After His Betrayal I Claimed My Warrior Throne

January 1987, New York Pack Healing Center.

"Ada, do you really not remember what we meant to each other?"

Austin stood in front of me, his tall, muscular frame filling the doorway. His dark hair was neatly combed back, revealing the sharp angles of his jawline that spoke of his status as a warrior in our pack. His piercing gray eyes bore into mine, searching for something I couldn't quite place.

Lying in the healing center bed, I stared blankly at the handsome warrior before me.

"Austin, aren’t you just my neighbor?"

His eyes flickered as he gazed at me for a long moment before speaking slowly.

"That's right, I'm just your neighbor. Take care and get well soon. I'll check on you another day."

With that, he turned and left without a second glance, his commanding presence still lingering in the room. I noticed how even the pack’s healers instinctively made way for him, a sign of the respect due to his rank as a Delta warrior.

Watching his figure fade away, my confused mind slowly cleared. I murmured to myself, "Austin, since you don’t want to mate with me, I'll grant your wish and let you be with Macy."

You see, I've been given a second chance at life.

In my previous life, Austin and I grew up next door to each other in the New York Pack. As we got older, we started dating, and after two years, we were on the brink of mating. After my stay in the healing center, we went through with our planned mating ceremony. Before the marking, Austin promised he would always treat me right.

But soon after the marking, Austin requested a transfer to the Western Pack. He never returned.

I argued and pleaded, but nothing changed. It wasn’t until later that it dawned on me: Austin went so far away because of Macy. He only dated and marked me because Macy had mated someone else, and he thought marking me was just settling.

In this life, I refuse to fall into another loveless bond. I've resolved to free both Austin and myself.

After Austin left and once my healing session was finished, I got out of bed, ready to leave the center. My movements were still a bit stiff, the result of a recent training accident where I’d dislocated my shoulder saving Evelynn from a fall. My wolf stirred within me, a low growl of approval at my determination.

As I stepped out of the room, I spotted my mother, Naomi Price, hurrying toward me, her beta aura faint but noticeable in her worried expression.

"Ada, where are you hurt? Does it hurt? Why are you up so soon?"

I shook my head.

"Mom, the healers gave me a healing potion. I'm feeling better. Let's go home."

Taking her hand, I started toward the exit. The scent of rosemary and sage filled the healing center, a calming aroma used by the healers to soothe patients.

Today happens to be the day my aunt Marie returns home. In my past life, she offered to take me to the London Pack to advance my warrior training, but I declined because I was about to mate with Austin.

This time, I’m going to London. I'm going to train with one of the strongest packs and achieve my dreams!

Passing a room with an open door, I saw Austin carefully helping Macy out. Macy Moreno, a member of the performing arts group within our pack, was as beautiful as ever with her golden hair and delicate features. Her scent of vanilla was faint, but I could smell it mingling with Austin’s natural musk.

Seeing this, my mother’s face immediately darkened, her beta aura flaring slightly in her anger.

Before I could intervene, my mother marched into the room.

"Warrior Marshall, you're about to mate with Ada, yet you're here caring for another female? Is this some kind of betrayal before the marking?"

Macy's eyes instantly filled with tears.

"Beta Price, how can you accuse us so wrongly? Warrior Marshall and I are just friends!"

Austin glanced my way and said to my mother, "Beta Price, you've got it all wrong. Macy was alone, and I was just passing by and offered to help her."

My mother was about to argue more, but I interrupted.

"Mom, you're mistaken. Macy is part of the performing arts group. We’re all packmates here. It’s no big deal if Warrior Marshall helps her out."

I turned to Austin, careful to use his proper title. "Warrior Marshall, I apologize. I'll set things straight with my mom."

With that, I pulled my mother away and left the healing center, the cool night air hitting my face as we stepped outside.

Outside, my mom looked at me, frustration clear in her eyes.

"Ada, why are you such a pushover? They’re treating you terribly, and yet you’re defending her! You and Warrior Marshall are supposed to mate, and instead of looking after you when you were injured, he’s busy with someone else? No! I need to have a word with his family!"

I quickly tried to calm her down.

"Mom, don't think like that. There's no mating or anything. Warrior Marshall and I are simply neighbors. He has no obligation to look after me. Plus, he's a warrior, and my injuries aren’t serious. He’s just being kind."

My mother looked stunned.

"Are you out of your mind? You’ve forgotten you’re supposed to mate with Warrior Marshall?"

Keeping my expression steady, I explained.

"Mom, the healer mentioned a possible blood clot affecting my nerves, causing memory loss. If I don’t remember, then let’s just forget about my bond with Warrior Marshall. I don’t want to mate with someone who's essentially a stranger."