"Listen, I make 50,000 dollars a year. That's more than enough to take care of you. At your age, you should be thinking about settling down while you still have the chance. In a couple of years, it'll be harder for you. You might not have many options left. Hey—are you even listening to what I'm saying?"
Robin jerked in surprise. Her eyes flew open as she stared at everything around her, stunned.
The air smelled strongly of fresh coffee. Warm sunlight poured through the bright windows and spread across the table in front of her.
The café was quiet and calm. Every now and then, someone tapped on a keyboard. Soft laughter and low conversations drifted through the room.
Everything felt peaceful. Normal.
But just moments ago, her best friend Zelda Field and Noah Goodman had pushed her straight into a swarm of zombies. Pain had ripped through her body. Rotting mouths had torn into her flesh. Blood had filled her vision...
Robin slowly looked away from the room and focused on the man sitting across from her. He wore a neat suit. His huge belly pressed against the table, and the hair on the top of his head was thinning.
"You are...?"
His face looked somewhat familiar. Robin moved her lips slightly. After surviving ten years in the apocalypse, she had learned how to stay calm no matter what happened. Even though this situation made no sense, she quietly picked up her phone and checked the screen.
August 14, 3026.
4:00 p.m.
Which meant—
Ten years ago! She had returned to ten years in the past.
Robin Neel forced herself to stay calm, despite her emotions running high. In her previous life, on August 24, 3023, Jeblea ignored warnings from the United Nations and dumped nuclear wastewater into the ocean. They confidently claimed it would cause no harm to Earth.
But three years later, on August 24, Earth fought back. Humanity faced Earth's retaliation for that reckless decision.
A zombie virus that only affected humans spread across the world. Animals and plants mutated and became highly aggressive. The weather turned extreme. Natural disasters followed one after another. The world humanity had built over thousands of years fell apart almost overnight.
And today was exactly ten days before the apocalypse.
Once Robin realized that, she couldn't sit still.
Ten days. That was all she had left.
"Sorry, I need to leave."
She stood up at once, not caring about anything else. The man across from her suddenly changed expression. He grabbed her wrist. "What's your problem? Was anything I said wrong? Do you know how popular an elite like me is in the dating market? You should appre—AH!"
Before he could finish, he let out a loud scream.
Robin could feel the warm, sticky touch on the back of her hand. Holding back her disgust, she twisted his wrist and pinned it firmly to the table. Her eyes turned sharp. "What do you think you're doing?"
It was pure instinct. Even though her current body was weak, she used a clever grip. The man couldn't break free.
The quiet café atmosphere shattered. People turned to stare.
Robin looked at the man's round face and then thought about the timing. Suddenly, it clicked. A cold smile slowly appeared on her lips.
Right. She remembered now.
His name was Jim Patton. He had originally been the blind date arranged for her "best friend." But Zelda claimed she felt sick and begged Robin to go in her place. She even reminded Robin that Jim had been introduced by her Aunt Mabel, so Robin needed to be polite.
Robin had followed that advice. During the whole meeting, she stayed polite. Jim said several ridiculous things; she kept smiling and remained respectful.
But Jim saw her politeness as encouragement.
That very night after the date, he tried to drag her to a hotel. When she refused, he wouldn't stop harassing her for days. On top of that, he secretly spread rumors that the two of them had slept together, which caused Robin a lot of trouble at the time.
The memories came rushing back. Robin slowly loosened her grip. A strange look flickered in her eyes.
She smiled softly and said, "Come to think of that, you know, I should thank you."
In her previous life, if Jim hadn't sneaked into her apartment on the very day the apocalypse began, trying to force himself on her, she wouldn't have panicked and accidentally stabbed him with a fruit knife. Later, when a massive group of zombies surrounded the building, she used Jim's body as bait to lure them away. That gave her, Noah, and Zelda the chance to escape.
In a way, if Jim hadn't been the unlucky sacrifice, Robin might have died during that first zombie siege.
So when it came to an old "benefactor," she should at least show a little courtesy.
Jim quickly pulled his hand back and shouted at the top of his lungs. "Everyone, look at this! This is unbelievable! I made time out of my busy schedule to come on this date, and she suddenly attacked me! I've never met someone like her before!"
"Didn't you grab me first?" Robin said darkly.
"Besides, I'm not interested in you. Isn't it normal for me to leave?"
Jim shouted angrily, spitting as he spoke. "You—you're not interested in me? Do you have any idea how rare it is to catch a man like me in the dating market?!"
Robin fell silent for a while before she asked evenly, "What, do you think you're some kind of rare prize?"
"Huh?"
People around them froze for a second. Then several of them burst out laughing.
Jim finally realized what she meant, and his face flushed red. "I'm warning you—don't look down on a young man like me just because I'm not rich yet!" he snapped. "If your aunt hadn't set this up, you'd never even have the chance to meet a guy like me!"
"Young man?" Robin's gaze slid slowly over his bald head.
"Are you sure you're not middle-aged?"
"So it starts with don't look down on a poor young man," Robin mocked lightly. "Then what—don't look down on a poor middle-aged man? And later, ‘don't look down on a poor old man?"
The thought seemed to amuse her, and she gave a small laugh.
She concluded sarcastically, "Guess some people are just destined to stay poor their whole lives."
"Y-you bitch!" Jim exploded with anger. Suddenly, he raised his hand.
"I'm going to teach you some manners on behalf of your parents today!"
No one expected him to lash out so suddenly. People in the coffee shop gasped and shouted, and the place instantly turned chaotic.
Seeing Jim's red, twisted face, a cold light flashed in Robin's eyes. Before his hand could come down, she moved first.
Smack! Her slap landed fast and hard.
Jim spun in place from the force before crashing down onto the floor. His head buzzed loudly, and the world seemed to spin around him.
After a few seconds, he finally snapped back to his senses and shouted hoarsely, "Y-you... what did you just do?! When I get home, I will tell your aunt everything! What kind of family raises a daughter as rude as you?!"
"Go ahead and say a few more things," Robin replied casually, shaking her slightly numb hand.
She didn't even bother looking at him. "You should complain to your mom too. Otherwise, who's going to stand up for you? I've already paid for my coffee," she added lightly. "Just helping you keep your pride. No one can say I bullied a poor middle-aged man."
With that, she picked up her bag and stood up.
Jim roared from the floor, "Stop her! This is outrageous! Somebody stop her!"
Robin paused slightly. "Are you sure you want to keep me here?"
When Jim met her icy gaze, he instinctively looked away. A strange fear rose in his chest.
For some reason, in that brief moment, the way Robin looked at him made him feel like she was staring at a dead man.
What Jim didn't know was that in her previous life, he had died by Robin's hand.
Seeing how cowardly he looked now, Robin let out a quiet scoff and walked away without even turning back.
...
Robin returned to the place she remembered from her previous life. She took a slow breath and pushed the door open.
It was a three-bedroom apartment in the heart of the city. The location was great, and transportation nearby made it easy to go anywhere.
But Robin didn't have time to dwell on the strange feeling of being back. She quickly reviewed everything she owned. Over the years, she had saved a little more than 2,000,000 dollars, along with this apartment and three percent of Neel Group's shares.
Of course, that money didn't come only from her paycheck from the zoo. Robin was the adopted daughter of the Neels. She didn't have much standing in the household, but every year she still received a decent amount of dividend money from the company.
After a moment of thought, she grabbed a piece of paper and started listing the supplies she needed.
When the apocalypse arrived, the biggest problem would be a lack of resources. In her last life, she had seen it many times—people fighting until their heads were bleeding just for a small amount of food. Once society collapsed, the darkest side of human nature came out without restraint.
Robin shook her head and opened the Amazon app on her phone. The first thing she looked for was instant noodles in different flavors.
Normally people called them junk food. But in the apocalypse, instant noodles easily beat rice and pasta and became one of the most practical survival foods.
If you had hot water, you could cook them. If you didn't, you could eat them dry. They filled your stomach quickly, came in many flavors, and soon turned into a rare luxury.
Robin had just chosen several boxes and was about to place the order when—Beep!
A sudden sound rang in her mind. Then a mechanical voice spoke.
"Greetings, honored host. System Assistant Bell is here to serve you.
"I have detected that you intend to spend money. Please feel free to spend as much as you like. For every 1,000 dollars you spend, you will receive 10 square feet of storage space. Once the ‘Big Spender' feature is unlocked, you will also receive one lottery draw as a reward.
"Countdown: 167:59:59."

