Chapter 1: Dying Breath

The marble floor of the hall felt like ice against my cheek as I tried to lift my head but the heavy heel of a werewolf guard ground my face back into the stone. The metallic taste of my blood filled my mouth.

“Look at her “ a sharp mocking voice purred from above.

Brenda stepped into my fading line of sight. Her silver she-wolf ears twitched with amusement as she played with the collar of Lucius's robe. She wasn't wearing her warrior armor anymore. She didn't need to. She had won.

“She actually believed you,Lucius,” Brenda laughed. With her eyes gleaming with malice. “She thought a worthless human could share a throne with a god.”

Lucius didn't look at Brenda, instead his golden eyes that were already empty of warmth were glued to me. He held the broadsword I had gifted him on our wedding day. the very blade my people had forged as a symbol of our peace.

“You served your purpose, Tiana, “ Lucius said. “The human rebels laid down their arms because they trusted their little Luna. They thought they were safe.. Cattle are never safe from wolves.”

I swallowed the blood in my throat. forcing my cracked lips to move. “I gave you... Everything. We built a treaty.”

“A treaty?” Brenda burst out laughing. She steps forward to kick my ribs. The pain flared hot and blinding. “You stupid girl. The treaty was a leash. While you sat in your greenhouse pretending to be a queen our packs were quietly taking over your farmlands. Your people are already in chains mining the silver you used to fight us with.”

My heart shattered. I thought of my sister, Lyra and my loyal soldiers. I had led them into a slaughterhouse. I had trusted a monster.

“Why?” I choked out. “Why kill me now?”

“Because you have nothing left to give,” Lucius replied coldly as He raised the silver broadsword. “The human resistance is broken. A human Luna is no longer a necessity. It's time to clean the palace.”

“Lucius, please let me do it” Brenda begged. “Let me taste the blood of the great rebel leader.”

“No,” Lucius snapped. “ It is only fitting that she dies by the blade she gave me.”

I stopped fighting. I locked my gaze onto Lucius as I gathered every ounce of strength

“If there is hell “ I whispered, “I will drag myself out of it. If I have to live a thousand lives Lucius I will spend every one of them planning your destruction.”

Brenda scoffed. “Dying words from a little monkey. Do it Alpha.”

Lucius swung the blade down.

It was an instantaneous pain . A hot searing line across my neck. Then came the cold.

The world began to blur. The bright lights faded into grey as my lungs burned. And my fingers twitched against the stone.

“I will kill you” my mind screamed. “I will tear your empire apart brick by brick. I will trust no one. I will never love again. I will make you bleed.”

The silence swallowed me whole. My heart gave one thud and stopped.

A violent gasp ripped out of my throat as my eyes flew open. I bolted upright. My hands flew to my neck.

There was nothing. Smooth unbroken skin.

I was panting heavily. My chest heaved as air rushed into my lungs. I looked around. It was canvas. Heavy dark green canvas.

I scrambled backward on a cot. I looked down at my clothes. I wasn't wearing my silk Luna gown. I was in leather armor stained with dirt and dried mud.

“Commander?” a voice called out.

The word hit me like a blow. “Commander.” No one had called me that in five years.

The heavy flap of the tent pushed open. A young man stepped inside. He held a tray with a cup of water and a plate of stale bread. He had a scar across his eyebrow. He wore the blue uniform of the Southern Human Rebellion.

“Jake” I breathed as my voice trembled.

Jake froze as he looked at me with confusion and worry. He set the tray down.

“Are you alright Commander Tiana? You look like you've seen a ghost. You were screaming in your sleep.”

I couldn't speak. I stared at him. Jake had died. Lucius had sent him on a suicide mission.

“What day is it?” I interrupted.

“It's... It's Tuesday, Commander. The thirteenth of May.”

“The year, Jake. What is the year?”

“It's... Well it's five years since the Great Treaty War started “ he said slowly.

The Red Valley border.

