After my mate’s betrayal, I found myself sifting through his old phone. There, buried deep in his messages, were conversations that revolved around another she-wolf’s name with every word.

"Lulu, if not for the pack’s interests, Amelia Bennett wouldn’t hold my attention for a second."

"Every encounter with her makes me sick; you’re the one I truly love."

Reading these affectionate yet damning words made my heart feel as if it had turned to ash. When I blinked again, I found myself revisiting the day the Bennett and Harper packs arranged their union.

This time, I chose to let go willingly and decided to mate Ayden Harper, Emmett’s aloof and proud uncle.

---

In the grand hall of the Silver Moon Pack, my father, Gamma Bennett, suddenly stood from his seat, his broad frame towering over the room. "Lia, are you sure you want to mate the Alpha of the Red Claw Pack?"

With firm resolve, I replied, "Yes, Father, I’m sure."

After a long pause, he sighed, his strong jaw tightening. "Alright, if that’s your decision, I’ll inform Alpha Harper."

Once Father left, Emmett burst into the hall, his presence commanding despite his rogue status. "Amelia, the pack healer said if Lulu doesn’t undergo surgery soon, she might not make it through the year."

"When will you finally donate your bone marrow to her?"

I looked at him coldly, memories of a past life flooding in. Back then, I had been manipulated into undergoing a bone marrow transplant. Afterward, my health was so fragile that I needed ongoing treatment, and I could never bear pups again.

With a bitter laugh, I retorted, "Donating my bone marrow would leave me in constant agony. Are you asking me to trade my life for hers?"

Emmett frowned, his dark eyes narrowing. "With the pack’s advanced healers, a bone marrow transplant is just a minor procedure. It can’t possibly endanger your life."

"Besides, you’re about to mate me. I’ll ensure you receive the best care. I’m Lulu’s only hope; I have to take responsibility for her. You understand, don’t you?"

I burst out laughing, the sound sharp and out of place. "Why should I sacrifice myself because I understand?"

Just then, a commotion erupted outside, and Delilah barged in despite the protests of the pack warriors.

With a pleading look, she implored, "Sister, if you refuse to help me, I’ll give up on treatment. Just don’t blame Emmett."

Emmett immediately grew anxious, rushing forward to support the frail Delilah. With anger darkening his expression, he turned to me and snapped, "Lulu’s so ill, yet she still comes to plead with you. Do you really want to push her to the brink?"

I curled my lips slightly. "I’m not the one pushing her."

My gaze unintentionally fell on the silver bracelet adorning Delilah’s wrist, and my heart clenched tightly.

"How did you end up with that bracelet?!"

The bracelet was a family heirloom left by my grandmother and a token of my mating bond with Emmett. I lunged forward, grabbing her wrist.

She trembled, her voice quivering. "It... it was a gift from Emmett."

My heart sank.

In my previous life, I had been deceived by Emmett’s sweet lies, readily agreeing to the bone marrow transplant. I hadn’t even noticed he had given the bracelet away!

It wasn’t until I was bedridden with illness that I realized the bracelet was missing. He had tricked me, claiming he’d sent it to the Moon Goddess’s shrine to be blessed, to ward off my sickness.

He grabbed my arm, his expression shifting drastically. "All this fuss over a mere bracelet, you’d attack a sick wolf? How heartless can you be!"

His grip on my arm was painful, and I had to let go of Delilah’s wrist. He pushed me away and gently held Delilah, glaring at me with contempt. "As the eldest daughter of the Bennett family, you wield your rank without compassion. You’re no better than a selfish, wicked she-wolf."

With those words, he bent down, lifted Delilah in his arms, and left without a backward glance.

Emmett was the rogue son of the Harper pack. As a pup, he was often ostracized by the other pack children. Once, his cousins pushed him to the ground and threw stones at him. It was I who shielded him, my small body absorbing the hits until my arms and back were bruised and swollen, yet I didn’t utter a single complaint.

From then on, he was always by my side, standing up for me whenever anyone tried to bully me. As we grew older, he confessed his love, promising I was the one he would always mate.

So in my previous life, when the Bennett and Harper packs discussed mating bonds, I agreed without hesitation.

But had I known he’d have a change of heart, I would never have clung on. Thankfully, fate gave me a second chance. This time, I chose to step back.

Henceforth, we part ways, each finding our own peace.

