The Imperial summons for me had arrived yesterday morning.

I'd locked it in my drawer without opening it.

Of course mine was blank, same as my last life.

Now I held the other letter, the one Seraphina pressed into my hand that night.

“It won’t make any difference if you read it.”

My voice was thick of weariness.

Before Lucian could say more, Seraphina appeared in the doorway, wrapped in a sable-fur shawl, her voice soft as silk.“Lucian… must you waste breath on someone else when your mate is shivering?”

Instantly, he turned and swept her into his arms, carrying her back to the furs like she was made of glass.

“My poor mate,” he murmured, wrapping the blankets tightly around her. “I'll have more coals brought in. I'll warm you myself.”

Seraphina sighed, eyes glistening. “Now that we've truly bonded… and someone heard everything through the door… what if Lady Elise spreads rumors? My reputation…”

“Don’t worry,” Lucian growled, his Alpha voice rumbling through the room like thunder. “I’ve marked you, your scent is mine now.

In three nights, under the full moon in the Moon Hall, I will bind your soul to mine before the pack.

Let anyone look at you wrong, and they’ll face my fangs.”

In pack law, an Alpha’s vow to claim his mate is sacred, not just words, but a blood-deep oath sealed by moonlight.

Then he turned to me, eyes ice-cold.

“I was foolish to think otherwise. If you'd been chosen by the Empire, you'd have been begging me last night to save your life.

As a noble daughter, you should know better than to lurk outside a mating room like some gutter rat,” he growled. “Your brother’s away. As Alpha of this pack, I have every right and duty to discipline you

Go kneel in the snow for two hours. Reflect on your shame.”

It was pack law. And he was enforcing it.

My family had moved north only because Lucian came to crush the rebellion. My brother feared for his life, so he brought us all to this frozen keep.

The castle had fireplaces—but northern winters cut like blades. Frost seeped through stone floors, biting straight to the bone.

Last night's blizzard had buried the courtyard in white.

I knelt on the icy cobbles. Within minutes, my lips turned blue.

After two hours, my knees were numb.

When the maid Amy went to fetch coals, the steward sneered, “The Alpha says every ember goes to Lady Seraphina. She's delicate—can't handle the cold.

“No dry wood or coal for you. But there's plenty of wet logs. Take it or freeze.”

Wet wood smoked like poison when burned.

My eyes stung, throat raw from coughing.

But I said nothing. Just ignored it.

I remembered the first winter Lucian marched to the Frozen Wastes.

My brother took me to the front lines to deliver supplies.

Lucian returned victorious—but half-frozen, leg blackened by frostbite, burning with fever.

I heated stones with my own body heat, slipped them into his tent to keep him alive.

I caught the chill that never left me.

The next morning, he found me shaking outside his tent.

Without a word, he dragged me inside, wrapped me in his cloak, and held me against his chest until my teeth stopped chattering.

“The north is cruel,” he muttered into my hair, voice rough but warm,

“but no one I care about freezes while I'm alive.”

That was his Alpha instinct: protect what's yours.

Now, standing in the snow, I clutched the Imperial letter in my fist—and crushed the last ember of hope inside me.

The next day, my brother returned from the battle.

Lucian commanded a feast in his name.

At the long oak table, Lucian hadn't arrived yet.

My brother winked at me, voice low:

“I heard the mate-hunger hex broke last night.

You were in his room, weren't you? I know how you feel about him…

Did you two finally—?”

He didn't finish.

Because Lucian walked in—carrying Seraphina in his arms like she weighed nothing.

He didn't let her sit on the cold chair. Instead, he had servants lay down velvet cushions before gently setting her down.

My brother froze. “What… what's going on?”

The Alpha—proud, ruthless, feared by packs across the realm—had never treated any female like this.

Like she was his whole world.

Lucian spoke calmly, as if stating the sun rises east:

“Seraphina is my mate. I’ve claimed her.”

My brother's eyes widened.

He opened his mouth,but I tugged his sleeve under the table.

Then Seraphina smiled sweetly, rubbing her lower back.

“Oh Lucian, you're too much! I told you I'm fine, just a little sore.

