Jade’s Pov

My eyes slowly peered open as I began to gain consciousness. The unmistakable smell of antiseptic hit me like a hard slap. Beneath that, was the metallic tang of blood.

I heard the soft beep of machines and the room was so bright it took a few more seconds for my eyes to adjust.

I couldn't remember anything but one thing was certain —I was back in the hospital.

“I don't want to be here.” Was the only thought repeating in my subconscious. I couldn't tell how long I was bedridden but I knew I wanted out for some reason.

“Urgh,” I groaned as I pushed my body forward to sit up on the hospital bed. It still ached and felt numb in most places but ultimately, I felt more alive than ever.

I looked around the room and realized no one was in it, just a plate of sliced fruit right by me. The window was left open and the breeze from outside made the white draped curtains flutter.

It seemed like it was a sunny day–when was the last time I walked in the sun? I couldn't remember. The mines were filled with nothing but absolute darkness, not a single ray of light was allowed.

“I want to go outside.” I croaked. I really, really wanted my bare feet in grass and soil. I wanted to take a whiff of fresh air. As I swung my legs off the bed to stand, I felt myself being forced backwards in a sitting position.

My body felt heavier than usual.

“Oh–”

My fingers curled into the stiff hospital sheets as reality crashed over me.

“That's right, I was reincarnated.” Soon all the memories came crashing at once; Perry, Alpha Leo's wife creeping into my room and suffocating me to death.

I died.

I felt a shudder as that registered in my mind, I had been unapologetically murdered by my so-called mate’s wife. I felt my throat tighten and my chest heave as anger and pain came swirling in. And like that wasn't enough, I woke up in this body just as she was giving birth.

Giving birth to twins—Maverick’s twins.

Maverick who looked exactly like Alpha Leo. The man who claimed to be my mate and who was ready to get rid of me once he used me for power.

I slowly shook my head as I covered my palms over my face. “This can't be real, this can't be real.” I muttered, hoping to maybe appear back in my body again. But that didn't happen.

I looked down at my body…or should I say Gana’s body and it felt so surreal. Compared to my frail form in my past life, she looked much healthier. It was obvious because Gana’s skin was much darker and richer to how pale and malnutritioned I was. I could tell Gana was older as well due to her strong structure and curvy build.

Even her hair felt healthy and luscious as I ran my hands through it. My silvery white hair had told anyone from a hundred meter radius that I was a wild wolf, now I wasn't sure what I was.

I could sense no wolf in this body but at the same time I didn't feel completely human either. I felt this kind of strange power coursing through my very veins, it was something I'd never experience before.

It was odd thinking that this Gana girl had lived an entire life before me. She probably walked under the sun, had friends to laugh with, knew warmth and love.

Unlike me—

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Maverick stepped in.

I felt my breath hitch as my eyes fell over him and the bouquet of bright purple flowers he held in one hand.

There was no doubt, he really was Alpha Leo—just in another life. He wore his hair longer and messier, a sharp contrast from how neatly Alpha Leo laid his hair that night.

My mind blurred the lines between past and present, between him and the man who had ruined me.

“You're awake Gana.” Maverick beamed, those cold green eyes softening as he closed the space between us and pulled me into a hug.

Maverick’s presence filled my senses, his scent—dark pine, something musky and rich—stirring me up inside.

My pulse pounded in my ears as he came closer and I froze in place. What was I supposed to do? How was I supposed to react?

I still didn't understand the kind of relationship Gana shared with this man. And I for one had nothing but sheer hatred for this Alpha Leo look alike.

“You got me so worried,” he said with a soft smile as he gently pulled away from the hug. “I didn't know what to think when you passed out.”

“When I passed out?” I thought out loud. That was right, I recalled Maverick taking me back to his pack palace and me suddenly fainting in the heat of the moment.

“Yes, you must have been too overwhelmed and your body couldn't keep up. Do you feel any better?” His voice was so warm as he spoke, I wasn't expecting to still be strangely attracted to him in this life as well.

“Gana?” He called out her name, but I didn’t answer. I couldn’t to be more precise. My mind was still warring with itself, trying to separate the past from the present.

“I'm so sorry for everything I put you through Gana, I never meant to hurt you. I swear it on my life.” My brows arced at his apology…he apologized the same way at the palace as well. Why was that?

Did it have to do with what Gana wrote in her diary? Did this man really leave when it seemed like she needed him the most?

I couldn't help but think that him being so caring was just an act, maybe he was just a user like his counterpart in my past. I didn't understand this whole thing well, but I had to protect her. I had to protect myself and this body I found myself in.

Maverick reached out, fingertips barely brushing my wrist—

I flinched back immediately.

His expression fell. "Gana..." He exhaled. "Are you still upset with me?"

“Please, don't touch me!” I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest.

I stared at him, my body tensing. My mind flashed back to the messy pages filled with Gana’s frantic writing. She was probably afraid and confused after he had suddenly vanished.

I couldn't forgive that.