January 1987, New York Pack Healing Center.

"Ada, do you really not remember what we meant to each other?"

Austin stood in front of me, his tall, muscular frame filling the doorway. His dark hair was neatly combed back, revealing the sharp angles of his jawline that spoke of his status as a warrior in our pack. His piercing gray eyes bore into mine, searching for something I couldn't quite place.

Lying in the healing center bed, I stared blankly at the handsome warrior before me.

"Austin, aren’t you just my neighbor?"

His eyes flickered as he gazed at me for a long moment before speaking slowly.

"That's right, I'm just your neighbor. Take care and get well soon. I'll check on you another day."

With that, he turned and left without a second glance, his commanding presence still lingering in the room. I noticed how even the pack’s healers instinctively made way for him, a sign of the respect due to his rank as a Delta warrior.

Watching his figure fade away, my confused mind slowly cleared. I murmured to myself, "Austin, since you don’t want to mate with me, I'll grant your wish and let you be with Macy."

You see, I've been given a second chance at life.

In my previous life, Austin and I grew up next door to each other in the New York Pack. As we got older, we started dating, and after two years, we were on the brink of mating. After my stay in the healing center, we went through with our planned mating ceremony. Before the marking, Austin promised he would always treat me right.

But soon after the marking, Austin requested a transfer to the Western Pack. He never returned.

I argued and pleaded, but nothing changed. It wasn’t until later that it dawned on me: Austin went so far away because of Macy. He only dated and marked me because Macy had mated someone else, and he thought marking me was just settling.

In this life, I refuse to fall into another loveless bond. I've resolved to free both Austin and myself.

After Austin left and once my healing session was finished, I got out of bed, ready to leave the center. My movements were still a bit stiff, the result of a recent training accident where I’d dislocated my shoulder saving Evelynn from a fall. My wolf stirred within me, a low growl of approval at my determination.

As I stepped out of the room, I spotted my mother, Naomi Price, hurrying toward me, her beta aura faint but noticeable in her worried expression.

"Ada, where are you hurt? Does it hurt? Why are you up so soon?"

I shook my head.

"Mom, the healers gave me a healing potion. I'm feeling better. Let's go home."

Taking her hand, I started toward the exit. The scent of rosemary and sage filled the healing center, a calming aroma used by the healers to soothe patients.

Today happens to be the day my aunt Marie returns home. In my past life, she offered to take me to the London Pack to advance my warrior training, but I declined because I was about to mate with Austin.

This time, I’m going to London. I'm going to train with one of the strongest packs and achieve my dreams!

Passing a room with an open door, I saw Austin carefully helping Macy out. Macy Moreno, a member of the performing arts group within our pack, was as beautiful as ever with her golden hair and delicate features. Her scent of vanilla was faint, but I could smell it mingling with Austin’s natural musk.

Seeing this, my mother’s face immediately darkened, her beta aura flaring slightly in her anger.

Before I could intervene, my mother marched into the room.

"Warrior Marshall, you're about to mate with Ada, yet you're here caring for another female? Is this some kind of betrayal before the marking?"

Macy's eyes instantly filled with tears.

"Beta Price, how can you accuse us so wrongly? Warrior Marshall and I are just friends!"

Austin glanced my way and said to my mother, "Beta Price, you've got it all wrong. Macy was alone, and I was just passing by and offered to help her."

My mother was about to argue more, but I interrupted.

"Mom, you're mistaken. Macy is part of the performing arts group. We’re all packmates here. It’s no big deal if Warrior Marshall helps her out."

I turned to Austin, careful to use his proper title. "Warrior Marshall, I apologize. I'll set things straight with my mom."

With that, I pulled my mother away and left the healing center, the cool night air hitting my face as we stepped outside.

Outside, my mom looked at me, frustration clear in her eyes.

"Ada, why are you such a pushover? They’re treating you terribly, and yet you’re defending her! You and Warrior Marshall are supposed to mate, and instead of looking after you when you were injured, he’s busy with someone else? No! I need to have a word with his family!"

I quickly tried to calm her down.

"Mom, don't think like that. There's no mating or anything. Warrior Marshall and I are simply neighbors. He has no obligation to look after me. Plus, he's a warrior, and my injuries aren’t serious. He’s just being kind."

My mother looked stunned.

"Are you out of your mind? You’ve forgotten you’re supposed to mate with Warrior Marshall?"

Keeping my expression steady, I explained.

"Mom, the healer mentioned a possible blood clot affecting my nerves, causing memory loss. If I don’t remember, then let’s just forget about my bond with Warrior Marshall. I don’t want to mate with someone who's essentially a stranger."

