The whole crowd that had gathered made low murmuring sounds as they looked at their Alpha with doubt. They were obviously shocked at how someone could introduce his mate to the entire pack one minute and reject her the next.

"You can go," he ordered, turning to his side where Ellen stood.

She slowly climbed down the stairs as tears of opprobrium and obloquy filled her eyes, threatening to make her even more embarrassed than she already was. All eyes were fixed on her as she walked away toward the Omega hall. It was as though the entire pack formed an aisle for her to pass through, and when her tears finally rolled down her cheeks, they drew pity and sympathy from almost everyone present-something she absolutely did not need.

'I'm an Omega after all. I don't deserve to be the Luna. I am just an Omega who probably has nothing to offer. Maybe not probably-I can't offer anything to him... I can't offer anything to anyone... not to him, not to his pack...!' Ellen thought within herself as tears continued to fall uncontrollably. Her heart twisted painfully, forcing a quiet wince out of her.

Ah... she had thought it wouldn't hurt, but it did. It really did hurt to know how much people didn't want you.

Her mom and dad had both left her... her little best friend, her brother, he had also left her... not by choice, but still-they all left her. And now she was left to face the most embarrassing moment of her life-to be rejected by her mate in front of the entire pack. Maybe it wouldn't have hurt this much if he had rejected her privately, without summoning the whole pack, but he had done it deliberately-to shame her, to humiliate her, or perhaps because she came from his enemy's pack.

At a point, she began to run as fast as she could. She ran until her legs could no longer carry her, and she collapsed onto the ground when they finally gave out. Then she began to bawl uncontrollably, crying until even her tears seemed to abandon her.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" a familiar voice asked as footsteps approached her.

Ellen looked up and saw her friend, Kelly.

"Ellen, I know it hurts a lot to be rejected by your mate like that, but you don't have to dwell on it. One thing is certain-whether you have another mate or not, someone out there will love and cherish you because you deserve more than this. Ellen, stop crying and move on with your life. This is definitely not the end," Kelly said, and Ellen looked up at her as the tears she thought had dried up began to fall again like spring water.

Maybe this was what she needed-a shoulder to lean on, a friend who knew when to be there when you needed them the most.

•••

"Kelly, have you done it?" someone asked over the phone.

She looked around carefully to ensure no one was nearby before replying. "Yes, I have done it. You can come check on it by tomorrow," she said in a near whisper.

After ending the call, she looked around once more before heading back into the Omega hall.

It had been a month since Alpha Damien rejected Ellen, and just as Kelly had advised, Ellen continued her life as though nothing had happened. She had come to understand one thing clearly-no matter what happened in her life, she had to overcome it, if not for anything else, then for one important person.

For herself.

"Ellen! Ellen! Ellen!" Kelly called out loudly when she saw Ellen heading toward her mattress, probably to take some clothes to wash as she had been instructed.

"Kelly, I didn't hear you. I'm sorry," Ellen said apologetically.

"No need for that, I urgently need your help with something," Kelly replied, grabbing her hand and pulling her along without giving her a choice.

On their way to wherever Kelly was taking her, they saw Victor heading toward the Omega hall with several pack warriors behind him. Ellen felt nervous at the sight of him, but when he glanced at her and continued walking, she felt slightly relieved.

When they returned, they were shocked to see Victor scattering the corner where Ellen slept.

"What are they doing?" she asked the person standing beside her.

"They're searching for the Alpha's ancestral staff that was given to him by his late father," the person replied.

Ellen looked closely and noticed that the way he searched others' belongings was not the same way he searched hers. She became infuriated and was about to step forward when he suddenly raised his head from her bag, holding a short cane-like object in his hand.

"Where is Ellen!" Victor shouted.

Everyone immediately stepped away from her, leaving her completely exposed. Even Kelly moved away. Ellen had thought Kelly would stand by her, but she was the first to distance herself.

She thought they were friends.

"Take her to the ceremonial stage-now!" Victor ordered the warriors.

Before Ellen could react, she was dragged by her hands toward the ceremonial ground. They didn't care that she wasn't as strong as them. At one point, she fell to the ground, but they continued dragging her, her body scraping painfully against the floor until they reached the stage.

