On the day my child turned one month old, my mate Robert Kim was declared dead after falling into a well. The pack waited for me to break down, to wail and mourn, but I remained silent and unmoved.

Five years later, during a famine, Robert suddenly reappeared, his arm wrapped around Taylor Bennett, the Omega he had chosen over me. Seeing me struggle alone to raise our child, a flicker of guilt crossed his face.

“It was actually my brother who died that day,” he confessed. “Taylor and Evan needed me. But since you’ve worked so hard these past years, I’ll take care of you. Though Taylor will remain my Luna.”

I laughed bitterly. “You’re too late.”

What Robert didn’t know was that in my past life, I had endured humiliation as his chosen mate, all for the sake of our child. But Taylor couldn’t bear the thought of my child calling Robert “Father,” so she convinced him to have us thrown into a mob of starving rogues. We became their meal during that desperate time.

Reborn, I vowed to protect my child. I turned to my childhood friend Stefan Parker, a Delta in the pack’s defense force, and cut all ties with Robert.

---

The famine was harsh, and the pack struggled to survive. I watched Stefan head into the forest to hunt, grateful for the food he provided. In my past life, Robert had faked his death and mortgaged our home, leaving us with nothing. Taylor and Evan lived lavishly while my child and I nearly froze to death in the winter.

I remembered how Robert had bought ten properties in the city to comfort Taylor after her “loss,” while I sold my own blood just to buy a handful of rice for our child. And when Taylor’s son Evan wanted candy, Robert bought an entire street of sweets, eager to play the role of a doting father.

These truths had been revealed to me by Taylor herself as I lay bleeding in the mob, her voice dripping with false pity.

Tears welled up as I touched my sleeping child’s face, remembering how thin and frail they had been in my past life. This time, I would protect them with everything I had.

A sudden commotion outside pulled me from my thoughts. I opened the door to find Robert and Taylor standing there, surrounded by pack members. Taylor rushed forward, tears streaming down her face.

“Julie, we’ve found you at last!” she cried. “How could we leave you alone during such hard times? Come back to the pack with us.”

I stepped back, my eyes catching the luxurious fabric of her dress, embroidered with intricate patterns, and her soft, unblemished hands. She had never worked a day in her life, while my own hands were calloused from years of labor.

Bitter resentment washed over me. This wasn’t a rescue mission—it was a display of her privilege.

When I didn’t respond, Robert stepped forward, his voice heavy. “It was my brother who died that day. Taylor and Evan needed me, so I took his place. But since you’ve worked so hard, I’ll take care of you. Taylor will remain my Luna, though.”

I listened quietly, then scoffed. “You’re too late.”

In my past life, I had believed him, thinking he truly cared. But after returning to the pack, the members, spurred by Taylor, mocked and belittled me, calling me a desperate homewrecker. When I begged Robert for justice, he silenced me, insisting I respect Taylor’s position and obey her every whim.

I endured the humiliation, but it only worsened. They pushed me into the icy lake during winter, and I nearly died of fever. When my child went to fetch medicine, Taylor’s son Evan stopped them, demanding they crawl through his legs like a dog. The pack laughed as my child obeyed, mocking us both.

Later, when my child called Robert “Father” in front of the pack, Taylor couldn’t bear it. She convinced Robert to throw us into the mob, where we were torn apart.

The pain of that memory threatened to drown me, but I held firm. This time, I wouldn’t let them destroy us.

Recalling that, I yanked my hand back and took two steps away.

"I’ve already mated with someone from my childhood. I have food and security now, so there’s no need for your concern," I said coldly.

At that, Taylor’s expression shifted, a flash of venom in her eyes, but she quickly masked it with a sugary smile. "Julie, if you don’t want to come back, that’s fine, but don’t make up stories! What Alpha would willingly raise another’s pup?"

I let out a bitter laugh and turned to Robert. "Isn’t that strange, Taylor? Robert’s willingly raising your pup, isn’t he? Why is it impossible when it comes to me?"

The air froze. Taylor’s smile faltered, her face stiffening.

Robert’s face darkened, his Alpha tone sharp with irritation. "What do you want from me? That’s my brother’s pup—how can you compare that to some outsider’s? It’s been five years, Julie, and you’ve only grown more bitter!"

A sharp pain pierced my chest, and my eyes stung.

Of course. He couldn’t tolerate anyone saying a word against Taylor. Even the mention of his brother’s pup was enough to make him drop everything and care for them.

Meanwhile, his own pup with me was nothing more than an afterthought.

Robert seemed to notice my pale face and hesitated, reaching out as if to embrace me. "Are you still angry with me? It’s my fault. I’ve made you suffer all these years. When we return to the pack, I’ll make it up to you."

Before he could finish, a child’s voice, laced with resentment, cut through the tension. "Dad! Are you trying to find me a new Luna?"

I turned to see Evan, Taylor’s son, hopping down from the car. He was dressed in fine clothes, his face round and healthy—a far cry from the thin, sickly pup I remembered from five years ago.

But what caught my attention was the gleaming silver pendant around his neck. My heart clenched.

Five years ago, when my pup was born, I had begged Robert to get a similar pendant. But he had dismissed me with a wave. "Pups don’t need expensive things. Let them grow up humble."

Now, that very pendant hung around Evan’s neck. Whether it was Taylor’s idea or Robert’s change of heart, the irony was unbearable.

Robert’s hand froze midair, his face flushing with embarrassment.

Taylor, quick to recover, stepped forward, her eyes welling up with fake tears. "Julie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for Evan to—"

She glanced at Robert, her expression full of feigned guilt, but I caught the glint of triumph in her eyes.

Before I could respond, Robert cut in, his Alpha tone rising with frustration. "Enough! I promised to take care of you and Evan, and I’ll keep my word. I won’t let him suffer even a little!"

He paused, his cold gaze sweeping over me. "As for you, your pup will never call me Dad. I won’t let anyone misunderstand."

Of course. He cared so much about his brother’s pup that he’d rather let his own pup grow up without a father than let Taylor and Evan feel slighted.

I tilted my head back and laughed, the sound sharp and cutting in the tense silence. "Don’t worry, Robert. My pup won’t call you Dad. He already has an Alpha!"

At that, Robert lunged forward, his fingers digging into my arm through my sleeve. "Julie, how dare you let my pup call someone else Alpha!"