My heart hammered against my ribs. This was the day. This was the morning Alpha Lucius sent an envoy requesting a ceasefire and a personal meeting.

I let go of his wrist. I stood up. My legs shook slightly as I walked over to a mirror.

I looked at my reflection. My face was younger. I was twenty-two years old again.

I had gone back. The vow I made in my dying breath, the universe had actually listened.

“Commander,” Jake said. “The scouts just returned from the perimeter. You need to come to the command tent.”

My mind spun as I turned around

“Did they find something?” I asked.

“Yes,” Jake nodded. “A werewolf convoy. They're carrying a flag of truce. The rider, at the claims to be the personal messenger of Alpha Lucius himself. He wants a parley. He says the Alpha wants to end the bloodshed and discuss a partnership.”

A cold mean smile crept onto my face. It was starting. The same trap, set up in the way. In my life I had cried tears of relief when I heard this news. I had gathered my captains told them our sacrifices had finally made the beasts respect us and walked into that meeting room with a heart.

Not this time.

"Tell the captains to meet in the tent " I ordered, with a low and commanding voice. Jake straightened up. ". Jake?"

"Yes Commander?"

"Double the guards on our weapons storage. Don't let anyone from the perimeter near our silver supplies. Not even our own scouts."

Jake looked confused but he saluted. " Right Away Tiana."

He. Hurried out of the tent letting in a gust of cold morning air.

I walked over to my footlocker. Opened it. On top of my uniform was my favorite weapon, a well-balanced dual-blade set with silver crossguards. I picked them up feeling the weight in my hands.

In my life I laid these exact swords down at Luciuss feet during our wedding ceremony as a gesture of trust. I remembered how he smiled, picking them up and praising my bravery while his mistress watched from the front row already planning which human villages to burn.

I put the blades back in their sheaths my teeth grinding together.

"You think I'm that naive girl, Lucius " I whispered to the empty tent. "You think you're going to walk in here, flash your eyes, talk about a beautiful world where wolves and humans live as equals and watch me fall to my knees."

I walked toward the exit with my boots thudding against the dirt floor. With every step my fear and confusion burned away replaced by rage. I knew every move he was going to make. I knew his weaknesses, his secret supply lines and the traitors in my camp.

I was no longer a victim. I was the one in control.

I pushed the tent flap open. Stepped out into the bright sunlight of the rebel camp. The smell of woodsmoke and damp earth hit my nose. Dozens of soldiers were moving around sharpening swords tending to wounds looking exhausted. They didn't know that in a hours a monster would offer them a fake peace.

I walked toward the command tent scanning the perimeter.

Just as I reached the entrance a loud commotion broke out near the barricade. Horns blew, three bursts. The signal, for an approaching party.

"Commander Tiana!" a lookout shouted from the watchtower pointing toward the valley line. "They're here! The werewolf envoy has crossed the river!"

I stopped, turning my head toward the tree line. Emerging from the grey morning mist were five black-furred wolves walking on all fours. At the front of the pack rode a man on a stallion whose posture regal his silver armor polished.

From this distance I could see the glow of his golden eyes.

It was him. Lucius didn't just send an envoy. He had come to the border personally.

My fingers wrapped around the hilts of my silver blades. My heart beat steady and slow. The game had begun and this time I was ready.

Chapter 2: Parley Face-off

I was standing in my command tent looking at the wooden war table with my fingers on the carvings of the Southern territories. Five years ago on this same day I had looked at these maps with a heart full of hope. I had looked at them as a Bride to be

Now I was looking at them as a soldier who had already felt the executioner's blade on her neck.

"Commander," a voice said from the tent entrance. It was Captain Vance. He looked younger than I remembered. His face was free of the scars that he got during the bloody siege of the Obsidian Court.

"They are here, " Vance said, with his hand resting tightly on the handle of his sword. "The Alpha King has crossed the river line, he brought a group just like his message said, they are carrying white flags."

I did not look up immediately. I kept my eyes fixed on the map, specifically on the lush, heavily fortified valleys of the South. The white flags, I thought, a bitter taste rising in my throat. The perfect lie.