“Ms. Riley…your son didn’t make it.”

Yeah. Just like that. No warning. No soft landing. Just a sentence that ripped my whole world apart.

The surgeon’s words still echoed in my head as I gripped the steering wheel harder, driving faster, the leather digging into my palms. I could still see his face—the sadness in his eyes, the quiet way he spoke, like even he couldn’t find the right words to soften the blow he dropped.

But there is no gentle way to tell a mother her baby is gone.

He was eight months old.

Eight months of fighting.

Eight months of hoping.

My baby boy.

My little fighter who came into this world with weak lungs and tiny hands, but a heartbeat that stole mine the first time I held him. He had been sick since day one. One infection after the other. Hospital visits. Medication. Sleepless nights. I lived my life between the company and the NICU.

And now last night was the worst. He had trouble breathing again, and his oxygen levels dropped dangerously low. I had rushed him to the hospital in my pajamas, cradling his burning little body against mine, whispering to him that it would be okay.

But it wasn’t.

The doctors said he needed emergency surgery. I sat alone all night in the hospital hallway, praying. Begging. Holding onto hope like it was the only thing keeping me from falling apart.

I called Ethan, my husband. I told him what was happening. I told him it was serious—that this time it felt different. I told him I was scared.

I needed him. Our son needed him.

But he didn’t come.

He didn’t answer the second time. Or the third.

And hours later, he picked up the call...His reply?

“I’m busy. Just take care of it and make sure nothing happens to him.” but now something has actually happened to him.

And now… here I am. Dressed in black. Not just because I buried my son this morning, but because something inside me died with him.

I should’ve stayed home. I should’ve been in bed, or curled up somewhere holding onto the last onesie he wore, crying until I couldn’t breathe. But I wasn’t allowed that kind of peace. Not in this life. Not when I had a company to run and a reputation to keep intact.

So I showed up.

Because today wasn’t just the day I buried my own child. Today was also the day some so-called “important” investors, according to Ethan, were supposed to meet us—*his* friends, men he’d been talking to for years, trying to get them to invest in the company. He said it was crucial I be there. That we couldn't afford to mess it up.

And not even grief was a good enough excuse.

Our company sits at the edge of Crescent Hollow, a city where humans live alongside packs—mostly in an uneasy truce. It’s a place where dominance can be sensed in the air, and hierarchy matters more than laws. You can feel it in the way people move. In the subtle nods exchanged between us. In the silent rules that separate humans from wolves.

The car came to a slow stop outside the building in front of our company—the one we built together, though only one of us truly kept it standing. I run it every day while he… does whatever he pleases.

I took a deep breath, wiped at the corners of my eyes, and stepped out. The city didn’t stop for my pain. The sun still rose. The street was still loud, filled with the mix of humans and shifters going about their business. A pair of wolves in human form passed by on motorcycles, scents trailing behind them—sharp, wild, unmistakable.

And me? I was pretending to live.

I walked in through the main entrance. I could feel eyes on me. Inside, conversations died mid-sentence as people noticed me. The receptionist’s hand froze over the keyboard. Her eyes glossed, her l**s parted, like she wanted to offer condolences but didn’t know if she was allowed to. No one spoke. Maybe out of fear. Maybe out of respect. Maybe because no one knows what to say to a woman who has just buried her child yet still walks into work.

They've all heard. In Crescent Hollow, news travels faster than gossip. Maybe word had already spread that Riley Grayson—CEO, human, mated to a high-ranking wolf—had lost her baby and still showed up to work hours after his funeral.

I didn’t care.

My heels clicked against the tile floor as I headed toward the elevators, each step heavier than the last. Grief sat in my chest like a weight, pressing against my ribs, but I kept my chin up. My back straight. No one would see me crumble.

Never! Not yet.

I should go straight to the boardroom right now. I knew they’d be waiting. I knew they were all probably whispering behind closed doors, wondering what version of Riley would show up today.

But instead, I turned toward the executive wing because I needed to see Ethan—just for a moment.

I didn’t even know why. Maybe I was looking for something in his face. Some sign that he cared. Some flicker of guilt. Or maybe I just wanted to hear him say something—anything that proved I wasn’t the only one drowning in this and perhaps give me the courage to face the board despite the sadness that gripped my entire system.

The hallway was quiet as I walked past the offices and paused outside his door. My hand h*****d over the handle, hesitating. My heart thudded in my chest, fast and loud like it wanted to run away but I wouldn't do that. Riley Grayson doesn't run, she fights.

I took a deep breath and pushed open the door, and stepped inside.

But I wasn’t ready for what I was about to find.

Two days.

Just two days until I would finally become Luna of the Shadowcrest Pack.

I sat at the grand oak table in the dining hall, my wedding planner sitting before me as we finalized the arrangements for the wedding. The soft afternoon light spilled through the tall windows, casting a golden glow on the detailed lists and schedules I'd spent months perfecting.

"The flowers will arrive at dawn," said Elsa, the pack's event coordinator. "White lilies and blood roses, just as you requested."

I nodded, my finger tracing over the timeline. "And the ceremonial chalice? Has it been cleaned?"

"Polished until it shines like the moon itself," Elsa confirmed with a smile.

A flutter of excitement danced in my chest. After years of preparation, of molding myself into the perfect Luna, of tamping down my warrior instincts to become the gentle support Jaden needed, the day was finally approaching.

The dining hall doors swung open.

The room fell silent.

Every wolf present rose to their feet, heads bowed in respect.

But not me.

My lips curved into a warm smile as I watched Jaden stride toward me. Tall, confident, with that familiar glint in his hazel eyes that had captured my heart years ago.

"Alpha," the others murmured.

I moved around the table and wrapped my arms around his neck, breathing in his pine and earth scent. "You're early," I whispered against his ear.

Jaden's hands settled on my waist, but something felt off. His touch was light, almost hesitant. His usual warmth seemed dampened.

"I need to speak with you," he said, his voice low enough for only me to hear. "It's urgent."

A cold sliver of unease crept up my spine. "Now? We're finalizing the—"

"Now." The word wasn't harsh, but it left no room for argument.

With a quick nod to Elsa to continue without me, I followed Jaden out of the dining hall. We walked in silence, through the pack house and into the gardens beyond, stopping only when we reached the old oak tree where he had first asked me to be his mate.

Jaden turned to face me, his eyes darkening as they roamed over my body. He stepped closer, backing me against the rough bark of the oak tree.

"You look beautiful today," he said, his voice dropping to that husky tone that always made my knees weak.

His hands slid around my waist, his fingertips pressing into my skin through the thin fabric of my blouse. I felt the heat of his palms as they slowly trailed upward along my sides, his thumbs brushing the undersides of my breasts with deliberate care. A shiver ran through me at his touch, my body responding despite the unease still lingering in my mind.

Before I could question him, he pulled me against him, eliminating any space between us. His lips found mine in a heated kiss that stole my breath. I melted into him, my fingers threading through his soft blonde hair as his tongue slipped past my lips, tasting me with urgent need.

His hands continued their journey, now tracing down my back, following the curve of my spine until they reached the hem of my blouse.

