For the past nine years,I had been secretly involved with Alpha Nick—my cousin Alpha Roger’s best friend. Our relationship was never made public.Because we believed in the power of true love between us. That night,after the Northern Moon Festival in the forested highlands,the Alphas of the pack were gathered around the longfire pit,drinking and sparring.He had a bit of wine,looked at me with that familiar playful curve on his lips,and said,“Leona,I’ll find you someone better.Stop clinging to me,will you?” I answered calmly and obediently,“Alright.” [So you’ve finally let go.] My wolf soul,Aris,murmured deep in my mind,her voice hoarse and firm.[But why do I feel pain instead of relief?] I didn’t respond.Aris was right. In my last life,I had refused his suggestion and insisted on forming a bond with him.But after the ceremony,he had grown distant and cold. Even when I was seven months pregnant and severely injured in a winter patrol across the snow ridges—buried under an avalanche,bleeding out—he had been with the heartbroken Beta selene,listening to ballads sung by bards in the Moonsong Cavern at the border market,completely unaware of the life-or-death struggle of me and our Alpha pup. It was in that moment I truly understood—he might be someone else’s salvation,but he was never my fated mate. When I said“alright,”Alpha Nick froze where he stood.He hadn’t expected me to agree so easily. The shadows of wolves flickered beside the fire pit in the wind.His handsome face was tinged unnaturally red,but his eyes were sharp—clearly not drunk. I sat on the wolfskin rug,composed and poised,my lips curled into a faint smile as I looked at him. At that moment,all his laziness vanished.He straightened up abruptly,his tone serious.“Leona,did you hear what I just said?” I nodded.“I heard you clearly.” [You didn’t cry.] Aris’s voice softened slightly.[That’s not like you.Every time he hurt you before,you’d call me out at night,curl up in a cave corner and cry yourself to sleep.] I replied quietly inside,[I’ve cried enough.] In the past,whenever he said things like this,I would plead,act pitiful,beg him not to walk away.But now,my emotions were still as water,as if I were just an outsider watching someone else’s play unfold. “Leona,you—” He didn’t finish.My cousin,Alpha Roger,had returned,his hunting cloak draped over his shoulders,a familiar smirk on his lips.“Guess who I just saw at the northern watchtower?” He didn’t wait for our response.“I saw your ex-girlfriend.She was drunk and collapsed on the patrol trail.Two warriors carried her to the Moonshade Shelter—” Just before Alpha Nick could dash toward the mountain path,a deep voice rose beside the long ceremonial fire pit—it was Elder Rovan. “Nick,I heard there’s a young girl around you lately?The tribal council wants to confirm whether you’ve already selected a potential mate.” All eyes immediately turned to him. Alpha Nick frowned slightly.His gaze brushed past me,but then he chuckled and said,“It’s a misunderstanding.She’s just Roger’s sister—I see her like a sister.” My hand froze mid-air,crushing the orange segment between my fingers. “I see.”The elder smiled.“Then would you be willing to attend next month’s‘Mate Selection Ceremony’as a candidate?” He nodded.“Of course.” The entire gathering fell into stunned silence. Alpha Roger blinked,turned toward me,about to speak—but I raised a hand to stop him. I stood up,graceful and composed,and said,“Alpha Nick,I wish you the best in your selection.” {You’re still not giving up?}Aris growled low in my mind.{He denied you three times—in front of an elder—just to make it clear.What more proof do you need?} Before he finished,Alpha Nick had already rushed off into the mountain path. Soon,the forest corridors echoed with the sound of snapping branches and low,enraged growls.Someone must have crossed a line.His Alpha instincts had awakened—I knew his eyes must be glowing golden now,a sure sign that the wolf had surfaced. I remained where I was,unfazed,calmly picking up a peeled orange segment from the fruit basket and placing it in my mouth. Alpha Nick liked fruit but hated peeling.It had always been me—carefully removing the skin,placing it before him—only then would he eat a few bites,satisfied. Alpha Roger used to tease me,“You treat him too well.I’ve never seen you do that for me.What,do you like him or something?” Many times,I wanted to tell him the truth about me and Alpha Nick. But Alpha Nick would always beat me to it,ruffling my hair with a chuckle,“Maybe,in Leona’s eyes,I’m her real big brother.What’s wrong with a sister doting on her brother?” Eventually,I understood what he meant.He never wanted anyone to know what we were. So,I chose silence too. For nine years,no one knew the secret between Alpha Nick and me. Aris had warned me many times,deep in my heart: [Do you really believe he’s your mate?You’ve never once felt his wolf soul resonate with yours.You’ve never truly completed a soul merge.] I gave a bitter smile.[I was too stubborn.] Now,Alpha Roger stood at the edge of the mountain path,watching the chaos unfold in the distance. I popped the final orange slice into my mouth and shook my head.“My arms are thin,legs weaker—I’d only get in the way.” Alpha Roger raised an eyebrow,said nothing,and walked off. I stayed in place a long while,until the forest quieted again.Then I rose slowly,making my way north along the Moonshade Corridor. Just as I crossed the stone bridge,I saw Alpha Nick—carefully cradling another woman in his arms. It was his ex-girlfriend,Beta selene. She was dead drunk,her limbs limp as if she had no bones,completely leaning against his chest. Alpha Nick didn’t push her away.Instead,he held her tighter,as if afraid she might slip from his arms. Aris let out a long,heavy sigh inside me. [He chose her.Not you.Do you understand now?]
