I gave everything to save my fated mate, Alpha Austen. I even lost our pups. Twice.

But he gave all the credit to his adoptive sister, Seraphina. He called me weak. Useless.

He always chose her tears over my scars.

He even stood by as her poison shattered my wolf spirit.

As I lay dying, I watched him hold my killer and whisper, “I know it wasn’t your fault. This was her fate.”

Then I opened my eyes. And I was back. Back before it all went wrong.

This time, I’m done explaining. Done sacrificing.

Right in front of him, I disguised a potion that would sever our mate bond as a "blessing elixir" and held it to his lips.

“My love,” I said, “drink this. It’ll help you comfort your poor little sister.”

He drank it without a second thought.

In thirty days, under the Blood Moon, our mate bond will be severed for good.

But only when I was truly gone did he finally regret it.

He knelt before me, again and again, calling himself my fated mate. Begging me to take him back.

I lost our pup trying to save my fated mate, Alpha Austen. But he gave his adoptive sister, Seraphina, all the credit. He decided I was weak, unfit to be his Luna.

Later, he let her poison me. Stood by and watched as my wolf spirit shattered.

I died in agony. The last thing I heard was Austen, holding Seraphina in his arms.

"She brought this on herself," he whispered to her. "You were more than good to her. It's not your fault."

"No!"

I shot up, gasping, awakened from the nightmare. The room was familiar, yet strange.

This was the pack's main house, where I lived when I was still Luna.

I stumbled to the vanity, my own reflection staring back. My cheeks were healthy, flushed with life. No trace of the poison that had rotted me from the inside out.

I was... reborn.

Back to a time before my wolf had shattered, right after Seraphina had poisoned me for the first time.

A sharp cramp twisted in my gut. I felt the tiny life inside me.

This was before I lost my first pup.

The memory of Austen's betrayal, the way his scent mingled with Seraphina's, sent a familiar stab of pain through my chest.

I took a deep breath and got out of bed.

No time to dwell on the past. I quickly changed into a long black dress and threw on a cloak.

Twenty minutes later, I stood before a dilapidated hut deep in the forest.

"I need a Moon-Eclipse Potion," I said, my voice was flat. "One that severs a mate bond."

The witch pulled a black vial from a shelf. "The potion takes thirty days to work. On the night of the blood moon, the chains of your fate will be broken completely."

She pushed the vial toward me. "The price is a single drop of your heart's blood. Yours. A powerful healer's blood is potent."

Without hesitation, I bit my fingertip and let a drop of blood fall onto the vial's seal.

The moment my blood touched the glass, ancient silver runes flashed, and I felt a brief flutter in my chest.

"Remember," the witch warned, "hatred is the potion's greatest catalyst. Once you drink it, there is no turning back."

After leaving the hut, I contacted the Healers' Coalition in the neutral territories.

I informed them that in thirty days, Evelyn White would officially leave the Black Forest Pack and apply for membership.

The manor was buzzing with energy when I returned.

I searched my memory and remembered. It was the night of the pack's grand ceremony.

"Evelyn, you're here." Austen's voice came from the top of the stairs.

I looked up at him.

His strong body, his perfect features, those deep blue eyes I once drowned in.

Now, all I saw was the man I had to cut from my soul.

"Alpha," I said, my voice a mask of polite indifference. I gave him a slight nod.

He frowned, his eyes narrowing at my sudden distance.

"You don't look well," he said, taking a few steps closer. "Is it another headache?"

"I'm fine," I said, turning toward the balcony. "I just need some air."

Moonlight spilled onto the white stone railing.

I pretended to admire the night view, but the past flashed through my mind.

Seraphina, Austen's adopted sister. After being betrayed by her own mate, she had severed their bond with Austen's support and returned to our pack.

Austen pitied her, doted on her, and even tolerated her constant provocations and challenges against me.

When she caused my first miscarriage, Austen said she didn't mean it and refused to punish her.

After I miscarried a second time saving Austen's life, Seraphina stole my credit, making Austen resent me for my "cowardice."

When I was poisoned and lost my wolf and healing gift, Seraphina led the pack to shun me.

In the end, she killed me.

I only learned the truth in my final moments. She hadn't just poisoned my body. She'd used dark magic to poison my very soul, making my wolf shatter from within.

In my past life, Seraphina had given me the first dose of poison just yesterday.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

"Austen, I feel so weak..."

That familiar voice made me turn.

Seraphina, in a pale pink dress, leaned pitifully into Austen's arms.

