Chapter 1

In my last life, I died in the Pack House’s master bedroom.

The curtains were open. Moonlight hit the foot of the bed. But I was cold. So cold. Like I’d been thrown into an arctic cave.

The Pack’s Healer put the last of the healing herbs on my wounds. But my heart was already stopping.

I couldn’t make a sound.

The puncture wounds on my wrist, collarbone, and neck were wrapped in layers of gauze. Wounds from the parasite’s tendrils.

Before I took my last breath, the last thing I saw was the glass case on the nightstand.

The blood-red butterfly stood on its obsidian base. Its beautiful wings glowed with an eerie red light.

Like it was mocking me.

Or maybe just waiting for me to die.

Caleb stood by the bed, his eyes red.

Finn was on the floor, sobbing.

“Cora, just hold on a little longer.”

I actually thought my own brother didn't want me to die.

Then, his eyes darted to the glass case. His voice dropped to a whisper.

“Lilith, is she almost gone?”

My whole body went stiff.

Lilith? What did he mean?

But I didn’t have the strength to open my eyes.

My last breath left me.

My soul floated out of my body. I saw the Healer pull a white sheet over my face.

Caleb finally let out a sob. Finn cried along with him.

They put on a show for a moment.

Then Caleb sent the Healer and the guards away. He locked the door.

Finn instantly wiped away his tears. He ran to the glass case, his face ecstatic.

“Lilith, she’s dead. Can you shift now?”

Inside the case, the butterfly, fat with my blood, began to glow.

A blinding red light exploded from its wings. The strange halo stretched in mid-air.

The blood-red wings melted into a woman’s slender arms.

A naked woman landed on the carpet. She lifted her gorgeous face.

Floating in the air, I stared in shock.

It was Lilith.

My sister. The one who died in a rogue attack five years ago!

It all hit me at once.

She was the first love Caleb kept hidden in his heart. The one he could never forget.

Caleb rushed to her. He pulled her into a desperate, hungry hug. His possessive winter-pine Alpha scent exploded through the room.

“Lilith, I’m sorry you were trapped in that case for so long. Cora’s Healer's blood nourished you well. Your soul is finally whole again.”

Lilith leaned against his broad chest and purred.

“I told you. My dear little sister's inner wolf is the most nourishing.”

She reached out and stroked Finn’s face.

“Finn, did you miss me?”

The teenager threw himself into her arms.

“I missed you like crazy! I waited for you to shift every day. Cora is so stupid. All she can do is heal. Only you deserve to be my sister!”

“I was too weak. That’s why you had to wait so long,” Lilith said, kissing his forehead.

“Cora is nothing. She was never worthy of being Luna. Never worthy of ruling this territory.”

I just floated there. Watching the three of them hold each other.

So my brother, the one I loved with all my heart, knew the truth all along.

He protected that monster not because he was a foolish kid.

He protected it because he knew who was inside. His real Luna. His favorite sister.

My soul trembled. It roared. Then it dissolved into nothing.

But I came back.

Reborn. Right at the end of my engagement party.

“Cora? What’s wrong?”

Caleb’s deep, sexy voice was right next to my ear.

I looked up. He was in a tailored suit, holding that glass case.

Finn stood beside him, his eyes shining with fake anticipation.

“Cora, this is our engagement gift to you! From me and Alpha Caleb! A pure-blood monarch chrysalis. Its life essence will perfectly nourish your inner wolf! You’ll be the most powerful Luna!”

Inside the case, the chrysalis pulsed on its base. The blood-red veins on its shell flashed once.

It was watching me.

Caleb’s hot hand rested on my waist.

“Do you like it, my Mate?”

I lowered my eyes, hiding the chilling coldness inside them.

Last time, I treated it like a holy relic. I fed it with my own blood.

This time?

I reached out, took the glass case, and smiled.

“Of course, I love it. Such a precious gift. I’ll be sure to… enjoy it.”