I Gave My Fated Mate to His Childhood Sweetheart

After my rebirth, I looked at the marriage contract the pack elders had pushed in front of me, and wrote Ivy's name in the bride column. The elders blinked, then smiled in satisfaction. "You've finally learned to give the contract to someone more suitable." In my last life, I married Kane. He was the pack's Alpha, and my fated mate. The elders disliked me for being an orphan, for having low blood, for not knowing the rules. Kane thought the same. He wanted me to learn obedience, to become a Luna worthy of him. He said I was too bold, so I dyed my red hair the dark brown he liked and buried every temper he called "improper." He said a Luna shouldn't obsess over trivial things, so I withdrew from the research project I had helped build with my own hands. He said a Luna's time belonged in the temple and the banquet hall, so I gave up my promotion and spent my days shuttling between gowns and etiquette lessons. When I raised an objection in front of the elders, he frowned at me and told me not to make things difficult for him. He never asked what I wanted. He only told me what I should do and what I shouldn't. I learned to swallow my temper. Learned to obey. Learned to become the person they wanted. I spent a lifetime learning, until I forgot what I even wanted. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day the elders announced the marriage contract. This time, I put down Ivy's name. Kane's childhood friend, the girl he grew up with. Kane didn't know the bride had been changed. He still thought I would stand obediently by his side, just like last time. But I would soon leave the pack and live a life of my own. Chapter 1 "Since I've withdrawn," I tossed the pen onto the long table and looked at the Head Elder, "I want a permanent pass to leave pack territory, plus a recommendation letter stamped with the council's seal." The Second Elder frowned. "You're an orphan. And you dare negotiate with the council?" "It's called a trade." I looked at them calmly. "Kane is bound to the mate contract. If I don't remove myself, your precious Ivy will always be an outsider. One document to send away an inconvenient orphan, in exchange for the long-term stability of your pureblood families. You can do the math better than I can." The Head Elder was silent for half a second, then immediately summoned the scribe. They were terrified I'd change my mind. Ten minutes later, the pass was stamped with the council's blood seal, and the recommendation letter bore the Head Elder's personal signature. I strode out of the council hall and took a deep breath of the freezing winter air. I didn't love Kane anymore. I had money. I had freedom. I no longer needed to play the tail-tucked house pet for a man who would always think I wasn't good enough. Back in my room, I peeled off the elaborate high-collared gown I'd worn to please the elders' taste, and changed into a tight, fire-red mini dress. I used the money I'd saved over the years to buy a ticket to the human lands for the next morning. Then I flagged down a car and headed straight for the loudest underground club in town. I'd been given a second life. I deserved a drink to celebrate it. The deafening heavy metal drowned out even a werewolf's sharp hearing. I slapped a stack of cash on the bar and ordered the strongest drinks. A few young rogue wolves drifted over. One of them, a half-blood boy with gray ears, had bright eyes and a flattering smile. "Sweetheart, all alone?" He slid a drink toward me, his gaze bold. I smiled, took the glass, and reached out to pinch his fuzzy ear. I was about to say something when the music behind me seemed to be cut off by an invisible force. The club, which had been a writhing mass of bodies, went dead silent. A suffocating, icy pressure descended from behind me. It was the absolute dominance of a top-tier Alpha. Every wolf in the room froze, trembling uncontrollably. "You just now," a voice like bone-deep frost said in my ear, "were touching who?" I turned around. Kane stood there, his eyes as piercing as polar ice. The club's colorful laser lights played over him but couldn't melt the terrifying pressure radiating from his body. The smile vanished from the gray-eared boy's face. Pure instinctive fear buckled his knees. He dropped to the floor in a posture of absolute submission. Several soldiers silently spread out, sealing every exit. Kane didn't look at the boy. He only lifted a finger slightly. Two soldiers stepped forward and dragged the half-blood out like a dead dog. I took a breath, set down my glass, and turned toward the side door. "Stop." Kane's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an irresistible command. I didn't stop. The next second, his hand clamped around my wrist. The force was enough to make my bones ache. He didn't even give me a chance to speak. He hoisted me onto his shoulder and strode out of the club. The night wind was cold. He shoved me roughly into the back seat of the black Rolls-Royce, then climbed in after me. The door slammed shut with a heavy lock. "Is this what the etiquette tutor taught you?" He yanked off his