“How many men, Vance?" I asked with a voice devoid of the trembling fear I had carried in my first life.

"Fifty riders, ma'am " Vance replied as he was stepping closer looking troubled. "It's a number for a King but they are his best guards. Are we still going with your orders? We have archers hiding in the hills. If this is a trap we can end this now."

"No " I said I finally looked up meeting his gaze. "Let him come to the center of the camp to gather the officers. I want everyone to see the King sue for peace."

Vance was hesitant as he furrowed his brow "Commander, with respect we have fought the bloodline wolves for three years you hate them more than anyone why accept a talk now?"

"Because Vance " I said, with a small smile on my lips "sometimes you have to let a wolf think he has found a lamb just to see how deep he digs his grave, go bring him in."

Vance saluted, though he still looked uneasy and stepped out of the tent.

I was left alone. I let out a breath as I reached down checking the twin silver daggers under my leather tunic. They were there cold ready. I was not the naive girl who wanted a treaty to save lives, I was a ghost who had come back to change history.

Outside, the sound of horse hooves was echoing through the camp. The murmurs of my soldiers were rising and falling like a storm. They hated the wolves; they had buried too many friends to trust a sudden offer of a truce.

I stepped out of the tent into the sunlight.

Riding at the front of the group was Lucius, the Alpha King.

He looked exactly like I remembered him perfectly. His golden hair was catching the sun, his silver armor was gleaming, his face was charming wearing a sorrowful expression that I now knew was fake.

Lucius got off his horse with ease, handing the reins to a guard; he did not look like a conqueror, he looked like a savior.

When his eyes found me his face softened it was the look that had made my heart melt five years ago.

"Tiana " he said, stepping forward with his hands open "you came yourself I was afraid you would refuse to see me."

I stood my ground crossing my arms. I did not move towards him "you brought fifty killers to my doorstep Lucius. I usually see my enemies on the battlefield, not in my camp."

Lucius let out a sigh as He took another step closing the distance between us. The air was electric with tension. Dozens of my soldiers were watching from the sidelines, their hands near their weapons.

"We have been fighting for three years, " Lucius said with a low voice. . "The Red Valley is soaked in the blood of my people and yours. I did not come here as the Alpha King, I came here as a man who's tired of the graves."

"Tired?" I echoed with a calm voice "you seemed energetic when your forces burned our supply lines last month."

"An act of war ordered by my council, not my heart " Lucius replied. He reached into his cloak and pulled out a rolled parchment "I brought a treaty, no more fighting, no more borders drawn in blood."

I looked at the parchment. I knew what was written inside, it offered a withdrawal of forces, a shared neutral zone and a proposal of marriage to bind our factions together in my past life I had cried with relief when I read it I had believed every word I had believed he loved me.

". What does the great Alpha King want in exchange for this mercy?" I asked, keeping my tone light.

Lucius stepped closer as his eyes was locked onto mine, "I want you Tiana I want the Commander of the Rebel Vanguard to stand by my side not across from me on a battlefield let us merge our houses become my Luna and we will rule a valley together."

Behind me I heard Vance shift his weight, a gasp from one of the officers, a marriage treaty with the King was a shocking turn of events.

Lucius smiled, an expression that had fooled kingdoms, he extended the parchment "take it look at the terms I have given up everything to make this fair for your people."

I did not take the scroll instead I laughed. It was a sound that made Lucius's smile falter.

"You give up everything?" I asked, tilting my head "you are very generous today, Lucius."

"I am serious Tiana " he said, "I want peace do you accept?"

I looked him dead in the eye. "yes."

Lucius blinked; he was surprised by how I had agreed, "you... You accept?"

"I do, " I said, stepping forward as I smiled at him. It was a beautiful smile that masked the ice in my veins "why should we keep fighting? A marriage is a solution. I will gladly sign your treaty."