There was a flicker of something in Alpha Nick’s dark,deep-set eyes—concern,maybe even a trace of anger.Perhaps even he didn’t realize it. Alpha Roger strolled over lazily,raising an eyebrow as he joked,“Leona,you think the two of them might rekindle something?” He didn’t speak loudly,but it was more than enough for Alpha Nick to hear clearly. Alpha Nick abruptly looked up at Roger,then his gaze quickly fell on me.Guilt flashed in his eyes. “I never meant to get back together with her,”he explained in a rush.“She was just drunk…” I gave him a faint smile and shook my head.“Alpha Nick,I understand.Selene really is quite drunk.You should take her home.” [Listen—“she was just drunk.”How familiar.] Aris,my wolf soul,let out a cold laugh,her tone thick with mockery. [Every time he betrays you,he coats it with calm logic.As if your pain only matters when it's inconvenient enough.] I didn’t respond.But Aris was right. In my previous life,I had married Alpha Nick,thinking I had finally won the bond I longed for—thinking the Moon Goddess had blessed us.But there was never peace. At my eighteenth birthday ceremony,standing before the sacred Moonstone Circle,I saw him for the first time.My wolf soul trembled.I thought it was the call of fate. [It wasn’t fate.] Aris’s voice dipped,as though sparing me shame. [That tremble wasn’t joy.It was instinct.I sensed a strong Alpha’s presence,and you twisted that into meaning.] I froze for a beat,then chuckled softly.[You never said that before.] [You wouldn’t have listened.] She huffed,a touch of exasperated anger lacing her tone. On my birthday,I just wanted to spend a quiet day with him during my ritual season.But he said coldly,“Celebrating birthdays is a waste of time.I’m busy.” That same night,Selene’s spirit message appeared—pictures of them camping in the silver fir forests of Northridge. [Do you remember what you told me that night?] Aris asked suddenly. [You said,‘Maybe if I try a little harder,he’ll remember my birthday.’There was still light in your eyes then.] My throat tightened.I had said that. When my stomach ulcer flared up,I asked him to go with me to the Sacred Well Healing Hall.He replied impatiently,“I’m not a healer.Even if I went,I couldn’t cure you.Stop bothering me.” Later,I found out he had taken Selene to a high-ranking pack healer for a mild fever—and even gifted her a custom-forged purification crystal. At seven months pregnant,I was in a car accident.Bleeding heavily,the pack doctors called him to authorize the emergency spell-signature.His response was icy:“Is she dead?If not,don’t call me.” The call hadn’t even ended when I heard Selene’s cheerful voice through the spirit link:“Alpha Nick,the Moonsong Cavern performance was so worth it!The soul-chanting heir finally took the stage!” The connection snapped.Blood surged like wildfire through my body.The silver-etched spellmat beneath me soaked through,turning crimson. Even now,I remember the despair of that moment. [You nearly died that day.Do you even realize that?] Aris’s voice crashed through me like thunder. [I was at the edge of your soul.I felt the silver poison block your transformation path.I thought I’d never see you again.] In my past life,I finally realized—he had only ever seen me as Selene’s substitute. “Alpha Nick,we need to talk.” “What is it?” He looked impatient,and his eyes flicked toward the distance,as if hoping to be anywhere but here. I took a deep breath,forcing down the storm churning inside me. “All these years...everything you did for me—was it just because I reminded you of Selene?” “What nonsense are you talking about?” “Stop pretending!”I suddenly raised my voice,my eyes welling up. “On my birthday,you left me to go find her.When she got sick,you panicked.But when I was bleeding out,you didn’t even flinch!Looking back now,all your tenderness toward me...was just because I reminded you of her!” Alpha Nick turned his face away,silent for a long while before finally speaking. “You do look a lot like her.The way you smile,the way you speak...seeing you brought back memories—of the time I had with her.” His voice was low,tinged with a trace of something like nostalgia. “So my years of love meant nothing to you?It was all just a joke?” My voice trembled as tears finally spilled over. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?Why did you have to hurt me like this?” “What difference would it have made?” He snapped his head back toward me,frustration flashing in his eyes. “Selene was gone.And you—”his tone turned cold—“you were there.You filled the void she left behind.Isn’t that good enough for both of us?” I lowered my head,pressing my hand against my chest.A bitter smile escaped me. That night,Alpha Roger carried me home silently.We crossed through the moon gate just before the curfew bells rang—set by my mother for all unmated females returning to the pack. The next morning,groggy and bleary,I instinctively reached for my communicator crystal—only to find a message from Selene waiting. It was a picture of Alpha Nick sleeping in her home,with a caption: [Alpha Nick spent the night with me.] [Such a bold challenge.] Aris scoffed. [She knows you’re still waiting.That’s why she sent it—to make sure you give up.] I stared at the photo without emotion.I replied with a single word:“Oh.” Then she sent another photo—breakfast. [He made me my favorite heart-shaped pasta today~] Alpha Nick never once set foot in a kitchen with me.He always said an Alpha had no business in a cooking space—it was Omega territory. For him,I learned to cook.I learned lunar diet balance,ceremonial recipes,fire invocation spells.As long as I was home,he never missed a hot meal. But now,seeing him cook for someone else—remember her favorites—I finally understood. I had never been his mate. Only a habit. I glanced briefly at her message.I didn’t reply.Calmly,I continued eating my breakfast. Two minutes later,Alpha Nick sent a spirit message too. He didn’t mention the night before.He simply wrote: [The corn soup you made last time was pretty good.Make another and bring it to the council spire.] [And this time,don’t add onions.]
When I saw the message,my expression darkened slightly. Alpha Nick wasn’t someone who avoided onions.In fact,he’d always said onions enhanced flavor—especially in soup,where they were essential. I hesitated for a moment,then sent a simple reply: [Okay.] Without a second thought,I opened the food delivery app and randomly ordered a corn chowder.I added a note—"no onions"—and had it delivered straight to his office in the Council Tower. That evening,I went out to dinner with Alpha Roger. Just as we arrived at the restaurant,I saw Alpha Nick and Selene walking in,arms linked,laughing sweetly. The moment Alpha Nick saw us,he instinctively let go of her hand and walked toward us. [See that?That wasn’t guilt.It was instinct.] Aris let out a scoffing breath. Selene smiled brightly.“We’re late,and it looks like there are no empty tables left.Mind if we join you?” She hadn’t even finished speaking before Alpha Nick had taken the seat right next to me. Alpha Roger’s eyes went wide.He immediately stood up and yanked him to another spot.“Are you insane?Sitting next to her—does that seem appropriate to you?” Reluctantly,Alpha Nick moved to the seat across from me.His Alpha gaze held shadows,like he was waiting for me to say something. I avoided his eyes,handed the menu to Selene.“Go ahead and order whatever you like.My brother and I already chose ours.” “Leona,your corn soup is amazing—better than anything you can get from restaurants,”she said with a smile. That one line confirmed what I’d suspected:the soup Alpha Nick asked me to make was meant for her. [How does it feel,being used?] Aris said coolly. [Every spoonful you made for him became her badge of victory.] I didn’t reply.I just smiled faintly. Alpha Roger chuckled.