You didn't need to carry me. Now Lady Elise will be jealous again.”

She turned to me, eyes gleaming.

“By the way, Elise,I heard you froze last night?

Not enough coals? Don't worry!

I 'll send you some from my room. After all… you gave Lucian to me.

That was very kind of you.”

Lucian didn't look up. His calloused hands—used to wielding swords—were carefully preparing food for her.

He glanced at me once, his voice flat:

“An alpha holding his bonded mate is none of anyone’s business.

I’m blood-sworn to her elder brother—by pack law, she’s my sister.

And now that we’re bonded, she already has a sister-in-law.

She should be grateful… not acting like she resents it.

“And since I'm your brother's blood-sworn, I've sworn to protect House Valerius.

That includes keeping you in your place.”

Then, colder: “Elise has always been tough—skin thick as hide, bones forged in ice. She doesn't need your fake concern.”

Their words struck like ice to my chest.

The food turned to ash in my mouth.

After the feast, my brother pulled me into a shadowed corridor, frowning.

“What the hell happened? You swore you'd rather die than let Lucian go.

Why did you push Seraphina into his bedroom?”

I looked past him, toward the snow-covered garden where I'd knelt until my blood nearly froze.

“I finally understood something, brother,” I said quietly.

I told my brother everything.

The truth ?

I wanted to marry the Blood Prince.

Not just to escape Lucian,but to save my family.

Since our parents died, House Valerius had been rotting from the inside.

If I became his bride—even in name, the Empire would protect my brother's rank. Our name wouldn’t vanish into dust.

My brother had always shielded me like his last breath—

If he knew I planned to trade my life for his rise—for the Valerius name under the Empire,

he’d lock me in the ancestral vault before letting me go.

But when I braced for a fight, he laughed.

“Drank the blood of six wives? Ugly? Twisted? That madman…”

Then his eyes softened.

“Elise, you did well. But don't think I care about some fancy title.

Lucian? That mongrel doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as you.

My sister could have any lord in the Empire—dukes, generals, even princes.

But him? I’d rather see you widowed than bonded to him.”

I blinked. “You… know something about the Blood Prince?”

I didn’t understand my brother’s meaning.

Was there more to the Blood Prince than the rumors claimed?

Before I could ask more, he stood abruptly.

“I’ve got matters to handle. In a few days, I’ll escort you to the capital for your bonding rite.”

He left，too fast. Too sharp.

I told myself he just needed time to accept it.

But in my previous life, when he learned Lucian let his wolves tear me apart, he stormed the castle screaming for blood.

Lucian beheaded him with one swing. Fed his body to the pack.

This time, I didn’t care if I died.

My brother had to live.

Amy came running, breathless. “My lady, the courtyard! They’re moving your things!”

I rushed back to find servants hauling my trunks from my room.

Seraphina leaned against Lucian’s chest, pointing at boxes like she already owned them.

When she saw me, she smiled sweetly.

“Lucian says this north-facing chamber gets the best light. Perfect for our me.

Since you’re leaving anyway, you won’t mind if I borrow it, will you, sister?”

I bowed my head. “Of course not. Once you’re bonded, you’ll be mistress of this keep. I’m merely a guest.”

“How thoughtful!” Her eyes dropped to an open chest.

Moon-white silk shimmered inside—my mother’s gown.

Stitched with bone needles under the Blood Moon. Hemmed with silent runes only a blood-witch could read.

The last heirloom of House Valerius. The only thing I planned to take to the Blood Prince’s court.

“Oh! This dress is stunning.” She lifted it, fingers dragging over the sacred fabric like it belonged to her.

“Lucian took me to every tailor in the city, but nothing felt right. This fits me perfectly… Would you gift it to me? As your blessing for our bond?”

I opened my mouth. “It’s mine. I need it for—”

She shrieked.

A black widow spider crawled from the folds, sinking fangs into her hand.

Her skin blackened instantly.

Lucian's face turned to stone. He crushed the spider under his boot, then pulled Seraphina close. “Seraphina! Speak to me!”

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she stared at me.

“Elise! I know you love Lucian. But poisoning me with a black widow?

If I scar, how can I stand beside him as his mate?

