Chapter 1

The moment I regain control of my body, I see Ethan Cross claiming Maya Quinn as his mate.

At the same time, the curse binding my soul suddenly breaks.

The invisible force that has trapped me deep inside my own body for eight years disappears.

For the first time in eight years, I truly open my eyes.

Eight years ago, another soul took over my body.

After that, she became completely obsessed with Ethan.

She followed him everywhere, did everything for him, and treated him like he was the only male in the world.

Meanwhile, Alexander Vale, my childhood best friend and the Alpha of Silvermoon Pack, developed severe insomnia after “I” suddenly cut him out of my life.

Today is supposed to be the day Ethan claims me as his mate.

But in the end, he still chooses Maya.

She leans against his chest, one hand resting protectively over the slight curve of her stomach.

Ethan looks at me without the slightest trace of guilt.

“Maya is pregnant. If no mate claims responsibility for her and the pup, her pack will send her into rogue territory.”

He says it as if this is perfectly reasonable.

“Once she gives birth and finds somewhere safe to go, I'll break the bond with her and come back to you.”

He pauses.

“It'll only take another year or two.”

Then he looks at me with mild impatience.

“You've already waited eight years, Freya. What's another year or two?”

I barely hear him.

All I can think about is one stupid wolf who hasn't been able to sleep properly because of me.

Alexander.

I turn to leave.

Ethan immediately grabs my arm.

“What now?”

His expression darkens.

“Don't start throwing a fit. I'm not falling for that.”

I look down at his hand, then calmly pull free.

Around my neck hangs a small white rabbit pendant.

It was something Ethan casually gave the soul who occupied my body.

She treasured it for years.

I take it off.

Then I throw it onto the floor.

The pendant hits the stone with a sharp crack and breaks apart.

Ethan freezes.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

I look straight at him.

“It means we're done, Ethan.”

His face changes.

“I don't want you anymore.”

“You can claim whoever you want. Sleep with whoever you want. Have pups with whoever you want.”

“None of it has anything to do with me anymore.”

For eight years, this is the first time Ethan has ever heard those words come out of my mouth.

He just stands there, staring at me.

I don't give him time to react.

I turn around and leave.

One hour later, I finally stand outside the Silvermoon Pack estate.

It's one in the morning.

Rain is pouring from the sky.

The massive iron gates slowly open.

The guard takes one look at my face and goes completely still.

“F-Freya?”

He quickly rubs his eyes.

“Miss Hale?”

He stares at me again.

“Is that really you?”

Eight years ago, I came to Silvermoon almost every day.

Alexander and I grew up together.

This place was practically my second home.

Then another soul took over my body.

She publicly threw Alexander's coming-of-age gift into the lake.

After that, she never stepped into Silvermoon territory again.

Everyone around here knows the story.

Freya Hale abandoned Alexander Vale for Ethan Cross.

I wipe the rain from my face.

“Is Alexander here?”

The guard's expression becomes complicated.

“Alpha Alexander just got back.”

He hesitates for a moment before lowering his voice.

“Miss Hale... the Alpha hasn't been doing very well these past few years.”

Pain twists through my chest.

I walk through the gates and enter the main house.

The moment the servants see me, they all stop what they're doing.

Someone drops a teacup.

Another servant hurries upstairs.

The old housekeeper comes down a few moments later.

The second he sees me, his eyes turn red.

“Miss Freya.”

He opens his mouth.

Then, after a long hesitation, he asks only one question.

“Are you here because of Ethan Cross?”

I shake my head.

“No.”

“I came to see Alexander.”

The entire hall goes silent.

I take a breath.

“I came to ask Alexander to claim me as his mate.”

A sharp crash suddenly comes from upstairs.

Glass shatters against the floor.

I look up.

Alexander is standing behind the railing on the second floor.

The top buttons of his black shirt are undone.

His eyes are bloodshot.

Eight years have made him taller, broader, and far colder than the boy I remember.

His hand grips the railing.

The veins on the back of it stand out beneath his skin.

He stares at me.

Then his rough voice cuts through the silent room.

“Everyone out.”