Shock filled the entire hall. When I looked up, the shock on the faces of Alphas, Lunas and Pack members alike was evident.

The look on Daniel’s face was the most comical. The smug look he wore moments before was gone, replaced with disbelief and incredulousness. I barely glanced at him before turning to the Elders.

“Is there any problem?” I asked,

I kept my gaze firm, keeping an unbothered facade despite how my heart raced. I expected an uproar or even confusion, but they remained staring.

Why?

My brows furrowed in confusion. I turned to the man I was holding and froze.

The man I chose was none other than Rowan Nightingale, the current Alpha of the Nightingale Pack and my longtime childhood enemy.

In the past, the Nightingale and Starlet pack, being neighbouring packs, were close and our parents were friends, leading to constant visits. But since childhood, Rowan and I couldn't stand each other.

Despite being three years older, he constantly teased and tormented me, calling me a pampered princess, incapable of leading. When I was old enough, I would retaliate, leading to a neverending feud. After my parents death however, the relationship between both packs became strained and I never saw him, only hearing from afar that his parents retired and he took their place as pack Alpha. He'd made a name for himself as a powerful ruler. The few times we met, during regional pack meetings, he remained the same, causing me to constantly avoid him at all costs.

I never realised back then, that he was also in this Choosing Ceremony. Even though he, like other packs, was invited, I never saw him in the past life and assumed that he chose to avoid me, just like I did.

But he was here, and of all the people, I chose him.

What had I done?

His cold aloof expression contrasted with his intense gaze penetrating me. Were it any other situation I would have been irritated and confronted him but now I fought the urge to shrink back.

I inwardly scolded myself for being impulsive but there was nothing I could do now. I'd chosen him openly. Taking it back would mean further humiliation. Better to go with the flow.

Forcing my gaze back to the crowd, I lifted my chin defiantly.

“My choice is clear. Rowan Nightingale will be my mate and the future Alpha of the Starlet Pack.”

“Luna Raena,” Elder Vane, one of the pack Elders, came forward, looking anxious, “Are you sure of this? Everyone knows—”

“I'm sure Elder Vane,” I rushed out, stopping him from speaking about my bond with Daniel or enmity with Rowan. My gloved grip on Rowan's hand instinctively tightened but I didn't dare face him, focusing on the Elder.

“The Starlet and Nightingale pack have been neighbours and allies for decades. Our parents were friends. Rowan and I, despite our... difficulties over the years, have come to an understanding." I fought the urge to cringe at my lie and continued, "An alliance between our packs will be good for both of us.”

The silence that came after was deafening. The Elder's gaze shifted.

“Is this true Alpha Rowan? Do you agree with this match?”

My heart sank. My hands felt shaky underneath my glove. I couldn't forget that I'd caught Rowan off guard too. If he said anything contrary, I was doomed—

“Yes.”

My breath hitched. The hand I'd gripped so tightly had shifted, interlacing with my own. My heart skipped a beat involuntarily as I turned to look at his deep sea eyes, a vast contrast to Daniel's constant cold Dark ones.

“Very well,” Elder Vane nodded, still looking at us unsurely, “Luna Raena had chosen her match. The Choosing ceremony is complete.”

Claps and cheers filled the room but I barely processed it. My mind was racing, itching to leave the suffocating hall. Now that things were done I wasn't going to waste time mellowing.

Meeting Rowan's blank stare, I pleaded with him with my eyes.

'Trust me this once'

“If you'll excuse us honourable Elders, Respected Alphas and Lunas and my fellow pack," I announced, "I need to speak to my fiancé alone.”

Daniel who was silent the entire time stepped forward, his face a storm.

“Raena—”

I completely ignored him, dragging Rowan by our linked hands out of the hall. To my surprise and relief, he was compliant.

When we were finally alone outside the pack hall, I released his hand in relief.

“I’m sorry.” I rushed out before he could speak. Meeting his dark gaze a strange feeling swept through me but I ignored it.

