After I Died, My Mate Chose the Murderer

Elara POV

After my parents' death, I was taken in by Ryland's family.

Back then, Ryland had been more than just a friend to me. He was like an older brother to me, always there when I needed him comforting me when I had nightmares and caring for me. As pups, he even gave me his most prized possession—a hand-carved wolf figurine his father had made for him. I cherished it, the way he cherished me.

Later, when Ryland’s father, the former Alpha – Gregory Ashford was killed in an inter-pack rival dispute, the two of us were left to rely on each other. While Ryland was thrust into the leadership of the Crescent Moon Pack far too soon.

When I had first gotten my wolf and had struggled with my first transformation during a full moon, feverish and calling out for my parents in my delirium, Liam stayed by my side day and night, helping me through the painful process never leaving until I finally transformed. He was my rock, my protector. But things were different now.

It all changed when Selene, his first love, entered our lives. She was breathtaking, a high-ranking she-wolf from another pack, and suddenly, I became invisible to Ryland. The bond we’d shared for twenty years was severed in an instant.

As soon as Selene moved into the packhouse, she fell ill. She couldn’t breathe, gasping for air as her wolf fought to heal her. The healers had said she was suffering from a severe reaction to the flowers and herbs I kept and nurtured in the packhouse garden.

Ryland immediately blamed me and my obsession with flowers. He said I’d been reckless, that I’d endangered Selene’s life on purpose. No matter how many times I explained that it was a mistake and that I hadn’t meant any harm, he wouldn’t listen. He was convinced I had caused Selene to fall sick.

I couldn't understand how twenty years of pack loyalty and trust could shatter instantly because of someone he had just reunited with.

Twenty years of affection and trust—gone. All because of her.

We had been planning to have our Joining Ceremony at the end of the year. We’d already started preparing. I’d even begun looking for a dress, thinking of the day Ryland would claim me as his mate. But after that incident with Selene, he never mentioned it again. The plans were forgotten as easily as I had been.

The last time I saw Ryland in person was when I went to the seamstress to try on my ceremonial gown. He didn’t come, saying he was too busy with pack business. I should have known then that things would never be the same.

Now, here he was, standing over my body in the pack’s lab. His expression was cold, and distant, as though I were a stranger to him.

"Check under her fingernails for DNA," Ryland said, placing my hands in a silver-lined bag and sending them to the lab. I wanted to scream at him. "There is! There is! I left evidence behind!" But no matter how many times I appeared in front of him, he passed right through me.

I floated there helplessly, tears sliding down my ghostly cheeks. I had always believed death would bring peace, but I was wrong. Even in death, I could still feel pain, sadness, and heartbreak.

“Keep an eye on any reports of missing wolves, especially females,” Ryland instructed Beta Ethan “We need to figure out who she was.”

“Alpha, the blood samples are already on their way to the neighbouring pack lab,” Ethan replied. “They’ve got better and more advanced machines than we do. Results should be back in two days.”

Ryland nodded, running a hand through his dishevelled hair. “Let me know when the results come in. I have other matters to attend to. I have to go now.”

With that, he removed his uniform jacket and stormed out of the pack lab, rushing into the pouring rain as he headed toward the healer’s quarters where Selene was recovering.

I followed him, my ethereal form drifting behind like a shadow.

“Alpha Ryland,” A voice called out from across the field. It was Rose, the pack’s head healer, she was walking towards him, holding an umbrella. “Have you heard from Elara? Most of our herb supply in the pack hospital is running low and she usually brings some over. I even called her some hours ago and she promised to come.”

Ever since Ryland won’t let me grow herbs and flowers at the packhouse, I’ve been keeping a small garden at Rose’s place to help the sick patients. Every week, I make sure to deliver fresh herbs and flowers to the Pack Hospital.

Ryland’s face darkened at the mention of my name. “I don’t know. She hasn’t come to see me.”

Rose frowned, her wrinkled face filled with concern. “Alpha, is everything all right between you two? Did you fight with her? Elara usually answers her calls and I know how much she worries about these patients at the Pack Hospital. Maybe you should give her a call – send her a mindlink or something and just ask.”

Rose was one of the oldest healers in the pack and had watched me and Ryland grow up. She was like a grandmother to both of us.

I had prepared a large batch of Healing flowers and Herbs but I couldn’t deliver it anymore. I could tell Rose could sense something was wrong, not just between me and Ryland but with me even if she didn’t understand what.

Ryland’s expression grew more displeased, but he restrained himself because it was Rose he was speaking to.

“Elara and I have rejected each other,” he said, his voice strained with forced patience. “We’re not together anymore and I don’t want to hear or talk about her.”

“Is this because of Selene?” Rose asked her voice gentle but firm. “Elara told me about her. You know, Ryland, you two…”

“Forget it, Rose!” Ryland interrupted, with a sharp tone. “It doesn’t matter anymore what she said. I have pack business to attend to, goodbye.”

With that, he ran past Rose to a nearby clearing where rare moon flowers grew, the only blooms Selene wasn't allergic to.

I watched him from the corner of the clearing, my heart aching in ways I didn’t know were still possible. He used to bring flowers to me too. But now, all that was left between us was silence and regret.