Her hand was pressed to her chest, her face pale, as if she might collapse at any moment.

Austen's Alpha presence immediately enveloped her, a gentle force soothing her distress.

"It's okay, Sera. I'm here."

The same pose, the same words, the same gentleness.

In my past life, this scene had torn my heart to shreds.

But this time, I walked toward them with a smile.

"Seraphina, are you alright?" I asked, my voice dripping with false concern. "Do you need me to check on you?"

Austen's body tensed for a moment when he saw me, as if he wanted to explain.

But Seraphina just pressed closer to him.

"I'm just a little tired," she said, shaking her head weakly. "I'll be fine as long as Austen is with me."

"That's good," I said, pulling the vial from my purse. "As it happens, I have a special blessing potion here."

Austen's attention was immediately caught. "What kind of potion?"

"It’s an essence of moonpetal flowers." I held the vial to the moonlight, the liquid shimmering with a soft, silver glow. "It enhances an Alpha's bloodline. It will help you soothe Seraphina."

Austen took the vial, his eyes hesitating for a second.

But perhaps out of guilt for being caught comforting Seraphina, he didn't question it.

He tilted his head back and drank it all.

"It's sweet," he said, setting the empty vial down. "The moonpetal flavor is strong."

I'd always known Austen loved moonpetal nectar, so on my way back, I had added it to the bond-severing potion.

A memory hit me, sharp and cruel. A full moon night, ten years ago.

An eighteen-year-old Austen stood on this very balcony, awkwardly handing me a freshly picked moonpetal.

"Evelyn, will you be my Luna?" he had asked, his face as red as a boy's, his voice nervous but sincere. "I swear, you will be my only mate. I will protect you with my life."

The flower had shimmered in the moonlight, just like the love in his eyes.

"I will," I had said, standing on my toes to kiss his lips. "Forever."

Now, with lips tainted by that same flower, he had just drunk the poison that would end our "forever."

The sweet memory was a cruel contrast to the betrayal before me.

"Evelyn?" Austen's voice pulled me back to reality. "What's wrong? Your eyes are red."

"The wind," I said, lowering my gaze to hide my emotions. "I'm going back to my room to rest. I've been tired lately."

"I'll walk you," he offered.

"No need," I said, taking a step back. "Seraphina needs you."

I turned and walked away, my steps steady and firm.

Behind me, I heard Seraphina's whisper. "Austen, I think Evelyn has a problem with me."

"Don't overthink it," Austen's voice was a bit distracted. "She's probably just tired."

A cold smile touched my lips.

You'll never know, Austen. What you just drank wasn't a blessing. It was the beginning of our end. A curse.

I touched my belly, my thoughts a silent promise. In thirty days, when the blood moon rises, the chains on our souls will be shattered. Austen, this is what you owe me.

Perhaps because I hadn't shown any hostility tonight, Austen decided to move Seraphina into the main house even earlier than before.

"Seraphina is moving in. She just severed her bond with her ex-mate and her wolf is unstable. She needs to be looked after."

Austen stood at the bedroom door. Behind him, Seraphina clutched her suitcase, a sweet smile on her face.

In my last life, I fought him on it. Hard. We had a huge fight. He accused me of not caring about his pack members, of being unworthy to be his Luna.

This time, with only thirty days left, I didn't care anymore.

"Of course," I said, closing my book with a relaxed tone. "The main house is huge. It'll be nice to have more company."

Austen froze.

He blinked, as if unsure of what he'd just heard.

"You... you agree?"

"Naturally." I stood up and walked over to Seraphina. "Welcome, Seraphina. I'll have the maids prepare the best room for you."

Seraphina's smile faltered for a second. She clearly hadn't expected me to be so cooperative.

Austen’s expression shifted. Confusion warred with something else in his eyes… was that disappointment?

"Are you sure?" he asked again, his voice probing.

In my last life, I had begged him with tears not to let her move in, only to be harshly scolded.

This time, I agreed without a fight, and he was the one questioning me, his voice soft and probing.

"Why the questions, Austen?" I smiled, stepping closer and brushing my fingers against his arm. "Seraphina is your sister. And family should live together. Isn't that right?"

Austen stared at me for a few seconds, his eyes complex.

But he didn't say anything else.

An hour later, Seraphina knocked on my door, holding a steaming tonic.

"It’s my special herbal tea. This is the second day she’s brought it to me," she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Like I said yesterday, it has silvermoon grass and stardust pollen. It will significantly boost a healer's potential. Make you even stronger."

