Just as I remembered. The scene was playing out exactly as it had in my past life.
Even the single, shimmering teardrop clinging to Aria's eyelashes was exactly the same.
In my past life, it was this pitiful and fragile act that had Corbin wrapped around her finger.
I was born into a top-tier werewolf family, where matings were strategic alliances. I never believed in love within such unions.
Aria's appearance stung, but it wasn't enough to make me lose my composure.
When Corbin had wanted to sever our mate bond, I hadn't cried or thrown a tantrum. Considering the alliance between our two packs, I had given him practical advice.
"Aria is just an Omega, from an insignificant bloodline. Even if you two...
"Alpha Alaric will never agree to this marriage. It will only bring her trouble.
"Corbin, why don't you settle her outside the territory for now, and later..."
I chose my words carefully, hinting at the future.
"Once you become the Alpha, won't you be the one to make the rules?"
Just those few sentences.
They brought Aria salvation but brought me utter ruin.
...
In my past life, the moment Aria knelt, I rushed forward to help her up.
This time, I watched her coldly. My second sight pierced through her facade of weakness, revealing the greed and ambition churning in her aura.
Seeing no response, she didn't hesitate to bow lower, pressing her forehead to the floor in the most servile posture.
Again and again. Thud! Thud! The sounds were piercingly clear in the quiet hall.
My best friend, Kiera, tugged at my sleeve.
The hall was filled with guests, and every werewolf's gaze was fixed on us.
I squeezed her hand.
What's the rush?
"Aria!" Corbin's face had already darkened.
Though she hadn't been prostrating for long, Aria's forehead was already bleeding.
Paired with her tear-filled eyes, she looked truly pitiful and heart-wrenching.
She looked at Corbin, then at me. Biting her lip, she continued to bow.
I leisurely picked up a crystal glass filled with Moonlight Nectar Wine from a nearby table.
I was suddenly curious.
Just how far was she willing to take this act?
...
Yes.
Aria was acting.
Her fragility was fake. Even her staged self-destruction of her inner wolf in my previous life had been a lie.
I had overheard her behind the empty altar of the Moon Goddess Festival. Her voice was sweet and clear as she sobbed and pleaded with a pack elder.
"I'm just an Omega. If I don't use my pitiful appearance to gain sympathy, how would Corbin ever notice me?"
"Please, help me. I just need one more favor!"
"I love Corbin, but with my bloodline, his family will never approve of our union."
"He promised to mark me. I have to do something to make him feel guilty."
"Please, help me one more time."
"If I make a scene at the altar, Corbin will forever remember what he owes me!"
What a brilliant performance.
She had fooled Corbin, and she had fooled me.
She had even fooled all the werewolves.
I once asked Corbin why he cared so much for Aria.
"I was born the eldest son of the main Grayson line. Every wolf fawns over me, every wolf caters to me."
"They respect me, they love me—all because of my bloodline and status."
"You're the same, Layla. If I weren't the heir of the Grayson family, would you still want to be my mate?"
That question left me speechless.
If our bloodlines weren't compatible, we would never have grown up together, let alone been designated as mates.
"Only Aria truly loves me. Only she is willing to give up everything for me."
"Layla, how could I possibly refuse such a pure love?"
I was almost convinced by him.
As the heir to the Vance pack, I had always been cautious in my words and actions.
I had a responsibility to my parents and my pack. I would never recklessly abandon everything for any wolf.
However, we had both completely overlooked another possibility.
It didn't matter whether Corbin was drugged, poisoned, or on the brink of death.
Aria had been determined from the very beginning.
She was determined to latch onto him to elevate her own bloodline.
...
"Enough!" Corbin's sharp command, laced with his Alpha's authority, instantly filled the air.
A hush fell over the room.
Aria shuddered and slowly looked up, her tear-filled eyes pleading with me.
Her meaning was clear.
She had ruined my mate bond and made me the laughingstock of high society, and for that, she was deeply sorry.
She wouldn't stop until I said the word.
Very well.
I'd see how long she could last.
I raised an eyebrow slightly and continued to savor my wine.
Aria gritted her teeth and bent down to bow again.
Corbin suddenly strode forward. A sharp smack echoed as he knocked the wine glass from my hand.
"Layla, that's enough!"