chapter three

Chapter Three

Rebirth

Fire. Pain. Darkness.

Then light.

I gasped awake, my heart pounding against my chest. My hands flew to my stomach. The twins. My babies.

"Iris? Are you alright, my daughter?"

That voice. I turned to see her standing in my doorway – the woman who had once watched me burn. Only... something was different. The way she looked at me...

"I'm fine," I managed to say, my mind spinning. My daughter?

"You were screaming in your sleep again." She sat on the edge of my bed, pressing a cool hand to my forehead. The gesture was so maternal, so loving, it made my stomach turn. This woman had helped murder me, had watched me burn alive with my unborn children.

But in her eyes now, I saw only genuine concern. No trace of the monster who had condemned me to death.

"Just a nightmare," I whispered, fighting the urge to recoil from her touch.

"The same one?" She brushed my hair back, and I caught my reflection in the mirror behind her. Silver eyes stared back at me – the mark of my rebirth. "You've been having them since the fever broke last week."

The fever. Was that when I'd been reborn? When the Moon Goddess had answered my dying prayer?

A soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. "Ma'am? The morning tea?"

My blood froze at that voice. Mitchell.

She entered carrying a tray, head bowed submissively. The sight was unbelievable, my former adoptive sister, now in servant's clothes.

"Thank you, Mitchell." My mother smiled, her kindness toward the orphan girl an echo of how she'd once treated me. The irony wasn't lost on me.

Mitchell kept her head bowed, clutching the tea tray. The same posture I'd held a lifetime ago.

"Iris," my mother turned back to me, "don't forget today is the formal introduction. The families must meet before any mate bond can be officially acknowledged."

My hands gripped the silk sheets. Of course. The traditional gathering where families assessed potential mates. Where I would have to face both Lucas and his brother, the Lycan King.

"I know you're nervous," she continued, misreading my tension. "But it's tradition. Every wolf mating to the Royal must go through this, even future queen like yourself."

Future queen. The words felt foreign. In my past life, I'd been nothing but a servant. Now...

"I should get ready then." I forced myself to sound calm. Inside, my mind raced. Would they recognize me? Would they sense who I had been?

No. The Moon Goddess had given me more than just a new life. These silver eyes marked me as reborn. Even my scent would be different.

"Let me help you dress," Mitchell offered quietly.

"No." The word came out sharper than I intended. Both Mitchell and my mother looked startled. "I mean... I'd prefer to dress myself today."

My mother nodded, though she looked concerned. "Of course, dear. Come down when you're ready." She ushered Mitchell out, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I walked to the window, staring at my reflection.

The ceremony started as expected of a royal introduction. Lucas took his seat beside me, his fingers wrapping around mine in a show of affection that made my stomach turn. I fought to keep my expression neutral even as memories of betrayal threatened to overwhelm me.

"You look beautiful today," he whispered, his thumb stroking my hand.

I wanted to pull away, to scream, to tell everyone what this monster had done. Instead, I forced a smile and kept still, remembering my purpose.

The maids entered with refreshments, Mitchell among them. She moved with the same grace she'd had as a noble in my past life, though now she wore the simple dress of a servant. When she reached Lucas, she poured his drink with practiced ease.

Then she turned to me. As she leaned forward to pour, her fingers brushed against mine on the glass. That simple touch, the touch of the woman who had led me to my death, shattered my composure.

"Don't touch me!" I jerked back, my voice sharp enough to silence the room.

Mitchell's eyes widened in fear, the pitcher trembling in her hands. Everyone stared, confusion evident on their faces.

"I... forgive me," I managed, standing quickly. "I'm not feeling well. Please excuse me."

I hurried to the gardens, breathing heavily. The moon hung full and bright above me as I sank onto a stone bench.

"Moon Goddess," I whispered, my voice breaking. "How am I supposed to do this? To sit there while he holds my hand? To watch them every day, knowing what they did to me? To my babies?"

"Princess."

The deep voice startled me. I turned to find the king standing a few feet away. My heart skipped, in my past life, he'd never been one to act nice, let alone followed me to the gardens.

"Your Majesty." I quickly wiped my tears, hoping he hadn't heard my desperate prayer. "I didn't expect anyone to come after me."

"Your reaction to the maid was... concerning." He moved closer.

"It's nothing," I said, forcing steadiness into my voice. "I haven't been feeling well."

"Really?" His tone suggested he didn't believe me. "Because you seemed perfectly fine until she touched you."

I looked away, unable to meet his gaze. How could I explain that they had once helped murder me? That his brother had driven a sword through my heart?

"It's nothing," I said firmly, hoping he would drop the subject.

"Very well." His response surprised me. Then, even more surprisingly, he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "But know that my door is always open if you need someone to talk to."

I stared at him, All I could manage was a small nod.

The night wore on, and I found myself staying at the palace. I decided to take a walk.

As I walked a distance, a noise caught my attention. I turned around just in time to see Mitchell slipping out of Lucas's chambers, hastily straightening her dress. I pressed myself against the wall, heart pounding as I watched her hurry away.

Before I could process what I'd seen, Lucas emerged. a genuine displayed on his face as he watched Mitchell's retreating form. He adjusted his own clothing, still grinning to himself.

I stood frozen and angry in my hiding spot. This wasn't the same cruel smirk he had with me.

My hands clenched into fists as I watched him, I will expose them.