Chapter 1

Reborn seven days before my mate stole my acceptance letter, I rejected him.

I had been Dominic Gray's perfect Luna for thirty years.

He was the Alpha of Moonstone Pack, a powerful businessman, respected across the werewolf territories.

Everyone praised me for being understanding and dutiful, calling me the perfect Luna by his side.

I believed them.

Until I was organizing his study and found a yellowed acceptance letter for Lunar Medical Academy tucked inside a journal.

My name was on it.

In his journal, he wrote that Serena Blake's brother Sean had died for him. He owed the Blakes. So he hid my acceptance letter, told the Academy I'd declined, and gave my spot to Serena—the next candidate on the waitlist—to repay the debt.

Lunar Medical Academy was the most prestigious medical school in the werewolf world.

Every graduate went on to achieve greatness in medicine. I should have been standing among them, saving lives in the operating room. Instead, my husband trapped me in his shadow for thirty years.

My chest tightened. The room spun.

When I opened my eyes, young Dominic stood in front of me.

"Elara, what's wrong now? You look awful."

I was back.

Back to seven days before the Lunar Academy acceptance announcement.

......

The irritation in Dominic's eyes made me flinch.

I stepped back from his reaching hand.

"Nothing. Bad dream."

He dropped his hand, his voice cold. "Then get up. Serena's not feeling well. Go pick up her prescription from the pharmacy."

Serena again.

She was always unwell.

In my previous life, I'd done this exact errand on this rainy evening. I got caught in traffic, came home late, caught a cold, and was sick in bed for three days.

By the time I recovered, the Academy decision was final.

"It's pouring outside," I said.

"The pharmacy closes in an hour. If you go now, you'll make it." No room for argument in his tone.

"She can order it online. Delivery takes an hour."

Dominic's jaw tightened. "The medication she needs isn't available for delivery. You know the pack pharmacy stocks specialized suppressants. She needs them tonight."

I looked at him. This man always had reasons when it came to Serena.

"Can't someone else go?"

"Elara!" His voice sharpened. "Sean died for me. Taking care of his sister is my responsibility. As my fiancée, it's yours too."

He grabbed his car keys and tossed them at me.

"Take the car. Now."

I didn't move. "Dominic, my medical school application materials—they're with you, right?"

He froze. Then nodded. "Yes. I'm handling your submission."

"I want them back."

His eyes went guarded instantly. "Why? I told you I'd take care of it."

"I want to submit them myself."

He went quiet. After a moment: "Elara, you're pre-med with decent grades, but this is competitive. We can't risk anything going wrong. Serena's the hero's sister—her family reputation is spotless. Her application is stronger."

"So mine isn't good enough?"

"That's not what I meant." He avoided my gaze. "Just get her prescription first. We'll discuss this later."

He turned and walked out, heading toward Serena's place next door.

I heard his voice soften through the wall. "Serena, don't worry. Elara's getting your medication. You'll feel better soon."

I grabbed the keys and walked into the rain.

But I didn't go to the pharmacy.

I drove to Pack House and found Elder William in his office.

"Elder William, I need to collect my medical school application materials. All of them."

He looked surprised. "Didn't you give those to Alpha Dominic to submit?"

"I want to review them myself."

He didn't question further. Pulled a thick folder from his filing cabinet.

"You're such a dedicated girl. Dominic's fortunate."

I gripped the folder tight, tucked it under my jacket, and walked back to my car.

I didn't go home. I drove to my grandma, Nana Rose's apartment.

I handed her the folder. "Grandma, keep this safe. Don't give it to anyone."

Grandma looked at my rain-soaked clothes. "What happened? Another fight with Dominic?"

"No." I shook my head. "Grandma, if I don't get into Lunar Academy... will you be disappointed?"

Grandma touched my cheek. "Silly girl. What matters is that you're safe and happy."

I buried my face against her shoulder. Tears fell.

Grandma was all I had left.

That evening, Dominic showed up at my door, furious. "Where the hell were you? Serena waited all night for her medication!"

"Traffic was bad. Couldn't make it before closing."

"Traffic?" His voice rose. "It's a fifteen-minute drive! Elara, did you do this on purpose?"

"Yes." I met his glare.

He went still, shocked by my answer. His chest heaved. "You—"

"Dominic, I'm not one of your pack warriors. And I'm not Serena's personal servant."

He stared at me, words grinding through clenched teeth. "Fine. Just fine."

"Don't you dare regret this, Elara."

He slammed the door on his way out.

I knew exactly where he was going. To find those application materials.

He wouldn't find them.

This time, I was taking control of my own future.

My wolf stirred, restless and approving.