When Fate Rewrote The Moon

ChapterThree

Before the Wedding

Alora’s POV

I sat upright in bed, my heart pounding against my ribs like a caged animal.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, warm and golden, casting familiar patterns across the blue walls of my childhood bedroom. The floral curtains swayed gently in the morning breeze. The oak furniture stood exactly where I remembered it and my embroidered pillows still smelled faintly of lavender.

Everything was still the same.

I threw off the covers and practically ran to the vanity mirror, my bare feet slapping against the cold wooden floor. My reflection stared back at me, and I almost didn't recognize myself.

“I was younger, so much younger.” I muttered.

“My face…” I said quietly. “It’s softer.”

My fingertips brushed beneath my eyes. “No fine lines, no shadows from sleepless nights spent wondering where my husband had gone.”

My gaze drifted to my hair. “It’s longer, too.”

I looked at my reflection one last time. “And I’m stronger… untouched by the weight of carrying an empire’s expectations.”

I lifted my hand to my neck, my fingers searching for the mark, “nothing” I breathed. “No mate bite, no scar, no evidence that Caius had ever claimed me as his own.”

I pressed my fingers to my side where Nysera’s blade had pierced me, but my skin was smooth, with no wound, no silver burn, and not even the faintest trace of phantom pain.

"Moon Goddess," I whispered, "you actually did it. You sent me back."

Tears spilled down my cheeks, hot and uncontrollable.

I collapsed onto the floor in front of the mirror, my shoulders shaking with sobs. The sound that came out of me was ugly, raw, filled with years of pain and loneliness and betrayal pouring out all at once.

But it wasn't sadness I felt.

It was a relief.

I was alive, and I had another chance.

“A chance to save myself, a chance to uncover the truth, and a chance to make sure that no one would ever use me again.” I choked out.

"Lady Alora?"

I quickly jumped to my feet, hurriedly wiping the tears from my face. "Yes? Come in."

The door creaked open, and Lira entered carrying a tray of breakfast. She was even younger than I remembered.

Barely eighteen, with a round face and nervous eyes. She had served me since I was a child, and in my previous life, she had followed me to the Alpha King's palace.

She had also died during Nysera's coup.

I swallowed hard, pushing the memory away.

"Good morning, my lady," Lira said, setting the tray on my bedside table. "I brought your favorite, honey cakes and fresh berries.

The cook insisted you eat something, after sleeping for so long."

I forced a smile. "Thank you, Lira."

She tilted her head, studying me with concern. "Are you feeling better, my lady? You were so pale when you collapsed. The healer said it was just a fever, but...you don't look quite alright."

"I'm fine," I said quickly. "I’m just...tired, by the way…what day is it?"

Lira blinked. "The twenty-fourth of Frostmoon, my lady."

"And the year?"

"The year 1427."

"You asked me this yesterday too, when you first woke up."

"Yesterday?"

"Yes, my lady." Lira shifted nervously.

"You were very disoriented, and I thought it was the fever, but you seem better now, and more... alert."

More alert, that was one way to put it.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to think. The twenty-fourth of Frostmoon, that meant I had been back for a full day already.

A day I barely remembered because I had been too overwhelmed to process anything.

But I am processing now.

"Lira," I said carefully. "Tell me, have the negotiations with the Valkrynd Dominion begun yet?"

Her eyes widened. "How did you know about that? Your father specifically asked me not to mention it until…"

"I know more than you think," I interrupted. "Just answer the question."

Lira fidgeted with her apron. "Well, yes, my lady. Lord Alpha has been meeting with representatives from the Dominion for several weeks now. Everyone is very excited, they say it could bring peace to the entire region."

"And the Alpha King? Caius?"

Lira's cheeks flushed slightly. "He hasn't arrived yet, but the servants say he will come in only a few days to finalize the engagement.

Your father is planning a grand feast to celebrate that day."

A few days.

I only have a few days before everything changes again.

"Thank you, Lira," I said quietly. "You can leave the tray, I'll eat in a moment."

She curtsied and hurried out of the room, clearly relieved to escape my strange questions.

I stared at the honey cakes and berries, my stomach churning.

In my previous life, I had been thrilled by the news of Caius' arrival.

I had spent days picking out dresses and practicing my smiles.

I had dreamed of meeting the powerful Alpha King who had chosen me above all others.

Now I know the truth.

I had been chosen for my bloodline, my pack's resources, my strategic position, and nothing more.

"Not this time," I whispered to myself.

"I won't be a pawn, I won't be used, and I certainly won't marry Caius Aldric."

I grabbed a honey cake and took a bite, chewing mechanically.

I needed to be strong, I needed to be smart, and I needed to convince my father to call off the engagement without revealing that I had lived an entire lifetime I shouldn't remember.

That was going to be difficult.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Alora? Are you awake?" My father's voice.

I straightened my shoulders and smoothed down my nightgown. "Come in, Father."

The door opened, and Lord Valor Viremont stepped inside. He was a tall man with silver-streaked black hair and kind green eyes.

In my previous life, I had loved him deeply, but I had also watched him die, struck down by assassins who had been sent to weaken my pack before the coup.

