I was reborn on the day I had to sign the Mate Affirmation Scroll, and this time, I was determined to write my sister Sienna’s name on it.

This time, I would let my sister have my ex-mate, Jaxon Blackwell. I even handed Sienna the "Moon-Weave Veil," a Blackwell family heirloom, before she even had to ask.

I no longer argued with them as I did in my past life. Instead, I created opportunities for them to be alone. When he took my sister on vacation to the West Coast, I quietly packed my bags and prepared for college on the East Coast.

In my past life, I had sacrificed everything for Jaxon and our family, only to have him—by then the Pack's Chief Enforcer—and our own pup kneel before me, begging me to sever the mate bond so he could be with Sienna, the woman he truly loved.

In this new life, I refused to be Jaxon's mate.

I would pursue my dream—to attend the Eastern Werewolf Music Academy, become a musician, and live the free life I had always craved.

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1

"Just sign the Mate Affirmation Scroll and turn it in." Jaxon Blackwell tapped his knuckles impatiently on the desk.

I stared at the parchment. The familiar scene made the world spin, and my mind went blank.

In my past life, I had pricked my finger with naive devotion, scrawled my name in blood, and then eagerly started discussing the details of our bonding ceremony with Jaxon.

He had cut me off coldly. "Once we get the stamped receipt, we're legally mated. The ceremony is just a formality, and the bonding itself can happen anytime. It doesn't have to be at the ceremony."

He was in a rush to find a rare "Shadow Orchid" as a gift for my sister, Sienna Crestwood, because she’d mentioned its petals inspired her. He kept glancing at his phone, his agitation growing with every second.

My fingertips gently traced the ancient patterns on the scroll, suppressing the bitter acid rising in my throat. "If you have something urgent, you should go. I can sign this and turn it in myself."

His relief was palpable, and his tone softened into an uncharacteristic gentleness. "Don't worry. From this day forward, you are my legal mate. I'll take care of you."

After saying that, he frowned slightly and added, "And stop going after Sienna and bad-mouthing her all the time. You two are sisters. You need to get along, understand?"

I remained silent. In my past life, I had explained countless times that I never slandered her, never bullied her, but no one believed me. In his eyes, I was just a vicious older sister, consumed by jealousy and unable to stand her sweet, gentle younger sibling.

He didn't wait for my reply. The moment the words left his mouth, he turned and hurried away.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of resentment that had built up over two lifetimes. The memories of my past life swirled relentlessly.

The night Jaxon and I were supposed to complete our bond, he stayed out all night, using the excuse of a 'take care of an emotionally unstable Sienna. When I went through my first painful transformation alone, he was off comforting Sienna on a beach somewhere.

Even when we had our pup, he wasn't by my side because Sienna's pet cat had gone missing, and he had to help her search for it.

I had dedicated my entire life to our family. Yet even on my deathbed, my own pup was still trying to persuade me to sever the mate bond.

"Mom, just sever the bond with Dad. He loves Aunt Sienna, but he's been forcing himself to live with you. He's miserable! Just let him go!"

Lying on my deathbed, I had looked over at my indifferent mate. He’d said nothing, his silence a clear agreement with our pup.

The thought of it all brought tears streaming uncontrollably down my cheeks. A heart-wrenching sorrow surged through me.

Since they were so in love, so be it. I'd grant their wish. In this life, I would live for myself.

I picked up the ceremonial quill, pricked my fingertip, and in the space for the mate's name, I slowly wrote Sienna's name in blood.

"Jaxon," I whispered to the empty room. "Since you love her so much, you can have your wish."

I handed the signed scroll to the Pack's archivist and soon received a receipt stamped with the pack's seal. I didn't feel sad. On the contrary, I felt an indescribable sense of relief.

My sister and I had lost our parents in a conflict between Packs, and Jaxon's family had taken us in. I was the quiet, reserved type, never good with words, while my sister could charm anyone.

She always knew how to make everyone happy with her sweet words, and without lifting a finger, she had the entire Blackwell family wrapped around her finger. Jaxon's mother, Meredith, had long decided that Sienna was Jaxon's fated mate.

However, back when Jaxon was just an ordinary enforcer, Sienna had looked down on him. She claimed she didn't want to compete with me—a convenient excuse that pushed Jaxon to complete the bonding with me instead.

She wanted a mate of higher status but couldn't bear to lose the affection of the Blackwell family.

Everyone praised her for being a good sister, sacrificing her own happiness for mine. Yet, in secret, she repeatedly set me up, deliberately injuring herself to make others think I was jealous of her.

I cherished our sisterhood and always gave in to her, believing my sincerity would eventually win them over, that they would see me for who I truly was.

But in my past life, I never received the acknowledgment I deserved, not even at the moment of my death.

Before leaving, I applied to a music academy on the East Coast. Only after confirming all the admission requirements and fees did I return home with a peaceful heart.

Returning to the Blackwell family manor, I had just set foot in the garden when I heard Sienna's plaintive voice.

"Jaxon, will Alina be mad that you left her to come back and be with me?"

"No, Alina is obedient. She won't make a fuss. Your emotions have been unstable lately, and I was worried about you being home alone."

Sienna giggled shyly, then her voice quickly turned crestfallen. "After you and Alina become mates, will you still be this good to me?"

Jaxon answered without hesitation, "Of course. I'll always put you first."

After a pause, he added, "If Alina ever upsets you, I'll sever the mate bond with her."

I bit my lip, hard, to keep from crying out. Even though I'd been reborn, hearing my former mate speak such heartless words still felt like a blade twisting in my heart.

I took a deep breath, suppressed the sorrow, and walked into the house, pretending I hadn't heard a thing.

