Chapter 2 Cassie's POV

My eyes snapped open the next second, and I gasped as I suddenly found myself in the living room of my house.

I quickly checked my body for bullets but found none. Was it a dream? Had I been dreaming that my husband and my maid had an affair and conspired to kill me?

Maybe. Maybe I had just woken up from a bad dream, but Something felt off.

My old phone, clothes and furniture that I loved so much wasstill in place, but that should be impossible. Linda had burnt all my favourite stuff when she realized that she could do anything she wanted and Asher would never stop her.

Confusion washed over me, and then suddenly, the door in front of me burst open.

Then Asher walked in, cradling Linda in his arms.

No.

It hit me like a punch to the gut. This moment-this exact moment was one year ago. My heart dropped as the realization sank in.

"The Moon Goddess really did it," I whispered to myself. "She brought me back. But why here? Out of all the moments in my life, why this one? Why the most miserable day of my life?"

I tried to steady myself, to keep my emotions in check. After all, I had spent years mastering the art of hiding how I truly felt. So, I lifted my chin and met Asher's gaze with as much composure as I could muster.

"I know this is very sudden," Asher started, his voice soft, trying to sound considerate. I had to hold back a scoff. Sudden? He had no idea how cruel this moment was for me, even after all this time.

"I know we had an agreement," he continued, "but my wolf...he's going crazy. You're not just my Luna, Cassie, you're my best friend. You understand me, and I know you want what's best for the pack. Linda...she's an omega, Cass. And she's been through so much. In her old pack, they abused her, treated her like a slave. I couldn't leave her there. It would've been cruel. My wolf would never forgive me."

He set Linda down gently, and she stood behind him, her eyes downcast like the perfect picture of innocence. I couldn't stand the sight of her. Asher came to me then, taking my hands in his, the same hands I used to cherish, the ones I thought I could trust.

"Let her stay, for the pack's sake," he pleaded. "My wolf is stronger when she's near. If I reject her, it could kill him. And we could give her a peaceful life here. She could-"

"No."

The word slipped out before I could stop myself, but this time, I didn't want to stop it. My voice was calm, yet firm, ringing louder than it had before.

They both stared at me in shock, Asher's eyes widening as if he'd never expected me to defy him.

"My wolf..." Asher started, trying to reason with me, but I had heard this all before. In my past life, this was the exact speech he gave me. The excuses about his wolf every time he wanted to be with her. He never rejected her as he promised. And soon after, she became more than just a guest in our home-she became his mistress.

I closed my eyes briefly, trying to block out the pain that surged through me. Back then, I convinced myself that I was doing the right thing for the pack. That was my mistake. I let him manipulate me into believing his lies because I loved him. But I wouldn't repeat that mistake. Not this time.

"I said no." I repeated, my voice colder now as I looked at him. "We talked about this before, Asher, and we agreed. We'll find another pack for her. Somewhere safe. But she can't stay here. You need to reject her, as we decided."

Why had he chosen to have this conversation in public? Was he trying to gain sympathy from the others? It didn't matter. What mattered was getting rid of Linda, before it was too late.

"I-" Asher's face hardened, and he stepped in front of Linda, who trembled behind him, playing the fragile victim again. "Cassie, think about this. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. I am the Alpha of this pack, and my wolf needs his mate. We can't afford the risk-"

"Asher," I cut him off, my voice measured. "Our pack is one of the strongest in the country. We're not at war. You're a strong Alpha. I've always believed in you. Rejecting your mate won't destroy you. We'll get through it, as a family."

"I just want what's best for the pack," he mumbled, uncertainty creeping into his voice, and for a brief moment, I felt a flicker of hope.

"If you want what's best for the pack, then do it now," I urged. "The longer you delay, the harder it'll be. She's already becoming a weakness for you. You've broken your word on day one."

His lips twitched, and I could tell he was wavering. Victory was within my reach. He was going to reject her. I could almost taste it.

Asher turned to Linda, his voice softening. "I'm sorry, Linda. I'll make sure you're taken care of. I promise."

My heart clenched. Was it really this simple? Could I have prevented all the pain and betrayal of the last year just by saying no the first time?

"I, Alpha Asher Thorn of the Silver River pack, reject..." Asher began in a firm voice, but before he could finish, Linda collapsed to her knees, bursting into pitiful sobs.

"Please, no!" she whimpered, her voice broken. "I'm too weak! I'll die if you reject me now! Please, Asher! I'll do anything!"

Asher froze, his resolve crumbling as he looked at her. My stomach dropped. He wouldn't go through with it. Not now. Not after that display.

He turned back to me, and I met his gaze with all the strength I had left.

"Please, Alpha!" Linda continued to cry. "I'll be your slave! I can clean, cook, anything! Just don't reject me. Don't kill me. I'll serve your Luna, I swear!"

I felt sick. She was playing everyone, just like she did before. "Sweet girl," I said, trying one last time, "you'll be taken care of. Just not here."

But Linda was relentless. She crawled to me faster than I could react and grabbed the hem of my dress, tears streaming down her face.

"The rejection will kill me!" she sobbed. "Please, my Luna, spare me!"

I opened my mouth to speak, but Asher's roar cut me off. "Enough!" His voice shook the room, his eyes glowing with the unmistakable red of his wolf.

"Asher," I said cautiously, but another growl rumbled from him.

"I said enough!" he barked, sweeping Linda into his arms, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

And just like that, everything was lost again. He carried her up the stairs, and I knew exactly where he was taking her-the guest room he would soon make his own. Linda's head rested against his chest, right where the mark should go.

I touched the mark he had given me all those years ago, and when I looked up, Linda's eyes were locked on mine, triumphant.

I had lost. Again.

Nothing had changed.