The Cursed Lycan's Reborn Mate

Chapter 3–Seraphina

Elara

I stared at the young man, trying to keep my face neutral despite the storm inside me. Lyconderia the very pack that had executed me. The pack was ruled by Dominic, the man I'd loved secretly for years, the man who had sentenced me to death by wolfsbane without a second thought.

And now, somehow, I am here. Not as Elara, but as someone named Seraphina, apparently engaged to someone from the Lyconderia.

"Are you sure you're okay?" the boy asked, studying my face with concern. "You look pale."

"I'm just tired," I managed, forcing a weak smile. "Who... who did you say was asking about me again?"

The boy's eyebrows shot up. "Your fiancé, of course. Xavier Blackwood." He paused, looking more worried now. "Maybe I should get Mother. The doctor said" there might be some confusion after such a long coma."

"Yes, perhaps that's best," I agreed, eager for him to leave, so I could gather my thoughts.

He hesitated, then nodded. "I'll get Mother and Olivia too. Your best friend has been here every day checking on you."

As soon as he left, I threw back the covers and tried to stand. My legs trembled beneath me, unused to bearing weight. How long had this body been bedridden? I steadied myself against the nightstand, then slowly made my way to a full-length mirror in the corner of the room.

The face that stared back at me wasn't mine.

Seraphina had warm brown skin, high cheekbones, and full lips. Her eyes were amber, almost gold in the light streaming through the window. Her hair fell in loose dark curls past her shoulders. She I was beautiful, but in a way completely different from my former pale, blonde self.

"Who are you?" I whispered to the reflection. "And why am I in your body?"

I needed answers, needed to understand what had happened. Looking around the unfamiliar bedroom, I noticed it was spacious and luxuriously furnished whoever Seraphina was, she came from wealth. Photos sat on a nearby dresser, and I moved toward them, hoping for clues.

One photo showed Seraphina with the young man who had just left her brother, presumably. Another showed her with an older couple who must be her parents. But it was the third photo that made my heart stop.

Four people stood against the backdrop of what looked like a formal garden party. I recognized myself no, Seraphina smiling brightly. Beside her stood the boy who had just left. And next to him...

Dominic. Undeniably Dominic, with his sharp jawline and penetrating eyes. But he had his arm around Isabella, who wore a smug smile I knew all too well.

And on Seraphina's other side stood a man who looked remarkably like Dominic nearly identical, but with longer hair and a more relaxed posture.

"Xavier," I called unconscious definitely the body recognized it, and definitely had relationship with Dominic. I had never known Dominic had a brother, or perhaps a twin. Then again, there was much about him I apparently hadn't known.

But why was Seraphina in a photo with Dominic and Isabella? Were they friends? The thought made my stomach turn. How could anyone be friends with the woman who had orchestrated my death?

The sound of approaching footsteps sent me scrambling back to bed. I had just pulled the covers over myself when the door opened.

The boy returned, followed by a tall, elegant woman with the same amber eyes as Seraphina, and a petite girl with fiery red hair who practically launched herself at me.

"Sera!" the redhead cried, embracing me tightly. "You're finally back with us!"

I awkwardly returned the hug, assuming this must be Olivia, the best friend. "Hi," I said softly, not knowing what else to say.

The woman Seraphina's mother approached more slowly, her eyes studying me carefully. "How are you feeling, darling?" she asked, sitting on the edge of the bed and placing a cool hand on my forehead.

"Confused," I admitted, deciding honesty was safest. "Everything feels... strange."

Her face softened. "That's to be expected, after what you've been through. Do you remember anything about the accident?"

I shook my head. "No... nothing."

"You fell from a balcony at Blackmoon Pack," she explained gently. "When you were visiting Xavier. You've been in a coma for nearly a year."

A year in a coma? No wonder this body felt so weak. "What... what was I doing at Blackmoon Pack?"

The three exchanged worried glances.

"You really don't remember?" the boy asked. "You went to visit Xavier after the engagement was announced. You were staying at their pack house when it happened."

"The doctors warned us there might be memory loss," Seraphina's mother said, squeezing my hand. "It'll come back in time, darling. Don't force it."

"Sera, do you remember me?" Olivia asked, her green eyes widened with concern. "I'm Olivia. We've been best friends since we were pups."

I offered what I hoped was a convincing smile. "Of course. I just... details are fuzzy."

Olivia didn't look convinced. In fact, she was studying me with an intensity that made me nervous. Her eyes narrowed slightly, head tilted as if listening to something no one else could hear.

"Logan," Seraphina's mother addressed the boy, "Why don't you go tell your father that Seraphina is awake? I'm sure he'll want to see her."

Logan nodded and left, casting one more concerned look my way before closing the door.

"I'll get you some water, dear," the mother said, standing. "You must be parched."

The moment she left the room, Olivia's demeanor changed completely. She leaned in close, eyes flashing with an unnatural light.

"You're not Seraphina," she whispered, her voice low and dangerous. "Who are you?"

My heart thundered in my chest. "What? I don't know what you're"

"Don't lie to me," Olivia hissed. "I can sense it. My wolf can sense it. Seraphina's spirit isn't in this body. You're someone else."

I froze, terrified. Of course she was a werewolf. She could probably smell that I wasn't Seraphina, could sense the difference with her enhanced senses.

"I"

"Tell me your name," she demanded. "Your real name. Before I call the entire pack in here and expose you as an impostor."

"Elara," I whispered, surrendering to the truth. "My name is Elara Frost."

Olivia's eyes widened in shock. "Elara"

The door handle turned, Seraphina's mother walked in with a glass of water, her smile faltering as she noticed the tension between us. "Who is Elara?"