The Alpha Who Killed Me Chose Me Again

Jean's POV...

The silver chains around my wrists rattled as two guards dragged me through the crowd.

Thousands of wolves had gathered in the central square.

"Kill her"

"Kill her"

"Kill her"

The pack members all chanted, raising their weapons and torches, some had spatula and canes.

I was forced on my knees roughly, by the guards. Blood stained the torn fabric of my white dress as my knees scraped against the rough stone floor. I winced in pain.

I knelt there, on the floor, both my hands chained to the floor with strong chains. My heart was beating erratically in my chest, and threatened to burst out.

Just a few hours ago, everything was alright and I wasn't about to be killed.

"She's an evil witch," one of the female cook spat. "She wants to take possession of our world, but she couldn't and now, she wants to destroy us all,"

"I wonder what the Alpha saw in her," another eyed me.

Their mutterings and talks kept on, each saying something worse than the last.

Everything was happening too fast.

"Traitor,"

Immediately, someone threw a stone at me from the crowd. I shut my eyes as the stone hit the corner of my eyes. I felt the pain sting in my eyes.

My eyes were still shut when I felt another stone hit my shoulder and at that moment, I heard a crack. My shoulder must have fractured.

Then I felt it, heat radiating from me, wanting to erupt and burn everyone.

My body vibrated from the feeling and the chains holding me down began to rattle subtly.

I took in steady breaths, trying to make everything stop.

I opened my eyes slowly... the crowds panicked in horror and retreated a bit in fear. The guards around me stumbled backwards, the fear was there in their eyes.

"You see that?" One of the Elk elders, pointed at me. "Her eyes are like the colour of fire and fury"

Before I could shut my eyes again, a huge stone flew from the crowd and landed on my forehead.

"Uhh," I groaned, and everything seemed to happen in slow motion as I fell back. My body hit the floor hard and blood flowed from my nose.

"She's a monster!" The crowd erupted.

"Monster!"

"Kill her!"

"She wants to kill us all,"

My hearing blurred as I wasn't paying attention anymore. I was slowly giving away to the silence of the void.

"Where is my Kael?" I muttered. "He would save me from this when he comes,"

I couldn't die yet, not until he comes to rescue me.

I felt myself being pulled up to a kneeling position. I couldn't kneel on my own, so the guards used their spears to pierce my sides to keep me still.

Elk Jord, the beta's grandfather stood Infront of the crowd and pointed at me with his staff.

"Tonight, the Crescent moon Pack would have been brought down to nothing but ashes... by this monster,"

I took in a sharp breath as the spears pierced in harder.

He continued as he faced the crowd. "This pack has thrived for centuries and has crowned over two decades of Alpha Kings, we've done so much for this pack, our sweat and blood" he paused and looked at me. "We won't let an evil dwell amongst us,"

"Yes!" The pack chorused. "Kill her,"

My eyes were half closed, but I saw some guards approaching me with swords.

My heart quickened. Where was Kael? I needed him now.

"Wait," Elk Jord said, his hand in the air.

I saw the crowds parting and creating a pathway for someone... a man.

He walked closer and then I saw him.

Kael? My heart rejoiced. He had come to rescue me.

He stopped right in front of me, but he didn't squat to carry me or release me.

Elk Jord came forward and tapped him on the shoulder, then faced the crowd.

"What better way to be executed, than by your own mate's hands?" He said and came forward, handing Kael a silver dagger.

No. I shook my head. He was not about to do that. He wouldn't listen to Jord.

How wrong was I?

Alpha Kael Draven. My mate. My husband. The man I gave all my love, was the same man about to kill me.

"The Council has decided," Elk Jord said. "Luna Jean Vale, has been found a threat to the werewolf world,"

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"The accused is responsible for the deaths of thousands of wolves and the destruction of seven territories,"

I squeezed my eyes shut. I didn't know how any of it happened.

I didn't know why my powers had spiraled out of control.

I didn't know why everyone believed I was a monster.

"It is time to see the end of this monster," he added and the crowd cheered. "Alpha king... your duty awaits,"

I looked up at Kael. I could see his face clearly. He wasn't looking at me.