Was your jealousy really this cruel?”

“I didn't—! I swear, I don't know how that spider got in!”

“Silence!” Lucian roared.

He tore the dress to shreds right in front of me.

“You think tricks like this will make me stay? Pathetic.”

He dropped to his knees and sucked the venom from her wound—no hesitation, no care for himself.

“Even if you’re scarred, you’re still my only mate. If you suffer, I suffer with you.”

Then he turned to me, voice colder than winter steel.

“You’re not even fit to be my scullery maid, you’re too vile to scrub my floors.”

He called the healer and carried Seraphina away without a glance back.

The doctor said the venom was weak. She’d live.

But Lucian never left her side.

Amy and I moved to an inn in town to escape them.

When I came back for the rest of my things, Lucian stood in my path, eyes fixed on my trunk.

“You’re running from me?”

“No,” I said, voice steady as ice.

“I’ve been pledged to an alliance marriage.

Leaving is the only smart thing to do.”

Lucian’s eyes narrowed. “An alliance? Your brother never said a word.”

“Of course he didn’t,” I said flatly.

“It’s not necessary, since you never trust us.”

He scoffed.

“Fine. Since the spider barely scratched her, I’ll let it go.

But bury that pathetic hope of yours.

I’ll still call you ‘sister’,if you behave.”

His voice dropped, colder than winter stone:“Hurt Seraphina again, and I’ll break you myself.”

I met his gaze, clear and steady.

“I'm not lying. And I don't love you anymore.

If I ever made you uncomfortable, I'm sorry.”

For a heartbeat, he looked stunned,

“Then prove it. Don't lie to my face again.”

As I walked past the stables, I saw them.

My horse—the one Lucian gave me, the one we raised together—now carrying Seraphina like a queen.

And he held the reins for her like she was fragile. Like I never mattered.

He spotted me. Took a step forward.

I turned sharply and left,before I saw the venom in Seraphina's eyes as she watched me go.

At evening, just as Amy set dinner on the table, the door burst open.

Lucian overturned the table. Boiling stew soaked my dress, burning through the fabric.

“You heartless viper!” he snarled.

“Seraphina only wanted to ride your horse, you tried to kill her!

You poisoned the horse with dreamroot!”

He grabbed my hair and dragged me through the streets.

My knees bled. No one moved to help.

In the castle, Seraphina lay in bed, arm bandaged, tears on her cheeks.

“Lucian, maybe we should call off the bonding rite.

First spiders, now this. What if I die next time?

I've lost my purity to you, but if I can't be your mate, I'd rather die!”

“I didn't do it!” I cried. “I swear!”

A stable boy dropped to his knees.

“My Alpha, I saw Lady Elise sneak into the stables before she left.

She poured something into the feed bin.

The horse went mad hours later!”

Lucian's hand cracked across my neck.

“Still lying? Being wanted by you is my shame!”

He hauled me to the hunting grounds behind the keep.

He threw me into the hunting grounds. A dozen starved wolves circled—green eyes, bared fangs, drool on the snow.

Ice flooded my veins. “What are you going to do?”

I’m innocent! And if you kill me, my brother...”

“lier!” he cut in.

“Even your brother would thank me for ridding our bloodline of you.”

“I told you,I don't love you anymore! Why would I risk everything for a man who sees me as filth?”

“I’m already prepared for the marriage alliance.”

Seraphina stepped forward, playing the gentle dove.

“Don't blame Lucian, Elise. He only protects what's his. ”

She leaned in, whispering so only I could hear:

“You think he looked at you because he still cares? Dream on.

I'd rather see you torn apart here than let you walk into the Blood Prince's castle alive. And your brother?

Don't worry, he'll join you soon enough.”

Rage burned through me. I shoved her. “You snake!”

“Ahh! She attacked me while I tried to help!” Seraphina gasped.

Lucian caught her, then barked: “No remorse. Bind her. Throw her to the wolves. She stays there until she begs for forgiveness!”

The pack lunged.

Just as fangs flashed toward my throat—two voices thundered through the night:

“Release my sister!”

“Touch my future bride,” came the second voice.

“And you answer to the Blood Prince.”