Chapter 6

The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light spilling through the open window of the modest chamber. The air was thick with the scent of rain.

“Another story Daddy” Little Lily pleaded

“Munchkin, you should get some sleep, every other child is asleep at this time of the night”

“Well you always say I’m not like every other child, don’t you.” She said with a grin on her face.

“Fair point kiddo, fair point. One more story and we are done, one very short story” the alpha replied with a fake frown.

“I want to hear the story of the moon goddess, pretty please with a cherry on top.”

“The moon goddess” he started his voice soft but full of weight. Lily listened with rapt attention. “is the goddess of justice, of those whose lives are cut short by betrayal or foul play on a full moon. She gives rebirth only on the night of the new moon when her light is hidden from the world.”

Lily had always found his words comforting. It was the one story that always felt true. Her father had told her the Moon Goddess was a protector, but she was also just. She would bring back only the purest souls, those who had been wronged and taken too soon.

“And when the new moon is upon us,” her father continued, his voice full of awe, “she makes her decision. Those who are worthy—are reborn in another body, another life. But they will never be the same. They walk with the memories of their former selves, but their new path will be different.”

At the time, Lily had listened, comforted by the idea of rebirth—of second chances. Little did she know, her second chance would come, though it would be nothing like she had imagined.

The last thing I remembered was Lukas calling out for me, and the cold weight of death. I had died, hadn't I? But here I was, floating in an endless abyss, a vast emptiness that felt like it might swallow her whole.

Then, a sudden sharp pain, the kind that pulled me from the depths of oblivion and back to the living world. My body jerked, an unfamiliar sensation rushing through my limbs. My body was on fire, I felt pain everywhere. I inhaled sharply, the air cool and crisp against my skin. My eyes fluttered open, but everything was different. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar carved woodwork, but not the stone walls of my old home. It was too... elegant, too pristine.

A voice broke the silence, soft and gentle, like the whisper of wind through trees. “Ariana?”

The name hit me like a wave. Ariana? Who was Ariana? My heart pounded loudly in my chest as I blinked, trying to focus.

My vision was blurred, and I saw the faint outline of a figure—female, elderly, with a kind face framed by graying hair. The woman was by my side in a flash, her hands hovering over me. I cowered in response.

The woman’s voice came again, clearer this time. “You’re awake. Thank the goddess.”

“Your Highness, your Highness, she’s awake” She called out into the hallway.

The mention of a goddess stirred something deep within me, though I could not quite place it. The woman’s eyes, filled with concern and an undeniable warmth, were back on me. Something was very soothing about her presence.

“Who are you calling? who are you?” My voice came out weak, foreign. It didn’t sound like me. Nothing about this body felt like my own. The hands, the delicate curve of these fingers—none of it felt familiar.

The woman’s face softened, and she slowly reached for my hand. “I am Maera, your midwife, rest child, you are safe now

I tried to sit up, but my head was swooning. My breath caught in my throat as I pressed my hand to my forehead, my head was pounding too hard for me to think clearly. “What happened? Where... where am I?.” Just as I asked the door opened

"A..Ariana?" A manly hoarse voice called in disbelief.

I blinked my eyes severally until I could see, manageable.

His eyes were swollen and surrounded by dark spots, and his chestnut hair was also uncomfortably rough. All in one, he looked like someone deprived of sleep.

Still, his appearance did a bad job of hiding his gorgeous face. He was beautiful.

This muscular man with an intimidating aura fell on his knees beside the bed; his teary eyes were glittering in happiness, but he was struggling to accept the reality of my existence.

“I will give you two a moment alone,” Maera said and was on her way out before I could protest against it.

A few moments of silence passed before he burst out in tears.

"Thank...thank you for overcoming this for the sake of our son. I don't deserve you." He said in between silent sobs.

“The sight of the blood hunted me throughout the night”

Son? Blood?

He carefully pulled my right palm to his lips, planting soft kisses on it and continuously mumbling appreciative words, words I stopped hearing.

A heavy weight settled in my chest, the words piercing my mind. A son? I wanted to ask more, to demand answers, but there was something within me that told me to be still, to listen. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to understand.

It felt wrong. I felt wrong.

A vision flashed through my mind. It was my father’s voice, deep and rich with years of wisdom, speaking to me as a child. I had almost forgotten the story, but the memory rushed forward like an old song I knew by heart.

“Those who are worthy—are reborn in another body, another life. But they will never be the same. They walk with the memories of their former selves, but their new path will be different.”

My breath caught. A new life? Could that mean...?

I gasped, my chest tightening as a terrible realization hit me. I was in this man’s wife’s body. The moon goddess had given me a second chance. But why? Why had she chosen me?

“What did you say my name was again?” I asked my voice barely above a whisper.

“You don’t remember your name?” He asked his face clearly showing his confusion. One look at my face had him blurting out “Ariana, your name is Ariana.”

“Ariana” I echoed, the name foreign yet strangely familiar, slipping from my lips like a prayer. I could feel it now—the pulse of this body, the weight of this new life settling in my bones. But it didn’t feel like me. It couldn’t be.

“Ariana, are you well?” His voice cut through the confusion, her eyes fixed on my face with concern.

My gaze flickered to his hand resting on my arm. It felt so... alien like it didn’t belong to me, like I was wearing someone else’s skin. And the name—Ariana. It didn’t sit right. Ariana was supposed to be dead. She had died in childbirth

I swallowed, my throat was dry. “Who... who are you?” I managed to ask, the question sounded more desperate than I intended.

His expression fell, but then something flickered in his eyes—recognition, realization, maybe even pity

“Who am I?… I’m Jared... your husband.”