Sophia POV

Darren had never shown any real interest in having sex with me from the first day we got mated. At first, I convinced myself it was just his reserved nature, or maybe he was adjusting to our bond.

I stayed silent, playing my role as his mate and Luna. For five years, I let the distance between us grow, reluctant to confront the truth that I had always suspected.

Then, by chance, I discovered what I had feared all along. The mysterious "friend" Darren had been rushing off to care for wasn't just any old acquaintance—she was his ex-mate, Tania Storm. The mate who had disappeared years ago, only to return when she needed help the most.

She had broken off her engagement with her new mate which she had met abroad, because he was abusive and because of that, she had returned to the pack, sick with a severe heart disease and depressed. But Darren didn’t mind, Tania was his first love.

No matter what happened, no matter where she was or how much time had passed, if Tania called for him, Darren would abandon everything to be by her side. He did it again and again, leaving me behind in the cold, empty packhouse. In my previous life, I had accepted this as my fate. I told myself that supporting him quietly was my duty as his mate, but that was before the rogue attack.

In my previous life, I had been on my way to a meeting at a neighbouring pack when I was attacked by rogues. I was severely injured, hanging on the edge of death. While I was unconscious, Darren made a choice – a choice that sealed my fate. Without consulting my parents, he signed a form to donate my organs. My heart was transplanted to Tania, saving her life and dooming me. I died so she could live.

But the Moon Goddess had granted me a second chance. I had been given the gift of life again, and in this life, I swore I wouldn’t let Darren—or anyone—wrong me like that again.

When I arrived at Darren’s family estate, his parents, greeted me warmly as always. They had no idea what had been happening behind closed doors. The Silvas believed their son and I were the perfect mates, two wolves bound by fate and love. They didn’t know that in the five years we’d been mated, Darren had never once had sex with me, never even tried to mark me.

I wasn’t going to pretend any longer.

Sitting down in their living room, I took a deep breath and told them everything—the nights Darren spent by Tania’s side, the way he neglected his duties as my mate to care for her, and how I had endured it for so long. Their reactions were what I expected. It was like a bolt of lightning had struck them.

Darren’s father, George Silvia and his mate looked like they had been punched in the gut and were at a loss for words.

“Are you trying to tell me,” George – Darren’s father finally managed, his voice low with disbelief, “that our son, hasn’t touched you - his mate in five years because of his ex-mate?”

For a moment, I almost felt sorry for Darren. But then I remembered the years of loneliness, the betrayal, and the way he had chosen Tania over me time and time again.

“I’m not going to live like this anymore,” I said firmly. “I’ve had enough. I’m going to break off our mate bond tomorrow.”

They exchanged stunned glances and his father, sighed heavily. “We’ll call him,” he said, motioning for his mate to get the phone. “He’ll need to explain this.”

More than two hours passed before Darren finally showed up. When he walked in, his eyes immediately found mine, they were filled with anger and resentment. But I didn’t flinch, nor did I show any sign of backing down.

His father was livid, his voice booming through the room. “Tell me, Darren, is it true? Have you been running off to see Tania all these years?”

Darren said nothing, his jaw clenched in stubborn silence. He sat on the couch, his face filled with defiance and guilt, staring at the floor as if he wanted to be anywhere than in this room right now. I had seen this play out before in my past life—the endless tension, the unspoken words. But this time, I wasn’t going to let it drag on.

After what felt like an eternity, I stood up, breaking the silence. “I’m leaving,” I announced. “There’s nothing more to discuss.”

His father sighed once more, defeated. “Go,” he muttered, waving his hand dismissingly at Darren. “Get out!”

As I stepped into the hallway, Darren grabbed my arm, his grip firm but not painful. His eyes shone with fury. “Sophia, look what you’ve done. You’ve humiliated me in front of my parents. Is this what you wanted? Are you satisfied?”

I stared at him coolly and replied calmly. “Darren, the one who’s made them angry isn’t me—it’s you. All I did was tell the truth.”

He tightened his grip on my arm, his face darkening. “You’re really going to do this? You want to reject me?”

“Yes,” I replied without hesitation. “The only regret I have is wasting these last five years with you. I’ll go to the Elder’s council tomorrow and submit my petition to break off our mate bond and reject you.”

With that, I pulled free of his grasp and walked towards the door leaving him there. For a moment, I saw him lunge forward, trying to catch me before I closed the door, but it was too late.

I left his family’s estate and took a taxi straight to my Pack, White Moon Pack. My parents were thrilled to see me, as always, but they quickly noticed something was off. “Where’s Alpha Darren?” my mother asked, frowning slightly.

I wasn’t ready to tell them everything just yet, not until I had rejected him finally. So, I smiled and made a light excuse. “He’s on a business trip to a neighbouring pack. I thought I’d come to stay with you for a few days.”

My father beamed, nodding in approval. “Good, good. Stay as long as you like.”

And so, I stayed. But this time, I wasn’t running away. I was preparing for the fight of my life—the fight to reclaim my freedom.