Since that day, Delilah's condition had only worsened. Emmett Harper, the rogue son of the Red Claw Pack’s Alpha, dedicated himself to her care, staying by her bedside day and night. He pulled every string, reaching out to healers and specialists from other packs for their advice. A bone marrow transplant was still her best hope. As a Delta of the Silver Moon Pack, I was the top match for Delilah, the ideal candidate for the transplant.

Emmett had no choice but to approach me again. But each time he came, I either turned him away or dismissed him with my cold indifference. Meanwhile, my father, the respected Gamma of the Silver Moon Pack, had already discussed my future with Ayden Harper, the Alpha of the Red Claw Pack and Emmett’s uncle. While I was busy preparing for our mating ceremony, Emmett appeared before me once more.

Sensing something was off about my demeanor, he tried to placate me, saying, "Amelia, today is the fifth anniversary of our bond. Remember how we planned to celebrate with a pack gathering by the lake?" He smiled, trying to charm me. "I’ve arranged everything just the way you like it. Let’s go, shall we?"

I scoffed, "When you gave our keepsake to Delilah, that was it for us." It was a family heirloom, not something to be treated lightly. "If it’s not back with the Bennetts in two days, I’ll go straight to your uncle, the Alpha."

The gathering was something I had insisted on last month, initially to celebrate our bond. But now, I wanted no further entanglements with him and doubted he genuinely wanted to celebrate. Emmett, however, seemed to think I was merely acting out and suddenly grabbed my arm. "Stop being difficult. The gathering is set; you have to come."

His face was anxious, frantic, and I had a bad feeling. I struggled desperately, "Emmett, let go of me!" He ignored my pleas, dragging me from the empty doorway to the street and pulling me forcefully into a black SUV.

The car sped down the road, quickly arriving at the harbor where an enormous yacht awaited. Bright lights adorned the ship, giving me a sense of dread. The deck was decorated with flowers and balloons, a band playing nearby. Pack members and their mates mingled, glancing curiously as Emmett brought me on board.

I pulled my hand free and demanded, "What is it you want?" Emmett frowned, attempting to soothe me, "Amelia, I arranged this gathering as a surprise for you." He continued, "But Delilah’s condition is critical. I’ve brought in a top-notch healer team; they’re here on the yacht."

"Don’t worry, after the procedure, I’ll reaffirm our bond in front of everyone. Haven’t you always wanted a memorable ceremony?" My eyes widened, shocked at his audacity.

"So this is your surprise?" I asked. "Your idea of a memorable ceremony is taking my bone marrow in front of everyone?" I accused.

Emmett’s expression turned grim. "I’m giving you a chance to preserve your reputation. I don’t want the pack to think you’re selfish and envious, refusing to save a life."

"If something happens to Delilah because of you, could you live with that guilt?" His voice was icy. I replied icily, "Nothing you say will make me agree, and you can’t force me."

Emmett gave a chilling smile, stepping closer. "It doesn’t matter if you agree. I’ve planned everything. I’ll make it look like you drowned accidentally, then quietly retrieve you for the transplant."

Just then, Delilah appeared, leaning weakly against Emmett, but with a defiant look in her eyes. "Sister, Emmett has already done so much for me. Don’t be so harsh on him."

I was about to speak when a loud rumbling echoed from below deck. Suddenly, the ship began shaking violently, dishes smashing to the floor, pack members shouting in panic. I stumbled, nearly falling, but managed to grab a nearby railing.

Delilah, too, was unsteady, her eyes wide with fear as she slid toward the ship’s edge. Emmett took advantage of the chaos to shove me hard. Then he lunged toward Delilah, grabbing her arm and pulling her close.

The deck beneath my feet was breaking apart in the turmoil, and I called out desperately to Emmett. But he only looked at me coldly, pressing a tender kiss to Delilah’s forehead right in front of me.

In despair, I fell with the shattered deck into the freezing, biting sea. Water filled my mouth and nose as I struggled, catching sight of Emmett above me, holding Delilah tightly, his eyes mocking.

Then Emmett shouted my name with apparent urgency, directing the crew to search everywhere. It seemed like chaos, but really, it was a deliberate act to buy time and mislead everyone.

The once-lively yacht descended into utter chaos. Cold seawater enveloped me as I fought against it, hatred burning fiercely within. Why, even after living through this again, couldn’t I escape being hurt by him? I wasn’t ready to give up.