See You Next Life, My Alpha

Bella’s POV

When I opened my eyes again, it was like I wasn’t really there anymore.

I had become a ghost, just floating above the world, watching it all unfold. My body was still lying somewhere in that forest, bloodied from the rogue’s attack, but my soul had drifted away.

Before I could figure out what was happening, a strong wind swept me away from the woods and took me straight to Jacob.

I found him in the waiting area of the pack healer’s clinic, sitting beside Mandy. She looked weak, her head resting on his shoulder, smiling widely. The sight of them made my gut twist. I wanted to scream, but all I could do was watch.

Jacob’s phone rang. The Beta’s voice echoed through the line.

"Hey, where are you and Bella? It’s been hours. Did something happen?"

He didn’t even flinch, no worry in his voice. “No, she’s just throwing a tantrum. You know how she is, always trying to make things about her.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I’m lying somewhere bleeding out, and he thinks I’m throwing a tantrum?

"Anyway," he continued, "I’m with Mandy. She’s… well, she’s going through something more important right now."

I watched, helpless, as Jacob hung up the phone, his face still sour. “Bella’s really full of herself. She thinks just because she’s pregnant with our pup, she can control everything.” His voice dripped with disdain.

Mandy’s lips curled into a small smile, but she put on her “concerned” face, patting his arm gently. “It’s not her fault, Alpha. Don’t get too mad. I shouldn’t have asked you to stay with me.”

Jacob immediately pulled her closer, comforting her like she was fragile. “No, no, Mandy. Bella can’t even compare to you.”

Hearing him say those words, with such coldness, broke something in me. I thought about how I had chased him, how I believed I could make him love me. I was always second to Mandy, even after she left him. I knew it, but I always hoped he’d change.

And here I was, watching him with the woman who came back who had his heart all along.

Hours passed. Jacob finally took Mandy home, and I followed, my spirit bound to him somehow. His mind wasn’t on me, but on his phone, always checking it for something that never came.

By the time he got back to our house, it was late. He walked inside, irritated by the dark, empty rooms.

“She’s really not here? She’s actually staying out?” he muttered to himself, as if the idea that I could have disappeared was more annoying than worrying. He yanked his shirt off and tossed it onto the couch, clearly frustrated that I hadn’t come crawling back.

Then his phone rang again. This time, I saw something I didn’t expect. A brief flicker of disappointment crossed his face when he saw Mandy’s name. It was quick, gone as soon as it appeared, but I saw it. He wasn’t as happy as he let on.

“Alpha, I need your help with my brother’s case. Someone reported him.”