Sophia POV

My mother must have heard the sound of my voice because immediately she came into the living room, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Sophia!” she called out gently, coming towards me with outstretched arms. “Oh darling, it’s so good to see you. What a pleasant surprise? You should have told us you were coming? How about Alpha Darren,” her gaze flitted to the doorway. “Didn’t he come with you?” she asked.

“He’s on a trip – pack business,” My father supplied before I could reply.

I hugged my mother, pressing into her warmth, as my eyes misted with tears. My heart was so heavy.

In my previous life, I had been so preoccupied with pack duties, my role as Luna, and managing the family that I barely visited my parents. I only went to my pack a few times a year, and each time, I felt more distant from them. But now, I saw things clearly. They were the ones who loved me unconditionally, and I had taken that for granted.

“Are you alright dear?” My mother asked pulling away to stare at me with concern on her face.

“Yes!” nodded with a small smile. “I’m just tired.”

“How about I fix you a warm bath and prepare your room for you. You’ll feel better afterwards, I promise.”

“Thank you, mom!” I smiled at her watching as she hurried upstairs.

In the afternoon, Darren called me several times, but I ignored every one of his calls. I didn’t need to hear his excuses, his manipulative words, or the promises I knew he would never keep. It was time to reclaim my life.

Just as we were getting ready for bed, the doorbell rang.

We weren't expecting anyone, but when my father opened the door, there stood Darren, a confident smile on his face.

“Alpha Darren?” my father said, looking surprised. “Sophia said you were on a trip to a neighbouring pack."

Darren froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard. Then, with a forced smile, he quickly recovered. “I came back early,” he explained. “I thought I’d come by to visit.”

My father smiled warmly, not suspecting anything. “Please come in Alpha...”

Darren came in his gaze flitting to where I was.

My parents, still unaware of the tension between us, welcomed him in without hesitation. My mother even bustled into the room. “Have you eaten Alpha Darren? . I can heat some food for you," she called out cheerfully.

Darren was just about to reply her when I stood up abruptly, grabbing my bag. I could feel his eyes on me, but I didn’t care.

“Dad, Mom, I’m going back to the Packhouse now,” I said, slipping on my shoes.

My father blinked, confused. “What? But Alpha Darren just got here. How about you wait until he's done eating?"

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. I’ll go back alone.”

I didn’t wait for their response as I walked out the door. I had only made it a few steps down the path when I heard hurried footsteps behind me. Darren was chasing after me.

“Sophia!” His voice was filled with anger as he blocked my path.

"Aren't you tired of acting unreasonable?"

I raised an eyebrow at his audacity. “Unreasonable?” I replied coldly. “Do you really think I’m being unreasonable?”

Darren’s brow furrowed, and his eyes darkened with frustration but I wasn’t intimidated by him anymore. “What’s gotten into you?” he demanded. “You used to be so reasonable, so understanding. You always agreed with me. Now you’re just... rude and irrational.”

I met his gaze evenly, my voice as calm as the moonlit forest around us. “It’s not that something’s gotten into me, Darren,” I said. “It’s just that I’ve finally figured things out.”

He flinched at my words, but I pressed on.

“I used to be a fool,” I continued, “I only thought about our bond, about you and our pack. I never thought about myself. I believed you were caring for Tania out of sympathy and kindness. I thought maybe you were doing it because of your sense of duty to her as an old friend.” I let out a bitter laugh. “I was so naive.”

Darren’s face hardened, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. He was trying to maintain control, but I could see the cracks forming in his composure.

“In reality,” I said, my voice cutting through the night air like a sharp blade, “you’ve always loved her. It’s never changed. I was never your mate in your heart—I was a replacement. No, not even that. I was a tool, someone to fill a void until she came back.”

Darren remained silent, but the pain in his eyes told me I had hit my mark.

“I’m done living like this,” I said, my voice firm. “If you care about Tania so much, why don’t you mark her and make her your mate? After all, we’ve been together for five years and I don’t have your mark yet. Then you can be by her side day and night, openly, without hiding it. And I’ll finally be free. I won’t have to be your second choice anymore. Isn’t that what we both want?”

Darren’s jaw tightened as he struggled to find something—anything—to say in response. But there was nothing.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, He finally spoke.

“I’ll give you a few days to think about this. You’re too emotional right now. When you’ve calmed down, we can discuss it.”

I stared at him, a bitter smile on my face. “There’s nothing to discuss, Darren. The rejection is happening. My decision is final.”

He looked at me as though I was a stranger. “You’ve changed, Sophia,” he muttered. “You’re not the same woman I was mated to.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, “And you,” I replied, my voice icy, “make me feel nothing but disgust.”

Darren flinched, genuinely startled by my words.

Before he could say anything else, I continued, “To be honest, I’m grateful to you now.”

His brow furrowed in confusion. “Grateful? For what?”

“For not sleeping with me during our five years of marriage,” I said, “If I had a pup with you, it would have complicated everything. Now, at least, I’m free to walk away without any ties.”

Darren’s face was filled with shock and hurt, but I didn’t care anymore.