“She suddenly wanted to learn how to cook a while back.I thought she’d blow up the kitchen,but she surprised me.Honestly,I keep wondering who the lucky guy will be that gets to eat her food every day.” Alpha Nick had been smiling,but at that moment,the smile disappeared from his face.He slowly sipped his tea,his voice casual but tight:“Leona,are you thinking about dating lately?” I blinked,not immediately understanding why he asked. Remembering what he’d said the other day—"I’ll find you someone better"—I nodded.“I’m twenty-seven.It’s time I started thinking about it.If you know someone suitable,feel free to introduce us.” “You’ve finally come around!”Alpha Roger was more excited than anyone.“I’ve wanted to set you up for ages,but you always refused.Now that you’re open to it,I’ll find you the best.” Alpha Nick’s jaw visibly tightened,his sharp gaze locked on me. Selene,noticing the tension,laughed.“Leona,your brother’s wonderful—I’m jealous.But I actually think Alpha Nick is amazing too.What if—” “Don’t say things like that.Leona is my sister,”Alpha Nick cut her off,frowning. I nodded with a light smile.“Exactly.Alpha Nick is like a big brother to me.Don’t joke like that,Selene.” I paused,then added,“Honestly,I think you and Alpha Nick are a better match.” His expression darkened instantly.A cold laugh slipped out:“Is that so?Then how about I set you up with someone?Would you go meet them?” “Of course,”I said brightly.“Thank you,Alpha Nick.” As we were leaving the restaurant,Selene suddenly stepped in front of me,smiling sweetly as she handed me a black velvet box. “Did you leave this on Alpha’s office desk?He said it might be yours.” I took it with a puzzled expression.When I opened it,inside was the silver double-moon pendant I had custom-made two months ago—the one I had prepared as an anniversary gift for us. Beneath the pendant lay a handwritten note: “Nick,I know you’re not into flashy things,but this design is from the day we first met.You drew it in my palm.I remember.” My face went pale. That note—I had burned it long ago. I looked up sharply.“How did you get this?” Selene feigned innocence.“It was in the second drawer of Alpha Nick’s desk.There was no name on it,so I thought maybe it was mine.The moment I opened it,I thought it was just so pretty—I wanted to try it on.I had no idea you made it.” She gave a light laugh.“Don’t worry,I didn’t take it out…I just snapped a quick photo and shared it in the group chat.” My head buzzed. {She did it on purpose.} Aris growled through gritted teeth.{She wanted you to see it—wanted you to know that even your most private feelings meant nothing to him.} I tightened my grip on the box,my gaze calm as the sea.“Thanks.I’ll remember to put my name on it next time.” I returned alone to the house Alpha Nick and I once shared. As I pulled into the driveway,I spotted his car immediately—parked crookedly,its windows fogged. I quickened my pace.The sound of ragged breathing filtered through the glass—Alpha-level rut breathing.Heavy.Primal. I reached for the door handle,my hand trembling. The moment the door opened,the world stopped spinning. Selene’s head was tilted back,her face painted with satisfaction.Alpha Nick sat beside her,expression void of emotion—as if I didn’t exist. [Now you see it clearly.] Aris growled low in my mind. When they stepped out of the car and fixed their clothes,Selene looked straight at me and smirked. “Sorry,Leona,”she said mockingly.“I’ve always wanted to try it in a car.Alpha Nick was kind enough to help.Still as incredible as ever.” She tossed a crumpled tissue to the ground at my feet.“You should probably clean that up.We made quite a mess.” My cheeks burned with humiliation.My fingertips went numb from the cold in my blood. Alpha Nick’s voice sliced through the silence,detached and cruel.“While you’re at it,go inside and make us dinner.I’m hungry.” [He’s still giving you orders.You’re not his Omega.You were his mate.But he’ll never admit it.] Aris rasped,sharp and firm. I turned without a word,climbed into my car,and drove off. In the days that followed,I didn’t reach out.He didn’t either. But Selene showed up. That day,Alpha Roger and I were both at home. As the door opened,Alpha Roger stepped forward,gripping his Alpha token,and said coldly,“Speak.Now.”
