Not in This Lifetime, Alpha

"Choose one of my sons," the Alpha commanded.

My choice would crown the next Alpha of the Grimwood Pack.

I chose Blaze, the ruthless one, the monster everyone fears.

The room went dead silent. Everyone expected me to choose his brother, Draven.

The golden boy I’d once loved so foolishly.

In my previous life, I did choose Draven.

When I was pregnant with his pup, he paraded his mistress in front of me.

He performed a ritual to sever our bond.

It killed our pup and then killed me.

This time, I'm going to enjoy watching my Alpha tear my old one apart.

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1

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

In my last life, I chose Draven. Big mistake. He shattered my soul.

This time? I chose Blaze—the cold, ruthless, brutal one.

What I didn't expect? Draven came back, too.

I had just stepped out of the penthouse office and was crossing the corporate lobby when I saw him. Draven, holding court, surrounded by a fawning crowd of employees.

A stack of papers—the very contract he was holding—scattered across the polished floor, landing just shy of my heels.

He didn't even look up. "Pick them up," he commanded.

The surrounding employees froze, their eyes fixed on me, waiting for the show to begin.

I knew this game. In my last life, he treated me like his damn personal assistant.

I didn't move. I just planted my heels on the floor and said calmly, "You dropped them. You pick them up."

The lobby fell dead silent. Even the hum of the central air seemed to die.

Draven’s head snapped up, his eyes flashing with anger. "What did you just say?"

Someone let out a low whistle. "Damn, Lyris. Switching up your game? Weren't you practically glued to him two days ago? Pulling rank now that you're lead designer?"

Another person chimed in, louder. "You used to be his shadow, clinging to his every move. You think your dead father would be proud of you acting like this?"

Before I could retort, the sound of soft footsteps broke the tension.

Rowan limped over, a bandage stark white against her ankle, her business skirt rustling with each pained step. She knelt, biting her lip, her hand trembling as she reached for the papers. A cold sweat slicked her skin.

Draven’s gaze immediately shifted to her. He grabbed her wrist, panic lacing his voice. "I told you to rest. Who told you to come here?"

He turned to me, his eyes burning. "Look at Rowan! She's helping me even with a sprained ankle. And you? Just standing there like a spoiled princess? Absolutely useless."

Then came the taunt. "You just came from my father's office, didn't you? What was it this time—playing the victim card again? Going on about how your father took a cursed blow for him? Begging to be my mate?"

He sneered. "You're pathetic, Lyris. Always guilting people. Always pulling stunts. You’ve tried every trick in the book to trap me."

I gripped the strap of my purse, my voice devoid of emotion. "I said nothing of the sort. The Alpha summoned me. He's officiating my coming-of-age ceremony personally."

The air crackled.

"The Alpha is officiating her ceremony?"

The employees crowded around Draven, their voices dripping with flattery.

"Congratulations, sir! If the Alpha is officiating her ceremony, he must be letting you succeed him!"

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

Draven lifted his chin, his smugness barely masking his fury. Then his gaze snapped back to me. "But let's get something straight. If we do bond, you stay out of my working relationship with Rowan. Know your place. Or else…"

He paused, his eyes darkening. "I won't hesitate to sever the bond. Not unless you want to lose your mark again."

My chest tightened.

What the hell did that mean?

Does he… remember, too?

He helped Rowan up and walked away without a second glance. The whispers started instantly.

Followed by laughter.

I watched their retreating backs and then let out a small, mirthless laugh of my own.

Perfect.

I wasn't planning on bonding with you anyway.