Yakamoz
Cassian Wolfe, a candidate for pack Alpha, has an adopted younger sister named Daphne Wolfe who suffers from severe separation anxiety.
She's always gentle and well-behaved in front of others and only seems to lose her composure when she sees me approaching Cassian.
On the day of my bonding ceremony with Cassian, she breaks my Moon Goddess' crown. She even snatches away the mate ring that symbolizes my status as the pack Luna.
Cassian hugs me and leans down to nuzzle against my neck.
He says, "Daphne's just experiencing separation anxiety again. You'll be my Luna soon, so show a little more magnanimity.
"Our bonding ceremony doesn't need to be constrained by formalities. It's just a crown. I'll give you even better things in the future."
Thinking of the pup growing in my belly, I ultimately drop the issue and proceed with the bonding ceremony as usual.
Yet, just before I go into labor, Daphne secretly slips wolfsbane into my tocolytics.
Once the toxins take effect, my wolf falls into a deep slumber, and my body loses its self-healing ability.
The healer tells me that only Cassian's blood is capable of suppressing the toxins.
Cassian insists on soothing Daphne first since she's kicking up a crying fuss outside the door.
I grab his hand and beg him not to leave.
In response, he pries my fingers apart and replies impatiently, "You'll be fine with the healer looking after you. I'll be right back after pacifying Daphne."
However, I don't have the luxury of waiting for his return.
My soon-to-be-born pup and I die in the healer's hut together.
When I next open my eyes, I've returned to the day of the bonding ceremony, and my unborn pup is still alive.
Daphne has just shattered my crown, and everyone is waiting for me to back down like I did in my previous life.
This time, I call off the bonding ceremony.
I still want my pup, but I can do without a fated mate who will always prioritize Daphne over me.