At that moment, she held onto a tiny glimmer of hope-that the Alpha would at least give her a chance to explain herself.

The Alpha was already standing on the stage when they arrived. She looked up and met his gaze, clinging to that last bit of hope until-

"Burial her alive!" he ordered.

The moment those words left his lips, tears streamed down her cheeks. This was supposed to be her mate... how could he hate her so much without reason? Maybe her greatest mistake was being his mate-but that was never her choice.

Victor, as though he had won a prize, immediately began tearing off her clothes, touching her in ways he had always wanted. Ellen screamed in protest, hoping the Alpha would hear her and stop them-but he didn't. Her pleas fell on deaf ears.

And now she was here.

"Let me out... let me out! Please, let me out... I didn't do anything to deserve this... I didn't steal anything..." Ellen cried as she banged against the top of the coffin they had sealed her in.

As she continued hitting it with all her strength, she began to notice something-her strength was failing. Her breathing grew weaker with each passing second. She realized she was no longer inhaling fresh air... only the same air she exhaled.

And death...

Death was waiting for her.

With open arms.

She stopped hitting the coffin when she realized it was useless. Her own breath began to suffocate her.

She was dying.

Tears rolled down her cheeks-perhaps the only thing she still had left.

'I don't deserve this... I'm sure... I don't... Life, you have been so cruel to me... as if I wasn't human to begin with... why did you make my life worse than death...?'

Her breathing became even more strained, and her eyes began to close weakly. Gathering the last strength she had left, she whispered-

"If only I am given another chance at life... I vow to make all of you feel what pain is like... I will make sure you experience nothing but pain... if only life permits me again..." she muttered as her eyes slowly shut, and darkness consumed her.

Her soul faded into darkness.

THREE YEARS LATER...

"Simon, it's been close to six months since my daughter has been on this sick bed, lying lifeless," Alpha Felix said to his friend, his voice heavy with pain as he struggled to keep himself composed.

"Felix, calm down. What did you say happened to her again?" Simon asked, gently patting his shoulders in an attempt to console him.

"She went swimming in a strange river, and then someone shot her with a poisoned arrow and fled immediately. When he was caught by her bodyguards, he refused to talk, insisting that no one sent him, and then I killed him with my own bare hands, albeit that didn't bring her back to life, but I had to do that-she's my only heiress after all. I have no one else except her," Alpha Felix explained, his tone laced with grief and helplessness.

"Don't worry, she will be fine," Simon said reassuringly, though his expression turned thoughtful as he touched his temples, clearly debating something in his mind.

"Do you know that my son studied Medicine and Surgery in the human world before I handed over the Alpha title to him? That had always been his dream since his mother died of an unknown illness, so I think he can help your daughter," Simon added, a proud smile spreading across his face.

"Really? Oh, Simon, you're truly a friend indeed. I don't know how best to thank you," Felix responded, grabbing Simon's hands tightly, hope flickering in his eyes for the first time in months.

"Don't worry, what are friends for if I can't do this little thing for you?" Simon replied warmly, returning the smile.

"So when will he come over to my pack? I want to use this opportunity to see him. You know, the last time I saw him, he was just a little boy," Felix inquired, chuckling softly as memories of the past resurfaced.

"Yes, he will be here unfailingly by tomorrow. Expect his presence in your pack," Simon replied as he stood up from the edge of the bed, clearly preparing to leave.

"Thank you so much," Alpha Felix said as he pulled Simon into a warm embrace.

Alpha Felix was the Alpha of the Night Walker Pack. He had lost his son in a bloody war between his pack and another rival pack, a loss that shattered him deeply. Just when he thought all hope was gone, fate blessed him again-his Luna conceived and gave birth to a daughter, Annabel, whom he loved beyond words. However, her birth came at a painful cost-it took away the life of his beloved mate. Despite that, it never stopped him from loving Annabel with everything he had.

He loved her so deeply that her pain became his pain, her joy his joy, and her laughter alone was enough to light up his entire world. She was brighter than the sun itself to him. He refused to bring another woman into their lives, unwilling to share her love with anyone. He wanted her all to himself. He raised her with his own hands, guiding her through every stage of her life.

