In my past life, Wylder Mason, a former healer, agreed to mate with me to repay my father, Eugene Cook, for saving his life. But on the day of our mark ceremony, his childhood friend Natasha Perry attempted to take her own life by jumping into the river.

Wylder didn’t say a word about it. Instead, he became more affectionate, obedient even. My father was pleased and used his influence to help Wylder rise through the ranks of the Silver Moon Pack. The night Wylder was appointed Beta, I discovered I was pregnant. But before I could share the news with him, my entire family—all 123 members of the Cook household—were slaughtered.

My father and brother’s heads were displayed on the pack’s borders as a warning. Wylder himself tore into me with his claws, killing both me and our unborn child. As my consciousness faded, he screamed at me, his voice filled with rage.

“If it weren’t for your family forcing me into this bond, Natasha would never have tried to kill herself! Emiliana, this is what your family deserves! You all had to die!”

I lay in a pool of my own blood, watching him desecrate the bodies of my loved ones. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day my father proposed the mate bond between us.

---

“My daughter has admired you for some time, Alpha Mason. Would you consider taking her as your mate?”

My father’s words echoed in my ears, and I jolted awake, my surroundings painfully familiar. A dull ache in my abdomen reminded me of the wound that had ended my life. Had I… gone back in time? To the day my father saved Wylder?

Tears streamed down my face as I recalled the pain—both physical and emotional. My grandfather had been a legendary warrior, and my father and brother were renowned Gammas in the Silver Moon Pack. Our family’s reputation was impeccable, and suitors had lined up for me since my Come of Age Ceremony.

But the moment I caught Wylder’s scent, I was captivated. He stood there, calm and composed, a former healer who had turned rogue. His aura was nothing like the warriors I had grown up with, and that drew me in. To repay my father’s kindness, he agreed to become my mate, though he always seemed distant, indifferent.

I, on the other hand, lowered myself to please him, only to be met with coldness. In my frustration, I declared I would have no one else. My father and brother, out of love for me, swallowed their pride and approached Wylder, a lowly healer, with the proposal. Looking back, I wished I could slap my past self for my naivety.

I thought he was indifferent to power, but when my father offered to help him rise through the pack’s ranks, he accepted without hesitation. His mother’s dowry for me was nothing but a few baskets of eggs and some tattered cloth. Knowing his family was poor, I brought a fortune to his pack on our mating day.

It was only then I learned about Natasha, his childhood friend. When her body was pulled from the river, Wylder showed no emotion. But that night, he was rough, as if taking out his anger on me. I thought it was normal—until I realized he was punishing me for Natasha’s death.

The memory of my family’s massacre, of my unborn child’s death, tore through me like claws. This time, I wouldn’t make the same mistake. I wouldn’t let this wolf in sheep’s clothing fool me again.

Just as I was about to step forward and stop my father, Wylder’s expression turned icy.

“I’ve lived as a rogue for years, Alpha Cook. Are you suggesting I owe you something for saving my life?” His voice was sharp, cutting through the room. “If you’re trying to force this bond, I reject it.”

My father’s face darkened, and my brother, Luis, clenched his fists so tightly I thought he might break them. I stood behind the screen, frowning.

This wasn’t right. In my past life, Wylder had hesitated but ultimately agreed. He pretended to be indifferent to power, but he was a greedy, ambitious wolf. His outright rejection could only mean one thing…

He had also come back.

The realization sent a shiver of excitement through me, my hands trembling with anticipation. If you’re back too, then let’s settle our old and new grudges together!

My father pinched the bridge of his nose, barely suppressing his anger as he spoke.

“Have you thought this through? If you mate with my daughter, I’ll ensure your standing in the pack improves…”

Wylder pretended to ponder, just as he was about to agree, I stepped out from behind the curtain.

“Since Wylder Mason seems so devoted to his solitude, let’s call this off. I, Emiliana Cook, am not so desperate that I need to beg for a mate.”

At the sight of me, Wylder’s face flickered with disdain.

“Emiliana, don’t play hard to get. Even if you’re the daughter of a Gamma, what does it matter? There’s a woman back in my hometown, Natasha Perry. She’s been with me since we were pups—gentle, kind, nothing like you.”

“You!”

My brother, Luis, was about to explode, but I stopped him with a sharp glance.

Wylder, seeing this, smirked even wider.

“Emiliana, out of respect for your feelings, if you agree to let Natasha join us as my chosen mate, I’ll consider taking you as my Luna.”

I almost laughed.

Me, the daughter of a Gamma, mating with a rogue like him was already a stretch, and now he wanted to bring Natasha into it?

For a moment, I wondered if I’d been cursed in my past life to fall for this man.

Seeing Wylder’s smug expression, I swallowed my disgust and clapped my hands sharply.

“Guards! Get this filth out of my father’s house!”

The moment the words left my mouth, not only did Wylder freeze, but even my father and brother stared at me as if they’d seen a ghost.

Wylder’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“What? You’re throwing me out!?”

I tilted my head, a cold smile on my lips.

“What’s the matter, Wylder? Can’t understand basic commands? Either you leave on your own, or I’ll have you dragged out. Your choice.”

His eyes bulged even more.

This… this wasn’t how it went in the past.

But he quickly recovered, his lips curling into a mocking grin.

“Emiliana, drop the act. Let me make this clear—if you don’t agree to let Natasha be my chosen mate, I won’t mate with you at all.”

He added, his tone dripping with condescension,

“And here you are, not even mated yet, and already so jealous. Tsk, tsk. What kind of Luna material are you?”

Before I could respond, he waved his hand dismissively.

“Fine, Natasha doesn’t have to be a chosen mate. She can be my mistress, but you’ll have to share your inheritance with her. In return, I’ll still make you my Luna. How’s that?”

I lowered my head, smiling faintly.

Wylder took my silence as acquiescence. Just as he was about to speak, I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

“How dare you! I’m the daughter of Gamma Eugene Cook, and you dare insult me like this? Guards, get him out of here—now!”

Wylder clutched his cheek, still reeling from the shock, as the guards rushed in and dragged him out with rough hands.

He stumbled away, yelling over his shoulder,

“Emiliana Cook! You’ll regret this! When I rise to power, you’ll pay for this!”

In our past life, he’d been careful, biding his time until he could strike.

But this time, reborn and arrogant from his past life as a powerful Alpha, he’d forgotten how to hide his true nature.

Did he really think his measly skills could impress the Lycan King?

I watched him go, my smile icy. Let him try. This time, I’d make sure he never got the chance.