I settle into the border cottage.

No busy Pack center life here. No one mocking me.

My transfer paperwork to Shadow Claw Pack comes through.

I submit a job application to Shadow Claw Pack through their online portal.

With my research on ancient wolf language, I quickly receive an offer to translate old texts.

Having independent work,that was what I wanted most last lifetime.

I'm nervous as hell, but the acceptance email arrives fast.

I passed. Shadow Claw Pack is known for tolerance. They don't care about my origins.

I sit in my beat-up pickup, excitement bubbling as I head toward the new territory.

Getting away from Alpha Asher makes me giddy. Even Lucy's tail wags happily in my mind.

Just as I reach Shadow Claw Pack's border, Alpha Asher's voice forces its way through the Mind-link.

Only with an unbroken Mate Bond can he harass me across distances like this.

"Rhea, where are you?"

My good mood evaporates like cold water dumped over flames. My head throbs.

"What do you want? I'm busy."

Alpha Asher's voice grows colder. "My parents are back. They're calling you home for dinner."

I return to Moonstone Pack by evening.

Four people sit at the table.

The former Alpha couple, Alpha Asher, and Elena. Everyone's expression looks off.

While I was gone, they must've argued about something.

I walk in, face neutral. Don't bow to Alpha Asher.

Alpha Asher's gaze sweeps over me. For some reason, he throws down his fork and heads upstairs.

"Not eating. Meat's too salty. I'm sick of it."

Elena chases after him. As she passes me, she lifts her chin smugly.

I sit beside the former Alpha and Luna without a word.

They awkwardly make excuses for Alpha Asher, say he's stressed from the succession.

I look at the two people who've been like parents to me.

Last lifetime, when they learned Alpha Asher sent me to the black market and that my wolf had been stripped away, they tried to rescue me.

But Pack authority belonged to Alpha Asher by then.

As retired elders, they couldn't truly interfere with the new Alpha's decisions.

I don't blame them. I blame myself for being stupid. For mistaking trash for treasure.

I speak softly, voice firm.

"Father. Mother. I've thought about this for a long time."

"Asher and I aren't compatible. Not just because he doesn't like me, but because I'm tired of chasing too."

"Rather than becoming bitter mates torturing each other, we should give each other freedom."

"Let's sever the Mate Bond through the ceremony. I'm willing to accept the Reject."

The former Luna's face goes rigid. Tears glisten in her eyes. The napkin in her hand drops to the floor.

"Rhea, does it really have to come to this? The pain of rejection lasts a lifetime."

I nod firmly. "Better to suffer once than drag it out."

Resolving the issue I've carried since rebirth, I don't want to hesitate anymore.

My whole body feels light. Just saying it out loud makes the air feel cleaner.

Before I leave, I return to my old room, wanting to grab a photo album I forgot last time.

Elena blocks my path. Stands at the top of the stairs.

"Rhea, can you give Asher back to me?"

"I already have his mark. We haven't completed the final ceremony yet, but we truly love each other."

Her eyes redden. She looks pitiful. Heavy perfume wafts from her body.

I frown, instinctively step back, don't want her scent on me.

Elena's smile turns strange. A small silver dagger suddenly appears in her hand.

She grabs my hand, drags the blade viciously across her own arm. Blood gushes out immediately.

"Rhea, don't kill me!"

"Help! Asher! Rhea's trying to kill me with a silver knife!"

"It hurts!"

Elena screams, collapses to the floor, clutching her arm. Blood flows freely. The silver's burn makes her face go white.

Alpha Asher runs out of his study. Sees this scene. His wolf nearly tears free.

He slaps me. The force splits my lip. Blood fills my mouth.

"Rhea, you're fucking evil!"

"People said you were jealous, and I thought they exaggerated. But now I've seen it with my own eyes. What excuse do you have?!"

"If it weren't for you, Elena and I would've been together ages ago. Why do you keep getting in our way?!"

The former Alpha couple emerge from the dining room, shocked by the scene.

Elena sobs louder. "My hand... will I still be able to shift?"

Alpha Asher demands viciously, "Dad, Mom, see? This is the Mate you chose for me. A murderer!"

After the pain comes dizziness, ears ringing. Lucy roars in my mind, wants to tear them apart.

Watching Alpha Asher's grief-stricken face, like the whole world betrayed him, I don't even think.

I slap him back. Twice. With everything I have.

"Don't worry. Starting today, I'm not your problem anymore."

"I, Rhea, reject you, Asher, as my Mate."