My soldiers were whispering in shock. Lucius's chest was puffed out with a flash of pride in his eyes he thought he had won he thought the rebel commander had been tamed by his charm.

"You have made a good choice my love " Lucius said, reaching out to take my hand "the valley will rejoice."

I stepped back avoiding his touch, my smile never faded, "of course but a royal wedding requires tradition doesn't it? A King cannot take a Luna without offering something to seal the contract."

Lucius's hand was hovering in the air before he lowered it his eyes narrowed, "the treaty already guarantees safety and grain supplies for your people, Tiana what do you require?"

"Oh nothing big " I said, with a sweet voice, "just a traditional gift, to show my people that you truly value this alliance."

"Name it " Lucius said, with a smooth voice. "if it is within my power it is yours."

I pointed at the map at the edge of the border. "I want the Southern Border lands, every acre of the Red Crest valley, the iron mines and the three fortresses to hand over the deeds and withdraw your garrisons by the end of the week and I will marry you."

The camp was dead silent, the wind was howling. Not a single person moved.

Lucius froze, the expression on his face shattered the golden light, in his eyes turned dark and predatory.

The Southern Border lands were not some random places. They were the strength of his kingdom's defense. The iron mines gave him the weapons he needed. Those three fortresses were all that stood in the way of an invasion from the neighboring empires. What was more important was that this was the exact place Lucius had planned to use in three weeks to attack my people when we were celebrating our fake peace treaty.

By asking for the South I was not just asking for a gift. I was taking away his plan before he could even put it into action.

"Tiana, " Lucius said with a Dangerous voice, with a strong authority that commanded attention. The charm was gone, replaced by a hard tone. "That is not possible. The Southern lands belong to the pack. They cannot be given away like a gift for our wedding."

I did not back down under his pressure. I just shrugged, with an amused look in my eyes.

"A small gift? I thought you said you wanted an alliance, Lucius " I said,as my voice was clear and strong in the silence. "You said you were tired of all the fighting and death. You said you would give up everything for peace with me. So giving up three fortresses should be a small price to pay for a lifetime of peace."

Lucius clenched his jaw so hard that the muscles in his cheek twitched. His hands were fists at his sides. He looked at me trying to find any sign of the girl he thought he could control.

He did not find anything.

There was no fear in my eyes. No hesitation. I was looking at him like a predator that had caught its prey. He knew that I knew what he was planning even if he did not know how or why.

"You are going far Commander, " Lucius said, stepping close to me, his cloak smelling of iron and ash. The strong alpha was staring me down. "You cannot ask for our defenses and call it peace."

I leaned in closer, with a sharp smile I whispered to him.

“Then I guess we aren't getting married, Lucius. Take your treaty and get off my land. Or sign the South over to me, and let's see who survives our honeymoon.”

Chapter 3: The Ambush Swapped

The signed treaty felt like a weight against my side, hidden under my leather armor. Lucius had signed it. I knew he was furious when he did it. He thought he was clever. I was not fooled. I could still see the anger in his eyes when he stamped his seal into the wax.

He thought that if I was dead I couldn't claim my land.. I was not going to die. Not this time.

"Commander, " Vance said quietly, breaking into my thoughts. His voice was barely louder than the wind blowing through the rocks. He stood beside me looking anxious as he peered over the edge of the cliff. "The men are in position in the passes of the canyon.. They are confused. They want to know why we left the road so soon after the King signed the treaty. The paths through these rocks are dangerous for the horses."

"A broken leg for a horse is better than a slit throat for a soldier, Vance," I said without looking at him. keeping my eyes locked on the empty dirt highway winding through the valley below us.

"Do you really think Lady Brenda would attack us tonight?" Vance asked with his hand on his sword. "We have a treaty now. If she breaks it, it means war with the court."

I let out a breath that misted in the cold air. Allies. What a joke.

"Lucius only signed the treaty because I forced him to, " I told Vance, turning to look at him. "He wanted my army to let their guard down.. He never planned to keep his promise. Brenda is just doing what Lucius told her to do."