This was it. The potion that had caused my wolf to weaken and eventually shatter.

In my last life, I never noticed. I thought it was just the stress of pack duties and the miscarriage that made me lose my wolf.

But now, I couldn't expose her yet. Not with thirty days to go.

After thirty days, I could leave for good.

I looked at her, feigning surprise as I took the cup. "Thank you, Sera. I thought yesterday was a one-time thing. I can't believe you're willing to make this for me every day."

I took her hand, showing a sudden closeness.

My warmth clearly caught Seraphina off guard.

A flicker of unease crossed her face before being replaced by pure, smug satisfaction.

Just as I was about to "drink" it, Austen pushed the door open. "What are you two talking about?"

"Seraphina's amazing potion. The second cup. She said she'll make it for me every day."

Austen's gaze rested on the cup for a moment.

He nodded. "Then you should definitely drink it."

I brought the cup to my lips, tilting my head back as if to swallow every last drop.

The bitter liquid only grazed my tongue. Not a single drop went down my throat.

"It tastes amazing!" I said, setting the empty cup down, my eyes shining with fake gratitude. "I can already feel the energy flowing through me."

After they left, I immediately spat the potion out and was about to head for the basement furnace.

But Austen suddenly returned, saying he'd forgotten a document.

My heart leaped. I calmly placed the cup back on the table.

I angled my body, blocking his view of the sink, and smiled. "What important document has you in such a hurry?"

"Nothing, just pack business."

He glanced at me, grabbed the file, and left.

I let out a long breath, quickly rinsed the remaining potion down the drain, and poured the rest from the cup into the poison-detecting furnace.

The flame instantly turned a grotesque green, emitting a pungent, burnt smell.

One cup, my wolf could recover.

But a continuous dose would have destroyed me.

I dodged it.

Late that night, the full moon's silver light streamed into the bedroom. Austen pushed the door open.

The moonlight outlined the perfect lines of his chest and abs.

His Alpha scent flooded the room, thick with a primal possessiveness that once made me tremble.

In my last life, I always reveled in nights like this.

Now, I just wanted to escape.

"Evelyn," his voice was deep and magnetic, full of suggestion.

He stalked toward the bed, his heated gaze tracing a path from my face to my neck, and then to my collarbones.

"You were good today," he said, sitting on the edge of the bed, reaching out to touch my face. "I like you like this. So much more... obedient."

I smelled it.

The scent of jasmine. Seraphina's cloyingly sweet scent.

A wave of nausea hit me. I covered my mouth and ran to the bathroom.

"Ugh..."

"Evelyn!" Austen followed, his voice shifting from anticipation to alarm. "What's wrong?"

I leaned over the sink, my stomach churning.

"Your scent... it's the scent of a pup. Are you pregnant?" The lust in his eyes died. He was finally calm enough to really sense me.

Yes, I was pregnant.

But I was nauseous because his scent was so thick with Seraphina.

Under his intense gaze, I nodded.

He looked at me with pure joy, as excited as the young Alpha who had first bonded with me ten years ago.

"This is wonderful, Evelyn! Our first child. I'll make him my strongest heir. I'll..."

He rushed forward, pulling me into a tight embrace, trying to soothe me with his scent.

Then, he seemed about to lift me, so carefully, afraid to cause any harm.

"Are you in pain? A healer, I need a healer... oh, wait. I forgot you are a healer."

I watched him, tears welling in my eyes.

My heart twisted. He'd been just as thrilled in my last life, too. He'd promised our pup would be the strongest heir. Then Seraphina murdered our baby, and he held me, whispering, "She didn't mean it, Evelyn. We'll have another."

The memory ripped through me, a sharp pain lancing across our mate bond. My wolf howled, as if trying to tear my soul apart.

Austen saw my distress and quickly helped me to the bed.

He was about to say something more when a piercing scream came from outside the door.

"Austen! Help me! I had a nightmare!"

Seraphina.

On her very first night here, she was already interrupting us at the perfect time.

I looked at Austen's conflicted face, and the pain in my heart began to subside.

In his past life, he chose his dear sister.

This life would be no different.

His gaze shifted between me and the door, his breathing ragged.

"Go," I said calmly. "She needs you. As always."

"Evelyn..." He reached for me, but I pulled away.

"Austen! Please!" Seraphina's cries grew more frantic.

His hand froze in mid-air for a few seconds before dropping.

He looked at me, his expression torn. "You're a powerful healer. You can take care of yourself. Sera... she needs me more."