With ease, his warm palms slid beneath the fabric, his calloused fingers skimming over my bare skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

One hand moved higher, tracing my ribs before cupping my breast over my bra, while the other gripped my hip firmly, keeping me pressed against him. I could feel his hardness against my stomach, his desire unmistakable.

"Jaden," I gasped when he finally broke the kiss to trail hot, wet kisses down my neck. "What is this about?"

Instead of answering, he nipped at the sensitive spot below my ear, his teeth grazing my skin before his tongue soothed the slight sting.

His thumb found my n****e through the thin fabric of my bra, circling it before brushing over the hardened peak, sending sparks of pleasure through my body.

"I've been thinking," he murmured against my skin, his breath hot and teasing on my neck.

His touch became more insistent as his fingers slipped beneath my bra, skin against skin now. He cupped my bare breast, weighing it in his palm before his fingers skillfully worked my n****e, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger.

His other hand slid to the small of my back, pressing me harder against his arousal. My body responded traitorously, heat pooling between my thighs despite the warning bells ringing in my head.

"About?" I managed to ask, my voice breathless as he sucked at the pulse point on my neck, marking me as his.

"About us. About the wedding." His fingers traced maddening circles around my n****e before giving it a gentle pinch that made me arch into him, a soft moan escaping my lips.

He wedged his thigh between my legs, the pressure exactly where I needed it. I bit my lip to stifle another moan as he rocked against me, creating delicious friction.

His hands continued their sensual assault, one teasing my breast while the other slipped from my back to the buttons of my blouse, deftly undoing them one by one until he could push the fabric aside and press his lips to the swell of my breasts above my bra.

Something in his tone cut through the haze of desire. A lump formed in my throat. "What about it?"

He pulled back slightly, his eyes avoiding mine even as his hands continued their seductive assault on my senses. "I think we should move the date."

The words hit me like a physical blow. Air rushed from my lungs, leaving my chest tight and aching.

I pushed him away with both hands, shoving hard against his chest. The spell of desire shattered instantly. My fingers fumbled with the buttons of my blouse, hastily closing them as my cheeks burned with humiliation.

"Move it?" I echoed, my voice barely a whisper. "Again?"

His hands reached for me, but I stepped back, putting distance between us. The heat that had pooled low in my belly turned to ice.

"Baby, come on," he coaxed, trying to pull me back into his arms. "It's not the right time. There's tension with the northern packs. Security concerns."

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, suddenly disgusted by the taste of him. The marks he'd left on my skin, which moments ago had been badges of passion, now felt like brands of betrayal.

"That's what you said three months ago," I spat out, straightening my clothes. "And before that, it was diplomatic issues with the eastern territories."

"This is different."

"How?" Heat rose to my cheeks, my carefully controlled emotions threatening to spill over. "How is this any different from the last two times, Jaden?"

He finally looked at me, his expression unreadable. "Clara, you know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."

My warrior instincts, the ones I'd worked so hard to suppress, surged forward. "Then tell me what's really going on. Because I don't believe this is about security."

Silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating.

"I can't," he finally said.

My hands trembled. Three years of preparation. Three years of molding myself into someone else. Three years of waiting.

"You can't, or you won't?" I challenged.

Jaden's jaw tightened. "Don't do this."

"Do what? Ask for honesty from my future mate? From the man who's asked me to postpone our wedding for the third time?"

He dropped to one knee before me, taking my hand in his. The gesture that once would have melted my resolve now only fueled my anger.

"I promise, Clara," he said, his voice soft. "This will be the last time. After this, nothing will stop us from becoming mates."

I wanted to believe him. The desperate part of me that had invested everything into becoming his Luna wanted to nod and accept his words.

But my wolf, usually so quiet when I suppressed her, suddenly snarled to life inside me.

“He never takes you seriously,” she growled, her voice sharp in my mind. “How many times will you fall for this? You've become the lordess of the ring, pining and waiting for a wedding that will never happen.”

I wanted to silence her, but the truth’s in her words stung too deeply to ignore.

I pulled my hand from his grasp. "You've made promises before."

Without waiting for his response, I turned and walked back toward the pack house, each step burning with the effort not to run.

Behind me, I heard him call my name, but I didn't stop.

Just two days until I would finally become Luna of the Shadowcrest Pack.

I sat at the grand oak table in the dining hall, my wedding planner sitting before me as we finalized the arrangements for the wedding. The soft afternoon light spilled through the tall windows, casting a golden glow on the detailed lists and schedules I'd spent months perfecting.

"The flowers will arrive at dawn," said Elsa, the pack's event coordinator. "White lilies and blood roses, just as you requested."

I nodded, my finger tracing over the timeline. "And the ceremonial chalice? Has it been cleaned?"

"Polished until it shines like the moon itself," Elsa confirmed with a smile.

A flutter of excitement danced in my chest. After years of preparation, of molding myself into the perfect Luna, of tamping down my warrior instincts to become the gentle support Jaden needed, the day was finally approaching.

The dining hall doors swung open.

The room fell silent.

Every wolf present rose to their feet, heads bowed in respect.

But not me.

My l**s curved into a warm smile as I watched Jaden stride toward me. Tall, confident, with that familiar glint in his hazel eyes that had captured my heart years ago.

"Alpha," the others murmured.

I moved around the table and wrapped my arms around his n**k, breathing in his pine and earth scent. "You're early," I whispered against his ear.

Jaden's hands settled on my w***t, but something felt off. His t***h was light, almost hesitant. His usual warmth seemed dampened.

"I need to speak with you," he said, his voice low enough for only me to hear. "It's urgent."

A cold sliver of unease crept up my spine. "Now? We're finalizing the—"

"Now." The word wasn't harsh, but it left no room for argument.

With a quick nod to Elsa to continue without me, I followed Jaden out of the dining hall. We walked in silence, through the pack house and into the gardens beyond, stopping only when we reached the old oak tree where he had first asked me to be his mate.

Jaden turned to face me, his eyes darkening as they roamed over my body. He stepped closer, backing me against the rough bark of the oak tree.

"You look beautiful today," he said, his voice dropping to that husky tone that always made my knees weak.

His hands slid around my w***t, his fingertips pressing into my skin through the thin fabric of my blouse. I felt the heat of his palms as they slowly trailed upward along my sides, his thumbs brushing the undersides of my brests with deliberate care. A shiver ran through me at his t***h, my body responding despite the unease still lingering in my mind.

Before I could question him, he pulled me against him, eliminating any space between us. His l**s found mine in a heated k**s that stole my breath. I melted into him, my fingers threading through his soft blonde hair as his tongue slipped past my l**s, tasting me with urgent need.

His hands continued their journey, now tracing down my back, following the curve of my spine until they reached the hem of my blouse.

With ease, his warm palms slid beneath the fabric, his calloused fingers skimming over my b**e skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

One hand moved higher, tracing my ribs before cupping my brest over my bra, while the other gripped my h*p firmly, keeping me pressed against him. I could feel h**********s against my stomach, his desire unmistakable.

"Jaden," I gasped when he finally broke the k**s to trail hot, wet kisses down my n**k. "What is this about?"

Instead of answering, he nipped at the sensitive spot below my ear, his teeth grazing my skin before his tongue soothed the slight sting.

His thumb found my nut through the thin fabric of my bra, circling it before brushing over the hardened peak, sending sparks of pleasure through my body.

"I've been thinking," he murmured against my skin, his breath hot and teasing on my n**k.

His t***h became more insistent as his fingers slipped beneath my bra, skin against skin now. He cupped my b**e brest, weighing it in his palm before his fingers skillfully worked my nut, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger.

His other hand slid to the small of my back, pressing me harder against his a*****l. My body responded traitorously, heat pooling between my t****s despite the warning bells ringing in my head.

"About?" I managed to ask, my voice breathless as he suked at the pulse point on my n**k, marking me as his.

