Setting a trap

Rivenna's POV

***

All eyes were on me when I stepped in.

Most of them were probably wondering how I would embarrass myself trying to earn Beta Wren's attention.

But I would do no such thing in this life.

I didn't wander after him like a lost pup. Instead, I drew the room's attention to me as bodies began to swarm in my direction, greeting and bowing.

"You look exquisite, Rivenna," one of the deltas said, and I gave him a polite smile — just as the crowd parted and Wren came into view.

The love of my life. The man I would have given everything for, would have sacrificed my own wellbeing for him without a second thought.

His brown hair and brown eyes, that fitting yet curt smile paired with his arrogant air — I could see it plainly now. He prided himself on being the man my affections had fallen upon.

"Hello, little birdie," he said with a smile, taking my hand in his. Before, I would have found it endearing. Now, knowing the truth, it was a quiet insult — a reminder of exactly how little I had meant to him.

"Alpha Conwood," I said, my voice cool and measured. It caught him off guard. He blinked at me as though seeing someone new.

"Seems the choosing has you all spicy this morning, love," he said — and just then, something shifted in his eyes, a spark replacing the usual dullness, as the doors behind us opened.

The live orchestra fell silent. Every head turned.

A woman walked in wearing a white, torn dress with claw marks across her shoulders. Her dirty blonde hair drew attention as her blue-ivory eyes brimmed with unshed tears.

Briadyn.

This was how she had arrived in my past life too — like a storm breaking through a moment of peace, commanding sympathy from everyone in the room. Just like now.

I watched Wren's expression shift before he rushed to her side.

"Bria! What happened? I haven't seen you in months!"

"Is that Briadyn Alders? Wren's first love?" someone whispered, and gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Rogues — they ambushed us. They killed everyone. I am the sole survivor," she began, her eyes burning with tears as she clung to Wren, who lifted her and brought her to my side.

"And what is this?" I said, my tone cold — clearly not what any of them had expected.

Something stirred inside me, urging me to soften, to play the sweet and naive girl, the oblivious Alpha's daughter, until their guard was fully down.

"Please, Rivenna — this is Bria, the childhood friend I have spoken so highly of. She grew up in my small pack before it was destroyed. I am asking for the same refuge for her here," Wren said. Then, with that familiar, self-assured tone: "Do this to make me happy. I know you will."

The same words he had spoken before. In my last life, I had been eager to please him, desperate to stay in his good graces.

But this time, the words that left my mouth shocked even me.

"No. I won't."

A hush fell over the hall. All eyes turned to me. I was almost as surprised as they were — that I had dared say no to Wren, of all people.

Wren, whom I had once loved so completely and so recklessly.

"I can't believe she said no to him," someone whispered.

"To Wren, of all people?" another echoed in disbelief. Wren himself scoffed, staring at me as though I had become a stranger.

"No? Come on, Rivenna — you can't be serious. It's me asking. You have no reason to refuse."

"You told me she eloped with a rogue. What if there are others? What if her coming here poses a risk to the pack members?" I said, and my words earned a ripple of uncertain nods through the crowd.

"The princess has a point."

"What if other rogues try to infiltrate?" another voice added.

What they didn't know was that I was playing the game.

I let tears gather in my eyes. I let fear creep into my expression, stuttering just enough to appear helpless,

the clueless nineteen-year-old with no wolf, no voice, and no right to decide for herself. Exactly as they had always seen me.

All the while, I quietly watched Briadyn, who stood stunned — floored that I had said no.

I could see the wheels turning behind her eyes before she sank to her knees on the floor, one hand pressed to her belly as fresh sobs overtook her.

"I know you may be jealous and weary that Wren and I share a bond, but we are only childhood friends — he has eyes only for you. I know you are not cruel, Rivenna. Please — I am pregnant!"

Gasps tore through the room. The mood shifted instantly, every eye falling on me, the crowd's sympathy overturned in a single breath.

In my past life, I had immediately turned on Wren — accused him, screamed, created a scene until he swore the child wasn't his.

My outburst had made me look hysterical and jealous, and he had used it against me.

This time, I would not make that mistake.

"Then I must set aside our rules about welcoming strangers," I said. "I will inform my brother of my decision.