I remembered what happened in my past life. I had marched down that road thinking Lucius really wanted me.. Brenda and her wolves had ambushed us, killing my men while they slept. I had barely escaped with my life.

"Brenda is there, " I said, pointing to the road. "She is waiting for us."

". How do you know that?" Vance asked, frowning. "Our scouts checked the road. Found nothing."

"The wolves don't hide where we look, " I said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "They hide in the shadows, where we can't see them. They are waiting for us."

Vance swallowed hard looking at the road then back at me. "If you are right we left our decoy wagons there with nothing but straw inside. If they attack they will know it's a trick."

"That's what I want, " I said quietly. "I want Brenda to know that I am not a fool."

then a low thud echoed from the upper ridges. It was our signal.

"They're moving, " I whispered.

I pulled my cloak tighter. Crawled closer to the edge of the cliff looking down. Vance dropped down beside me, his breath catching.

For a minute everything was still. The road was empty and quiet. Then our decoy wagons moved slowly down the track pulled by mules and driven by my most experienced riders. To anyone watching it looked like a convoy.

"I don't see anything, " Vance whispered after a while. "Maybe the scouts were right. Maybe Brenda is not coming."

"Watch the trees, " I said, pointing to a patch of pines. "The wind is blowing one way. The branches are moving the other way."

Vance squinted into the dark. Then his body went rigid.

A massive shadow detached itself from the trees. Then another.. Another. They were wolves moving silently and fast. They didn't howl. They moved like ghosts across the grass converging on the road.

"By the gods " Vance breathed, his hand gripping my arm tightly. "There are dozens of them. That's Brenda's pack. The Iron Fang vanguard."

"Seventy wolves, " I said, with a cold voice . "They brought seventy killers to wipe out my guard. Lucius wanted to make sure I didn't survive the night."

"We would have been killed, " Vance stammered, with a pale face "If we had stayed on that road Commander... We would all be dead."

"I know " I said softly remembering the horror of my life.. I pushed the memory away.

Below us the ambush erupted into chaos.

A giant grey wolf sprang from the rocks onto the wagon. It was Brenda. She slammed into the driver's seat, her jaws snapping.. The driver was not there. He had jumped clear just like I planned.

The other wolves swarmed the wagons tearing through the canvas tops and straw bundles. They expected to find sleeping soldiers. There was only straw.

The attack lasted less than a minute. Then the wolves realized something was wrong. There was no blood, no screams. Only the sound of ripping fabric and scattering grass.

The giant grey wolf leaped down from the wagon landing heavily in the road. Brenda began to shift her body changing from wolf to human. She stood in the middle of the wreckage, naked and furious.

She kicked a bundle of straw away, her chest heaving as she screamed into the night.

"Where is she?!" Brenda's voice echoed up the canyon walls. "Where is the rebel witch?"

Her soldiers shifted back, into form looking panicked and searching the woods.. They found nothing.

I stood up, stepping to the edge of the cliff. The wind caught my cloak making it snap like a flag. I knew Brenda couldn't see me clearly. I wanted her to feel my presence.

Vance stood up beside me drawing his sword with a ring.

"Should we tell the archers to get ready Commander?" Vance asked. He really wanted to fight back. We have the ground here. We can shoot arrows down at them now. We can finish Brenda tonight.

"No," a mean smile spread across my face as I looked down at the trap Brenda set for me that did not work. "Let her go back to Lucius and tell him she did not get me. I want to see the look on my fiancés face when he finds out I am still alive."

Down on the road Brenda stopped screaming all of a sudden. She felt something so she slowly looked up her yellow eyes looking up at the cliffs of the canyon.

Our eyes met across the vast, dark emptiness.

Brenda froze. The color completely drained from her face as she spotted our silhouettes standing tall against the moonlit sky, completely out of her reach. She realized instantly that she hadn't just missed her target, she had been completely outplayed. Her arrogant, vicious smirk completely vanished, replaced by a sudden, sickening look of pure terror.