a dismissive tone, “Is she still acting? Tell her to stop bothering my wedding with Susan.”

That day, my blood was drained away little by little. I watched the livestream on my phone as Alpha Aron placed the oath ring on Susan, made Susan the true Luna, and watched the pack bless them.

Back again in this familiar living room, I suddenly found it funny.

Last time I kneeled and begged them. This time, I wouldn’t.

I smiled; my voice coolly. “Alright. I’ll go.”

Henry’s brow lifted, as if he hadn’t heard me. Lisa’s eyes flickered. “You… truly are willing to go?”

“Why not?” I tilted my head. “I’m your trouble, aren’t I?”

They traded a look of relief that almost made me laugh out. They didn’t know I was no longer the girl who knelt and begged. What they saw was an obedient Julia; what they didn’t know was—I remembered how everything ended.

“Half a month from now,” Henry kept reminding, “start packing. Don’t stir up trouble.”

I said nothing, turned, and went upstairs. They thought I’d given in. But this time, I would make each of them regret it.

My phone buzzed. A familiar name—Alpha Aron.

[Come to my house at nine tonight.]

My fingertips trembled. This text—I knew it too well. Last time I saw it, I ran there crying, thinking he would listen at last, thinking he’d finally remembered who saved him in the dark forest that night.

The truth—he only wanted me to watch him sleep with Susan.

Night wind cut like a knife, yet the air inside his room was sweet and cloying.

On the sofa, Alpha Aron and Susan were closely entangled. Susan gasped when she saw me, while he left fresh bites at her neck and murmured, “Don’t be afraid. I invited her on purpose. Let her see it clearly—she should stop fantasizing about me.”

He didn’t stop. He dropped another kiss on her collarbone. “Now she’ll give up,” he added, almost delighted. “After all, the one who nearly killed me in the dark forest back then was her.”

I stood at the door, fingers numb, blood flowing backward inside me. He had never even tried to learn the truth. He hadn’t even questioned anything.

I let out a laugh, my voice rough. “So that’s how it is.”

He finally looked up, pulled on a shirt, and turned to ice. “Have you seen clearly? I only like her. Don’t show me your pathetic behavior again. An Alpha and Luna’s wedding does not welcome people like you to cause trouble.”

I met his eyes and answered evenly, “I’ve seen—and I understand.”

He hesitated, disturbed by my calm. A second later, he tossed me an invitation. “Next month’s wedding. I hope you’ll come.”

I caught it. “Of course.”

He frowned, as if he didn’t recognize me. I left. The night wind was a blade. Footsteps followed—Susan came after me.

“Julia,” she smiled, voice sugar‑sweet and barbed, “even now you can’t let go?”

I turned back. “Take it easy. Those things—I let them go a long time ago.”

She was about to retort when a glare of headlights cut across us.

“Aron!”

He burst from the house, swept Susan into his arms, and lunged aside.

Bang! The air ripped open, and something slammed me to the ground. The blood moon spun overhead, pulsing in waves. In a blur I saw him shielding her, voice low: “It’s alright. Don’t be afraid.”

Pain exploded through my skull. Warm blood slid over my brow and drowned my sight. I watched them clinging to each other and smiled.

The one who saved him had long been forgotten. And I—at last—could let go completely.

I smiled again. Darkness snapped shut. And then there was nothing.