Reborn to Bite Back

Dying from wolfsbane, I came back six months into carrying his pup.

I went straight to a witch, begged for a potion to slow down the pup's growth. Choked it down. Then every day, I padded my belly with rabbit fur and kept up the act.

In my first life, Emily and I went into labor on the same day.

She popped out a perfect silver-white pup. Me? A white wolf giving birth to some scrappy mutt.

James—Alpha of Ebonfang Pack—looked me dead in the eye and swore I betrayed him.

I begged him to test the pup's blood. He did. Results came back: father was from an enemy pack.

He called me a traitor, said I slept with the enemy, cut the bond, and threw me out.

Five years rogue gutted my wolf.

Then he showed up again. Guilt all over his face.

"Emily got played by a Darkclaw wolf. She's just an omega—she wouldn't have survived going rogue. I had to swap the pups. Didn't you get the supplies I sent? Whatever, it's over. I'll take care of you now."

Emily shot me a look full of venom and passed me a teapot.

Didn't even get a word out before the wolfsbane kicked in. I died choking, eyes wide, body frozen.

But now?

I'm back. I know everything. Let's see how they plan to win this time.

First thing I did after coming back? Asked the witch for a potion to stall my pup's growth.

Last time, Emily—my mate's omega stepsister—popped out a silver-white pup the same day I gave birth. Mine came out scruffy, fur screaming enemy pack.

James, Alpha of Ebonfang Pack, lost his damn mind. Accused me of cheating. Ripped the bond clean. Tossed me out like rogue trash.

Five years in exile gutted my wolf.

Then he dragged me back with fake apologies and a second-chance smile.

Didn't even last a day. Emily poisoned me. My pup—finally in my arms—died saving me.

The Moon Goddess hit rewind.

This time? Nobody touches me or my pup.

***

I barely made it back to the manor, potion in my bag, when I ran smack into James and Emily heading out.

Hand went straight to the vial. Locked eyes with James. Didn't say a word.

Emily latched onto his arm—syrupy voice, venom underneath.

"Don't get the wrong idea," she chirped. "James is just taking me to a checkup. My body's always been fragile, poor me. He's such a good mate—once your pup's here, I'm sure he'll be a great dad to them, too."

I almost laughed.

Last time, I actually bought their act. Felt sorry for Emily—an omega carrying alone—and treated her better than James ever did.

And what'd I get?

Fangs in my back. From both of them.

Every wolf thought I betrayed my mate. Even Silverlune Pack—my own pack—slammed the door in my face.

And my pup? She saw me once. Just once—before she tore into Emily for me.

Emily stabbed her clean through the heart.

We died that same damn day.

The memory hit hard. I let out a low, bitter laugh.

"Get the wrong idea? What kind of Alpha babies his stepsister while ignoring his Luna and unborn pup? If that's what being Luna means, you can take the damn crown."

James's eyes flashed.

But he couldn't afford to lose me. Not yet. He needed the pup. Needed the lie.

I stared him down, ice in my veins.

He breathed slow. Slapped on that fake-smile mask.

"Babe, don't talk like that. Of course I care about you. Emily's fragile, her loser mate bailed. You know that—what was I supposed to do? Just leave her alone?"

Smooth. Practiced.

He reached for my head like he was checking in.

"Come on, don't be like this. You look tired. Rest, okay? And quit taking random meds. Could hurt the pup."

I turned my head away.

He pulled back, annoyed, then slung his arm around Emily and walked off.

The second they were out of sight, I drank the potion.

Warmth wrapped tight around my core—steady, sure.

I watched them vanish down the path, smiling to myself.

This time, they couldn't get to pin their mess on my pup.

I wanted to see who they'd sacrifice to keep the lie breathing.