“I hadn't intended to choose you. Not exactly. I wasn't thinking properly and acted impulsively. I just wanted to choose anyone but Daniel.” I confessed, “I can't explain the details, but now that things are like this, we both have no choice but to follow through with it. You don't have to feel burdened to stay around me given our past relationship but for now, let's just pretend we like each other. We just have to be engaged in name only, as a temporary measure.”

His gaze made me nervous as I spoke. Once I was done, I looked up, half expecting him to laugh in my face or mock me. Yet when I met his gaze, his eyes were dark and unreadable, creating an ambiguous air.

What was he thinking? Before I could ask, his voice cut through.

“Are you doing this to get back at Daniel for something?”

I recoiled in shock.

“What? No.” I frowned, anger and disgust churning in me. To use someone out of spite? Whether in the past or now I would never think about doing such a revolting thing. Was this what he thought of me?

“I don't care what you think Rowan but this has nothing to do with Daniel. I want nothing to do with him either.” I said, “If you're trying to annoy me into taking back this proposal, you can just refuse directly. You don't have to—”

“Who said I was going to refuse?”

I blinked, taken aback.

“What?”

The cold expression he wore shifted into an arrogant look I recognised, his lips lifting to a smirk.

“I accept your proposal Luna Raena.” He leaned in with amusement, "it's quite flattering that you chose me though but completely understandable. Who else could keep up with your sharp tongue and violent tendencies 'princess'?”

This bastard. Heat rushed to my cheeks, irritation flickering through.

“You-”

He pulled away before I could continue.

“Careful. You can't attack or play pranks on me like when we were kids. After all, we're engaged now and have to pretend to like each other. Your words exactly. Else what would people think if they see their Luna cursing her poor fiancé out?” his grin grew wider with every word, assured that I could do anything about it.

He was right.

I watched him walk away, speechless and irritated. I already regretted this, but now I had no other choice.

What's done was done. I sighed helplessly.

The rest of the party was perfunctory, so there was no use in staying longer. I returned to the pack hall to bid everyone farewell before moving towards the Alpha's House, the home reserved for the pack leader and my family's home that was now mine.

As soon as I entered, waves of memories filled me. My mind was racing. I was so lost deep in my thoughts that I didn't realise that there was someone behind me.

Suddenly I was dragged from behind, spun around. When I came to, I met the blazing brown eyes of Daniel.

The moment I realised it was him, anger burst through me. Fighting back my rage I pulled my hand away, forcing my gaze to be neutral.

“Daniel, it's late. What are you doing here?”

“Why didn't you choose me?” he demanded, gaze flickering with confusion and anger, “How could you choose Rowan? Clearly it was supposed to be me.”

His words held no real question, only confusion and entitlement. Hearing it filled me with disgust and hatred but I held it back.

I couldn't confront him yet and given the way things were, my actions were indeed abnormal.

“Daniel,” I began, "I know this is abrupt for you, but everything I said is the truth. As for the past, let's just forget about it.”

“What is wrong with you? We have a bond.”

A bond that didn't stop him from killing me or the rest of the pack.

“We can forget about the bond.” I said through gritted teeth, “As for my feelings and devotion through these past years, I realise that they were just from gratitude and grief. Because my parents died I thought of you as my only family and confused those feelings for love. Now I see my own heart.” I said.

His gaze flickered, stunned. Slowly it was replaced with a soft, almost exasperated look.

“Is this about missing your birthday celebration?” He frowned, “I've already explained that I was busy back then.”

My brows furrowed in confusion before it came to me.

Right. A week before the Choosing Ceremony was my birthday when I turned 20. Back then, in anticipation for our future betrothal, I set up a party in the pack and constantly reminded Daniel to come. With my parent's death anniversaries the day before my birthday, I never celebrated it before making it my first birthday party in four years.

I'd waited the entire day but he never attended. It wasn't until the next evening that he came over, giving a flimsy excuse of being busy with pack matters and forgetting without even an apology. I was angry and upset, rightfully so. Yet under the reminder that he cared for me in the past, I let it go, trusting him. After that, he remained ‘busy’ until the Choosing Ceremony.