She completed him. She filled the emptiness left behind by his mate. If she had left him too, just like her mother did, his life would have been completely void and meaningless. If there was one thing he constantly thanked the goddess for, it was for bringing Annabel into his life. She was his everything-his all in all.

He shook his head lightly, as if trying to shake away the painful thoughts that always flooded his mind whenever he saw his daughter lying in that vegetative state. He took her right hand into his and gently caressed the back of her palm before lowering his head to place a soft kiss on it.

"My darling, my love, my all in all, my sweet little daughter, please hang in there-for your father's sake at least. Don't give up. Keep fighting, and trust me, I will do everything in my power to bring you out of this. Just trust me like you always have. I promise to get you out of this, okay? Remember this-your father loves you and will always love you, no matter what happens," Alpha Felix said, his voice trembling as he placed gentle kisses on both her cheeks before finally forcing himself to walk out of the room and into his study.

His life had been nothing but empty and monotonous ever since she became unconscious. Nothing felt the same anymore. His world had grown silent, lonely, constantly reminding him of the missing piece of his heart.

The next day, a loud knock on his study door pulled him out of his thoughts. He stood up and walked towards the door, opening it to find his Beta and Gamma standing there with a young man behind them.

"Greetings, Alpha. You mentioned you were expecting Alpha Simon's son, so we didn't seek permission before allowing him in," his Beta, Daniel, explained respectfully.

"Oh... my son, Caine, is this you?" Alpha Felix asked as he stepped forward, pulling him into a brief embrace.

"Greetings, Alpha. It's been a long time," Caine replied with a slight smile on his lips.

Felix returned the smile and gestured for him to come in. "Please, make yourself comfortable. This is your home as well," he said before stepping out momentarily.

Caine looked around the house, quietly admiring the elegant décor, the detailed paintings on the walls, and the overall grandeur of the space.

He was brought back to reality when a maid walked into the living room, heading straight to the dining area where she placed a tray on the table.

"Alpha, your meal is ready," she said, bowing her head so low that Caine felt the need to respond.

"You can go," he said immediately, and only then did she raise her head before quietly leaving the room.

"Alpha, according to what my father told me, your daughter was poisoned with an arrow, right?" Caine asked as they both walked towards Annabel's room.

"Yes... she was," Felix replied in a low tone.

The moment they stepped into the room-

'Mate! Mate! Mate!' Caine's wolf roared instantly the second his eyes fell on Annabel's unconscious body.

Caine couldn't explain the overwhelming surge of emotions that hit him at once. Joy, disbelief, relief-his mate... he had finally found his mate.

Without hesitation, he walked towards her and gently took her hand into his, his thumb softly caressing the back of her palm, and as if by magic-

Her eyes fluttered open.

She blinked slowly, her gaze wandering around the room before finally settling on the hand holding hers.

"Where am I?" she asked softly, her voice weak yet clear as she looked directly at Caine.

Ellen looked around the house and at the two people standing right in front of her who were complete strangers to her. How did I get here? Is this the real land of the dead? she asked no one in particular as her eyes continued to survey the entire house.

What do you want... what do you want me to do for you... Those words flashed through her mind as she forced herself to remember more.

Do you want a second, better life... or... do you want a life of revenge... Now the person who had said those words became clearer to her-a lady who had her back turned to Ellen as she spoke.

Ellen clearly remembered what that place looked like. It was a resemblance of hell, if not hell itself-hot as the sun, with fire surrounding everything, yet it didn't touch anyone.

A life of thorough revenge, a life of severe revenge, a life of- the lady had continued, but before she could finish, she raised her hand, pointed her index finger at Ellen, and shouted, Go...! That was the last word she could clearly remember now.

That was the reason she was here... for nothing more than revenge.

"Annabel! Annabel! You're awake!" Alpha Felix exclaimed loudly as he rushed towards his daughter, his face lighting up with overwhelming joy. His pride was awake. His one and only jewel was finally awake.

He gently cupped her face with his hand, his thumb softly caressing her cheek before he pulled her into a tight and passionate hug, reliving all that he had missed for a good six months. After a while, he broke the hug and looked into her face.