My mother was silent for a long moment, her eyes searching mine. “You and Alpha Austin were mates for two years. You cared for him so deeply back then. How can you just forget that now?”

I forced a small, bittersweet smile. “Maybe it’s the Moon Goddess’s way of telling us we’re not meant to be, so she made me forget.”

My mother sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping. “Let’s head back to the packhouse.”

As we approached, a sleek black SUV was parked outside, and a stylishly dressed woman stood nearby, her aura calm and confident.

“Aunt Marie!” I called out, hurrying toward her.

My aunt turned, her sharp eyes scanning me with concern. “I heard you were injured during training. I was just about to visit you at the healing center. How are you already back?”

I shook my head, trying to downplay it. “I’m fine now. It’s cold out here; let’s go inside.”

The three of us stepped into the warmth of the packhouse. My mother brewed a pot of coffee, the rich scent filling the room, and handed a cup to Aunt Marie.

“Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?” my mother asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and mild reproach.

“I thought you’d be busy with the pack’s duties, so I didn’t mention it,” Aunt Marie replied, sipping her coffee. “Sis, I came back this time to take Ada to the New York Pack. She’s a talented warrior, and the city would be perfect for her to develop her skills. My mentor, Tommy Walker—”

“Absolutely not!” my mother interrupted, her voice sharp. “Ada is about to solidify her mate bond with Alpha Austin. She can’t just leave for New York.”

Aunt Marie raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

I jumped in quickly, “Mom, I’m not solidifying any bond. I want to go to New York with Aunt Marie!”

My mother’s expression darkened. “What are you talking about? If you don’t solidify the bond, what will you do with your future? Just stay here, and once the blood clot in your brain dissipates, you’ll remember everything and bond with Alpha Austin!”

With that, she retrieved a gold bracelet wrapped in blue silk and placed it on the table. It glinted in the light, a symbol of the mate token our families had exchanged.

Aunt Marie quickly stepped in to defuse the tension. “Ada, why don’t you go to your room and rest? We can talk about New York later.”

I reluctantly retreated to my room, my mind swirling. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I glanced at the calendar on the wall, one date circled in red.

January 25th.

It was supposed to be the day Alpha Austin and I would perform the marking ceremony, solidifying our bond.

I picked up a pen and drew a large X over that date. The day I had once anticipated was now one I dreaded.

A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, and Aunt Marie entered. She sat beside me, her hand warm as she took mine. “I spoke with your mom. Maybe staying here is for the best. It’s not easy to find a true mate in this lifetime.”

I glanced back at the crossed-out date on the calendar. “What if he doesn’t truly want me as his mate?”

Aunt Marie paused, her gaze thoughtful. “Then let it go, Ada. Unrequited love is too exhausting, especially in our world.”

After she left, I lay in bed, staring at the moon outside my window until dawn broke.

---

The next morning, I waited for my mother to leave for her pack duties before taking the mate token bracelet and heading next door to Alpha Austin’s house.

He was in his uniform, washing up after a morning patrol. His broad shoulders and sharp jawline were as striking as ever, his aura commanding even in this casual moment.

“Alpha Austin,” I called, my voice steady despite the tightness in my chest.

He turned to me, his dark eyes meeting mine. “Ada. What brings you here?”

I took a deep breath. “I heard from my mom that our families exchanged mate tokens. But I don’t remember any of it, and you also said we’re just neighbors. I think there must be some misunderstanding, so I’d like to return the token.”

His expression shifted, something deep and unreadable flickering in his eyes. He dried his hands and hung the towel neatly, his movements deliberate. “Ada, we grew up together. You’re a remarkable person. We did exchange tokens; your mother isn’t lying to you.”

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “Yesterday, I said what I did because you’d just woken up, and I didn’t want to overwhelm you. The healer said the blood clot in your brain is temporary. Once it’s gone, you’ll remember everything.”

I shook my head, my resolve firm. “No one can say for sure. What if it never goes away? I don’t want to hold you back, Alpha Austin, so let’s end this.”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might argue. Instead, he asked, “Does your mother know about this?”

I nodded without hesitation. “She knows.”

I handed the gold bracelet to him. “Keep it safe, Alpha Austin. Don’t lose it.”

He looked at me, his eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite name—regret, frustration, maybe even guilt. After a long pause, he pushed the bracelet back toward me. “Hold onto it for now. I’ll take you to see a specialist in the city tomorrow, and we’ll talk after we get the results.”