When a She-Wolf Reborns, Everyone Pays

Years ago, I saved the alpha with the Heart-Calm Talisman-a relic that pulses with wolfsbane-neutralizing energy-earning his favor as imperial sister.

On my coming-of-age day, he waved atportraits:

"Luanne, choose a mate who'll guard you every moonrise."

I picked Haymanor Luis, my werewolf childhood friend.

But after our mating ceremony, he colluded with rogue lycans to kidnap me, demanding the Talisman for his sister Selene, who suffered from weak heart syndrome-a curse where her wolf's core failed to ignite.

Tied to the pack wall, I felt silver blades slice my legs, my ears-their countdown echoing like silver bells.

"The Talisman's gone!"

I howled, blood pooling on the stones.

"I gave it to the alpha!"

Haymanor's golmanor eyes glowed with scorn:

"Liar, Luanne Smith! Your witchcraft cursed Selene. This is but a taste of her pain."

Darkness claimed me, only to wake back on that fateful day.

The portraits lay before me.

Staring at the candidates, I ignored Haymanor's feral smirk, pointing to Sean's portrait.

The alpha blinked: "But you love Haymanor. Why choose Sean Charles? He's vowed celibacy for a werewolf maimanor he can't mate."

Ah, yes-once, Haymanor saved me at the Moonlit Festival.

I remembered his chest's warmth.

But in my past life, he'd watched lycans flay me, sneering: "

You deserve this for cursing Selene."

When I fell from the wall, Sean's howl had shaken the pack-his eyes red as a cornered alpha. That loyalty I craved.

"Sean," I repeated, voice trembling.

As the alpha drafted the decree, a butler burst in:

"Your Majesty! Luis has caused trouble again!"

I smiled coldly.

No doubt for his foster sister.

One day she's "insulted" by a lycan crime lord, the next "harassed" by rogue wolves-always demanding Haymanor's intervention.

Before our mating in the past life, he'd already marked Selene with his scent, treating her like a claimed mate.

How many times had this happened? Too many to count.

I once blocked his path, only to meet his wolf's glare:

"Selene can't fight like you, Luanne Smith. She's weak-nothing like your cursed kind."

His words still stung.

When had the pup who nuzzled my neck under the full moon become this?

No matter-the blood debt from my past life would be repaid in kind.

The alpha noticed my frown.

"Luanne, if you still care for Haymanor, let me arrange your mating. A bond will tame his restlessness."

Tame him?

He'd only leash me to a silver stake.

"No, Brother," I croaked.

"Only Sean Charles."

After the decree sealed our bond, I wandered from the palace, sunlight warming my cheeks-yet tears spilled.

Why did the wolf's heart ache so?

A hand clamped my wrist-Haymanor.

His anger faded at my tears, but I flinched from his touch.

His face darkened: "So this is how you greet your intended? Playing the wounded doe, Luanne-you've always been clever."