"My darling, do you know how much I have missed you?" As those words left his lips, uncontrollable tears of joy streamed down his cheeks. He remembered how a certain physician had told him his daughter would certainly die, even if not immediately. His entire world had almost crumbled at that moment, but he had refused to believe it.

He hugged her again, even tighter this time. Ellen, however, was confused as to why a man she couldn't recall at all was holding her so tightly.

"Darling, you're not saying anything. What is the matter?" Alpha Felix asked, concern lacing his voice.

Ellen decided to act as though she had lost her memory to avoid questions and expectations. As he spoke, she simply stared at him as though he were a statue or a painting.

"Alpha, step back. Let me check on her," Caine said, stepping forward as he noticed the confusion on Alpha Felix's face.

Caine walked to the edge of her bed, his focus entirely on the beautiful woman in front of him-his mate... his Luna.

"Alpha, due to the fact that she was unconscious for a long time, she is currently experiencing temporary amnesia," Caine explained, though his eyes kept drifting back to her.

When he could no longer restrain himself, he moved closer, bending slightly over her. Though he was tempted to claim her lips, he restrained himself and instead lowered his head to her neck, marking her.

It was only when he got close that Ellen felt a strange electricity run through her body, as though something within her had just awakened from a deep slumber. His bite wasn't painful-it was... claiming.

When he lifted his head, he smiled at her warmly. "You're my mate... my Luna," he said, his smile widening.

"Caine, what are you doing to my daughter?" Alpha Felix's voice cut through sharply, filled with protective anger as he witnessed what had just happened.

"I'm sorry if I had to do this now. She's my mate, Alpha... I had to mark her at least. I'm sorry," Caine replied, still smiling, clearly unfazed.

"Please, young man, my daughter just woke up, and she is not being taken by anyone as a mate until she fully recovers," Alpha Felix stated firmly. Caine nodded in understanding.

"Darling, I will be right back," Alpha Felix said to Ellen, who simply nodded. He then signaled for Caine to follow him.

"Thank you so much, Caine. I can't thank you enough. You made me smile again, because Annabel is my smile. Thank you," Alpha Felix said sincerely as they stood outside the mansion, pulling Caine into a heartfelt embrace.

"It wasn't my doing. It was the will of the goddess," Caine replied calmly.

"I will be heading back to my pack now. An urgent matter came up," he added after a brief silence.

"Send my regards to your father," Alpha Felix responded, though his relief at Caine's departure was quite obvious.

Alpha Felix was grateful to Caine, but that didn't mean he was ready to let his daughter be claimed immediately. Not that he didn't want her to have a mate-but he wanted more time with her, more memories before that happened.

Ellen stood up from the bed and walked towards a door in the room, which she assumed was the bathroom. She stepped in and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

The face staring back at her... wasn't hers.

It wasn't Ellen anymore.

It was Annabel.

"Finally, I've been given a chance to come back to life, and I will never misuse this opportunity. I am back to give those who gave me pain... pain, and those who gave me joy... joy. It's time for revenge-total revenge," Ellen said, her voice filled with cold determination.

Two days later, a message was delivered to Alpha Felix-informing him that the Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack would be visiting.

Alpha Felix despised that pack, but due to their strength and population, he had no choice but to prepare as though he were welcoming an honored guest. Rumor had it that the Alpha of that pack declared war on anyone who failed to show him proper respect.

"Ahhh!" Ellen cried out when someone bumped into her in the hallway as she was heading back to her room after speaking with her father.

"Watch it!" the man snapped, already walking away.

Ellen immediately grabbed his shirt, pulling him back. "You can't just cause trouble and walk away like nothing happened. At least say sorry," she said firmly.

Alpha Damien froze, staring at Ellen as though time itself had stopped. His wolf stirred violently within him, reacting intensely.

Slowly, he stepped closer to her, and before she could react-

He bit her neck.

Not at the same spot where Caine had marked her.

Ellen began hitting his chest in defense, but it was like striking stone-he didn't budge. Despite her resistance, she felt that same undeniable connection, but she refused to accept it.

Her enemy... could not be her mate again.

"Alpha Damien, what are you doing to my daughter?" Alpha Felix's voice thundered through the hallway.