Thinking about it now, I was too complacent. Too trusting. His absence and callousness over the months leading up to the ceremony should have tipped me off. Even the entitlement he showed the week before the Ceremony should have led the past me to refuse the engagement.

But it was only during the weeks leading up to it that he began to show his true colors, making me think it was a fluke.

I was blinded, both by his past care and the common consensus that he was to be my mate.

Meanwhile he was with Dina, plotting our downfall.

“No.” I said, “This has nothing to do with that day. I've made my choice—”

“Enough Raena." He grabbed my hand again, a coaxing look on his face, "I never knew you could be this irrational and rash. This is the pack's future on the line and you placed it on an outsider you hate to make a point? You didn't even know what you're doing. But it's okay, for now let's go to the pack hall and explain—”

He didn't get to finish when I pushed him away with force, tearing my arm from his grasp.

I wanted to rip him to shreds. How dare he talk about the future of the pack when he was the one who was planning to destroy it?

This time I couldn't hide my disdain.

“I know what I'm doing Daniel. In fact, this is the smartest decision I've made in a long time. I don't need to explain anything to you,” I sneered coldly, “Now leave. From now on keep your distance and respect your boundaries. I am your Luna and leader and you are just a Beta. From now on don't come to my home on a whim, lest you make people get the wrong idea.”

Anger bottled up inside me, ready to spill but I couldn't. Not yet.

Silence filled the air as I flared, daring him to try again. This time he stepped back, a soft, innocently aggrieved look appearing on his face.

“I don't know what came over you tonight, but I'll only play along for a while,” He said, “Whatever nonsense this is with Rowan is only temporary. I know you'll come to your senses soon.”

He smiled at me, before turning away. I barely held back a growl at his retreating back.

I hated that caring mask more than ever. But it was better to let him presume.

“Luna Raena?”

I stiffened as Rose, my maid came up behind me, but didn't stop looking at the distance.

“Rose, tomorrow morning, give this order to all the guards. From now on, Daniel isn't allowed to enter my home or bring anything inside at will. Before seeing me he must request for permission.” I ordered.

“But Beta Daniel is your....” she trailed off at my gaze.

“That doesn't matter anymore. I've chosen a mate and it's not him" I said, facing her stunned expression, "I have no more connection with Daniel now and in the future. From now on, he's nothing more than the Beta of the Starlet pack.”

And even that was a position I wanted to take away from him, I thought inwardly, icy rage washing over me.

This life, I had avoided getting engaged to him, but that was far from the end of things. Daniel was long since colluding with the Rogues and Dina far before today and as the Beta, he gained the respect and trust of the pack with his diligence.

I cursed myself for being so oblivious. In my past life I'd personally allowed and approved of it. At first, still grieving over my parents, I let him take care of everything pack related. Later as years flew by I accepted it, trusting him as my mate and future Alpha.

Those words felt like a joke now, but the implications were heavy. He held power and knowledge of the pack that I knew little of.

And I? I knew little to nothing.

How he was communicating with them, their whereabouts and their plans. There was nothing I could use to convince the pack of his true nature and no way to stop the Rogues from harming my pack.

Even if I blocked one road, there were many others he could use that would follow the same path. He had control over the pack.

The only solution was taking back that control.

My actions tonight derailed his plans and moving further I would disrupt things more. I held no prior knowledge of his activities before my death, and couldn't rely on my past knowledge.

The only way to know his plans was by monitoring him. And I knew exactly who was fit for the task.

I silently signalled Rose to follow me to my room. As soon as we were out of sight I swiftly wrote a letter and passed it to her.

“Go quickly and give this letter to Jay. Tell him that he should follow Daniel's movements tonight and onwards and keep a close eye on him from now on.” I whispered, earning her surprise.

Jay was a trusted guard from my parents, raised by the former Commander of the pack borders. After my parents' deaths, he became my secret guard, his stealth unmatched.

Believing I was safe, I held no use for him, dismissing him a year ago, partly at Daniel's suggestion. For the sake of the pack, I knew he would obey.

