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At eighteen, I had to choose—one of Alpha Theron Moonfang's sons as my mate.

Last life, I chose Kain. Big mistake. He tore me apart.

This time? I picked Cayce—the cold-blooded, brutal one.

What I didn't expect? Kain came back too.

***

I'd barely stepped out of the council hall, crossing the training grounds, when I spotted him—Kain, mid-spar, surrounded by wolves.

A glint of silver—his curved blade slipped and hit the ground with a sharp clang, landing three feet from my boots.

He didn't even glance up. Just barked, "Pick it up."

The wolves froze. Eyes locked on me, waiting for a show.

I knew this game. Last life, he treated me like his damn servant.

I didn't move. Just dug my heel into the gravel and said flatly, "You dropped it. You pick it up."

The training ground went dead quiet. Even the wind cut out.

Kain's head jerked up, eyes lit with rage. "What did you just say?"

Someone let out a low whistle. "Damn, Eve. Switching tactics? Weren't you all over him like two days ago? Now you're acting royal?"

Another chimed in, louder. "Girl, you were his simp. Clinging to him all the time. You think your dead daddy's proud of this act?"

Before I could fire back, soft footsteps cut through the tension.

Lena limped in, leather skirt brushing her knees, blood staining one pant leg. She crouched, lip caught between her teeth, hand shaking as she grabbed the blade. Cold sweat clung to her skin.

Kain's eyes snapped to her. He grabbed her wrist, panic leaking through his voice. "I told you to rest. Who said you could be out here?"

He turned on me, eyes blazing. "Look at Lena! She's hurt and still helps me. And you? Just standing there like a spoiled brat? No sense of duty."

Then the scoff hit. "You just crawled out of my father's office, didn't you? What now—pulling the pity card again? Playing up that story about your dad taking a blade for him? Begging to be my mate?"

He sneered. "You're pathetic, Eve. Always guilt-tripping. Always scheming. You've tried every trick to lock me down."

I clenched my sleeves, voice flat. "Didn't say a word. The Alpha called me—he's hosting my coming-of-age ceremony himself."

The air snapped like a whip.

"The Alpha's hosting her ceremony?"

Wolves swarmed Kain, voices full of flattery. "Congrats, man! If the Alpha's hosting her ceremony, he's lining you up to take over!"

"Don't forget us when you're Alpha!"

Kain lifted his chin, smug creeping in under the scowl. Then his eyes cut back to me. "Still, let's be clear. If we do end up bonded, stay outta my business with Lena. Know your place. Or..."

He paused, eyes going dark. "I won't be your mate. Unless you want a repeat of last time."

My chest seized.

What the hell did that mean?

Did he—remember too?

He scooped Lena into his arms and walked off, not even glancing back. The whispers hit fast. Then the laughter.

I stared after them, then let out a quiet laugh of my own.

Perfect.

Wasn't planning to bond with you anyway.