The Reborn Luna's Revenge

Chapter 2: The Game Begins

"You had a miscarriage three months ago."

The doctor's words from my previous life echoed in my mind as I stared at the pregnancy test in my hand. Two pink lines. Positive.

But this was impossible. Michael and I hadn't slept together in over a month, even in this timeline. Unless...

My blood ran cold. In my previous life, I'd gotten pregnant right before everything went to hell. The baby I'd lost when Michael pushed me down the stairs.

This baby was from before I died and came back.

"Ava?" Michael's voice came through the bathroom door. "We need to leave for the pack meeting in twenty minutes."

I quickly hid the test in my drawer. "I'll be right out."

When I emerged, Michael was adjusting his tie in the bedroom mirror. He looked like a god in his tailored suit, but I knew the devil that lurked beneath.

"Wear the blue dress," he ordered without looking at me. "It makes you look less pale."

In my previous life, I would have immediately changed. This time, I grabbed a red dress instead – the one he always said made me look "too bold."

His eyes narrowed when he saw me. "I said the blue one."

"I heard you," I replied, applying my lipstick. "I chose to wear this."

He crossed the room in two strides, backing me against the vanity. "You're testing my patience, Ava."

"And you're testing mine," I shot back, meeting his gaze steadily. "Now move. We'll be late."

For a moment, I thought he might hit me. His hand twitched, but he stepped back.

"This conversation isn't over," he warned.

The pack meeting was held in the grand hall of our compound. Over three hundred pack members had gathered to discuss the casino project. What they didn't know was that Michael planned to embezzle half the funds into his private accounts. In my previous life, I'd only discovered this after the FBI raided our pack.

This time, I'd stop it before it began.

"Luna Ava!" A familiar voice called out.

I turned to see Marcus, one of our pack elders and my father's old friend. In my previous life, Michael had framed him for embezzlement and had him exiled.

"Elder Marcus," I greeted warmly. "How's your daughter?"

"Sarah's doing well, thank you for asking." He lowered his voice. "Ava, I need to speak with you privately. It's about the casino finances."

My pulse quickened. Did he already suspect something?

"Tonight," I whispered. "My office, after the meeting."

He nodded and melted back into the crowd.

Michael took the stage, commanding attention with his mere presence. Even I had to admit he was a natural leader – charismatic, powerful, persuasive. It's what made him so dangerous.

"My fellow pack members," he began, his deep voice resonating through the hall. "Today marks a new beginning for the Moonstone Pack."

As he outlined the casino plans, I watched Sophia from across the room. She stood near the stage, hanging on his every word. But I noticed something I'd missed in my previous life – the way she kept checking her phone, typing quickly, then putting it away.

Who was she texting?

"...and leading our financial team will be our new strategic advisor, Sophia Matthews," Michael announced.

Applause filled the room, but I noticed several pack members exchanging uncertain looks. They didn't trust an outsider with pack finances. Good.

"I'd also like to announce," Michael continued, his eyes finding mine in the crowd, "that your Luna will be taking a step back from pack business to focus on... domestic matters."

My blood boiled. In my previous life, I'd accepted this humiliation quietly. Not this time.

I stood up, drawing every eye in the room. "Actually, I have an announcement of my own."

Michael's face darkened. "Ava, this isn't—"

"As the daughter of Alpha Marcus Silver," I interrupted, walking toward the stage, "I invoke my birthright to audit all pack financial decisions."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Michael's face went from angry to murderous.

"You can't do that," he snarled.

"Pack law, section 15, subsection 3," I recited calmly. "Any Alpha-born Luna has the right to review pack finances if she suspects mismanagement."

Elder Marcus stood up. "The Luna is correct. It's an old law, but still valid."

"This is ridiculous," Sophia interjected, stepping forward. "Luna Ava has no financial experience—"

"Then you won't mind if I review your qualifications," I said smoothly. "Starting with why you were fired from your last three positions."

The color drained from her face. In my previous life, I'd never investigated her background. This time, I'd done my homework.

"How dare you—" Michael started.

"I dare because I'm protecting this pack," I said, addressing the crowd now. "My father built the alliance between Silver Moon and Moonstone. I won't let anyone destroy his legacy."

The pack members murmured their approval. Many remembered my father fondly.

Michael grabbed my arm, his claws extending slightly. "Office. Now."

We left the stage, but I made sure to walk with my head high. The old Ava would have cowered. The new one had nothing to lose.

The moment his office door closed, Michael exploded.

"Have you lost your mind?" he roared, slamming his fist on the desk.

"No," I said calmly. "I've found it."

"You humiliated me in front of the entire pack!"

"You humiliated yourself by trying to sideline your Luna for your mistress."

The word hung in the air like a bomb.

Michael went very still. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me." I met his gaze steadily. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice? The late nights? The way she looks at you? The way you smell like her perfume?"

"You're being paranoid—"

"Am I?" I pulled out my phone, showing him a photo I'd taken earlier. It showed Sophia leaving his office at 2 AM last night, her hair disheveled, lipstick smeared.

His face paled. "How did you—"

"I'm not the weak little girl you married anymore, Michael."

He moved toward me, danger in every step. "You're still my Luna. My wife. You belong to me."

"I belong to no one."

"We'll see about that." He grabbed my throat, not tight enough to hurt, but enough to remind me of his strength. "Drop the audit, Ava. This is your only warning."

I should have been terrified. In my previous life, this was when the physical abuse had started. But now, I felt only cold determination.

"If you hurt me," I said quietly, "everyone will know. I've already sent copies of evidence to three different lawyers. Anything happens to me, and they release everything."

He released me, stepping back. "You're bluffing."

"Try me."

We stared at each other for a long moment. Finally, he laughed – a cold, bitter sound.

"When did you become so calculating?"

"The day I realized my husband was planning to destroy everything my father built."

His eyes flashed. "Your father was weak. He could have ruled both packs, but he chose peace instead."

"And you choose greed instead of honor."

"Get out," he snarled. "But remember, Ava – you started this war."

I left his office and headed to mine, my hands shaking with adrenaline. I'd done it. I'd fired the first shot.

Marcus was already waiting for me.

"That was brave," he said. "And dangerous."

"I know." I locked the door behind me. "Tell me what you know about the casino finances."

He pulled out a folder. "Someone's been moving money through shell companies. Small amounts, but they add up. Nearly a million so far."

My heart raced. In my previous life, it had been fifty million by the time anyone noticed.

"Can you prove it's Michael?"

"Not yet. But whoever it is has help. Someone who knows our financial systems inside and out."

Sophia. It had to be.

"Keep investigating," I said. "Quietly. And Marcus? Be careful. Michael won't hesitate to eliminate threats."

He nodded gravely. "Your father would be proud of you, Ava."

After he left, I sat alone in my office, hand unconsciously moving to my stomach. A baby. Michael's baby. In my previous life, losing it had nearly destroyed me.

This time, I'd protect it. Even if it meant destroying Michael first.

My phone buzzed. An unknown number.

"You don't know me, but I know what Michael's planning. Meet me at the old warehouse tonight at midnight. Come alone. Trust no one, especially not James."

James? But he was the only one I could trust... wasn't he?

I stared at the message, my blood running cold.

In my previous life, I'd never received this text.

Which meant my actions were already changing things.

The question was: for better or worse?