Rose was shocked but I didn't give her time to speak, pushing the letter into her hands. Despite her confusion, she nodded.

“Understood Luna.” She said,

Before she could move, I pulled her into a tight hug, ignoring her surprised yelp. When I pulled away, her confusion was evident.

“I’m sorry. The ceremony was exhausting and I needed that.” I said. It was the only excuse I had. I couldn't tell her that the last memory I held of her was her bloodied trembling corpse.

She still looked taken back but accepted my words. Her gaze still looked uneasy and I wasn't surprised. Everything I'd done so far was out of character.

But it was a necessary change.

“Rest well Luna,” She said and turned away, leaving me alone in my bedroom.

Glancing at the window, the view of the glowing lights through the pack filled my vision. It was peaceful, a peace I wanted to hold onto.

I clenched the sheets under me. I would uncover the truth. This time, I wasn't going to let them destroy my pack and ruin me.

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for what was to come.

The next day, I reached the gates of the council early wearing plain formal clothes. When I arrived, the four pack Elders looked at me in surprise.

“Luna Raena, what are you doing here?” Elder Grier, asked.

The Elders were equal and above all, held no prejudice and had helped me in my family's absence. Only with their support and approval could I move forward.

In their looks I could see the sourness and confusion from last night and fought back the urge to apologise.

They were, in a sense, my second guardians. I knew that they wanted to care for me and the pack, making me accept decisions they thought were for my good, which was why my decision last night was so jarring.

But they were about to be even more jarred.

“I wish to take over the duties of leading the pack.” I announced.

Instantly, the shock filled the room.

“Luna Raena, you've been acting strange since last night which we still need to discuss.” Elder Vane spoke, “As for leading the pack, Daniel has been doing well already. He was supposed to be your mate—”

“Im sorry for opposing you all, but my decision is clear. I don't want Daniel as a mate.” I interrupted, earning the looks they gave.

“What brought this on, you and he…”

“You are fated mates, you're meant to be.”

“He already did so much for the pack and saved you…”

Their voices melded, all of them chastising, pressuring me. I'd heard them in much gentler approving times in the past, praising our bond. It was why I held so many hopes. Why I held onto Daniel.

“If you care for me, why won't you trust me,” I finally let out. The hall quieted. Meeting their shocked gazes, I pushed forward.

“I thought about it clearly. For the past four years I left all the tasks to Daniel and rarely contributed to the pack. While I'm grateful for your care and Daniel's help, this remains my pack, my parent's legacy. I can no longer stay idle leaving it in someone else's hands. I don't care how much effort it takes. I'll train and study and catch up. All I need is your approval and support.”

My heart raced. Yet as I saw doubt in their gazes, a part of me began to sink.

“I support the Luna's decision.”

My heart skipped a beat. Everyone turned to Elder Oliver who had spoken. Staring at me, his face was drawn into a smile.

“Luna Raena is right. No matter how valued Daniel is, Raena is the daughter and Luna of the pack. Our duty is to guide her yes, but also support her. Fated mate or not, she made her choice publicly, we cannot pressure her.” he said, “And now that she's making the decision to take charge of the pack we should support her, especially since she has chosen another as her mate, don't you think?”

Slowly all of the elders murmured in assent, nodding in agreement. A wave of relief filled me. I smiled at Elder Oliver gratefully.

In the past, he was the only one who wasn't fully happy with my decision in choosing Daniel. The few times we met over the years, he constantly advised me to not completely trust Daniel and to stay cautious. I never listened. Before I always believed he was too paranoid. It was only after the Choosing Ceremony took place and our bond was publicly announced that he no longer held any opposition.

Perhaps this whole time he'd seen something that I and the pack were blind to.

As the Elders dispersed, I moved towards him and bowed.

"Thank you Elder Oliver." I said, “I believed I would be alone in my decision. I'm grateful for your support.”

“There is no need for that,” He waved off, his face drifting to a weary sigh.