And of course — you are welcome here. All of Onyx Pack welcomes you," I said, raising her to her feet as the hall erupted in cheers.

"The princess is far too gracious! She did not even question Wren's loyalty — she is an angel!"

"I could never be so forgiving. An unknown woman with a special bond to the man you love, arriving pregnant — I could never!" Another bystander mutters.

"Well done, Rivenna. I knew you wouldn't let me down," Wren said, patting my cheek. Each touch felt like a prickle against my skin now.

"You've earned my favour — especially with the choosing day approaching. You've put me in a fine mood. Let the party continue!" He guided a still-limping Bria out of the hall.

I watched them go — then slipped away from the crowd and followed quietly, keeping enough distance not to be seen.

Wren led her to his chambers in the eastern wing. I stopped just outside the door, pressing myself against the wall as it fell half ajar, their shadows thrown long by the firelight.

Bria sat on the bed, legs crossed, watching Wren pace.

"You should have let me speak to her first!" he said.

Bria rolled her eyes. "I was desperate. What if the plan hadn't worked and she refused to let me stay?"

"It was always going to work. Rivenna would never say no to me — she has been obsessed with me for years. I play her like a fiddle. A little jealousy, and she gives in every time."

"It still worked out in the end, my love," Bria said, rising from the bed and swaying towards him. She rose onto her toes and kissed him, and my chest ached.

There it was. The betrayal I had been too blind to see.

"We are still on track," Bria said against his lips. "And you are certain she chose you in the proposal box?"

"It's either me or the monsters beyond the mountains. Even if they sent her the riches of the world, Rivenna would still choose me."

"We must tread carefully. The choosing is in three days. We make sure everything goes according to plan," Bria said.

She kissed him deeply, and I watched as his hand moved to her belly — their child.

Tears stung my eyes. A heavy, painful lump formed in my throat as I turned and walked away.

It hurt. It felt like a blade through my soul. Some foolish part of me had hoped Wren might be different this time — that perhaps he had changed. He had not changed at all.

I returned to my room and dismissed the rest of the party, turning my mind to what was coming — my choosing and shifting ritual in the next few days.

"Are you alright, my lady?" Olena's voice came softly.

"Never better," I said.

I was clear-headed and ready. The day I chose my forever mate. The day I presented my wolf to the world — the wolf that Bria had poisoned in my last life.

This time, I would not make the same mistake.

---

By the next morning, Bria was at my door, bright, chirpy, and already charming the servants and omegas gathered in my waiting chamber.

"Thank you for welcoming me into your home, my lady. I brought a gift — one of the rarest teas from across the realm. It aids fertility. I do hope you enjoy it with Wren!" she said with a wide smile.

She was mocking me. The tea, I was certain, had been laced with silver mercury.

"She is such a lovely girl, bringing gifts! You won't mind if she joins us for gown browsing, will you, Rivenna?

Especially in those plain clothes, she can't look like this on your big day. Who knows, she might catch an alpha's eye before she starts to show. Think of it as helping a dear sister along," Ava, one of the omegas, added cheerfully.

"Of course she can join us," I said as the racks of gowns were brought into the chamber.

Gasps and delighted murmurs spilled from the omegas' lips as they admired the selection.

In my past life, consumed by guilt over accusing Wren, I had let Bria have the run of everything — and she had repaid me by steering me toward the most unflattering dress on the rack: a garish neon peach that was far too loud and far too ugly.

This time, I was ready to play her at her own game.

I watched as everyone browsed eagerly — Bria's eyes fixed on me all the while, a cup of brewed tea in her hand.

"Oh, this one is simply stunning," I said, feigning breathless admiration for the neon peach dress.

Right on cue, Bria stumbled into me, tipping her cup so the liquid splashed across the lower hem.

"Oh, I am so sorry, Lady Rivenna!" she gasped, drawing a wave of sympathetic murmurs.

"You cannot wear that now. Perhaps I could take it instead.. it is beneath you in this state, and I shall wear it!" she suggested.

I smiled and handed it to her. Her eyes went wide the moment she saw the full design clearly,

the blinding neon that only someone desperate to steal attention would choose.

I smirked quietly to myself. I had her exactly where I wanted her.

Now, the main event — the choosing banquet, just a few hours away.

I could hardly wait.

Though little did I know what was waiting for me.