"About us. About the wedding." His fingers traced maddening circles around my nut before giving it a gentle pinch that made me arch into him, a soft m**n escaping my l**s.

He wedged his t***h between my legs, the pressure exactly where I needed it. I bit my l*p to stifle another m**n as he rocked against me, creating delicious friction.

His hands continued their sensual assault, one teasing my brest while the other slipped from my back to the buttons of my blouse, deftly undoing them one by one until he could push the fabric aside and press his l**s to the swell of my brests above my bra.

Something in his tone cut through the haze of desire. A lump formed in my throat. "What about it?"

He pulled back slightly, his eyes avoiding mine even as his hands continued their s*******e assault on my senses. "I think we should move the date."

The words hit me like a physical blow. Air rushed from my lungs, leaving my chest tight and aching.

I pushed him away with both hands, shoving hard against his chest. The spell of desire shattered instantly. My fingers fumbled with the buttons of my blouse, hastily closing them as my cheeks burned with humiliation.

"Move it?" I echoed, my voice barely a whisper. "Again?"

His hands reached for me, but I stepped back, putting distance between us. The heat that had pooled low in my belly turned to ice.

The day our SAT scores went live, I had dinner with Leo Calloway's family to celebrate.

His mother Diane Calloway said, half-joking, “Sasha, any plans to date in college? If so, you two should coordinate your applications. And honestly, you could do a lot worse than our Leo, you know.”　　

　　The secret I’d buried deep inside me was suddenly dragged into the light.

　　My face flushed hot, and my eyes instinctively flicked toward Leo.

　　He didn’t look up.

　　But I caught it, an unmistakable flicker of disgust on his downturned face.

　　In eighteen years, it was the first time I’d ever seen that expression on him.

　　I stood there, frozen, completely at a loss for how to respond.

　　“Oh, come on, love is personal. Let’s not meddle with the kids.”

　　My mom smoothed things over and steered the conversation elsewhere.

　　Leo didn’t say another word for the rest of the meal.

　　That night, I went home, opened my list of target schools, and quietly crossed off the one I’d copied from the back wall of our classroom, Leo’s dream college.

　　***

　　That little incident didn’t leave a rift between the adults. 　　But for me, I couldn’t be around Leo the same way anymore. 　　I thought he felt the same.

　　Except the very next day, he messaged me first. 　　[Come over this afternoon. Let’s hang out.]

　　It looked no different from before.

　　But I agonized over how to reply. 　　Eventually, I typed back: [Okay.]

　　Then I asked what time he’d come. 　　He didn’t respond.

　　By lunch, I was a nervous wreck. 　　So anxious I couldn’t even settle down.

　　I waited until three o’clock before my phone finally rang.

　　“Are you home? I’m coming over now.”

　　I twisted the hem of my shirt and said quietly, “I’m home.”

　　After I hung up, I turned down my mom’s invite to the movies and told her I had plans with Leo.

　　We didn’t live far apart, just across the street, Maplewood subdivision to Maplewood subdivision.

　　I figured he’d be here any minute.

　　So I changed and went downstairs to wait.

　　That wait dragged on for another two hours.

　　I stared at the string of unanswered calls on my phone and debated whether to try again.

　　But would that make me look clingy?

　　What if he had a genuine emergency?

　　I was still editing a message when someone tapped my shoulder from behind. 　　“Sasha. Let’s go.”

　　Leo startled me so badly I clutched my phone to my chest, terrified he’d seen the draft.

　　Just as we were leaving, I ran into my mom coming home. 　　“Sasha, Leo, you two are heading out?”

　　Leo flashed her a polite smile. “Just dinner, Mrs. Hart. Not playing around.”

　　My mom nodded. “Don’t be out too late.”

　　When we got to the restaurant, I stopped dead.

　　A whole crowd of people I didn’t recognize swarmed Leo with familiar hellos.

　　Maya Vance glanced at me and squeezed in next to him.

　　“So Sasha’s the one you were waiting for. Why didn’t you just invite her to hang out this afternoon? Why wait until dinner?”

　　So he’d been with them all afternoon.

　　Then why drag me here?

　　I trailed behind him, waiting for an answer too.

　　“Let’s eat, aren’t you hungry?”

　　Leo didn’t take the bait. He just herded everyone inside.

　　They all laughed and settled into the booth.

　　Except there was no seat for me.

　　I stood in the doorway, unsure what to do. 　　I want to go home. 　　That was my first thought.

　　I practiced the words in my head a hundred times before I finally mustered the courage to step forward.

　　“Leo, I…”

　　“Why aren’t you sitting down?”

　　Leo cut me off, turning around.

　　Every conversation at the table stopped dead. Everyone stared.

　　He scanned the booth, saw it was full, and eventually flagged down a server for an extra stool, wedging it next to him.

　　“Sit.”

　　The words I hadn’t said caught in my throat, but I sat down anyway.

　　And the second I did, I regretted it.

　　I couldn’t wedge into a single one of their topics.

　　So I sat there stiffly, sipping soda after soda.

　　Halfway through the meal, Leo suddenly shoved his phone in my face. 　　“Hey Mom, yeah, I’m eating with Sasha. Be back soon.”

　　I barely got a smile ready before he yanked the phone back and hung up.

　　He hadn’t said one word to me the entire time.

　　And he didn’t introduce me to anyone else, either.

　　That was the moment I started to understand why he’d called me here.

“I want an open marriage, Sarah.” 

My eyes drift from Aaron to the sly bitch sprawled on the bed behind him. I hope she knows she’s fired. I hope she knows I’ll do anything to make sure she’s never hired by any of the big 40s in our country. I am not a petty woman, but I trusted my personal assistant enough not to crawl into my husband’s bed. 

Apparently, that was a mistake. 

I swallow hard and return my gaze to my husband of six years. He stands tall, wearing nothing but a pair of black Calvin Klein briefs. Bile forms in my throat when I realize that I bought that for him. 

“Why?” I ask, fighting my tears. 

“I told you I want a divorce, Aaron. Not an open marriage. I refuse to bring myself down to your level.” 

He throws his head back and laughs. I recognize the sound. There was a time it made me blush and look away, but that was so many years ago. Now, I just want to stick my heel in his throat and stop that laughter forever. 

I don’t do that. I stand still and look straight into those menacing green eyes of his. 

“You must be joking, Sarah. If you do that, I’ll walk away with all of Wellspring. I’ll reduce you to nothing, woman. You know me.” He begins walking in circles around me. 

“We built that company from the ground up together. Six years of my sweat, money, and brain are in Wellspring. You are only the face. If you dare to threaten me with divorce again,” he places his hand on my shoulder, and I contemplate my chances of a “not guilty” verdict for involuntary…or voluntary manslaughter. 

I tilt my head to look at him. His lips spread into a thin smile. 

“I’ll take it all, Sarah. Every single bit of it, and toss you into the streets. Let’s see if your darling brother will be able to save you from the ruins.” 

My jaw clenches at the mention of my brother. If Kevin knew what Aaron had done to me, to the sacred bond of our marriage, my darling husband would  have been in a body bag on his way to his own funeral.

I take another look at the blonde bitch on my bed and force a smile. 

“Fine then. You want an open marriage,” I turn to Aaron. The man whom I have spent six years of my life loving, supporting, encouraging. The only man I have ever trusted enough to give my heart and body too. None of it means anything to him. 

Why should I fight for the respect of someone who has done nothing but disrespect me? Sleeping with more than half of my female staff? Lord. 

“I’ll give you an open marriage. But I promise I’ll make you regret it.” 

“Regret?” He asks as amusement lights up in his eyes. 

 That annoying laughter slips out of his throat again. 

“What do you think you are? Why would I regret this decision? I have been craving for this day all through our marriage. You…” he points right his index finger at me.

“…are a lame vanilla pillow loving fuck. What am I supposed to regret? The back shots you can’t give? The positions you’re too fucking lazy to stay in? My dick you’re too dumb to suck properly?” 