"Don't listen to them," I said weakly. "I didn't when it happened. I'm innocent,"

He didn't say anything. He just held the dagger tightly.

Then slowly, he stooped to my level where I was kneeling.

"Kael..." My voice cracked.

His eyes briefly closed, but only for a second. I saw the pain in his eyes. The tear that slipped down his face and the way his hands trembled as he held the dagger.

"Please," I whispered. The crowd couldn't hear me. Only him.

"I'm sorry," he muttered.

My heart shattered. He didn't mean that.

The man I had loved with everything inside me, chose the world over me... over us.

He was the man who once promised to protect me... but now, he held the silver blade meant for my heart.

"Was loving you my mistake?" I asked, my voice breaking.

"Did you ever love me?" I asked again, this time, louder.

He held my shoulders and leaned forward "More than my own life,"

I shut my eyes and let the darkness consume me.

"Just do it," I said. It didn't matter anymore. He had already killed me the moment he chose the world over me.

"I am sorry, Jean"

"I deserve this," I added.

"Forgive me," he said.

Immediately, he plunged the blade into my chest.

Pain exploded through me as the metal pierced me. Our mate bond snapped shut and my wolf howled in despair, his too.

The last thing I saw was the tears in his eyes as he kissed my forehead.

I died by the hands of the man who swore to protect me. As death wrapped itself around me, I whispered the words that I knew he'd never hear.

"I regret loving you,"

Then... the world vanished.

.........

Gasp!

My eyes flew open as I shot upright in bed, clutching my chest. My heart hammered violently against my ribs.

My trembling fingers touched the place where the blade had pierced my heart.

There was no wound. No blood. Nothing. Only smooth skin.

I stared around the room. It was familiar, the curtains, the wooden dresser.

This was my bedroom, my old bedroom.

My gaze found the calendars ahead.

01/06/2027

Just then, a knock at the door frightened me.

"Jean?" my mother's voice called.

My entire body froze. What was my mom doing here? She was supposed to be dead.

Jean's POV...

I scrambled out of the bed and went to the door, opening it immediately.

My mom stood there, outside my room door, with a towel in her hand.

Before I could say anything, I felt cold liquid pour on my body. I looked up and saw Stacey, my cousin, sitting on my wooden shoe rack, with a bucket in her hand and a wide smile playing across her face.

"Stacey?" I called, surprised.

"Happy birthday!" They all shouted at the same time.

I was too surprised to say anything. Stacey was supposed to be married. She got married a year ago, when her mate found her during a pack hunt.

"Happy birthday sweetheart," my mom said, embracing me.

"You don't look too excited," Stacey pointed out, as she jumped down from the rack.

"What is going on?" I asked.

As a matter of fact, I didn't understand anything happening. About 10 minutes ago, my mate plunged a silver dagger into my heart. And then, I somehow found myself in our old house, and mom and Stacey magically appeared out of nowhere. Stacey was supposed to be married and my mom... I stared at her... she died of cancer about two years ago.

"Wait..." I looked at Stacey, then her belly. "Why aren't you pregnant anymore? Where's your baby?" I asked.

"What baby?" She furrowed her brows.

"You told me some months back that you were expecting a pup with Gary" I said.

She looked at me like I had grown two heads. "Who's Gary and what pup?"

I didn't answer that. I looked at her questioningly.

"Oh. I know," she snapped her fingers like she suddenly remembered something. "Maybe you were too jittered by the effect of the splash that you got some memory loss," she said and started laughing.

"Leave all that talk," she said, dragging me along. "Come cut your cake,"

I stood In front of the cake and read the design on it.

"Happy 18th birthday?" I read out loud. I looked at them. "I'm eighteen?"

"Well, yes you are and guess what, since you're officially eighteen, you'll be going to the mating program," my mom said.

I nodded slowly and moved to a corner, while my mom and Stacey were bantering over which program I should join.

It seemed to be making sense now.

I was executed on my birthday, my 21st birthday, but strange enough... I didn't remember it was my birthday.

