In my previous life, Alpha Johan spent eight long years in the countryside before returning to our pack’s territory. When he came back, he sighed over how his health had deteriorated during those trying years. My heart went out to him, and we began living together in what resembled a cordial but somewhat distant partnership. However, things changed when my mother-in-law, an Omega in our pack, brought a "relative" from a rival pack into our home.

This relative, Noemi King, arrived with her two young pups in tow. Touched by their situation, I often gave them clothes and food. Yet, every time I tried to help, she would glance at Alpha Johan with a pained, defiant look, tears nearly spilling from her eyes. This made him look at me with growing frustration.

"Who do you think you're insulting by always giving them your old clothes?" he snapped, his Alpha tone cutting through the room like a whip.

After that, Noemi seemed to dress better than I did, and her pups turned into little terrors, spitting at me daily. Only later did I uncover the truth: Noemi was actually Alpha Johan’s true mate from the countryside, a Luna from a rival pack.

In a flash of realization, I found myself transported back to the day Alpha Johan was preparing to leave for the countryside.

“Azaria, I’m not sure how long I’ll be away this time. Maybe we shouldn’t get the mate bond just yet?” Johan suggested hesitantly.

I nodded confidently. “Alright.”

“Azaria, are you serious?” He was taken aback by my unexpected agreement. His face turned a mix of colors, like an artist’s palette.

I replied sincerely, “Yes, Alpha Johan, if you believe it’s best not to, then we won’t.”

He seemed at a loss for words. “Actually, it's not that I—”

Just then, a colleague called out to me. I responded cheerfully, “Alpha Johan, I have to go now!”

I turned around, linking arms with my friend, a Delta in our pack, as we headed towards the coffee shop together.

My wolf stirred within me, a quiet whisper of doubt brushing against my mind. *Are you sure this is what you want?* she asked.

I pushed the thought aside. I had made my decision, and I wasn’t going to let Alpha Johan’s indecision or Noemi’s presence derail me. This time, I was determined to live for myself, not for him or his pack.

"Azaria, isn’t Alpha Johan meant to be heading to the countryside? What’s he doing here looking for you?" My friend, a Delta in our pack, poked me sharply on the forehead when I didn’t reply.

"You better listen up; things might not turn out well once he’s gone. Don’t be naive! His mother’s been bedridden for years. Getting mixed up with him now is like jumping into the lion’s den!"

My hand holding the fork paused mid-air and trembled slightly. No one knew that I had lived this life once before.

In my past life, I died on the day Alpha Johan’s daughter got married. Back then, his mother, an Omega whom I had cared for over a decade, had passed away naturally. Johan had said to me, "All these years, I held off on rejecting our bond because of Mom. Now that the kids are getting married, it would be awkward for you to stay."

That night, my belongings were tossed out of the pack house. I agreed to the rejection but demanded the house and half of our savings. Since the house was a pack perk and the deed was already in my name, they argued that I hadn’t given the Snyder family any heirs and should leave with nothing. I refused.

Worried I’d cause a scene at their son’s wedding, they locked me in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of our territory, where I froze to death on a bitter winter night.

I blinked away the tears welling in my eyes. My friend had warned me in my past life, but I hadn’t listened. The next day, despite Johan’s lukewarm protests, I hauled him to the pack elder to formalize our mate bond.

Once Johan left for the countryside, I moved into his pack house to care for his mother and younger sister. Johan’s mother had a fiery temper and was fixated on cleanliness, throwing things at me at the smallest complaint. More than once, I was left with a bleeding forehead from her attacks.

Johan’s sister, Elisabeth, an Omega, constantly wanted to attend the werewolf academy, but how could she when she hadn’t even finished her basic training? Johan’s mother accused me of being cold-hearted, saying I wouldn’t let his sister study. So, I used the hard-earned money from my job as a Delta to pay for her night classes repeatedly.

Many times, I was on the brink of giving up. It was Johan’s letters from the countryside that kept me going.

He wrote, "Azaria, thank you for everything. Azaria, you have no idea how much I miss you. Please look after Mom and my sister. When I come back, we’ll never be apart again."

Naively, I even sent him my last bit of savings when he mentioned how tough life was out there. Little did I know he had found his true mate in the countryside.

I waited eight years for his return, and a month later, his new mate and their children moved in. Johan’s mother treated those children like precious jewels; they would spit on me and throw mice onto my bed. Yet she claimed I was secretly bullying them. Even Johan accused me of being small-minded.

It wasn’t until I’d cared for his mother until her last breath, and they no longer needed a free caretaker, that their true colors showed.

"Azaria, are you sure you want to give up the chance to study in Paris for three months?"

My friend's question snapped me back to reality. In my previous life, I had let Alpha Johan sway my decision, resulting in missed opportunities and stalling my career advancement. Meanwhile, those who took the chance returned with newfound success, while I was among the first to face layoffs eight or nine years down the line.

"Absolutely! I'm heading over to discuss it with Gamma Perkins right now!"

I quickened my pace, leaving my lunch partly uneaten.

"That's a relief! You've always been the standout here, and if anyone should go, it's definitely you."

I hastily finished my lunch and went to see Gamma Perkins, expressing my eagerness to go to Paris. He had originally suggested I go and wasn't thrilled when I initially declined. Seeing my change of mind, he was visibly pleased.

"Wonderful, wonderful! I've already arranged the plane tickets. You’ll be leaving in three days!"

I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

After work, Alpha Johan was waiting.

"Azaria, my mom made pot roast for dinner. She asked me to invite you over."

I intended to discuss our broken mate bond with Alpha Johan, so I nodded and went along.

But upon arriving at Alpha Johan's house, the kitchen was bare, not a pot roast in sight.

"Azaria, you know better than anyone that expectation's a tricky thing. Why don't you peel some potatoes? That's the menu for tonight," his mother, an Omega, suggested.

I remained seated without moving.

"Azaria? My mom's calling you."

Confused, I looked up. "Weren't we having pot roast? Where's the dinner?"

Alpha Johan's expression changed. In my previous life, I never stood up to him like this.

"Azaria, my mom mentioned beef's pricey. Just boil some potatoes; it's what we're eating tonight."

I chuckled and stood.

"Ah, so you brought me here to cook for you? Apologies, but I've got things to do at home. I'm leaving."

"Wait, wait, Azaria! What are you up to?" Alpha Johan began following me.

"Let her leave! Does she think she can just join our family without any effort? Who would mate with her if you didn’t?"

I paused at the door.

"Alright, you made it clear. Starting today, I have nothing to do with Alpha Johan."

Alpha Johan looked stunned by my determination.

"Azaria, what are you doing? You should apologize to my mom!"

His eyes reflected disapproval, and a hint of... fear.

Alpha Johan's mom sneered. "Just let her go! An unmated woman nearing thirty, she’s truly deluded, isn't she?"

I cast one last glacial look at Alpha Johan and his mom, slammed the door, and walked out.