The offer

EMILY

On the day of my seventeenth birthday, Alpha Gavin visited us and said the same words. The Alpha of Red Creed Pack has been searching for his mate for three years and now, he's growing impatient.

It has something to do with securing his position as an Alpha by getting a Luna and an heir. 

His desperation led him to make an offer to Alpha Gavin, pleading to marry his daughter, and in exchange, he would provide our Pack with infinite access to his wealth.

I recall turning down the offer because I was madly in love with my boyfriend, Dorian. I wanted to wait for my 18th birthday when we would officially become mates, so I turned down the offer from Alpha Roman.

I didn't want to throw away the love I nurtured with Dorian. But now I know, that there's no such love between us. 

Yeah, I loved him more than is considered normal. But he didn't even feel a bit of likeness for me. Regardless of everything I gave up for him. 

Rejecting Alpha Rowan for a sneak like Dorian has to be the stupidest thing I've ever done. A completely foolish move. And right now, it hurts me to know that the sacrifice wasn't worth it. Not when Dorian turned out to be the most vile man ever.

Having this chance again and being offered this opportunity again makes me think twice before saying a word. 

If the moon goddess thought it wise to return me to this moment, then it's definitely for a reason. Perhaps, is this my ultimate chance to get my revenge on those crooks?

Will marrying the most powerful Alpha in the region be the weapon I need to fulfill my heart's desires?

"I know you just turned seventeen today. You might not yet have a wolf, but you're not in every sense, a woman. You're sweet and nice and those are good attributes to make a great Luna." Alpha Gavin says, smiling modestly at me.

It feels good to know he has such nice opinions about me, but he's mistaken. I'm no longer the sweet, nice, and charming Emily. I can never be her anymore. 

Given a second chance to live, I can only be one Emily — the feisty one. The ruthless one. The one who'll never let any bitch and jerk step all over her or deceive her. 

Still, I smile and bow. "Thank you, Alpha. I'm honored to know you think so highly of me."

"Emily, dear." Mother grabs my hand with a smile. Just like she did before, at this moment. I know she's trying to convince me to accept the offer. And back then I had shut her up with my fervent refusal and had stupidly professed my love for Dorian. 

This time, it'll be different. Firstly, I'm never gonna rudely interrupt her again. I regret all the times I treated her harshly because I was defending a love I thought was real.

"Think about it, carefully, dear." She says, caressing my hands. "I know you feel pressured and the offer seems strange because you've never met Alpha Roman, but that's not a problem. You'll meet him tonight at the party. And you'll get a chance to be acquainted with him."

"Just give us an answer after you meet him at the party tonight." Father chirps in. "But promise me you'll give him a chance to impress you. Don't just lock him out. Give him a chance. And also give yourself a chance to get to know him better."

"I will, Father." I smile at him and to Mother, I pat her cheek softly. "Don't worry, mother. I'll think about it."

She smiles and hugs me. I hold her tightly, feeling thankful that I get the chance to hug her again. I never really liked hugging her, 'cause I thought it was too childish. 

But now, I know its value and I may just hug every day. Both she and father — they are my blessings and I'll spend each day appreciating them. 

"Thank you, Emily." She says as we break away from the hug. "Please do give it a good thought. This is a one-in-a-million chance. Don't let it slide."

I nod innocently. Deep down, I'm already sure that I'll take the offer. But I don't want Alpha Roman to think I'm just a desperate girl, craving nothing but to be his mate. 

That's why I decided to leave everyone in suspense. Just until the party tonight, when I'll finally get to see him. 

"Excuse me, Mother. Father. Alpha Gavin. But I need to go up to my room. I still have to prepare for the party tonight."

They give their permission and I return to my room. Still feeling the thrill of being reincarnated, I sit at my vanity, admiring my long, black hair. I grab a brush and run it through my hair. How much I missed it.

I recall cutting it short and tinting it to brown after my 17th birthday because Dorian had said my hair looked better brown and short. 

I'm never doing that again. I'm never cutting my hair. It pains me to realize all the good stuff I sacrificed for a douchebag like him.

But then, I try to convince myself that he'll get what's coming to him. When I finally become the Luna of Red Creed Pack, I'll send him and Lily to hell in the worst way possible.

I'll make them wish they were never born. I'll make them regret ever taking my kindness for granted. 

I may have been born with a good life but I never showed off about it. I never bragged about it either. So the fact that she has a problem with how great my life is shows how much of a bitter soul she is. And that bitterness is gonna cost her everything. And eventually, it'll be her doom. I'll make sure of that. 

A knock on my balcony door gets me to stop brushing my hair. Slowly, I get up and walk to it, opening it. 

Dorian pops in with a burst of full-blown laughter, picking me up and twirling me in the air in excitement.

"Let me go!" I yell, forcing myself down and moving away from him. His eyes widen in surprise. Surely, he didn't expect me to react the way I just did.

If only he knows that there is a whole lot more surprise awaiting him.