Chapter 1
Aurora
Memories of blood and betrayal washed over me.
I lay on the cold stone floor, blood slowly trickling from the corner of my mouth. Through my blurred vision, I saw the face I had once loved so deeply. Kieran was locked in a tight embrace with Sera, their lips pressed together, their eyes gleaming with triumph and malice.
"Did you really think you could sit on the Alpha throne forever?" Sera's voice hissed like a venomous snake. "Aurora, you were so naive. From the very beginning, Kieran was just using you!"
Poison burned through my veins as I used my last ounce of strength to try to speak, but I could only watch helplessly as they stepped over my body and walked toward the throne that had once been mine.
Then everything went black.
But now, why could I hear Chief Elder Aldric's familiar, steady voice?
"According to the ancient traditions of the Silver Moon Pack, on this night of the full moon, our Princess Aurora Reed will choose her lifelong mate."
My eyes snapped open.
The sacred Moon Goddess altar stood before me, surrounded by pack members whose faces were filled with anticipation.
I sat on the high-backed chair carved with silver wolf totems, wearing traditional silver-white ceremonial robes.
I was back at the succession ceremony. Three years ago.
Somehow, I've been thrown back in time—to the very night that sealed my fate.
My heart pounded wildly in my chest as I forced myself to remain calm, scanning the great hall.
The Council of Elders sat solemnly on the raised platform, with Chief Elder Aldric watching me with authority, waiting for my choice.
Before the altar, four men stood in a line.
My gaze first fell on the tall, imposing figure on the far right—Kieran. He was as handsome as ever, his golden hair gleaming in the moonlight, his sapphire blue eyes gazing at me with apparent devotion.
Not far behind him, Sera stood among the pack members, feigning respect, but I could see the gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.
Treacherous snakes, both of them.
How foolish I had been in my past life, actually believing Kieran loved me. I had been deceived by his sweet words, choosing him as my mate and allowing him to inherit the Alpha position.
Little did I know he had already been scheming with my head lady-in-waiting Sera, deliberately making me choose him so they could eventually poison me with silver nightshade.
"My Lady, please make your choice," Aldric's voice rang out again. "The mate you choose will inherit the late Alpha's position and become the new leader of the Silver Moon Pack."
I slowly rose to my feet, feeling the expectant gazes of the pack members. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd:
"The Princess will definitely choose Kieran."
"Of course, he's of noble blood and the strongest warrior."
"Plus they've been childhood sweethearts."
Childhood sweethearts? If they knew this "sweetheart" would eventually kill me for power, I wonder if they'd still say that.
My gaze moved to the other three candidates. Dante was a male of few words, Marcus was a brute who only knew how to show off his strength. And the male on the far left...
My breath suddenly caught.
Zane Blackwood.
He stood there quietly, his deep black eyes fixed on me.
Unlike in my past life, this time I wasn't blinded by Kieran's false devotion, and I noticed the unusual gleam in Zane's eyes.
In my previous life, I had barely paid attention to him. In everyone's eyes, Zane was just an ordinary Omega warrior—mediocre bloodline, no background.
But observing him carefully now, I noticed he possessed an indescribable mysterious aura, those black eyes so deep they seemed to see through souls.
More importantly—choosing him will completely derail Kieran and Sera's plans!
"My Lady, everyone is waiting," someone from the Council urged.
I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
All eyes were focused on me. I could feel Kieran's confidence, Sera's smugness, and the other pack members' sense of inevitability. They all expected me to walk toward Kieran, just like in my past life.
But this time, I'm going to shock everyone.
My steps were firm as I walked left, passing Dante, passing Marcus, and finally stopping in front of Zane.
The hall went dead silent.
I could hear my own heartbeat, feel the shocked stares from behind me. Kieran's face instantly turned ashen, panic flashed in Sera's eyes, and the Council members were utterly stunned.
But I only looked at the male before me. As I approached, I realized his eyes showed no shock, but rather a deep... recognition? As if he had known all along that I would make this choice.
Even more strange, the moment I drew near, I saw a flash of gold in his eyes. Not an illusion, but real, wild, golden light filled with the aura of a king.
There is nothing ordinary about this male.
"I choose him," I announced loudly, my voice echoing through the silent hall. "I choose Zane as my mate!"
"What?!"
"Impossible!"
"Has the Princess lost her mind?"
The pack members erupted instantly, voices of discussion surging like a tide. I could feel shock, confusion, and even anger radiating from all directions.
"Aurora... are you certain?" Chief Elder Aldric's voice carried obvious bewilderment. "According to tradition, the mate you choose will inherit the Alpha position. Are you... truly choosing him?"
I turned to face the Council, straightening my spine. "I am absolutely certain. This is my carefully considered decision."
"But, My Lady," another elder stood up, "Kieran is of noble blood with distinguished military service. He is the most suitable candidate for Alpha!"
"So what if he's of noble blood?" I laughed coldly. "Does bloodline determine a person's character? I'm choosing a mate who can protect the Silver Moon Pack alongside me, not some worthless fool who only relies on his pedigree!"
Kieran's expression turned extremely ugly. "Aurora, what do you mean by that?"
I turned to face this male who had killed me in my past life. "Nothing much, just that you're not worthy."
"You...!" Kieran was furious, almost lunging forward, but was held back by pack members.
I looked at Zane again, finding him watching me with a complex expression. In those deep black eyes, I saw appreciation, gratitude, and... a tenderness that made my heart race.
"Are you willing?" I asked him.
Zane slowly nodded, his voice low but filled with power. "I am willing to dedicate everything to you, to the Silver Moon Pack."
The moment he spoke, I saw that golden flash again, this time more pronounced. Those weren't the eyes of an ordinary werewolf—those were the eyes of a king.
What secrets is Zane hiding?
"Since the Princess has made her choice," Chief Elder Aldric took a deep breath, "then according to ancestral law, from this night forward, Zane shall become the new Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack!"
The ceremonial bells rang, symbolizing the beginning of a new era. But I knew the real battle was just beginning.
I stole a glance at Kieran and Sera, seeing the shock and fury in their eyes.
Good. Let them panic. This time, I won't be a pawn in their game.
This time, I will control my own destiny!