The Return Of The Luna

03 Internal Battle

Aspen.

I knelt down and swore my loyalty to the alpha, just as I had done in the past. Once my oath was complete, the head maid led me to the room assigned to me. As people returned to their tasks, I followed the woman who would soon introduce herself as Ingrid, a traitor. I began planning my next move, knowing Aiden would make a spectacle of rejecting me to please his Luna. This time, I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of embarrassing me again.

The room I was given was modest, just like before. It had a single bed, a wooden chair by the only window overlooking the training field and garden, and a desk with another chair for paperwork, if any. A double-door metal locker stood tall next to the bathroom door, ready to hold nothing but my ugly work clothes. Luna Aria kept my uniforms deliberately unattractive for her own selfish reasons. While all the other servants wore lovely A-line skirts and fitted blouses that showed off their curves, my clothes were oversized long dresses that sometimes hindered my work.

I walked to the window and closed the curtains. I hated that view. In my past life, I would watch Aiden train with his men, and every time he ignored me, it hurt. Despite his rejection, the bond between us didn't break completely, and I felt it every time he was with his Luna. It was torture, longing for him and hoping he might see a reason to honor the bond. I wondered if he ever regretted his decision to reject me or felt any remorse. Not that it mattered. I refused to be that pathetic girl again. I couldn't afford to be a fool twice.

I sat in the chair by the window, contemplating my mission. Why not send me back to the time before my mother was killed, so I could save her life and avoid this place altogether? It seemed fate only cared about Aiden and the rest of the world. My mother wasn't important enough. I sat there, wondering what to do next.

The schemes orchestrated by the Luna and her supporters replayed in my mind. Aiden never believed me, always quick to punish the outsider. Dahlia's cruelty escalated after I caught her with Beta Martin. When she asked Aiden to send me away, and he refused, she took her frustration out on me. Back then, I was naive, pleading and promising to keep her secret, desperate to assure her I wouldn't tell her husband. I was a fool, and she knew it.

Now, I had a goal: to ensure Dahlia and Martin faced the consequences of their actions, the lives they ruined, and the pain they caused. Once I achieved that, I would leave.

"You've forgotten a crucial part of the deal, Aspen," my wolf, Sage, reminded me. I wanted to silence her, but I knew she'd speak anyway.

"We have one year to rectify the problem. If we fail and Aiden dies, we will be damned," she said, and I grumbled.

"We have a duty. We are back for a reason," she continued, and I had had enough.

"Enough, Sage!" I yelled at my wolf. "Have you forgotten what we went through with these people? Aiden didn't protect us; he rejected us and made a spectacle for Dahlia's benefit. They quickly condemned us to death. Have you forgotten what it felt like to walk to the guillotine? Have you forgotten what living here felt like? We will leave this place once we've exposed Dahlia and taken our revenge. That is final. I don't care for Aiden. He didn't protect us from his treacherous wife. He was a fool for her, and it cost us both our lives."

Sage growled.

"So what do you propose?" I asked my wolf, calming down from my rage. My anger was mixed with fear—fear of failure, falling in love, and losing myself. I needed to be numb to succeed.

"Win Aiden and the pack members to our side. We were nice and naive last time; this time, we'll be smart and ruthless, beating Dahlia at her own game. Trust me, we've been through enough to handle that b***h. Aiden is ours for a reason. The bond didn’t break for a reason. I think we should explore that. Dahlia didn’t love him, and she wasn’t faithful. He needs us. Our mate needs us, Aspen," Sage growled, her conviction clear.

Though she was right, it felt exhausting, and I doubted Aiden was worth it. He did nothing to protect me, always placing her above me and quick to punish me. Why should I expend so much energy for his sake?

"And then what? He rejected us, Sage; he rejected our bond. I feel nothing for him," I said, though Sage knew I was lying.

"Even though he rejected us and we accepted, the bond lingers. It has to count for something, Aspen. We have to try, at least. Martin and Dahlia aren’t the only problems, and you know it. If we leave after exposing them, Aiden might still die. He has to stay alive for us to truly succeed," my wolf pleaded, and I finally let it rest.