My chest tightened at the memory.

"Lira said you were feeling better," he said, his voice warm with relief. "The healer was so worried that the fever came on so suddenly."

"I'm fine, Father."

He crossed the room and sat on the edge of my bed, taking my hand in his. His skin was rough and calloused from years of training, but his touch was gentle.

"I have wonderful news," he said, his eyes bright with excitement. "Alpha Caius has confirmed his arrival.

He said he will be here in three days to finalize the engagement, can you believe it? My daughter, future Luna of the Valkrynd Dominion. This is the greatest honor our pack has ever received."

I pulled my hand away.

"Father, I need to speak with you about that."

He frowned,"about what?"

"The engagement."

"What about it? Everything has already been arranged. The documents are signed, the preparations are underway, so there's nothing left to discuss."

"Actually, there is." I met his eyes steadily.

"I don't want to marry Alpha Caius."

The silence that followed was deafening.

"What!" My father's voice was sharp.

"What do you mean you don't want to marry him? This is the greatest honor…"

"I know what it is,” I held up my hand.

"I know it's an honor, and I know it will secure our pack's future, but I can't do it and I won't do it."

He stared at me like I had grown a second head.

"Alora, this is ridiculous. You've been so excited about this engagement for weeks.

You've been dreaming about becoming Luna. Why would you suddenly…"

"Because I've changed my mind."

I tried to keep my voice calm. "Please, Father, just trust me. There are reasons I can't explain, things I can't tell you, but I need you to call off the engagement."

My father rose to his feet, his expression hardening. "I will not! This engagement is not just about you, It's about our pack, our people, our survival. The Valkrynd Dominion is the most powerful force in the werewolf world, aligning with them will protect us from enemies who would destroy us."

"Or it will make us more vulnerable," I argued. "We will become a target, and we will become pawns in a game we don't understand."

"How could you possibly know that?" He shook his head. "You're young and you don't understand politics and alliances the way I do. This is the best decision for our pack, and that will be the end of this discussion."

"Father…"

"I said end of discussion."

He pointed a finger at me, "Alpha Caius will be here in three days, and you will be ready to receive him.

You will smile and be gracious and fulfill your duty to this pack."

He stormed out of the room, leaving me alone.

I sat there for a long moment, my hands trembling with frustration.

He didn't understand, he couldn't understand.

I was the only one who knew what was coming. The war, the betrayal, and the Death.

But I couldn't tell him because he would think I was insane. Or worse, he would think that someone had cursed me.

Fine.

If he wouldn't listen to reason, I would have to change things myself. I would have to be smarter, stronger, and more cunning than anyone had expected.

I rose from the bed and started pacing the room. Three days, that was all I had before Caius arrived.

Three days to figure out how to avoid becoming his wife.

Three days to uncover the secrets that had been hidden from me.

The Moon Goddess had warned me that nothing would unfold exactly as before, that old enemies might appear earlier and new enemies might emerge.

I needed to be ready.

I needed allies, I needed information.

I needed to find out who else knew about the prophecy, about Nysera's true role, and about the conspiracy that had led to my death.

I crossed to my wardrobe and threw it open.

My old dresses hung inside, beautiful and impractical. Silk, lace and embroidery, perfect for a future Luna who was expected to be seen and not heard.

I would need different clothes if I was going to investigate.

I rummaged through the back of the wardrobe and found what I was looking for. Simple leather pants, dark tunic, and sturdy boots.

The kind of outfit I had worn during my training sessions, before I had been deemed too important to risk in combat.

I changed quickly, tying my hair back in a practical knot. Then I slipped out of my room into the castle corridors.

I needed to explore, I needed to remember the layout of this castle, the secret passages, and the hidden rooms.

In my previous life, I had uncovered some of them during my years as Luna.

But I had been young and trusting and I hadn't paid close attention to the things that didn't directly involve me.

But I was paying attention now.

The corridors were quiet at this hour and most of the servants were busy with morning chores.

My father was probably in his study, fuming about my refusal to cooperate.

I rounded a corner and stopped.

Someone was standing at the end of the hallway.

A tall figure dressed in dark clothing, their face hidden in shadow, but I could see the outline of their shoulders, the way they stood perfectly still, watching me.

My wolf stirred beneath my skin.

Every instinct screamed that something was wrong.

"Who are you?" I called out. "What are you doing here?"

The figure didn't answer.

They simply stared at me for a moment longer, then turned and disappeared around the corner.

I sprinted after them.

"Wait! Stop!"

I reached the end of the corridor and rounded the corner, my heart pounding.

But the hallway was empty, no one was there, the only sound was the echo of my own footsteps.

I leaned against the wall, catching my breath.

In my previous life, I had never seen anyone watching me from the shadows. Not at this stage, not before everything had started going wrong.

Had things already changed?

The Moon Goddess had warned me that old enemies might appear earlier and new enemies might emerge.

But that figure hadn't felt like an enemy, It felt like something else, something I couldn't quite name.

I shook my head and pushed off from the wall.

I had three days until Caius arrived.

Three days to figure out who was watching me and why.