Lyra's arms wrapped around me the moment I realised what was happening, her perfume sweet and suffocating. The same smile, the same condescending smile… Her cheek pressed against mine. "Serena," she whispered, voice dripping honey. "You look… Radiant tonight."
If I hadn't lived this moment once before, I might've believed her. She was never nice to me, she would look at me like I was vermin. She told me to my face many times she wished I would die…
And then… She did send me to my death using our father's hand.
This was the night of Lyra's engagement to Callen. In my past life, I tried to disappear. To drink until I forgot about him. He promised me many things, only for him to marry my sister.
But stealing him from me was not enough for my sister. Someone slipped something into my glass. The music blurred, the lights dimmed, and I had no control over my body. I woke up in ruins, humiliated and alone.
Then came the test.
The trembling hands. The faint pink line.
Pregnant.
And for the first time in years, I felt… Joy. I didn't care who the father was. I didn't care what they said. This child would be mine. My family. The light of my life. I would have someone in this lonely world.
The moment I held him in my arms, I promised to protect him and keep him safe.
But now, even that last morsel of joy was stolen from me. She couldn't have children, and she wanted mine.
Now… Hah, now I am back for revenge.
I smiled and hugged her back tighter than necessary, tight enough to hear her breath hitch. I took the opportunity to 'accidentally' spill the champagne in my glass. She ruined me once before, I won't let her do it again.
"Oh—sorry," I murmured.
Lyra's eyes flicked to my hand, a small frown tugging at her lips. But it wasn't the dress, so she waved it off.
"It's fine," she said quickly, her attention already drifting back to the crowd. She was probably plotting a different way to get that drug into my system.
I reached for another glass from a passing waiter, my fingers steady this time.
Everyone's eyes turned toward me when Lyra clinked her glass. "A toast!" she called, radiant and false beneath the chandelier.
She wanted me to get hurt. She wanted me to toast at the engagement party of the man I once loved. But I did not feel anything for Callen anymore. I do not think of what could have been if he had chosen me because the reality is that he did not.
As the Alpha of our clan, he chose my sister. He chose her, knowing fully well the kind of person she is and how she treated me. Of every woman in this clan, he chose her…
I smiled, raising mine. "A toast indeed."
The room fell silent. Dozens of faces, familiar, cruel, indifferent, watched as I stepped closer to Lyra. They thought I would make a fool of myself. She was younger, but she was the one getting married first.
"How embarrassing for her? Do you think she will run out crying?" I heard some of them say.
In my last life, maybe I would have. In my last life, I got drunk to swallow my sorrow. Another betrayal, another loss. Hah, Callen was never mine to begin with, how could I have lost him?
"I don't blame them for trying to hide her, she is an embarrassment. What kind of werewolf can't shift?"
"A cursed one, of course. Who knows what kind of sins she committed to anger the Goddess? They hid her because they did not want us to be around that cursed thing."
"Well, she does have a pretty face, she still has one use, haha!" The laughter made my skin crawl. I know exactly what they meant.
Even after so many years, those words still hurt. I was always alone, I had to rely on myself and no one else. I clenched my fist. I was given a second chance, and I will "To new beginnings," I began softly, my voice clear and calm. "To promises that don't fade… Even when time does." My promise is that I will fight, I will have my revenge.
Lyra blinked, clearly unsure what I meant. A few chuckles rippled through the crowd.
"And," I continued, letting my gaze sweep the room, "to fate, for giving us all exactly what we deserve."
I drank. Slowly.
The bubbles burned down my throat. It truly reminded me that I was alive again… A chance to change my fate.
Everyone clapped.
Lyra smiled, relieved, but still plotting
I could feel my heart pounding with satisfaction. They didn't understand. Not yet. But they will soon.
Everyone laughed, everyone but him. Callen Vindermere.
When I glanced up, his eyes were already on me. Those same pair of dark eyes that once softened at the sight of me now held something else: guilt, confusion, maybe longing. I didn't care to find out.
I looked away, trying to figure out how I ended up in that stranger's bedroom in my past life. I wanted to find him… The man who ruined me.
I could feel Callen watching me still. The weight of it pressed against my skin, making me wish I could crawl out of it.
"Serena."
His voice came from behind, I didn't want to hear it, but my body betrayed me and froze. I turned slowly, keeping my expression carefully blank.
He stood there, glass in hand, offering it to me like some kind of peace treaty. "You spilt yours earlier," he said quietly, almost gently.
"I don't want it," I said, my tone cool, distant.
"Please," he urged. "Don't be angry with me. I only did what I had to do… as the Alpha. I had to protect my line—my pack. Stop making things so difficult. Be reasonable."
I almost laughed. Protect his pack. Be reasonable. The same excuse he'd used to justify ruining me, choosing my sister, and standing by while I was disgraced. My fingers curled around the edge of the table behind me.
"Callen," I interrupted softly, my lips curving just slightly. "We're not friends. You're my brother-in-law. Try to act appropriately."
His eyes widened, something flickering behind them, maybe shock. "Serena—"
He reached out suddenly, fingers wrapping around my wrist. The warmth of his hand burned against my skin. "Listen to me—"
I tried to pull away, but over his shoulder, I caught sight of Lyra. Her perfect little smile had vanished. She was glaring at us like a predator who'd just been robbed of her prey.
And that was when I decided.
I stopped resisting and leaned in, just enough that anyone watching would see something entirely different. His breath hitched, his fingers tightening ever so slightly.
"What?" I whispered, my lips dangerously close to his ear. "You know what you're doing. You know how she treats me… You know this will only provoke her, and her treatment towards me will get worse.. Do not act like you don't know."
He blinked, caught off guard, he did not think I would point out his actions. I acted pitifully, I no longer cared about my sister or my parents' insults, but I wanted Lyra to suffer… I wanted Callen to follow me, leaving her all alone.
He chose her… But did he really? I want that question to haunt her.
I stepped back abruptly, eyes glistening as though hurt. "Don't follow me," I murmured, loud enough for her to hear.
Then I turned on my heel and rushed away, toward the corridor, the same one I remembered so vividly. My pulse was racing, half from fury, half from exhilaration.
But of course, Callen didn't listen. I could hear his footsteps behind me.
And just as I turned around a corner, I felt a strong arm pull me.