Jaxon emerged from Sienna's room, the mingled, possessive scent of their Scent-sharing still hanging in the air. He said, a little awkwardly, "Sienna's not feeling well. I was just comforting her."

In my past life, I would have immediately started a huge fight with him. Their excessive intimacy was unbearable, and I argued with him every time I sensed it.

This time, however, I just gave a noncommittal hum and turned toward my room. A flicker of surprise crossed Jaxon's face, as if he hadn't expected me to be so calm.

"Alina," he called after me.

After a long moment, he spoke hesitantly, "If you want, we can have a simple bonding ceremony here at the family manor."

I was surprised. He had never offered this in my previous life. It must have been his awkward attempt to compensate me for not causing a scene.

I calmly shook my head, rejecting his offer. "We don't need a ceremony. We can bond anytime."

He froze, clearly not expecting me to refuse.

"Alina, are you still mad that Jaxon left you to come back and take care of me?" Sienna came out of her room, looking at me with a pitiful expression.

She was wearing an exquisite veil on her head—the one I had prepared for my bonding ceremony, the Blackwell family's heirloom "Moon-Weave Veil." I had spent a long time repairing the fine tears in it and hadn't even had the chance to wear it myself.

Seeing my gaze, Sienna hurriedly explained, "I saw this beautiful veil by your bed and couldn't resist trying it on. I just forgot to take it off. You're not mad, are you, Alina?"

Jaxon instinctively started to say, "Alina, don't…"

I cut him off calmly. "It's fine. It looks beautiful on you. Keep it. I won't be needing it anyway."

Ignoring their stunned expressions, I returned to my room and locked the door.

I began to silently pack my bags. It was my dream to study at the Eastern Werewolf Music Academy. In my past life, I'd sacrificed that dream for Jaxon, giving up everything for this family.

Fortunately, it wasn't too late. I just wanted to live for myself.

I could leave in three days. I had to get everything packed quickly, because I had no intention of ever returning to this place.

Suddenly, a knock on the door broke the silence. After a long moment, I reluctantly went to open it.

"What took you so long? Come down for dinner. I had the chef make your favorite roasted lamb chops."

"No, thanks. I already ate."

"That's impossible. You're too frugal to waste money eating out."

A familiar ache bloomed in my chest. In the past, I saved every penny to buy him gifts, but every carefully chosen present ended up in Sienna's hands.

Jaxon looked at me, a complicated expression on his face, then his gaze fell on the luggage I was packing.

"I'm planning to take Sienna to the West Coast first. You don't need to pack."

I didn't stop, just nodded lightly. My detachment seemed to unsettle him.

"What's wrong with you? You're acting like a completely different person."

My hands paused for a moment, and I forced a stiff smile. "It's nothing. I'm just packing a few things. After you leave for the West Coast, I'm planning to move back to my old apartment."

After our parents died, Sienna and I had lived with the Blackwells. Our original apartment had been vacant all this time.

He let out a sigh of relief and explained, "It's not that I don't want you to come. It's just that Sienna has never seen the scenery there and wants to go. I'll come back for you in a few months."

I nodded distractedly. In my past life, he never came back for me—not for ten years. He only came crawling back, heartbroken, after Sienna got together with a Western Alpha.

Jaxon stole a few glances at me, clearly uncomfortable with my silence.

"Didn't you always want to get some photos taken? Let's go tomorrow," he said suddenly, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

I looked up in surprise, then refused. "Let's not. It's a waste of money."

I was planning to buy some musical instrument accessories for college tomorrow. I didn't have time for such a meaningless activity.

Jaxon frowned, his displeasure obvious. "We can afford to take some photos, Alina. You don't have to be so frugal."

Just then, Sienna walked in, linking her arm intimately with Jaxon's. "What are you guys talking about? Photos? I want to take pretty pictures too!"

Jaxon smiled and ruffled her hair. "Of course. We'll all go together tomorrow."

I wanted to refuse again, but Jaxon cut me off firmly. "There's nothing more important than taking mate photos. It's settled."

Sienna chimed in, fanning the flames. "Alina, you're not refusing just because of me, are you?"

I didn't want to argue, so I reluctantly agreed.

Early the next morning, I heard Sienna's cheerful laughter. She was wearing the "Moon-Weave Veil" I had given her, chattering away as she leaned against Jaxon.

Jaxon, dressed in a handsome suit, smiled down at her, the adoration in his eyes impossible to hide. They looked like the very picture of a happy couple in love.

I turned to look at the calendar on the wall. The red circle was a stark reminder: two days left.

In two days, I would be free of this miserable life.

I waited silently by the door. They took their time before finally emerging.

Jaxon carefully adjusted the hem of Sienna's dress. I smiled bitterly and looked away.

What had made me believe that after becoming Jaxon's mate, he would treat me with the same tenderness? That special treatment was reserved only for Sienna.

As I was lost in thought, Jaxon walked up to me, blushing slightly as he handed me a ring.

"My second told me rings could symbolize our bond. So… I had one made for you."

I stared blankly at the ring. In my past life, I had never received a gift with such meaning.

When Sienna saw the ring, her face fell. "What a beautiful ring! I want one too!" she whined.

I held the ring out to her. "If you like it, take it."

Jaxon's face immediately darkened. "Stop fooling around! That's our mate ring!"

Sienna snatched the ring, slipped it on, and waggled her finger smugly.

Looking helpless, Jaxon could only give an indulgent nod. Then he said to me guiltily, "I'll make you a new one next time."

I nodded nonchalantly. He had never kept a single promise to me, but what did it matter now?

I no longer cared.