สตรีแสนดีผู้นั้น ได้ตายไปแล้ว

The moment the Moon Goddess’ words faded, white light burst across my vision.

I shut my eyes. Then Oscar's voice came, sharp.

"Aria. Don't think trapping me into being your mate will make me love you. Know your place."

My eyes flew open.

He was right in front of me.

Not a corpse. Not stiff and cold. Alive.

"Oscar—"

The tears came before I could stop them. I threw myself at him.

He froze. Then shoved me back, his face flushing with anger.

"Don't touch me. Have you no shame?"

In my last life, after Catherine died, Oscar shut down. Year after year. I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen him angry like this.

Let him hate me. He was twenty again. High-spirited. Alive. Still Oscar.

The thought made my throat ache.

But the rush of seeing him faded. I hadn't forgotten what I'd come back to do.

I forced my voice steady.

"Oscar. You don't want me as your mate because there's already someone else. You're in love with Catherine."

His face stiffened—just for a flicker—then hardened.

"So what? The marking ceremony is tomorrow. Bit late to back out."

I smiled. The pain in my chest was almost unbearable.

"You can."

He scoffed. "I don't have time for whatever game this is. Tomorrow we keep it simple. Handle the rest yourself."

"Fill out the application. Bring it out. I'll wait."

He turned and walked out.

I watched him go, and the smile slid off my face.

Oscar and I had grown up together. He was the Alpha's son. I was the Beta's daughter.

The pack elders had pinned all their hopes on us. We trained side by side under brutal discipline, leaning on each other through years of hardship—because that was what was expected of us.

I loved him before I even knew what love was.

He'd risked his life to save me. So I assumed he loved me back.

That was why, when I learned I was his fated mate, I was over the moon.

But Oscar wasn't happy at all. That was when I finally understood—he didn't love me. But I still refused to let go.

Then came the night of the ceremony. Catherine ran out, lost control somewhere in the woods, and was killed by rogue wolves.

Watching Oscar after her death—watching him grow numb and cold, day after day—I finally understood. There had been someone else all along.

By then it was too late.

But I was here again. And this time, I wouldn't let it happen.

This time, I just wanted him to have real happiness. To live. To grow old.

Even if it meant I'd be alone for the rest of mine.

I lowered my head and wrote Catherine's name on the marking ceremony application.

Once tomorrow's ceremony went ahead, Task One would be done.

I handed him the form. He started to flip it open, but I stopped him.

I gave him a gentle look. "Read it tomorrow. There's a surprise inside."

He frowned, just slightly.

"You're acting strange. Becoming my mate has you that out of your mind?"

I didn't deny it. I nodded.

"I'm happy."

Happy to see you again.

He wasn't used to me being direct. He stared, then huffed.

I used to feel inferior because I loved him deeply. Yet the more insecure I was inside, the more I hid behind a cold, arrogant exterior, never once speaking such gentle, tender words.

Looking back, I couldn't blame him. I'd come on too sharp, too proud. Of course he'd been drawn to a girl like Catherine—soft, gentle, easy to love.

A couple walked past, laughing.

"They say tonight's a once-in-a-century supermoon. The Moon Goddess will bless Moonlight Vale. Pray together under the full moon and you'll grow old side by side. Honey, let's go."

I stopped in my tracks.