Chapter 3

He only said, “I’ll make sure you recover.”

“You’re still young. We can have new pups in the future.”

I shook my head. Tears crashed down.

I refused.

So he used the Luna title to crush me.

“You’re the Luna. You have to put the Pack first.”

“And Tessa’s child will call you Mother too.”

Every word was a blade.

When he couldn’t persuade me, he moved to force.

Wolf guards pinned my shoulders down. A doctor pried my mouth open.

The juice of wolfsbane herbs was poured down my throat—burning like fire all the way down.

I cried. I struggled. My nails tore the bedsheets.

It didn’t matter.

Blood spread beneath me, soaking the mattress. The pain felt like I was being ripped open.

It was a fully formed male fetus.

Kael stood at the bedside, hesitation flashing across his eyes—just for an instant.

But he still took my child.

And sent him away as payment to bring Tessa back.

I fell gravely ill.

Later, Tessa gave birth safely.

The Compound was draped in red ribbons, and everyone came to congratulate them.

Kael became a father for the first time—joyful like he’d won the whole world.

They looked like a family of three, warm and complete.

I sat beside the cradle, staring blankly at the tiny swaddled bundle.

If my child had lived… he would have been half a year old by now.

But I would never have a child again.

The wolfsbane was too vicious. It destroyed my body’s root—and it crushed the last breath of hope inside me.

And it was with that hatred that I was reborn.

God gave me one chance.

I didn’t answer Kael’s question. I simply turned and walked away.

Later, Kael won a great victory—reclaiming two border fortresses for the Council.

The Council rejoiced and held a celebration night, summoning the high-ranking she-wolves of every house, claiming it was for honor and unity.

From far away, I saw Kael—

Standing in the center of the crowd. Black formalwear fitted across his shoulders and back, like a blade resting in its sheath.

The Elders asked what reward he wanted:

A territory? Resource quotas? More command authority over the wolf guard?

In my “past life,” they asked him the same question.

Back then, Kael knelt perfectly and answered perfectly:

“I want nothing—only stability for the Council, and long life for the Elders.”

They were pleased with that script.

They gave him greater military power.

And that was what later allowed him to seize the throne.

I thought he would perform the same act again.

But this time, he lifted his head and spoke clearly—like a declaration.

“I want a mate.”

“I want Arwen Vale.”

The crowd erupted.

My whole body went rigid.

I raised my eyes to him.

His gaze was deep as the sea.

He walked closer, his voice lowered.

“Arwen… you came back too, didn’t you?”

He spoke like an oath ground into bone.

“You died once—so I’ll chase you this time.”

So I wasn’t the only one who returned.

He did too.