tie, his gaze slicing over my red mini dress like a blade, his brow furrowed tight. "After signing a marriage contract, you run to a place like this and mix with rogues?" "The rules of that contract don't apply to me anymore." I leaned against the car door and looked at him coldly. Kane's movement paused. A flicker of shock crossed his eyes, but it was quickly buried under deeper anger. "What are you throwing a tantrum about now?" He leaned in, gripping my chin. "Because the elders rejected your request to borrow the Luna necklace today? I told you, your orphan status is already sensitive in the pack. What you should do is pray at the temple, not challenge the pack's rules over and over." "I don't need to pray to anyone." I slapped his hand away and met his gaze, word by word. "I'm not marrying you, Kane." Chapter 2 Kane's pupils contracted sharply. But the shock in his eyes lasted only a second before it turned into condescending scrutiny. He clearly thought this was just a clumsy protest for attention. The car sped all the way and finally stopped in front of the iron gates of the Alpha estate. The door had barely opened when a soft voice drifted over. "Kane, you're back." Ivy stood on the steps. She wore a pure white silk dress, holding moonflowers freshly picked from the temple. She looked pure, obedient, the perfect Luna template the elders had always dreamed of. "I just got back from praying for Selena at the temple." Ivy looked at me gently, her eyes full of flawless concern. "Selena, are you okay? The elders said you were a little emotionally unstable today." Kane's gaze shifted from me to Ivy. The aggressive chill around him dissipated by more than half. When he looked at Ivy, his eyes were relaxed and approving. When he looked at me, there was only exhaustion and a headache. "It's cold outside. Let's go in." Kane said to Ivy. I sat in the car, watching them. This was the perfect mate he wanted. Gentle, obedient, always knowing what to say in every situation. Good. Your perfect bride is right there. Kane turned back to look at me, still sitting in the car, his tone returning to that commanding coldness. "Go change into your gown. Tonight is the family's full moon banquet. The elders will all be there. Don't embarrass me again." I didn't move. "Since Ivy knows the rules so well, and she just prayed for me, wouldn't it be better to take her?" I smoothed my skirt. "After all, as long as this orphan isn't there to offend anyone's eyes, the elders will definitely be happy tonight." Kane's face darkened completely. He strode back, yanked me out of the car, and lowered his head to my ear, grinding out a warning. "You are my fated mate. Even if you don't know the rules, you will stand by my side tonight." Yes. Fated. He'd said the same thing in my last life, as if it were some great gift. But I knew perfectly well. If not for the mate bond, the one he would freely choose would never be me. Ivy stepped forward at the right moment, understanding and considerate, and took my hand. "Selena, don't fight with Kane. Let me help you back to your room to change. The banquet is about to start." I pulled my hand back and walked straight into the estate. Back in my room, the heavy wooden door had just closed when the gentleness on Ivy's face vanished, replaced by undisguised jealousy and wariness. "What are you playing at?" She lowered her voice, staring at me. "Why did you give the marriage contract to me in front of the elders?" "Because you two love putting on a show in front of the elders. Love going to the temple to confess." I pulled out a suitcase and started throwing essentials into it. "I'm giving you what you've always wanted. Isn't that what you've been after?" Ivy sneered. "You think playing hard to get will make Kane change his mind?" She stepped closer, her voice dropping into a threat. "Don't dream. Even if you don't want to marry him, I'll give Kane a surprise at tomorrow's ceremony. You lowborn orphan, you'd better not ruin my plans." The banquet began. The hall was brightly lit. The pack's nobles were dressed to the nines. Kane stood in the center of the hall. According to tradition, he was supposed to invite his future mate to the first dance. He looked at me. I picked up a glass of red wine and turned toward the outdoor terrace. A murmur rippled through the hall. I saw Kane's face turn ashen, while Ivy smoothly stepped to his side, lowered her head slightly, and extended her hand. Chapter 3 The music started. He didn't come after me. He took Ivy's hand and slid into the dance floor. I stood on the terrace as the first snow of winter drifted down. The cold air filled my lungs, and I felt more alive than ever. No restraints. No blame. No pairs of eyes judging my bloodline. I kicked off my heels and stood barefoot on the thin layer of snow, dancing alone. No form. No rules. Just following the rhythm of the wind, like a truly free wolf. It was the wildness Kane hated most. Snowflakes landed on my eyelashes. Then a shadow approached silently from the corridor behind me. "Selena, you dance so savagely. Just like your reckless parents." Ivy's voice broke the quiet of the terrace. I