I can’t stop it now. The tears flow from my eyes and run down my cheeks. I grip the sides of my suit pants, digging my manicured fingers into my skin. 

“No man will want you. I only did because you looked so hot six years ago, and I thought you were going to be a menace in bed. Me, a commoner, got to fuck the little sister of Kevin Wellspring? My friends worshipped the ground I walked on. But you turned out to be so…” 

“Leave her, darling.” His mistress cuts in. For a brief moment, I wonder if she feels sorry listening to the man she has just fucked address his wife like that. 

He scoffs and turns his back to me. 

“You’re lucky I’m in a good mood, Sarah. Now leave. Find someone else to bother with your sorry face.” 

Right in front of me, he returns to the bed and continues kissing her. I quickly look away and drag myself out of the room. At least he has the decency not to take her to our bedroom…right? 

Damn it. 

I stomp up the stairs to the master bedroom and find my way to my walk in closet. There is no way I’m staying in this house tonight with Aaron and his little miss downstairs. My chances of going to prison are too high. 

Frantically, I search for a dress “sexy” enough to wear to a club, or a bar, or anywhere I was guaranteed to get looked at. 

NO MAN WILL LOOK AT YOU. 

Aaron’s words echo in my ears, but I shake my head hard enough to force it out. I pick out a red dress I haven’t worn in quite a while, and put it against my body. 

I look up at the mirror. It’s barely covering my thighs. I stopped dressing so slutty after I got married because Aaron didn’t like it. Yet, he’s cheating on me with girls who wear worse. I laugh at the irony of it all and move into the room. 

In an hour, I am dressed in a thigh high red body con mesh dress with a V-shaped neckline that accentuates the fullness of my breast. I put on my pearl necklace and matching studs, and black heeled sandals. I let my red hair fall in full waves down to my shoulders, and adorn my lips with red lipstick. 

I look hot. I feel hot. But not hot enough to keep my husband. 

Then again, could you ever keep a man that didn’t want to be kept? 

It’s a thirty minute drive to Vincent’s. A club that was rumored to host the one percent of the one percent. If I was going to get a good revenge fuck, it had to be here. 

I sit across a table of three girls and find them smiling and pointing in my direction. Confused, I look around me. Down at my dress, at my makeup. I don’t look like a clown, do I? 

It’s only when the brunette winks that I know they aren’t looking at me. I turn to the table behind me and find what…no, WHO they’re looking at. 

Three men on a table, exuding wealth, power, and class. 

I narrow my eyes on the first man. A deep familiar feeling crawls into the pit of my stomach. Dressed in a navy blue suit and a white undershirt, his dark brown hair is slicked back, and he has a little scar on his jaw I can make out even in the poor light. When electric blue eyes suddenly locate mine, my breath hitches in my throat. 

He raises a brow on seeing me, while my eyes widen. I look at the two men beside him. The next wears a grey shirt with three buttons undone, and a pair of matching grey pants. The clothes match the grey hue of his eyes. The last is in a black leather jacket and ripped blue jeans. He waves at me. 

My heart skips a million beats at once. 

Ronan, Malachi, and Jaxon HawkThorne. My brother’s best friends, and the most brutal, feared, and successful businessmen in the city are here! In the same club as me! 

Heat rises to my cheeks when Malachi smiles. 

  Fuck. When did they get so hot? 

THE HAWKTHORNE BROTHERS

  SARAH 

Jaxon, for one, looks a lot more mature. He was 23 the last time I saw him. That was six years ago, a few days before my wedding. They had offered to throw me a bridal shower as a wedding gift which I refused. They were—and are still known to be sex gods. Since I had a crush on them, there was no way I was letting them throw my bridal shower. 

As I continue to stare at them, Jaxon leans to whisper something into Malachi’s ear. Their eyes remain fixed on me. Malachi’s lips thin into a smirk as he speaks to Ronan. Ronan’s eyes narrow on me, and I swallow hard and look away. 

My heartbeat increases rapidly, and I find myself panting. I place my hand on my chest and take in deep breaths to steady myself. The club suddenly became two times hotter, and sweat had formed a pool between my legs. 

It was like Aaron said. I was 21 years the last time I saw them. I was hot then. What did they think of me now? Do they share in Aaron’s sentiment? Do I look like a prude now? 

Gosh. I suddenly feel like an imposter in a hot red dress. I look down at my purse on the table and prepare myself to pick it up and leave. There’s no point. Aaron is right. I’m a pathetic prude loser. I’ve spent all this time at work, trying to build a name for myself that was separate from that of my brother’s that I let myself go. 

Just as I stand to leave, a waiter approaches me. 

“Excuse me, ma’am.”

I fight back my tears as I feign a smile while looking at him. 

“Yes?” 

“Uhmm, your attention is needed on table thirteen. Our esteemed guests there have requested that you join them.” 

What? Really? Did someone really notice me? Could it be…? 

No. 

“Where is table thirteen?” I ask, and he points in the one direction I pray he wouldn’t. 

“Over there, ma’am.” He points.

I know what I’m going to see. Yet, I tilt my neck in the direction of his hand and find the HawkThorne brothers staring at me. Of all the women in the club, why does it have to be me? 

I swallow hard, terrified I would embarrass myself. They are the second most important people in my brother’s life after me. It wouldn’t hurt to say hi, right? 

I thank the waiter and walk towards them. The way their eyes wander from my face, to my chest, and linger on my cleavage all at the same time makes me squirm. Do they like what they see? 

The closer I get to them, the more overwhelming their aura becomes. They conquer space, the scent of their colognes threaten to overpower oxygen as well as everything else around them. No one dares order for a table close to theirs. Everyone who wants to be someone in Durmont knows better than to get on their bad side. 

By the time I stand in front of them, I lose the ability to speak until Jaxon starts. 

“Sarah,” he says out loud. His eyes drop to the flesh of my thighs. My cheeks heat up in embarrassment. They are shamelessly checking me out. I can’t remember the last time a man looked at me like that. 

“It’s been so long. You look amazing.” He continues, and I smile. 

“Well, thank you.” 

“Where’s your little husband?” Ronan's baritone seeps into my ears. That voice was the object of my many fantasies as a teenager. It had only gotten six times deeper and hotter. 

I purse my lips to let out some air. It’s becoming really hot in my insides. 

“He’s not here with me tonight. I’m here on my own.” 

Malachi’s right brow raises. 

“Should you be? This is a club, and you look smoking hot.” He takes a sip of his drink. 

“Yes, Sarah. People might be trying to fuck you.” Ronan concludes. 

Something about the way he says “fuck” makes me want to be bent over their table and taken by him…or them. There had been rumors when I was younger that they liked to fuck the same woman at the same time. It was a thing for them. I find myself wondering how much of it is true. 

I clear my throat before I attempt to speak. Malachi and Jaxon exchange smiles when they see how flushed I am. Ronan’s face remained straight. It isn’t unlike him. He’s the oldest of them after all. How old is he now? Thirty-six? 

“Well, maybe I am.” The words spill out of my mouth before I get the chance to take them back. 

Malachi’s grey eyes turn a bright silver as they gleam. Jaxon only smiles, while Ronan leans further into his seat. 

“Do you mean that, Sarah?” He asks. I drop my gaze from his face to the floor. 

“Don’t take your eyes off me.” He orders, and I obey without thinking twice. 

“He asked you a question, Sarah. Are you trying to get fucked?”

I can’t find it in me to answer. They know I’m married. What will they think of me if I say yes? I’ll be well within my rights too. It’s an open marriage after all. What if they ask why? How do I tell them my husband decided to open our marriage because he was no longer attracted to me? 

“You can trust us.” Jaxon adds. 

“We’re in no position to judge you.” 

I look up at him and nod. 

“Words, Sarah. Use your words.” Malachi says. 