“In truth, I'm actually happy that you've taken this step. For a long time you were withdrawn in the shadow of your grief and soon grew to rely on us and m Daniel, handing him all of the pack duties. It didn't help that the other Elders and Pack supported it, constantly treating you as fragile. I always worried that you would remain withdrawn but now I see there was nothing to worry about."

He patted my shoulder.

"It's good that you're taking charge of your legacy. I believe this is what your parents wanted as well. If they see you now I know they will be proud ”

Tears pricked at my eyes at his last words, threateningly to fall.

He was right. My parents wouldn't have wanted me to be so weak either. After their death I was endlessly coddled by the rest of the pack, treated as fragile. Somewhere I'd lost the fire I had when I was younger, letting everyone make decisions on my behalf.

I'd been too dependent on a bond and affection that wasn't real. Now I knew the only one I could depend on was myself.

The pack and my parents' legacy. I needed to protect them all.

“On that note Elder Oliver, I want to ask for your personal teaching and guidance on leading the pack.” I asked tentatively.

His gray brows lifted before he smiled and bowed.

“It would be my honour, Luna.”

…

The rest of the day was spent in a whirlwind of tasks. Elder Oliver didn't take it easy on me, feeding me with information and knowledge on endless pack activities and administrative duties. Training, from studies to combat were scheduled for me all while I continued working and managing every task in the pack.

It was exhausting but exhilarating. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had a purpose.

By the time I returned home, I was exhausted. I didn't expect to find a familiar figure on my doorstep.

“Hello princess, you look like hell.” Rowan smirked. I scowled, amidst my confusion.

“Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be in your pack?”

All of the pack members and representatives had already travelled away.

“As your fiance it would be impolite to leave so abruptly. You have been unbecoming. I waited here for ages. Who knew that you would arrive here so late and look so exhausted.” His brows furrowed, “what? Did you run in the forest to get away from me?”

I scoffed, pushing past him and moved towards the road.

“If you wanted to find me, I've been in the Pack Council working. Sorry to disappoint.” I spoke harshly, yet his face only widened in shock.

“You? Working? Since when did the princess begin?” he asked.

A twinge of annoyance still filled me. My first assumption was that he was calling me incompetent, like he always did. Yet for some reason, I halted. Looking properly at him, there was none of the mocking I was used to. Only curiosity.

Very well. No matter our past, I'd roped him into this. I could trust him with the events of today.

With that, I told him everything about my decision today alongside the work I'd done and planned to do. The home I'd longed to rest in moments ago was forgotten as we walked through the pack.

Part of me expected him to interrupt and laugh, telling me I was in over my head, yet for some reason he remained completely silent. When I finally stopped, unnerved by his unusual behaviour, I narrowed my eyes at him.

“What? If you have something to say, say it.” I said harshly, expecting his criticism.

“You’ve changed.” he finally said. I knew in truth that he was just referring to my sudden decisions, yet those two words sent me spiralling.

“What other choice do I have?” I muttered, low enough that I was sure he didn't hear it. It was either change or let myself and my pack face the same fate again. Since the Moon Goddess had given me this second chance, I wasn't going to waste it.

When I looked up, still feeling his eyes on me I froze. The look in his eyes was clouded and mysterious made a foreign sensation spark inside.

In an instant it disappeared. His face drew into a smirk.

“You should really avoid thinking too much. I doubt a temperamental princess like you can handle it.”

This time, I didn't hold back, slapping and pushing his arm. He ducked away from my grasp, making me chase him in circles. With my plain clothes and our low cover, the few pack members present didn't notice our presence as they moved around us busy with their day.

I couldn't help but giggle as he ducked past me again, an exhilarating feeling replacing my usual anger and annoyance. Whether it was my shift in perspective or simply excitement from the activities today, I felt like Rowan was different somehow. I'd never felt so free around him until today.

I finally caught him, grabbing his arm to keep him from moving further. Yet the moment I did, a strange zing swept through me. I barely processed it when a voice rang.

“Raena?”

I stiffened, turning towards the voice. Daniel stood several paces away, eyes glaring at me with a mix of accusation and hostility.

“What is going on here?”