Namara's POV:

I trembled, her words were suffocating. I often wondered why Nicole never visited me during my time in the dungeon.

Even on the day of my execution, when the rest of the Pack had gathered, her absence was glaring.

The woman stepped closer, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"But you have been given a second chance, Namara. A chance to right the wrongs, to take control of your destiny. You don't have to be the broken woman who trusted a man who never deserved it. You can change your fate."

Her words felt like a beacon of light in the darkness, a lifeline thrown to me in the midst of my despair.

But I wasn't sure I could believe her. How could I, after everything I had been through?

"How?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper. The other version of me smiled.

"You will remember. Flashes of memory will guide you. The life you lived, the decisions you made, they will all come back to you. You have the power to change it all."

"But how can I trust myself again?" I asked, shaking my head in disbelief. "How can I trust anything when everything I knew was a lie?"

"You have to. Because you are stronger than you know. You were never weak, Namara. You just didn't know your own power."

The world around us began to blur, and the mist started to recede.

"It's time." She said softly, her voice fading. "Your second chance begins now."

I felt a sharp pull at my chest, as if my soul were being tugged back into my body, back into a world I thought I had left behind.

And then, everything went black. I woke up with a gasp, my breath ragged as I sat up in my bed.

The familiar scent of the velvet sheets and the warmth of the room surrounded me, but something was wrong.

My hands shook as I touched my face, and I looked down to find that I was back in my nuptial gown, the same one I had worn on my wedding night.

F*ck! It's the day after my wedding to that b*st*rd.

I turned my head slowly, only to find Damien lying beside me, his arm draped over the bed.

His dark hair was disheveled from sleep. For a moment, it was as if everything had returned to normal, like my world hadn’t been shattered by the revelation of his betrayal, but then my thoughts came crashing over me like a wave.

Damien, my husband—the man I thought I knew—had played me for a fool.

He used me, manipulated me, and worse, he kept Nicolle hidden in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to take my place.

The truth of it all settled over me, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt cold. I was no longer the woman I used to be.

I was given a second chance, a new beginning, and it was time to take control. I shifted in bed, trying to ease myself into a sitting position, but as I did, I noticed the faint ache in my body.

It was from the intense s*x we had last night. Before I could move further, I felt Damien’s eyes on me.

He stirred, his gaze locking onto mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of concern in his eyes.

"Namara?" He whispered, his voice rough with sleep. He sat up beside me. "What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

I swallowed hard, the reality of the situation sinking in. I was reborn, given a second chance to make things right.

"This.” I began. "Is the beginning of your downfall.”

“Say something, Namara.” He pressed. “Why are you quiet?”

That was when I realized that I was yet to give him a reply.

The threatening words I said earlier were just thoughts. I didn't voice it out.

And I thank Goodness that I didn't. He should never find out that everything had changed I met his gaze.

"What’s wrong?" I repeated, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. "The question is, what’s wrong with you?"

Damien frowned, clearly not expecting such a response.

"What do you mean?" he asked, his brow furrowing. "You’re still recovering from last night. You need to rest."

I shook my head, my heart pounding in my chest as I looked at him—really looked at him.

"That's exactly what I’m saying.” I replied. “ What the hell is wrong with you? You almost killed me last night.”I said, trying to force out a smile.

I watched as Damien’s smile grew wider, his gaze softening. He leaned forward, resting his hand on my shoulder as though everything between us was still just as it was the night before.

The memories of what had transpired. The murder, my execution, the betrayal—came flooding back.

But the most shocking thing of all was the realization that I was alive.

‘I was given another chance, and I won't waste it.’ I said to myself, as I stumbled to my feet.

Everything has changed.

“Come on, Namara.” He said, noticing the frown that crept up on my face. “You should smile more. We’re finally married. Isn’t it a beautiful thing?”

I wanted to laugh. He could play the fool all he wanted, but I wasn’t buying it anymore.

His touch felt wrong, even as he slid his hands around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

He wanted to cuddle, wanted to act like it was all okay. But it wasn’t.

I shifted away from him, feeling his warmth suddenly suffocating.

“I don’t feel like it.” I muttered, as I pushed his hand off me.

He blinked in surprise, clearly caught off guard by my resistance.

But I couldn’t stop myself. My skin crawled at his closeness.

“You okay?” He asked. “You’re not still feeling the effects of last night, are you?”

I had to bite back the urge to snap at him. I had to hold it in, for now. I could feel the walls pressing in on me, trying to keep my cool, trying to make him think I was still the same person who loved him.

“I just feel sticky.” I said, lying through my teeth as I forced a smile, “I’m going to take a shower.”

Before he could protest, I shoved past him and headed for the bathroom, breathing heavily. I couldn’t stay near him, not with the anger and confusion building inside me.

But as I reached the door, I heard his footsteps following me.

“Hey, wait.” He called out, his voice a little too playful. “What’s wrong with us showering together? I’m sure it’ll make you feel better.”

I froze.

The last thing I wanted was to be in a confined space with him, feeling his disgusting presence.

“No,” I said quickly, stepping aside and turning to face him.“I’m fine. I’ll shower alone.”

But Damien didn’t back down. His expression shifted to that charming, persistent one he always wore.

“Come on, Namara. I’ll help you relax. We’re married now. What’s the harm?”

I could hear the hint of mischief in his tone, and I just wanted to get away. A quick idea came to my mind, and I couldn’t help but smile—although it wasn’t the friendly kind.

“Fine.” I said, trying to act nonchalant. “Here’s the deal. If I get to the bathroom first, I’ll shower alone. But if you get there before me, we shower together.”

I turned quickly before he could react, pushing past him. I heard him curse softly behind me as I dashed into the bathroom, locking the door behind me.

I leaned against it, taking deep breaths, my heart racing. I needed space. I needed to breathe.

As I sank to the floor, I let the tears fall. Everything felt like it was crashing down around me.

I didn’t know what to do with all of these feelings, with the weight of everything I now knew.

The truth was suffocating, too much for me to carry. How did I end up here? I closed my eyes, and the memories came rushing back to me—of when I first met Damien, he was so different then.

Cold, detached, and he seemed to hate everything to do with the Pack. I met him him at Beta Haven's burial, my father's Beta.

But he was rarely seen, he kept to himself. That’s when we met. It didn't taken long for Damien to latch onto me, and I, naive as I was, thought I had found someone who understood me.

But now, I wondered if everything was a lie. Did he know Nicolle before me? Or did they only come together after I introduced her to him? The thought made my stomach churn.

And then it hit me. Alexander!