“Yes.” I blurt out. 

“Yes. I came here to get fucked. I mean, I’m in an open marriage. He has the right to fuck anyone he wants, and I have the right to fuck anyone I want. So…why are you guys smiling like that?” 

“We never did give you a wedding gift, did we?” Malachi asks, and I shiver under the cold of his stare. 

“N…no. Why?” 

I can feel my heart about to leap from my chest. 

“Sarah Wellspring, would you like to be fucked by us?” 

My eyes widen. 

“Like all three of you?” 

“We never have it any other way.” 

The rumors are definitely true then. Gosh! They all want me, but should they? I mean, I’m their best friend’s little sister and I’m not supposed to be hot, right? 

“If you’re wondering why…” Malachi says as he rises to his feet. I watch in silence as he covers the distance between us. He towers above me. He’s nothing less than a foot and 2 inches taller than me, and I’m 5’6. 

His right hand encircles my waist and rests on the small of my back. Heat floods my stomach immediately. I swallow hard and push my chest towards him just a little bit, causing him to stare down at my breasts. 

"I will give Lylah's place to her sister, Cora," I heard my mate, Alpha Rowan, say coldly.

Today was the day I had been waiting for—the meeting that would decide my admission to the Academy of Lunar Grace, the pinnacle of werewolf education.

But when I stood outside the instructor’s door, I heard my beloved mate and my family discussing giving the admission spot I had worked so hard to earn to my sister.

“Finally you gave Lylah’s spot at Lunar Grace to Cora, Alpha Rowan. Thank you!" That's my father's voice. “My daughter is brilliant. She will not fail you.”

“Glad to help." Alpha Rowan, my mate, or the man I had believed was mine, replied.

“But... are you certain?” My mentor, a Pack's Gamma named Stone, asked. “Lylah has fought for this spot since last year. How could you do this to her, Alpha?"

“This is final,” My father, Alpha Eldric of Ironcrest Pack, snapped. “Alpha Rowan promised this spot to my precious Cora long ago. We had a deal. He took that useless mongrel Lylah off my hands, kept her from tainting my true family. In return, I poured gold and warriors when his pack was ready to collapse. Isn’t that right, Alpha?”

“But-"

“I’m the Alpha, so the decision is mine. That spot belongs to Cora." Rowan cut in coldly. "About Lylah, I’ll handle it."

I endured every word my father spat—until Rowan spoke.

The ground seemed to shift. I staggered back.

Selestine, my wolf who rarely stirred, howled now—her pain ripping my chest apart.

'What of his promises? Of the dream he knew I bled for to become a female Master Healer?'

Crying, I fled the building, barely making it into the car before I saw Cora through the window—her pale hair gleaming like moonlight.

Rowan had left before dawn for a conference that ended hours ago. I hadn’t imagined he would come here instead. My father, Cora, and Rowan together.

The manor doors burst open when I finally returned.

Rowan stood there, his cane polished to a mirror shine. His smile suggested nothing had happened at all.

“Where have you been, my little moon? I miss you," he said, striding toward me.

His cold pine and musk's scent fouled with cloying Rose. Cora's scent.

“Rowan,” I said, pushing him away.

“The conference was chaos. Reporters everywhere, all asking about Corlis Prime. I finished far later than expected.” He kissed my cheek, my forehead.

How could he lie that easily to me?

“Sorry I’ve been so busy lately, but it was to ensure you would never lack anything again,” he added.

Alpha Rowan of the Blackfang Pack was a genius, the mind behind the program that lifted his pack to legendary status, raising it from ash to the most loaded and renowned pack of the era.

“I understand, Rowan,” I said dully. “I can handle things on my own. You’ve done enough for me. I’m an adult now, I have my wolf and a job. I don’t want to depend on you forever.”

I will never rest my life on anyone again. Not my parents. Not him.

I was once the cherished daughter of the Ironcrest Pack for fifteen years. My parents loved me even as everyone whispered about my flaws, how my physique was frail, how I might not truly be their child. Then came the night of the Pearl Moon Festival and everything changed.

A mysterious white wolf appeared in the sacred clearing, perfect in every way.

Their family bond clicked instantly. Coraline 'Cora', was my parents' real daughter. Finally, they had found the missing piece of their perfect family. And just as easily, they cast me aside.

While Ironcrest celebrated Cora, I was cast into the wild forest, near the Rogues’ den, left to die.

There, I meet my savior. Alpha Rowan of Blackfang Paack finds me shivering, frozen with fear, my wolf still silent.

That night, we shared a silent pain—his leg mangled by a silver trap set by his enemies, mine buried deep inside.

Instead of hurting me like everyone else, Rowan carried me on his back and took me to his pack.

The injury left him limping and one by one, his pack members betrayed him. But I always stayed by his side.

I spent days and nights honing my mind so I could be worthy of an Alpha’s side—standing beside him in councils of rival packs, drafting treaties and diplomatic letters sealed with his authority. I carried him mentally and emotionally, all because I loved him.

I believed he loved me too, until today.

“Stop saying nonsense,” Rowan's fingers grazing my neck. “Soon I'll put my mark here, and you will become mine. Forever.”

Another lie.

I ask anyway,

“What do you mean?”

“Shh,” he murmured. “I know you’re upset that you didn’t get into the Academy of Lunar Grace. It’s alright, don’t blame yourself for submitting the form late. Because even the most prestigious academy is nothing compared to what’s waiting for you as my Luna. I’ll give you everything that you won’t even remember your dreams anymore.”

Dreams he had once sworn to protect.

Now he crushed them. He stole my right and handed it to Cora.

Rowan stood triumphant on the future I had bled to build for him, and this was my reward?

I would not accept it.

Chapter 2

Lylah’s POV

Pale morning light bled slowly into Blackfang territory, washing the land in silver and ash. I left the manor before the pack fully stirred, heading toward the pack post office.

Tiara, my best friend, was already there, leaning against the wooden beam.

“This is our meeting spot, Birthday girl? How chic.” She teased, then grinned. “Still, Happiest birthday to you, Lylah darling.”

“Thank you. And thanks for agreeing to help me.”

She tilted her head, “You’re alone? I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen you without your brooding Alpha shadow.”

She meant Rowan.

It wasn’t a secret anymore how I’d followed Alpha Rowan like a pup, bound to him by more than habit, by something raw and aching that everyone could see. Heat crawled up my neck.

“He has nothing to do with today. Let’s not talk about him.”

“Oh, Selene! Did I hear that right?”

“I need your help,” I cut in, “Tell me how to submit my name to the Mate-market.”

Her jaw dropped dramatically.

The Mate-market was half tradition, half gamble—a system unmated wolves used to send their profiles across packs, letting fate, scent, and the Moon decide. Tiara was infamous for navigating it. I wanted my name there. Open. Available.

“Lylah, you can’t do that unless you’re completely unmated. And unless you don’t have a terrifying Alpha who might rip my throat out for helping you.” She hissed.

I met her eyes. “Oh, Tiara. Rowan, and I are Done.”

She gasped.

Done.

The word felt foreign, as if it belonged to another love story, not mine. Not after the night Rowan had found us, when Selestine, my timid wolf, had surged awake for the first time.

His presence was an intoxicating, dangerous current. Strong enough to pull us under. We knew the risk, yet we still dove in, forgetting how fragile we truly were.

Naive little wolf, caught in a trap we mistook for Moon Goddess' fate.

After we finished at the post office, Tiara and I crossed into the Pack’s square.

The scent of damp earth filled my lungs, followed by the sharp rose scent cut through it.

“Isn’t that Alpha Eldric’s daughter?” Someone shouted.

“Which one?”

“The beautiful one! Lady Cora of Ironcrest Pack!"

Tiara stiffened beside me. “What is that bitch doing in our Pack?”

I didn’t react. I’d known since yesterday that Cora was here.

