Reborn to Bite Back

I took the bowl, sniffed deep. "Huh. Smells like there's... something extra in it."

James flinched. Covered fast. "What? That's ridiculous. My mom made it herself. She'd never hurt you."

I sneered. "Camilla?"

His brow twitched. "What's with that tone?"

I blew on the steam, voice flat. "She's always hated that I outshined your bloodline. Said I wasn't soft enough. Let's be real—she'd throw a party if you marked Emily instead."

His face went stiff. Yeah, he remembered how his mom really was.

Camilla always said Emily was the "real" Luna. Her family died saving James, and she basically grew up in his shadow. That bond? Deep.

Even with Emily knocked-up and unclaimed, Camilla still treated her like pack royalty.

Guess she assumed whatever was growing in Emily's belly had to be James's.

And James knew it.

He scrambled for an excuse. "Avril, my mom actually likes you. She's just... not great at showing it. Hasn't she been better since you got pregnant?"

I laughed.

Better?

Making daily tonics for Emily while ignoring me when I asked for water?

I said nothing.

He dropped his voice. "This tonic's legit. She got the recipe from the healer. Just drink it, okay? Don't waste her good intentions."

I put on my best touched expression. Under his eager stare, I lifted the bowl—and downed it in one go.

James let out a relieved sigh, took the bowl, and wiped the corner of my mouth. "That's more like it."

For a second, I thought I saw guilt flash in his eyes.

Maybe.

Or maybe I just wanted to believe he still had a soul.

The second he left, I bolted to the bathroom and threw up every drop I hadn't already blocked. Potion or not, I wasn't taking chances.

Less than thirty minutes later, I started groaning loud enough to shake the walls.

"James! It hurts—my belly!"

Almost instantly, Emily's voice rang out from the next room. "James! I—I think I'm in labor too!"

Perfect timing.

James hadn't expected the drug to kick in so fast. His face twisted—panic and excitement all tangled up.

"James... it hurts so bad..."

He kept whispering sweet nothings, too wrapped up in her to notice how calm I was.

At the clinic, he rushed Emily into the best birthing suite, then shoved me toward a nurse without looking back.

"You go to the room at the back. I'll be there soon!"

The second I walked in, I knew her.

Martha.

Same healer from before. The one James bribed in my last life. Swapped my newborn for Emily's and swore up and down that mutt was mine.

"Luna, don't worry," she said, all sugar, stepping in close. "I'll take good care of you and your pup."

I sat up fast and grabbed her hand mid-reach. "Martha, didn't your two pups go train on Nightmaw Mountain last month? Still not back, right? Pretty dangerous terrain. Good thing my pack—Silverlune Pack—patrols that area. But if something DID happen... and the patrol just MISSED it... what then?"

She froze. Whole body shaking.

Her kids—her one soft spot.

I let go, calm again. Lay back. "Let's make a deal."

Hours later, the door creaked open.

James slipped in, thinking I was asleep, arms cradling a swaddled bundle.

He made a beeline for the crib—ready to pull the switch.

I opened my eyes. "Hey babe, what exactly do you think you're doing?"