Chapter 3

My gaze falls on Rosalina, all brittle and fragile, nestled between the two strong Alphas like she belongs there. Rage claws at my chest, my wolf pacing furiously beneath my skin, fangs bared, ready to tear into her flesh. But my lips curve into a soft smile, honey-sweet and perfectly composed.

“Don’t apologize, dear heart,” I croon, stepping forward, eyes wide with false concern. “You’re hurt.”

I reach out, masking the tremor in my hand, and gently take hers. Her skin is cold, clammy, trembling. She looks like a broken doll—all golden hair tangled by the wind, ocean-blue eyes filled with fear, dirt smudged across her cheek. She’s taller than me, more beautiful, with a softness that begs for protection.

I lace my fingers through hers. “Let’s get you to the infirmary. These wounds need treatment.”

The pack murmurs in awe, taken aback by my grace and kindness. I know what they expected—a fight, a scene, a desperate Luna clinging to her Alphas. I gave them that in the past. I won’t do it again.

From the corner of my eye, I see Dorothee—her jaw clenched, eyes burning with confusion and indignation. She doesn’t understand why I’m helping the girl who will bring ruin. I catch her eye and whisper through our mind link, I’m sorry.

She backs down, still confused, but loyal enough to trust me—for now.

Damian doesn’t hesitate. He lifts Rosalina into his arms like a treasured prize, his expression soft, eyes glowing with something far too close to love. My heart twists violently, but I force my feet forward, falling behind them as Lucian matches my pace.

“It’s not what you think,” Lucian says again, low and strained.

“You still haven’t told me what I’m meant to think,” I reply lightly, eyes ahead, smile intact.

He tenses, his next step faltering. I can feel it—the hesitation, the calculations, the way he’s trying to decide how much truth I can take. He reaches for my hand, fingers brushing mine, and pulls me to a stop in the corridor, away from the pack’s eyes.

Only Fayne, the ever-watchful Beta, lingers.

Lucian lowers his voice. “I know we said we’d break the bond if we met our mate, but… you’ve seen her. She’s hurt, traumatized. She needs us. I don’t think she could survive rejection—not now.”

His words are measured, carefully chosen, designed to sway me, to appeal to my compassion—the very speech he gave me three years ago. He doesn’t realize I’ve already heard it. I know every beat, every pause, every lie wrapped in good intentions.

I stare into his eyes, searching for hope, for reason, for any sign he might choose me this time. That he might see where this road ends—the betrayals, the deaths, the blood on his hands.

There’s nothing. Only guilt—and the same cold resolution.

I breathe deep, and arm myself with that same sweet smile. “Of course.”

Lucian blinks. “What?”

I tilt my head, voice soft, gentle. “Of course. She’s weak. Fragile. As you said, she needs care. Our pack won’t let an innocent suffer. You’re right to protect her.”

Shock flits across his face. He was prepared to argue, manipulate, beg. He doesn’t know how to react when I simply give in.

But I don’t give him the chance to question it. I become what he expects Rosalina to be—kind, selfless, unthreatening. I show him a Luna who is everything they wanted from me. They won’t see the knife until it’s in their backs.

Lucian’s fingers squeeze mine gently. “Thank you, Nara. I promise—we’ll deal with this as soon as she recovers.”

I nod. “Yes. Thank you.”

He presses a soft kiss to my forehead, like it means nothing, and hurries after Damian and his mate.

I stay behind, my hand still raised to where he touched me. Something tears inside me—loud and jagged, like the sound of a bond breaking.

My wolf howls, clawing beneath my skin, snarling for release, for vengeance.

Let me out! she roars. Mate! Ours!

It’ll get us killed again. I grit my teeth, blinking back tears.

Mate… ours… Her voice falters, thick with grief.

I know. Gods, I know.

And still, I smile.

“Luna Nara?”

I turn, tilting my head slightly, meeting Fayne’s unreadable gaze. In my past life, he never stood by me—not once. Loyalty to the Alphas above all, even over reason, even over justice. He wasn’t cruel, never unkind, but in the end, his silence cut as deep as any betrayal.

“I think…” he starts, then hesitates, jaw tight, eyes flickering to where Lucian and Damian disappeared moments ago. “It would be best if you retired to your room for the day.”

I nod, cool and composed. “Yes. I have work to do.”

His lips part again, something unsaid on the edge, but he closes his mouth, swallows it whole, and with a stiff nod, turns on his heel to follow the Alphas into the hall.

I watch him go, his shadow vanishing around the corner, and let out a slow breath, every bone in my body tense and aching.

My room.

It won’t be mine much longer.

I clench my fists. Not this time. I won’t let them strip me bare, leave me scrambling without my phone, without my documents, without a piece of my old life. They caught me off guard last time. I lost everything.

Not. This. Time.

I make my way down the corridor, each step sharpening my focus, steeling my will. When I push the door open, I freeze.

Dorothee.

She’s standing there, arms crossed, eyes blazing.

“What the hell was that!?”

For a moment, I can’t breathe. The sight of her—alive, strong, fire in her eyes—shatters me. Before she can say another word, I rush to her, wrapping my arms around her with a strangled cry. Real. She’s real.

Sweet, fierce Dorothee. The one who died protecting me, her blood staining my hands, her body going cold in my arms. 

Now—warmth. Breath. Life.

Her arms circle me, uncertain at first, but strong. “Nara? Are you okay?”

“Yes,” I whisper, voice trembling. “Yes, I’m okay.”

I bury my face in her shoulder, drinking in her scent, her presence, her strength. I swear, on everything I have left, I will protect her. I won’t let anyone take her from me again.

Ever.

I step back, looking into her golden eyes, and feel a smile bloom — this one real, raw, and aching. “I’m just so glad to see you.”

Dorothee blushes, the warm hue darkening her brown skin, almost matching her fiery red hair. She’s never been one for touchy displays, but I can’t help it. The awe of seeing her alive overwhelms everything.

“Okay, you’re officially weirding me out,” she laughs, shoving me gently. “Not the reaction I expected from someone getting her two mates stolen.”

The words sting, the truth of them like a slap, but I smile anyway, shaking my head.

“What’s done is done. I have to look ahead. Prepare.” My voice hardens. “I can’t afford to cry over what I’ve already lost.”

Her brow furrows. “I can knock her out. Dump her in a ditch. Problem solved.”

It’s a joke—but my heart lurches.

“No!” I snap, panic flickering across my face. I take a breath, steady myself. “You can’t touch the Alphas’ mate, Dorothee. Not her. Not now.”

She pouts, arms crossed. “I’m serious. Just say the word.”

Her stubbornness makes me laugh, for the first time in what feels like years. Being with her makes everything easier. In another life, I fought alone. Not this time. She’s here. With me.

And I’ll take her when I leave.

I take both her hands in mine and press a kiss to her cheek, holding her close one last time. “Just trust me. We’re going to be okay.”

She studies me, eyes sharp with questions, but nods.

I don’t know how yet…

But I will find a way.

This time, I won’t lose everything.