Cora stood at the center of the square, her dress flowing like silk caught in the wind, her hair shining as though the sun favored her alone.

“Lady Cora, your necklace is stunning!” A girl gushed. “That must’ve cost a fortune.”

Cora touched the diamond at her throat, eyes glowing. “This is from someone special, given as a birthday gift today."

Yes. We shared the same birthday.

“Someone special? Your mate? Is he from Blackfang Pack? We’d be so honored to welcome you here!”

Cora laughed softly, covering her lips. “You’ll find out soon. It’s meant to be a surprise.”

I remember how Rowan had left before dawn.

How there's no cake, no candle, no kiss pressed to my brow like last year. He hadn’t remembered my birthday at all.

But he remembered hers.

For years, when everyone else chose Cora and dismissed me, when they wounded me, I believed Rowan was different.

How foolish I’d been.

As the day wore on, Tiara went home. I couldn’t return to Rowan’s mansion—the place we’d shared everything for five years—so I went to my mentor’s office instead.

“Lylah?” He rose to his feet as I stepped into the room, surprise flickering across his face. “I didn’t expect to see you today. Are you here to discuss your failed admission?

“No," I said, steadying my voice.

"Last month you offered me a position as a junior assistant at Lunar Grace, Mr Stone. I turned it down.” I swallowed. “Is the offer still open?”

His eyes widened.

Then he smiled. “Of course! It’s always been open. You can go whenever you’re ready."

Footsteps echoed in the corridor.

Mr. Stone stiffened.

"Wait here,” he said quickly. “I have important guests. Don’t leave until I return.”

He snatched up a glossy black box etched with a familiar sigil and rushed out, the door slamming shut behind him.

A familiar scent drifted through the crack, cold pine.

My heart sank.

I moved closer and peeked through the glass.

Rowan stood there. Holding Cora's waist.

Mr. Stone handed her the box. “Happy birthday, Lady Cora. This is your uniform. You’ve been officially accepted into the Academy of Lunar Grace."

Cora’s face lit up. “Thank you!”

“It arrived early because Alpha Rowan requested it. He wanted you to receive it on your special day.”

She turned to Rowan and rose onto her toes to kiss his cheek.

“After the necklace, another gift?” she teased. “You’re so thoughtful, Alpha.”

Rowan didn’t reply.

But his lips curved into a soft smile. His gaze warmed as it rested on her, the kind of look he’d never given lightly.

“May I ask one more thing?” Cora said.

“Of course.”

“Run with me. Let our wolves loose beneath the trees, just the two of us.”

Rowan nodded without hesitation.

My fingers curled into my palms.

I’d begged him once to do that with me. To run together, to deepen what we had. He’d refused, claiming his leg injury made it impossible.

Yet for Cora, he agreed instantly.

Chapter 3

Lylah's POV

I returned to the manor and shut myself inside my room.

The space reeked of Alpha indulgence, luxuries Rowan had claimed for me after Blackwood Pack rose to dominance. Velvet-lined boxes of diamonds and enchanted gems. Robes spun from pure winter fur.

None of it felt like mine anymore.

I dragged my suitcase from beneath the bed and began packing the few simple clothes I’d bought myself over the years.

Just as I folded the last shirt, my phone buzzed to life.

Tiara:

'Lylah, the Mate-market is buzzing! Your profile has drawn more than fifty unmated males already! Mentioning Lunar Grace was a brilliant move, but are you really leaving? How about Alpha Rowan? I never believed he’d allow you that much distance.'

A bitter smile curved my lips.

Once, I would have waited for permission. Once, my feeling for him would have tightened around my ribs at the thought of disobedience.

But that girl was gone.

Suddenly, a knock struck the door.

I sighed. I was too exhausted to face anyone.

“Lylah,” Rowan’s voice carried through the wood, “Open up. I have something for you.”

I crossed the room and slid the door open.

A chorus of voices burst forth at once.

“Surprise! Happy birthday, Lylah!”

Rowan stood at the center, smiling as if nothing in the world was amiss. In his hand rested a small velvet box. Behind him were Gavriel, his Beta, and Rosella—Gavriel’s mate—both wearing practiced smiles.

“What is this?” I asked.

“What else?” Gavriel laughed. “A surprise. Alpha's been driving us mad preparing this since morning.”

Morning.

The same morning he’d spent with Cora at my mentor’s office.

I smiled anyway.

“Go on, Alpha,” Rosella urged brightly. “Give her the special gift you’ve been planning all week.”

Rowan stepped closer and opened the box.

His scent, and the unmistakable trace of the deep wood, rolled over me. Telling me exactly where he’d been moments ago.

“I’ll put this gift on you,” Rowan said.

Inside lay a tiny bracelet set with a small amethyst. Pretty. Modest.

A diminished echo of the elaborate necklace he’d given Cora.

Rowan fastened it around my wrist.

“Thank you,” I managed.

His brows knit. “You sound distant, little moon. Aren’t you happy? You used to light up whenever I gave you gifts. You’d jump into my arms. Where did that go?”

“I’m just tired, Rowan.”

Rosella tilted her head, her lips curving into a poisonous smile. “Perhaps the bracelet disappointed her, Alpha. Too simple."

“No,” Rowan said quickly, cupping my cheek. “I know my Lylah. She prefers simple things. Anything extravagant wouldn’t suit her.”

I caught the amused glance Gavriel and Rosella exchanged.

“You smell like the woods,” I said lightly. “Did you just finish a run? I thought you’d stopped doing that.”

He stiffened for half a heartbeat.

“Of course not. I was at my office.” The answer came too fast. “Actually, I just remembered I have unfinished work. I should go.”

Of course.

He kissed my cheek and left, his presence fading down the hall.

The familiar flutter in my chest never came.

Selestine remained silent, the bond unmoved, as if something vital had already snapped.

Night fell.

I stood behind the counter of the small restaurant where I’d been working part-time for six months. Rowan knew I worked, but he’d never once asked where. I’d wanted savings, something that belonged to me alone. Tonight, I was grateful for that foresight.

The door opened.

And whispers rippled through the room like wind through tall grass.

“That’s Alpha Rowan!"

“And Lady Cora.”

“They look like they were paired by Selene herself.”

I froze.

At the far end of the room, Rowan entered with Cora at his side. Gavriel and Rosella followed. Rowan’s hand never left Cora’s waist, his touch openly possessive, his power flaring softly around her in a way he no longer bothered to hide.

“I hope I’m not inconveniencing anyone,” Cora said demurely.

“Of course not, Lady Cora,” Rosella replied warmly, so different from the honeyed venom she used on me. “It’s your birthday. Alpha Rowan wants everything perfect.”

A server placed a cake before them, candles flickering.

“Go on,” Rowan said gently. “Make a wish.”

“A-a wish?”

“Yes. Anything."

She glanced at him through her lashes. “Would it be all right if I prayed to Selene to bind me to you, Alpha?"

Rowan flushed.

Gavriel sucked in a breath. “Alpha, that’s a signal.”

Rosella clapped her hands softly. “It means you should mark her. Make her your Luna!"

Their table glowed with warmth and laughter, promise thick in the air.

Behind the counter, my wolf finally stirred. Not in pain, but aching rage.

