His Apology in the Next Life
For my entire life, I've lived in the shadow of my sister, Cordelia.
She is the Crimson Peak Pack's Chosen One, blessed by the Moon Goddess herself—the prize every Alpha covets.
But what she doesn't know is that this time, I've been blessed, too. I was reborn on the night of the Mating Gala.
Just as in my past life, she wore that cloyingly sweet smile, playing the part of the doting older sister by insisting I choose my mate first for all to see.
This time, however, I wouldn't fall for it.
In my past life, I genuinely believed she had my best interests at heart.
I foolishly gave her the first choice and was left with Alpha Adam of the Ironfang Pack, a man supposedly afflicted by a bloodline curse that triggered frequent, uncontrollable rages.
I renounced my inheritance and dedicated myself to alchemy, desperately trying to soothe the wild wolf raging inside him. I became his keeper, though he never offered me a shred of the warmth a mate deserves.
It wasn't until a celebration for Cordelia's pup that an ancient malevolent spirit attacked, attempting to steal the life of her unborn pup with dark magic.
In that instant, the Alpha everyone believed had been mad for years suddenly became lucid.
He lunged to protect Cordelia, but in his haste, used me as a shield. The dark magic slammed into me, shattering my inner wolf.
As I fell, I saw him pull my sister into his arms, using his own body to shield her from the final blow.
Only then did I finally understand. He had never been afflicted with any bloodline curse. His pack never treated him like an outcast, either.
He feigned madness only because he knew he could never win Cordelia's love and refused to mate with anyone else.
In my last moments, he finally whispered an apology. "Forgive me, Aurelia."
"I deceived you. But I can't let anything happen to Cordelia. I'll repay you in the next life."
When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the night our father, Alpha Marcus, commanded us to choose our fated mates.
This time, I would choose no one. And this time, they would be the ones on their knees, begging for my love.