Reborn to Escape My Mate Who Watched Me Die

The moment Kayla opened the gift box, a green snake shot out with a hiss. Her face went white as a ghost, and she screamed, flinging her hand, but not before it sank its fangs into her. She stumbled, collapsing into Nicholas's arms, her voice weak and trembling as she looked at me with red-rimmed eyes. "Rachel, I respected you so much... Why would you hurt me?"

Nicholas's face darkened. He scooped Kayla up, glaring at me like I was a monster. "Rachel, have you lost your mind? You said you were okay with her!"

"It wasn't me..." I stared, stunned. "I got her a bracelet..."

"Enough!" he snapped, his eyes brimming with disappointment. "You've always been jealous, couldn't stand another she-wolf near me. I'm not surprised you'd pull something like this. I knew your sudden 'understanding' act was fake!"

Without another glance, he stormed off with Kayla in his arms.

I stood there, the guests' shocked and judgmental stares burning into me. I closed my eyes, exhausted. The irony wasn't lost on me. In my last life, my jealousy drove Kayla away, earning Nicholas's undying hatred. This time, I chose to step aside, and yet I was still branded as the jealous villain.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the microphone. "Sorry, everyone. Party's over."

After seeing the guests out, I dragged myself out of the hotel. The night air was cool, but before I could hail a car, darkness swallowed me-a sack yanked over my head.

"Mmph-"

Before I could scream, a brutal kick sent me sprawling. Fists and feet rained down like a storm, pain exploding through every inch of my body. I curled up, shielding my head, but a blow to my stomach stole my breath. A stick cracked against my back, and I choked on the coppery taste of blood.

"Keep going!" a voice growled. "Beat her till she can't stand!"

Another barrage of punches and kicks. Blood pooled beneath me as my vision blurred. Just before I blacked out, I heard one of them make a call, voice low. "Nicholas, it's done."

Nicholas's voice came through, cold and detached. "Good."

Then Kayla's soft, fragile tone. "Isn't this too much? She's still your mate..."

"She didn't hold back when she sent that snake after you," Nicholas said, his voice like ice. "She deserves this."

My body shook, nails digging into the ground. So it was him. Nicholas had sent these wolves to beat me within an inch of my life.

He paused, his tone softening. "Kayla, Rachel's important to me, but so are you. She hurt you, so I made this right. If she tries anything again, I'll make her pay a thousand times over. Stay with me, okay? Don't talk about leaving. I'll protect you. No one will ever hurt you."

The call ended, and the world went silent.

Lying in my own blood, I laughed-a broken, bitter sound. The wolf I'd loved for ten years had thrown me into hell for another she-wolf. As my vision faded, I saw sixteen-year-old Nicholas again, standing in the snow, grinning. "Rachel, you're mine!"

Liar.

It was all lies.