Selene put on a shy little act,glancing at me from the corner of her eye before turning to Alpha Roger. “Alpha Roger,you know Alpha Nick and I grew up together.We've always had feelings,even if we’ve broken up a few times.” “It was impulsive of me to end things last time.But this time,I want to confess seriously.I want us to get back together.Will you help me?” If it were the old me,I might’ve jumped up and said,“Impossible!He’s my Alpha!” But now,I simply smiled—faint,indifferent. I had already survived a marriage without blessing,without bond resonance,without even a whisper from our wolf souls. I knew very clearly—Alpha Nick did care about her.He might not admit it aloud,but there was a primal compatibility between them.Maybe that was what others called being fated mates. [No.] Aris cut in sharply from the depths of my mind. [Fate isn’t about instinct.It isn’t Alpha lust.It’s the merging of spirits,the moonlit link between wolf souls.If you’ve never felt Selene’s wolf,it’s because she doesn’t have the right to stand in that bond.She’s a thief.Not fate.] “Of course,”Alpha Roger said easily.“Come on—who hasn’t noticed Nick still has feelings for you?If you confess,he’s bound to say yes.” The triumphant gleam on Selene’s face was clearly meant for me.She even raised an eyebrow slightly,as if to say,“See?You were never the one.” I remained still.No emotion.Only a strange sense of clarity rising in me. Two days later,Alpha Roger and Nick’s friends organized a dramatic“crisis confession”scene—whitewater rafting in the Northern Highlands. The scenery was beautiful.The river was fierce.The kind of setting where Alphas could show off their strength and protective instincts. I hadn’t planned to go in the water.I can’t swim.But Selene grabbed my arm. “Leona~We’re sisters,aren’t we?Just once!I’m scared to go alone—you wouldn’t let me shiver in the raft by myself,would you~?” [She’s baiting you.] Aris’s voice dropped into a deadly chill. [She knows you can’t swim.She also knows exactly where the deepest bend in the current is.Don’t fool yourself—this isn’t innocence.It’s intent.] The raft surged downstream.Selene clung to Alpha Nick the entire way,her nails digging into his skin like she was trying to brand him with her Alpha’s authority. Alpha Roger,knowing exactly what was happening,stayed beside me and gave my shoulder a friendly pat.“Don’t worry,I’ve got you.” But just as we were nearing the rapids,Selene suddenly turned—and threw herself at me,feigning a loss of balance. I wasn’t ready.The raft jerked violently. Before Alpha Roger could react,I was hurled into the freezing water. As I plunged into the river,I clearly heard her whisper: “Oops.Sorry,Leona.” She did it on purpose. Cold water flooded my nose and throat.I struggled,desperate,unable to stay afloat. I saw Alpha Nick dive in after us.A spark of naive hope flared in my chest. I reached out—maybe he’d see me.Maybe he’d pull me to safety. But I watched,with horrifying clarity,as he swam right past me.Straight toward Selene. Leona.What are you still hoping for? [You saw it,didn’t you?] Aris growled,a snarl scraping across my thoughts. [You are not his first choice.You never were.You were just a convenient Omega—never his Luna.Never his match.Never his fate.] I stopped struggling. Thank the Moon,Alpha Roger dove in and pulled me out in time. I collapsed on the shore,soaked and shaking,gasping for air. Alpha Roger gave my shoulder a gentle pat.“Don’t dwell.The confession scene’s ready.Come on,let’s watch the fun.” I stood up,head still spinning—not just from water,but from that voice,that whisper:“Oops.Sorry,Leona.” Selene wanted to hurt me. She wanted me gone.Out of the way.So she could monopolize every bit of Alpha Nick’s attention.His guilt.His comfort. And I— I had no words. On the lawn,the pack’s friends had arranged a massive heart of flowers,filled with shared memories:handwritten letters,photos,holiday gifts,birthday tokens. Alpha Nick stood in the center,dripping wet,staring blankly at it all. Selene,bouquet in hand,walked toward him,eyes shining with tears. A breeze passed across the lake.The surface rippled—and so did something inside me. [If you turn away now,I won’t blame you.] Aris’s tone had softened. [But if you stay—if you watch this—then do it for yourself.Clap for your own freedom.] People shouted,“Say yes!Be with her!” I clapped too.Loud and bright. “Say yes!Be with her!”I cheered. Alpha Nick turned sharply toward me,shock twisting his face. “Leona,are you insane?Have you forgotten you’re my—” “No,Alpha Nick.” I cut him off gently,clearly. “I,Leona,rejected you,Alpha Nick,as my mate.” “Our bond died the moment you swam past me.”
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