He rushed out, not even bothering to put on a shirt.

After the door closed, I looked at myself in the mirror and laughed coldly.

Even knowing I was carrying his child, he still chose her.

"See that, little one? That's your father," I whispered, stroking my belly, my eyes filled with a bone-deep chill. "But don't worry. Mommy will protect you. This time, no one will hurt you."

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains.

When I woke up, the other side of the bed was empty.

"Luna, you're awake." A maid knocked gently before entering. "Should I prepare breakfast?"

"Where's Austen?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

The maid looked a little awkward. "The Alpha spent the night at Moonlit Cliff with Miss Seraphina. He said he was calming her down. He only came back at dawn and is now in his study, buried in pack business."

Moonlit Cliff.

The place Austen had once promised to share only with me.

"Evelyn, this is our pack's sacred ground. Only the Alpha and Luna can feel the moonlight here on a full moon," a young Austen had said, holding my hand at the cliff's edge. "No one in the pack will ever disturb us."

"Really?" I had smiled, leaning against his chest.

"I swear. Moonlit Cliff belongs only to us."

Only to us.

Now, he had taken another woman there.

"Thank you for telling me," I said to the maid, my voice so calm it surprised even me. "No breakfast for me."

After she left, I got up and walked to the wardrobe.

Since he had already broken all his promises, there was no reason for me to hold onto anything.

I began to pack. Not clothes or jewels. Only what mattered. My healing notes.

The mementos from my past life, I hadn't kept a single one this time.

I opened my jewelry box and saw the "Moongod Stone" necklace.

It was a gift from Austen when we became mates, a symbol of my status as Luna and his love.

In my past life, I couldn't bear to take it off, even in my darkest moments.

Now, I unclasped it without hesitation and walked to the fireplace.

"Goodbye," I whispered, and tossed the necklace into the fire.

The Moongod Stone, a symbol of his eternal love, glowed red-hot in the flames, then blackened and crumbled to ash. Just like his promises.

At ten in the morning, Austen walked in.

He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes, his clothes slightly disheveled.

"Evelyn, about last night..." he began, trying to explain.

"You don't have to explain," I said, continuing to organize the files in my drawer. "An Alpha can go wherever he pleases. He certainly doesn't need to report his movements to a mere pack healer."

He froze. "A mere pack healer?"

"What's wrong?" I looked up at him, my expression calm. "Isn't that what I am? The kind who serves the Black Forest Pack."

"Evelyn, what are you talking about? You're my Luna, my mate..."

"Am I?" I put down the files and looked him straight in the eye. "Then why did you leave your pregnant mate to watch the moon with another woman last night?"

Austen's face went pale. "Seraphina... she had a breakdown. I couldn't just leave her."

"Of course you couldn't," I said, my voice devoid of warmth. "She's more important than me, isn't she? More important than me, more important than our child."

"That's not true!" he argued frantically. "You're the most important person to me..."

"Austen," I cut him off, walking up to him. "Do you remember what you once told me? About Moonlit Cliff?"

His face grew even paler.

"Pack law says that only the true Luna is worthy to watch the moon with the Alpha on Moonlit Cliff," I said, word by word. "And now you've taken her there."

"I..." He opened his mouth, but found he had nothing to say.

"You broke your vow, Austen." I turned back to my packing. "Since that's the case, there's nothing more for us to talk about."

He just stood there, staring at my back. For the first time, I saw a flicker of genuine panic in his eyes.

"Evelyn, what are you packing?"

"My things," I said, not bothering to turn. "Seraphina is moving in. I'll move to the guest wing. I wouldn't want to be in your way."

"No!" He strode over and grabbed my wrist. "You can't leave!"

I looked down at his hand on my arm, my eyes empty of any emotion.

"Let go."

"Evelyn, let me explain..."

"Explain what?" I pulled my hand free. "Explain why you chose her after I told you I was pregnant? Explain why you shared our sacred place with someone else? Or explain why you always put her first?"

"I don't..."

"You do," I said, my voice as cold as ice. "You always have. From the first day we were together, Seraphina has always been more important than me."

I walked toward the door and glanced back at him.

"I'm just tired. I'm pregnant. I need to rest."

With that, I walked out, leaving him standing alone in the room.

Behind me, I heard his voice, tight with a panic I'd never heard before. "Evelyn! You can't just leave like this!"

But I didn't look back.

Walking down the hallway, I stroked my belly, a sense of calm washing over me.

Twenty-nine days.

Just twenty-nine more days, and I would be free.