stopped and turned. She stood a few steps away, the banquet light behind her, her expression hidden in shadow. "Get out." My voice was cold. "What, did I hit a nerve?" Ivy didn't leave. She stepped closer, her smile full of malice. "You really think giving up the contract makes you noble? You're just an unwanted mongrel. If not for the mate bond, Kane would think even one glance at you is a waste of time." I said nothing. I bent down to pick up my heels. Suddenly, Ivy's expression changed. She stepped back sharply, the corner of her mouth curving into a strange arc. The next second, she let out a scream and threw herself backward, tumbling down the stone steps from the terrace to the back garden. "AHH—Selena, why did you push me!" The banquet hall doors slammed open. Kane burst out with several guards and elders. He glanced at Ivy, who lay in the snow with a long bloody scrape on her arm, and without asking a single question, walked straight to me. "Are you insane?" His voice was tight with anger. "I didn't push her." I stated the fact calmly. "Apologize." Kane didn't listen. He pointed at Ivy. "Apologize to her. Now." "No." Kane's eyes went completely cold. That high-and-mighty, judge-like gaze. Exactly the same as my last life. "You're going to be Luna. Do you think you're still that ill-mannered orphan who can do whatever she wants?" He looked at me coldly. "Since the wildness in your bones can't be tamed, then you'll learn the rules here." He waved a hand. Two tall soldiers stepped forward and grabbed my arms. "Throw her into the ornamental pond." Kane gave the order, his voice utterly flat. "She doesn't come out until the banquet is over." It was the pond with a thin layer of ice in winter. I was dragged to the edge and shoved under without any chance to resist. The piercing cold seized my whole body instantly. Ice water poured into my mouth and nose, stealing every breath. I tried to struggle, but the hand on the back of my neck pressed down like iron. Every time I surfaced for a breath, I was shoved back under. The oxygen in my lungs dwindled. My consciousness began to blur. Before I sank into complete darkness, I heard Kane's voice from the shore, cold as frost. "Keep going. Otherwise she'll never learn to be a proper Luna." Chapter 4 When I woke again, I was lying in a guest room in the estate. Kane sat by the bed, a towel in his hand, drying my wet hair. The room was heated, but the chill radiating from him was heavier than the snow outside. "Awake?" He tossed the towel into a basin. "Are you going to lay hands on Ivy again?" I stared at the ceiling. I didn't even have the strength to argue. The door opened. Ivy walked in carrying a tray. "Kane, I made hot soup..." She glanced at me timidly, her eyes reddening. "Selena, I know you hate me. But you broke the pack's rules. I still hope you'll apologize properly to Kane and the elders." "Save your fake sympathy." I propped myself up against the bed, my voice hoarse. Kane shot to his feet. "Do you have to talk like that?" Ivy seemed startled. She took a step forward with the tray, her wrist tilted, and the cup of scalding soup poured straight toward my face. I turned instinctively to dodge. Kane moved fast, pulling Ivy into his arms and blocking the splashing soup with his own arm. The pot hit the carpet and shattered. "Alpha!" The soldiers outside rushed in. Seeing the scene, one of them kicked me hard in the knee without a word. I grunted and dropped to one knee on the carpet full of glass shards. "Selena! You tried to scald Kane!" Ivy screamed, pointing at me and shouting at the soldier. "She's insane! Shoot her! Kill this lunatic!" The soldier actually drew his sidearm. "Stop." Kane endured the pain in his arm, shielding Ivy behind him, and looked down at me. "The ceremony tomorrow proceeds as planned. Lock her in here until it begins." As Ivy followed Kane out, she glanced back at me. Her eyes were full of the venom of a victor. She mouthed the words: You lose. The door was locked from the outside. I leaned against the bed and watched the snow outside stop falling as the sky turned pale gray. My phone buzzed. It was the email confirming the pass was active, and the flight information for eight the next morning. I stood, twisted the bedsheet into a rope, and climbed down from the fifth-floor balcony into the shadow of the back garden. The front of the estate was already lined with wedding cars. The family elders were clustered around Ivy, resplendent in her bridal attire. No one noticed the figure with simple luggage slipping out the back. I walked out the estate's main gate and flagged down a taxi I'd booked in advance. "To the airport," I told the driver. The car pulled onto the road. Through the rearview mirror, I watched the estate that symbolized the pack's highest power shrink into the distance. Kane's Rolls-Royce pulled up right at the end of the red carpet. He wore the sharpest black formal attire, a bouquet of red roses in his hand. He stepped out of the car and walked toward the bride in the white veil, whose figure resembled mine. He thought it was me. The taxi turned a corner and left it all behind.