Guilt twisted in my gut.

This overseas project had been handpicked for me.

But I had been so obsessed with Alaric that I’d refused to even consider it.

The director had been left with no choice but to search for a replacement.

But since a suitable candidate was never found, the entire project timeline had been delayed.

As I finished the last of my paperwork, I heard a sob from outside my office door.

"I worked so hard, but Freya just swooped in and took the spot."

"All my work this past month... wasted."

It was Caelia... the woman Alaric had loved in our past life.

The she-wolf who had driven a wedge between us for thirty years.

I opened the door, and that familiar face appeared before me.

Alaric glared down at me, his Alpha presence rolling off him in waves.

"Freya, give up the project."

I shook my head. "Impossible."

"Freya..."

Disbelief washed over Alaric's face.

"I've already agreed to our bonding. You've already arranged the ceremony venue."

"You have no intention of going overseas. You're just doing this to spite Caelia!"

Caelia also stepped forward, her eyes red and puffy.

"Freya, I really worked hard for this position. I won't bother you two after I leave, you don't have to worry..."

"Trying hard isn't the same as being capable. You and I both know you haven't put in the work for this. You can't handle it."

Caelia froze, her eyes growing even redder.

She had applied for this project hoping Alaric would go with her.

But I had harmed myself time and again, trying to force Alaric to bond with me.

Mindful of the debt he owed my father, Alaric had finally, grudgingly, agreed.

In a fit of pique, Caelia had decided to go by herself.

But she was nowhere near prepared.

In my past life, her application had failed.

But Alaric frowned.

"You haven't even given her a chance. What makes you think she can't handle it?"

I waved the transfer documents in my hand.

"Because the director has already signed and stamped them. For me."

"Freya..."

Alaric clenched his fists, profound disappointment in his eyes.

"I thought you were just spoiled, but I never imagined you could be this malicious."

"You have plenty of opportunities. This one means everything to Caelia!"

"You'd waste a valuable position just to spite her!"

He looked at me coldly.

"Listen to me. We can have the ceremony, but I will never, ever acknowledge you as my mate."

"I know."

I nodded calmly.

I already lived through that once.

Alaric ignored me. He wrapped an arm around Caelia, turning to leave, and comforted her in a low voice.

"It's okay, I'll help you find other opportunities. Don't be sad."

It was a gentleness I had craved my entire past life and never once received.

I couldn't have it then, and I wouldn't ask for it now.

I figured I wouldn't see him again for a while.

But when I opened the door to my apartment, he was there.

He didn't say a word, just strode past me and down the hall.

My body still hadn't fully recovered.

On the dining table sat a bowl of herbal soup, still steaming.

For a moment, a storm of conflicting emotions churned inside me.

In a daze, I remembered my past life,

how he despised me, yet still patiently cared for me.

He did it all because before my father passed away, he had repeatedly urged Alaric to take good care of me.

So, no matter how fiercely we fought,

he would unhesitatingly pour his own life force into me whenever I was injured.

He was the kind of man who couldn't stand being indebted to anyone.

He was repaying the debt to my father with every fiber of his being.

But I always foolishly hoped he would give me his heart as well.

Suddenly, I remembered something. After a quick glance at the date,

my heart seized. I rushed out the door and contacted my guard.

"Get to the alley off 13th Street, now!"

It was pouring rain, and I bolted out without even grabbing an umbrella.

Following my memory, I arrived at the alley where Caelia had been attacked in my past life.

Just as I expected, a dozen or so rogues were surrounding her.

"Think you can just walk away from your parents' debt 'cause they're dead? The extension I gave you is up."

"Can't come up with the money? Then you can pay with your body!"

"Stop!"

I smashed a jagged piece of a street sign over the man's head, grabbed Caelia, and ran.

"Ah!"

The ground was slick with rain, and Caelia fell hard.

Before I could pull her up, the dozen rogues had caught up to us.

With no other choice, I shielded her with my own body.

"Run! I'll hold them off!"

"I... I..."

Caelia seemed terrified, hugging herself and trembling.

"Run!"

I struggled to fend off their attacks.

Even with years of training, I couldn't hold out against a dozen adult wolves.

"I can't last much longer! Go find the enforcers!"

"I... I'm scared... I can't move..."

Caelia's voice was trembling uncontrollably.

I kicked away an approaching wolf, buying a precious second. When I turned back to pull her up,

she suddenly screamed and gave me a hard shove.

A silver dagger sank deep into my abdomen.

"There's... there's blood?"

The lead rogue clearly hadn't expected me to lunge onto his blade.

He hadn't intended to kill anyone, and his hand on the hilt trembled.

My eyes widened as I stared at Caelia.

She clutched her head, her gaze wavering as she looked at me.

"I'm... I'm sorry... I was so scared..."

I gritted my teeth, yanked out the dagger, and swung it at them.

They had never intended to kill. Now, seeing me in a frenzy, the dozen or so of them scattered and fled.

I staggered, almost losing my balance.