Reborn into this life, I’ve made every effort to avoid any entanglement with Jaziel Shaw.

When he was bullied by the pack’s delinquents during pack training, I didn’t step in to stop it.

When he graduated at the top of his class from the pack’s academy, celebrated with a pack run through the territory, I declined Winter’s invitation to watch, choosing instead to stay home and mend the torn training gear.

When he brought Bella Gonzalez, his late brother’s mate, to a pack gathering and they were mocked, I didn’t intervene to smooth things over.

In my past life, he had taken my only pup and handed him to Bella to raise.

From then on, my son refused to call me “Mother,” addressing me only as “Analia Payne.” As he grew older, he even lectured me on being a dutiful Luna, urging me to accept Jaziel’s bond with Bella so he could have heirs from both lines.

But I hadn’t expected Jaziel to reject other potential mates, just as he had in my past life, and come to my family’s pack to propose to me once more.

In that moment, I realized with a sinking heart that Jaziel must also be reborn.

---

When my father sent for me to meet Jaziel in the pack’s main hall, I was still reeling from the shock.

That day, when I’d chosen not to attend the pack run celebrating the academy’s top graduates, Winter had come to tell me all about it.

“Analia, you really missed out. That Jaziel Shaw—he’s the youngest top graduate in history. And he’s so handsome.

“He was leading the pack run, and when he passed the clearing where I was sitting, he glanced my way a few times. My heart was racing. Too bad I’m already promised to someone. If you’d been there, maybe it would’ve sparked something.”

I didn’t look up, focused on mending the torn knee guards. The Northern Frost Pack’s territory was harsh, and the warriors needed all the protection they could get.

When I didn’t respond, Winter faltered. “I’m sorry, Analia. I shouldn’t have joked like that.”

Only then did I glance up and give her a small smile.

Winter quickly looped her arm through mine. “I really am sorry. Jaziel’s impressive, but that Bella—she’s not easy to deal with.

“Yesterday, my mother took me to the Alpha’s spring gathering, and Bella showed up with Jaziel, acting like she was his Luna. Several of the higher-ranking she-wolves were clearly annoyed.”

It was no wonder Winter thought Jaziel wasn’t the problem.

In my past life, I hadn’t realized it either.

Jaziel, who was always so proper and refused to take any mate beyond his bond, had been entangled with Bella in ways I never imagined.

If Bella hadn’t damaged her fertility from drinking too much wolfsbane tea, Jaziel might never have allowed me to bear his pup, Eugene.

It wasn’t until I was on my deathbed that I heard Bella crying and saying,

“Jaziel, the thought of you lying beside Analia for eternity—it makes me wish I could die right now.”

Jaziel’s voice was strained.

“Our shared grave is just for show. When the time comes, I’ll make sure Eugene buries me with you.”

Eugene, the pup I’d carried for nine months and nearly died birthing, chimed in eagerly,

“Don’t worry, Mom. When Dad’s gone, I’ll find some rogue’s body to bury with Analia.”

Bella finally smiled through her tears. “I knew I could count on you.”

My head spun with rage, but as my consciousness faded, I couldn’t even muster the strength to demand answers.

Jaziel and I had been mates for a lifetime.

Though we’d had our share of arguments, we’d always been respectful and caring toward each other.

I’d thought his only fault was his obsession with ensuring his brother’s bloodline continued, which led him to hand our pup to Bella, breaking my heart in the process.

But I hadn’t known that he and Bella had been unfaithful all along.

I, his bonded Luna, had been nothing more than a convenient cover for their secret.

They’d made a fool of me for an entire lifetime.

And now, here he was, proposing to me again.

I could only guess that, after weighing his options, Jaziel still thought I was the easiest to deceive.

---

Bella Gonzalez had been the most beautiful she-wolf in our territory.

My brother and I had grown up with her, and we’d both fallen for her as we came of age.

After my brother mated Bella, I threw myself into my studies.

Only by burying myself in books could I forget the pain of seeing the one I loved become my sister-in-law.

To earn the funds for my education at the pack’s academy, my brother joined a group of rogues and set out to explore new territories.

But he was lost in a rogue attack, his body never recovered.

Bella wept until she was hollow.

I swore silently that I would succeed, not just for myself, but to honor my brother’s memory and take care of Bella in his stead.

I buried my feelings for Bella deep, alongside my brother’s memorial.

She would always be my respected sister-in-law.

My father, the Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack, had always admired hardworking werewolves from modest backgrounds. That’s why he took an immediate liking to Jaziel Shaw, a Beta of the Silver Fang Pack known for his diligence.

When I followed my attendant into the gathering hall, my father greeted me with a warm smile. "Analia, this is Jaziel Shaw," he said, his voice brimming with pride. "I’ve told him about you—how you’ve studied and grown into a fine young she-wolf."

Jaziel’s gaze burned into me as he spoke my name. "Analia Payne."

I averted my eyes, giving him a polite nod. "Father, Laura Carlson is waiting for me outside. She’s taking me to the Moonlit Grove for a ceremony today."

Laura Carlson, the Luna of the Northern Frost Pack, had been my mother’s closest friend. She had recently returned from the Northern Territory to arrange a marking ceremony for her son, Fernando. As the mate of a respected Gamma, Laura commanded respect wherever she went, and my father didn’t argue.

We arrived at the Moonlit Grove, where I lit a long-burning candle in honor of my mother. Laura watched me with tears in her eyes. "Analia," she said softly, "your mother and I made a promise long ago—to unite our families through the mate bond. If you’re willing, I’ll speak to your father and arrange for you to bond with my son, Fernando. I’ll treat you as my own daughter."

I reached into my bag and pulled out a pair of thick, handmade gloves. "Before she passed, my mother spoke of this promise. I’d be honored to bond with Fernando and join the Northern Frost Pack. These gloves are for him—please give them to him when you see him."

Laura’s eyes lit up with joy. "You’re just as thoughtful as your mother. The Northern Territory may be harsh, but our pack values loyalty and unity. Fernando may not be the most scholarly, but he’s a warrior at heart. He’ll treat you with the respect you deserve."

I smiled softly, memories of my past life flooding back. In that life, I had been too infatuated with Jaziel to consider Laura’s offer. I had even thrown a handcrafted sachet to him during a pack run, right in front of Winter. Jaziel had looked back at me with a smile that seemed to say, *Analia, wait for me.*

But now, I wouldn’t make the same mistake. When Laura had asked me then, I had blushed and said, "Father will decide." By the time Laura’s mate returned to propose, my father had already accepted Jaziel’s offer. Laura, though disappointed, had still treated me like family. "Analia," she had said, "if you ever need anything, send word to the North."

In that life, when the Northern Territory was under attack by rogues, I had donated half my dowry to support the pack’s warriors. It was a decision that had angered Jaziel, but I had no regrets. This time, I wouldn’t let Laura down.

---

Later, when Winter accompanied me to the pack’s central territory, I met Laura again. She introduced me to her daughter, Winter Cooper—a spirited Delta with a fierce loyalty to her family. Winter and I quickly became close, and I admired her strength and straightforwardness.

During a pack run, I stood among the crowd, watching Jaziel shift into his wolf form as a newly promoted Beta. My eyes, however, were drawn to Fernando Ryan, a Gamma from the Northern Frost Pack. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his aura commanding yet kind. When our eyes met, I felt a flicker of something deeper—a scent that tugged at my instincts.

Winter nudged me playfully. "Analia, did you see how he looked at you?" she teased.

I smiled, but my thoughts were already made up. This time, I wouldn’t let Jaziel’s charm sway me. I had a second chance, and I would choose wisely.