In My Next Life, I Refuse To Love You

Alpha Sean was dead.

At his funeral, the air was thick with grief, but not for long. A lawyer arrived, standing at the center of the mourning pack, and read the Alpha’s final will. Every asset, every piece of land, every ounce of wealth—gone. Not to me—his Luna, not to his pack, but to an omega.

"The Alpha's assets are all under her name."

Her name was Isabelle.

From the moment Alpha Sean had “rescued” her, claiming he saw her as a sister, I had known the truth. It was never brotherly love. And now, the proof lay in the ashes of what was once our pack’s wealth.

The Crescent Pack was left to rot, starving and broken. The warriors who once stood proud now had nothing. They turned their grief into rage, their loyalty into madness.

“If we die with hunger,” they said, “then we will die with her!”

And so, they burned it all.

The Crescent Pack, its lands, its halls—their Luna—me. I stood among the flames as my people, the wolves I had sworn to lead, turned on me. I felt the fire lick at my skin, felt the smoke fill my lungs.

Then everything went black.

When I opened my eyes, I was not in the ruins of my past life.

I was standing in my bedroom, in the Crescent Pack’s estate, a week before my mating ceremony with Alpha Sean.

This time, I wouldn’t make the same mistake.

This time, I would never love him again.

---

Olivia

My heart pounded as I stared at the familiar wooden ceiling above my bed. The morning light streamed through the window, casting long golden streaks across the room. My breathing was shallow, uneven, but I couldn’t bring myself to move.

It was my room.

Not the charred remains of the Crescent Pack’s estate. Not the ruined halls where I had begged for our people’s survival. Not the ashen wasteland where I had burned with them.

I sat up abruptly, my body trembling. My hands clutched the blankets, gripping the fabric as if it could anchor me to this moment.

It was real.

I had gone back.

I had lived and died in betrayal, only to awaken in the past—a week before my mating ceremony with Alpha Sean.

I swung my legs over the bed and stood, my body moving before my mind could even catch up. If I had returned to this moment, then I would not waste it. I wouldn’t be fooled by his sweet words, by his empty promises.

I would not be his Luna.

And I knew exactly who could help me destroy this damned ceremony.

The Moonlight Pack’s hotel loomed before me, standing tall against the sky. Unlike the Crescent Pack’s traditional estates, the Moonlight Pack embraced modern luxuries, owning multiple businesses that fed their wealth.

It was the home of Alpha Theron—Sean’s greatest rival.

I strode inside, the scent of expensive cologne and leather filling my nostrils. The guards at the entrance tensed at my presence, but I didn’t stop.

The guards exchanged glances before one of them muttered into a radio. Within moments, I was escorted to the top floor. The doors opened to reveal a lavish lounge, and there he was.

Alpha Theron.

He sat at a polished glass table, swirling a dark amber liquid in a crystal glass. His silver-gray eyes flicked toward me, sharp and unreadable. His black hair was slightly tousled, as if he had just woken up, but there was nothing careless about his posture.

He was a predator, and I had just walked into his den.

I met his gaze head-on. “I want you to crash my mating ceremony.”

The glass paused mid-air. A single brow arched in amusement. “Come again?”

“You heard me.” I stepped forward. “I want you to ruin my wedding.”

His lips curled into a slow, calculating smirk. “And why would I do that?”

“Because it benefits you, too.” I crossed my arms. “I know the elders of your pack are forcing you to mate soon. You have no choice but to accept a she-wolf you don’t love.”

A flash of irritation crossed his face. It was subtle, but I caught it.

Bingo.

I pressed forward. “If you claim me at the ceremony, you’ll have a Luna to present to your pack—one of noble blood, no less. You can avoid being bound to someone you despise, and I…” My fingers curled into my palms. “I will be free from Sean.”

He studied me for a long moment, his gaze piercing. Then, he chuckled. “You’re either desperate or insane.”

“Both,” I admitted.

He leaned back, his fingers tapping against his glass. The silence stretched, tension thickening between us. Then, at last, he spoke.

“Very well, Olivia.” His smirk widened. “You have my interest.”

The Crescent Pack’s grand hall buzzed with activity. Omegas rushed about, setting up decorations, arranging flowers, and perfecting every detail for the grand event—my upcoming wedding.

My gaze landed on the gown displayed in the center of the room. A masterpiece of silk and lace, shimmering under the soft glow of candlelight. Elegant and beautiful, but meaningless.

“Excited?”

I turned to find Alpha Sean at the top of the stairs, arms crossed, amusement flickering in his cold gaze.

“You’re finally getting what you’re so desperate for,” he said with a smirk.

I forced a smile, tilting my head. “I am,” I said smoothly. “And I have a very big surprise for you.”

His smirk faltered just slightly, but I walked away before he could say anything.

Then I saw her. Isabelle.

She stood near the staircase, hands clasped, watching the preparations. But it was the ruby ring on her finger that caught my attention.

A gift from Sean. More expensive than the wedding dress he bought for me.

I swallowed the bitter taste rising in my throat, keeping my expression neutral.

One week.

Just one more week, and I would be gone from his life forever.