"Listen, I make 50,000 dollars a year. That's more than enough to take care of you. At your age, you should be thinking about settling down while you still have the chance. In a couple of years, it'll be harder for you. You might not have many options left. Hey—are you even listening to what I'm saying?"
Robin jerked in surprise. Her eyes flew open as she stared at everything around her, stunned.
The air smelled strongly of fresh coffee. Warm sunlight poured through the bright windows and spread across the table in front of her.
The café was quiet and calm. Every now and then, someone tapped on a keyboard. Soft laughter and low conversations drifted through the room.
Everything felt peaceful. Normal.
But just moments ago, her best friend Zelda Field and Noah Goodman had pushed her straight into a swarm of zombies. Pain had ripped through her body. Rotting mouths had torn into her flesh. Blood had filled her vision...
Robin slowly looked away from the room and focused on the man sitting across from her. He wore a neat suit. His huge belly pressed against the table, and the hair on the top of his head was thinning.
"You are...?"
His face looked somewhat familiar. Robin moved her lips slightly. After surviving ten years in the apocalypse, she had learned how to stay calm no matter what happened. Even though this situation made no sense, she quietly picked up her phone and checked the screen.
August 14, 3026.
4:00 p.m.
Which meant—
Ten years ago! She had returned to ten years in the past.
Robin Neel forced herself to stay calm, despite her emotions running high. In her previous life, on August 24, 3023, Jeblea ignored warnings from the United Nations and dumped nuclear wastewater into the ocean. They confidently claimed it would cause no harm to Earth.
But three years later, on August 24, Earth fought back. Humanity faced Earth's retaliation for that reckless decision.
A zombie virus that only affected humans spread across the world. Animals and plants mutated and became highly aggressive. The weather turned extreme. Natural disasters followed one after another. The world humanity had built over thousands of years fell apart almost overnight.
And today was exactly ten days before the apocalypse.
Once Robin realized that, she couldn't sit still.
Ten days. That was all she had left.
"Sorry, I need to leave."
She stood up at once, not caring about anything else. The man across from her suddenly changed expression. He grabbed her wrist. "What's your problem? Was anything I said wrong? Do you know how popular an elite like me is in the dating market? You should appre—AH!"
Before he could finish, he let out a loud scream.
Robin could feel the warm, sticky touch on the back of her hand. Holding back her disgust, she twisted his wrist and pinned it firmly to the table. Her eyes turned sharp. "What do you think you're doing?"
It was pure instinct. Even though her current body was weak, she used a clever grip. The man couldn't break free.
The quiet café atmosphere shattered. People turned to stare.
Robin looked at the man's round face and then thought about the timing. Suddenly, it clicked. A cold smile slowly appeared on her lips.
Right. She remembered now.
His name was Jim Patton. He had originally been the blind date arranged for her "best friend." But Zelda claimed she felt sick and begged Robin to go in her place. She even reminded Robin that Jim had been introduced by her Aunt Mabel, so Robin needed to be polite.
Robin had followed that advice. During the whole meeting, she stayed polite. Jim said several ridiculous things; she kept smiling and remained respectful.
But Jim saw her politeness as encouragement.
That very night after the date, he tried to drag her to a hotel. When she refused, he wouldn't stop harassing her for days. On top of that, he secretly spread rumors that the two of them had slept together, which caused Robin a lot of trouble at the time.
The memories came rushing back. Robin slowly loosened her grip. A strange look flickered in her eyes.
She smiled softly and said, "Come to think of that, you know, I should thank you."
In her previous life, if Jim hadn't sneaked into her apartment on the very day the apocalypse began, trying to force himself on her, she wouldn't have panicked and accidentally stabbed him with a fruit knife. Later, when a massive group of zombies surrounded the building, she used Jim's body as bait to lure them away. That gave her, Noah, and Zelda the chance to escape.
In a way, if Jim hadn't been the unlucky sacrifice, Robin might have died during that first zombie siege.
So when it came to an old "benefactor," she should at least show a little courtesy.
Jim quickly pulled his hand back and shouted at the top of his lungs. "Everyone, look at this! This is unbelievable! I made time out of my busy schedule to come on this date, and she suddenly attacked me! I've never met someone like her before!"
"Didn't you grab me first?" Robin said darkly.
"Besides, I'm not interested in you. Isn't it normal for me to leave?"
Jim shouted angrily, spitting as he spoke. "You—you're not interested in me? Do you have any idea how rare it is to catch a man like me in the dating market?!"
Robin fell silent for a while before she asked evenly, "What, do you think you're some kind of rare prize?"
"Huh?"
People around them froze for a second. Then several of them burst out laughing.
Jim finally realized what she meant, and his face flushed red. "I'm warning you—don't look down on a young man like me just because I'm not rich yet!" he snapped. "If your aunt hadn't set this up, you'd never even have the chance to meet a guy like me!"
"Young man?" Robin's gaze slid slowly over his bald head.
"Are you sure you're not middle-aged?"
"So it starts with don't look down on a poor young man," Robin mocked lightly. "Then what—don't look down on a poor middle-aged man? And later, ‘don't look down on a poor old man?"
The thought seemed to amuse her, and she gave a small laugh.
She concluded sarcastically, "Guess some people are just destined to stay poor their whole lives."
"Y-you bitch!" Jim exploded with anger. Suddenly, he raised his hand.
"I'm going to teach you some manners on behalf of your parents today!"
No one expected him to lash out so suddenly. People in the coffee shop gasped and shouted, and the place instantly turned chaotic.
Seeing Jim's red, twisted face, a cold light flashed in Robin's eyes. Before his hand could come down, she moved first.
Smack! Her slap landed fast and hard.
Jim spun in place from the force before crashing down onto the floor. His head buzzed loudly, and the world seemed to spin around him.
After a few seconds, he finally snapped back to his senses and shouted hoarsely, "Y-you... what did you just do?! When I get home, I will tell your aunt everything! What kind of family raises a daughter as rude as you?!"
"Go ahead and say a few more things," Robin replied casually, shaking her slightly numb hand.
She didn't even bother looking at him. "You should complain to your mom too. Otherwise, who's going to stand up for you? I've already paid for my coffee," she added lightly. "Just helping you keep your pride. No one can say I bullied a poor middle-aged man."
With that, she picked up her bag and stood up.
Jim roared from the floor, "Stop her! This is outrageous! Somebody stop her!"
Robin paused slightly. "Are you sure you want to keep me here?"
When Jim met her icy gaze, he instinctively looked away. A strange fear rose in his chest.
For some reason, in that brief moment, the way Robin looked at him made him feel like she was staring at a dead man.
What Jim didn't know was that in her previous life, he had died by Robin's hand.
Seeing how cowardly he looked now, Robin let out a quiet scoff and walked away without even turning back.
...
Robin returned to the place she remembered from her previous life. She took a slow breath and pushed the door open.
It was a three-bedroom apartment in the heart of the city. The location was great, and transportation nearby made it easy to go anywhere.
But Robin didn't have time to dwell on the strange feeling of being back. She quickly reviewed everything she owned. Over the years, she had saved a little more than 2,000,000 dollars, along with this apartment and three percent of Neel Group's shares.
Of course, that money didn't come only from her paycheck from the zoo. Robin was the adopted daughter of the Neels. She didn't have much standing in the household, but every year she still received a decent amount of dividend money from the company.
After a moment of thought, she grabbed a piece of paper and started listing the supplies she needed.
When the apocalypse arrived, the biggest problem would be a lack of resources. In her last life, she had seen it many times—people fighting until their heads were bleeding just for a small amount of food. Once society collapsed, the darkest side of human nature came out without restraint.
Robin shook her head and opened the Amazon app on her phone. The first thing she looked for was instant noodles in different flavors.
Normally people called them junk food. But in the apocalypse, instant noodles easily beat rice and pasta and became one of the most practical survival foods.
If you had hot water, you could cook them. If you didn't, you could eat them dry. They filled your stomach quickly, came in many flavors, and soon turned into a rare luxury.
Robin had just chosen several boxes and was about to place the order when—Beep!
A sudden sound rang in her mind. Then a mechanical voice spoke.
"Greetings, honored host. System Assistant Bell is here to serve you.
"I have detected that you intend to spend money. Please feel free to spend as much as you like. For every 1,000 dollars you spend, you will receive 10 square feet of storage space. Once the ‘Big Spender' feature is unlocked, you will also receive one lottery draw as a reward.
"Countdown: 167:59:59."