Lycina’s POV

Rumors had a way of seeping through cracks, no matter how hard you try to hide them. And it got worse each day since the mating ceremony. I heard them in the marketplace, behind doors, in the alcoves of the hallways I had once considered home. “She didn’t cry.” “Maybe she knew.” “Maybe she’s broken.”

They didn’t know a damn thing.

But I did.

I knew what came next, just like before. Once the rejection eventually took place successfully, just like in my last life, there will be no one in my family that will keep on pretending like they had always done. Instead, they would soon see me as being too much of a burden to them just as they did and throw me to the snow. They’ll say I brought dishonor to the family name after Theron must have rejected me even though it wasn’t my fault. That I shamed the bloodline. In my previous incarnation, they sold me off in secret, with coins and to cowards. That isn’t the life I want. Even if they would blame me now, it’s better it’s really worth it. Rejecting him was worth it and I am glad to anticipate the outcome.

This time, I was ready…

I sneaked out of the manor a few minutes short of midnight, with my cloak pulled close around me, my heart thudding but calm. Every step through the woods was one step I took before, terrified. Now I took them with hate. I chose not to wait for their betrayal to ring at my door steps. This time I was going to meet it head on and out of their grasp!

The forest hummed around me, alive and silent. It brought me to a scene I hadn’t anticipated. A stray, 10 years old pup, trapped in a cruel trap, one designed not to kill, but to maim. The smell of blood filled the atmosphere. His eyes were dulled with pain and terror, as I whispered when I got near, hoping to help. It is better to help a stranger than to help my family.

“Hey,” I crouched down beside him, with a gentle voice. “I’m not going to hurt you. I swear.”

He grumbled softly, attempting to curl his weak body away, but I just gently rested my hand on his shoulder. The iron teeth of the trap were deep in his hind leg. I winced at the sight of it.

“Alright. This is going to hurt,” I told him, “but only for a second.”

I gave the trap a sharp yank and a whispered curse and wrenched it out. He screamed, throwing his head back and collapsed into me as I ripped up my cloak and tied the wound as best as I was able to.

“Why would you help me? Thank you” he said just as the pain reduced.

I paused. “No one helped me when I needed help.” I replied.

Once done, I hauled him by his direction to the edge of a well-known 'rogued' camp. I wasn't expecting appreciation. Though when I arrived, all I got were sharp eyes and drawn out swords.

“Who are you!” One voice said as they all circled me.

A tall rascal took a step forward, his eyes darting from me to the boy in my arms. He smelled wild, and there was no mistaking that his scent belonged to an Alpha Rogue.

“Why are you here, girl?”

I placed the pup down gently onto a cushion of moss and stood. “To bring back one of your own and might as well need your help.”

He snorted. “And what could a pack wolfer provide to us?”

“Information,” I replied. “And loyalty.”

There was a slight movement in the circle. I heard the murmurs, as the Alpha narrowed his gaze.

“You want to sell your own out?”

“I want to take down the ones who betrayed me,” I told him plainly. “And I think we can help one another in that.”

He studied me for a long beat before he blinked and his eyes darted to the pup, who was moving, and murmuring something in his sleep.

“She saved me,” the boy mumbled, when the reporter pulled him from beneath the others, pouring water over his little body as they laid him down on the sidewalk.

I was able to catch a light softening in the expression of the Alpha. “Fine. You’ll stay to show our appreciation. But if you lie to us, girl, and you hurt my people, I’ll cut you before you’ve had time to plead for mercy.”

“Understood,” I nodded.

Just like that, I am drawn into their shadows. I remain silent as I work, sending out maps of patrol routes, surreptitiously passing along details of weak borders and storehouses. They test me at first with errands, silence when I speak. And slowly, I earned their respect. I spoke with certitude, with intent.

The pup’s name was Kieran. And he remained close to me all day and followed, me limping behind me, like a second shadow. It's his loyalty that makes slowly.

“She could have let me die,” I heard him say to them regularly.

Pretty soon they began calling me sister and I learnt the alpha’s name to be Kael. Just then, it happened in a clearing outside the eastern cliffs. The way he emerged from the trees made it easy to recognise him at first sight, the alpha of a fearsome, far off pack that prides themselves on being neutral. He looked cold, and ruthless as he approached me.

“You’re not how I would have imagined you,” he said, quietly.

“You wanted a girl broken from being claimed by your mate? I expected someone naive. You’re not.”

“I was,” I admitted. “Once. Not anymore.”

He presented a scroll, stamped with a golden seal, to me.

“We are monitoring the Vale Pack. We will stand with you, if this goes the way that you've assured us that it will,” He said.

“And what is it that you want in return?” I asked, taking the scroll from him.

“A future where dogs like you don’t get thrown out like scraps. And one more thing. I want you as my mate! The marriage will be resolved after I get my revenge and I’ll give you half of the vale pack.” I say.

“Sure about this?”

I swallowed nervously and nodded. “My wolf is weak. In this marriage, I’ll need your help to revive it.”

There was only silence and then he replied.

“Deal.”

A few days later, I had returned, standing near the borders of the pack, cloaked and silent. That’s when Theron found me. I smelt his scent before he came into full view.

“Lycina” his voice came from behind me as I stiffened. I turned, slowly to meet his gaze, as he remained a few steps away, with uncertain eyes that looked softer than they were when they took a vow.

“You just disappeared.”

I raised a brow. “You mean after I publicly humiliated you?”

He flinched. “You didn’t, I mean, it was for your own good. I would have rejected you myself.”

“Swallow your pride and accept your shame,” I snapped.

He took a step closer. “You were always… kind. Quiet. Now you’re, different.”

I let out a stifled laugh. “No. I’m just not doing this predictable thing.”

“I see.” He said.

“Out there away from the lies,” I responded. “Don’t worry. I’m not your problem anymore.”

He seemed like he had more to say but I don’t give him the chance to. I walked past him without a second word, sensing his eyes bearing heavily on me from behind.