Breaking the Bond That Broke Me

Perhaps because I hadn't shown any hostility tonight, Austen decided to move Seraphina into the main house even earlier than before.

"Seraphina is moving in. She just severed her bond with her ex-mate and her wolf is unstable. She needs to be looked after."

Austen stood at the bedroom door. Behind him, Seraphina clutched her suitcase, a sweet smile on her face.

In my last life, I fought him on it. Hard. We had a huge fight. He accused me of not caring about his pack members, of being unworthy to be his Luna.

This time, with only thirty days left, I didn't care anymore.

"Of course," I said, closing my book with a relaxed tone. "The main house is huge. It'll be nice to have more company."

Austen froze.

He blinked, as if unsure of what he'd just heard.

"You... you agree?"

"Naturally." I stood up and walked over to Seraphina. "Welcome, Seraphina. I'll have the maids prepare the best room for you."

Seraphina's smile faltered for a second. She clearly hadn't expected me to be so cooperative.

Austen’s expression shifted. Confusion warred with something else in his eyes… was that disappointment?

"Are you sure?" he asked again, his voice probing.

In my last life, I had begged him with tears not to let her move in, only to be harshly scolded.

This time, I agreed without a fight, and he was the one questioning me, his voice soft and probing.

"Why the questions, Austen?" I smiled, stepping closer and brushing my fingers against his arm. "Seraphina is your sister. And family should live together. Isn't that right?"

Austen stared at me for a few seconds, his eyes complex.

But he didn't say anything else.

An hour later, Seraphina knocked on my door, holding a steaming tonic.

"It’s my special herbal tea. This is the second day she’s brought it to me," she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Like I said yesterday, it has silvermoon grass and stardust pollen. It will significantly boost a healer's potential. Make you even stronger."

This was it. The potion that had caused my wolf to weaken and eventually shatter.

In my last life, I never noticed. I thought it was just the stress of pack duties and the miscarriage that made me lose my wolf.

But now, I couldn't expose her yet. Not with thirty days to go.

After thirty days, I could leave for good.

I looked at her, feigning surprise as I took the cup. "Thank you, Sera. I thought yesterday was a one-time thing. I can't believe you're willing to make this for me every day."

I took her hand, showing a sudden closeness.

My warmth clearly caught Seraphina off guard.

A flicker of unease crossed her face before being replaced by pure, smug satisfaction.

Just as I was about to "drink" it, Austen pushed the door open. "What are you two talking about?"

"Seraphina's amazing potion. The second cup. She said she'll make it for me every day."

Austen's gaze rested on the cup for a moment.

He nodded. "Then you should definitely drink it."

I brought the cup to my lips, tilting my head back as if to swallow every last drop.

The bitter liquid only grazed my tongue. Not a single drop went down my throat.

"It tastes amazing!" I said, setting the empty cup down, my eyes shining with fake gratitude. "I can already feel the energy flowing through me."

After they left, I immediately spat the potion out and was about to head for the basement furnace.

But Austen suddenly returned, saying he'd forgotten a document.

My heart leaped. I calmly placed the cup back on the table.

I angled my body, blocking his view of the sink, and smiled. "What important document has you in such a hurry?"

"Nothing, just pack business."

He glanced at me, grabbed the file, and left.

I let out a long breath, quickly rinsed the remaining potion down the drain, and poured the rest from the cup into the poison-detecting furnace.

The flame instantly turned a grotesque green, emitting a pungent, burnt smell.

One cup, my wolf could recover.

But a continuous dose would have destroyed me.

I dodged it.

Late that night, the full moon's silver light streamed into the bedroom. Austen pushed the door open.

The moonlight outlined the perfect lines of his chest and abs.

His Alpha scent flooded the room, thick with a primal possessiveness that once made me tremble.

In my last life, I always reveled in nights like this.

Now, I just wanted to escape.

"Evelyn," his voice was deep and magnetic, full of suggestion.

He stalked toward the bed, his heated gaze tracing a path from my face to my neck, and then to my collarbones.

"You were good today," he said, sitting on the edge of the bed, reaching out to touch my face. "I like you like this. So much more... obedient."

I smelled it.

The scent of jasmine. Seraphina's cloyingly sweet scent.

A wave of nausea hit me. I covered my mouth and ran to the bathroom.

"Ugh..."

"Evelyn!" Austen followed, his voice shifting from anticipation to alarm. "What's wrong?"

I leaned over the sink, my stomach churning.

"Your scent... it's the scent of a pup. Are you pregnant?" The lust in his eyes died. He was finally calm enough to really sense me.

Yes, I was pregnant.

But I was nauseous because his scent was so thick with Seraphina.

Under his intense gaze, I nodded.

He looked at me with pure joy, as excited as the young Alpha who had first bonded with me ten years ago.

"This is wonderful, Evelyn! Our first child. I'll make him my strongest heir. I'll..."

He rushed forward, pulling me into a tight embrace, trying to soothe me with his scent.

Then, he seemed about to lift me, so carefully, afraid to cause any harm.

"Are you in pain? A healer, I need a healer... oh, wait. I forgot you are a healer."

I watched him, tears welling in my eyes.

My heart twisted. He'd been just as thrilled in my last life, too. He'd promised our pup would be the strongest heir. Then Seraphina murdered our baby, and he held me, whispering, "She didn't mean it, Evelyn. We'll have another."

The memory ripped through me, a sharp pain lancing across our mate bond. My wolf howled, as if trying to tear my soul apart.

Austen saw my distress and quickly helped me to the bed.

He was about to say something more when a piercing scream came from outside the door.

"Austen! Help me! I had a nightmare!"

Seraphina.

On her very first night here, she was already interrupting us at the perfect time.

I looked at Austen's conflicted face, and the pain in my heart began to subside.

In his past life, he chose his dear sister.

This life would be no different.

His gaze shifted between me and the door, his breathing ragged.

"Go," I said calmly. "She needs you. As always."

"Evelyn..." He reached for me, but I pulled away.

"Austen! Please!" Seraphina's cries grew more frantic.

His hand froze in mid-air for a few seconds before dropping.

He looked at me, his expression torn. "You're a powerful healer. You can take care of yourself. Sera... she needs me more."

He rushed out, not even bothering to put on a shirt.

After the door closed, I looked at myself in the mirror and laughed coldly.

Even knowing I was carrying his child, he still chose her.

"See that, little one? That's your father," I whispered, stroking my belly, my eyes filled with a bone-deep chill. "But don't worry. Mommy will protect you. This time, no one will hurt you."