But somehow... I don't know how, I went back three years in time. Exactly that same day.

The date on the calendar flashed in my mind.

01/06/2027

The exact date, exact time, exactly three years earlier.

I was given a second chance. A second chance to fix everything that went wrong right from the root. To know why everything changed the way it did.

It all made sense now.

"I just remembered something very important. How could I have forgotten?" Stacey said, smacking her head several times.

"Winston asked to meet you at 7pm by the Wolfe Mansion,"

"Winston?" I asked, frowning.

"Yeah. Your crush,"

It then clicked. I had a crush on Winston throughout my teenage years. Wow, everything was perfectly aligning and repeating itself.

But I wouldn't be swayed by emotions or love or crush. I had one mission.

I'd avert every possible chance of getting executed on my 21st birthday, and that's only possible if I avoid ever meeting Kael and definitely not... falling in love with him.

"That's good," I just nodded, playing along.

"Uncle Greg will be here any minute to take us for the mating program, so we better eat this cake up and get ready before then"

"Dad's here?" I asked, wide eyed.

I hadn't seen him since... three years. He was killed by Rogues on the night of...

My eyes widened.

Dad was killed this night, three years ago. We were ambushed on our way back and he had to stall himself so we could escape.

"I don't think Dad should go with us," I objected immediately.

"Why not?" Mom asked. "You know he's always prayed for this day to come, when you finally find your mate,"

I froze. That was true. I met Kael for the first time during the mating program, meaning... we'll meet each other tonight.

Jean's POV...

"I don't think we should go for the mating program," I blurted out.

"What?" Mom and Stacey screamed.

"What do you mean you don't think we should go?" Stacey asked.

"I mean..." I started, trying to find the perfect excuse. "It's just some lame program to lure youngsters out,"

"Did you hit your head somewhere?" Stacey asked as she touched my forehead.

"You've always been so enthusiastic to go for this occasion. You couldn't stop talking about it last night, now you're saying something different,"

"Well..." I shrugged.

"You're both going," mom said in finality. "I know why you're acting this way," she paused and looked at Stacey. "She's shy to meet Winston"

"Yeah," Stacey concurred. "She's growing cold feet,"

She came closer and held my shoulders. "I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad. He's a nice guy and it seems he likes you back to have asked to meet you. Who knows, he could be your mate,"

"Jean found her mate?"

We all turned around and there by the door, stood my dad. He was carrying two white bags.

"Dad?" I said, wide eyes. I couldn't believe he was standing right there.

"Dad," I said again, running into his arms.

"Hey birthday girl," he said laughing. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it on time before you woke," he leaned to my ear and whispered. "I wanted to wake you first before your mother, don't tell her I said that,"

I laughed and nodded.

"Here," he said, handing me the white bags. "I got them for you. I hope you'll like them,"

I looked into the bags and saw dresses in it. "Thanks dad. I'm sure I will,"

"Okay. Are you girls ready?" He asked. "We should get going if we want to make it there on time and grab the front row seats,"

"Yay," Stacey chirped as she ran towards the door and held my dad's hand.

No. No. No. I needed to do something to stop him.

"Are you coming?" Dad shouted from outside. He and Stacey had already started going.

The bags fell from my hand as I held my cheeks and watched in horror as they were leaving.

"Are you okay honey?" My mom asked from behind. "You look... scared," she pointed out.

I didn't say anything, so she brought down my hands and held them. "If it's because of meeting Winston or finding your mate, then there's nothing to worry about. I'm sure it'll be great. Also, your dad's with you,"

That was the problem. If I didn't do anything, then tonight, I was going to lose him again. I can't let that happen.

Wait... I got an idea.

"Hey dad," I shouted and rushed to the door. "Mom has something to tell you,"

He paused and turned around. "She does?"

"I do?" Mom asked from behind.

"Yes," I answered.

"Can't it wait?" He asked.

"No. No. It can't," I shook my head. "It's very urgent. It's about a visit to the hospital,"

"What? Hospital?" He asked, wide eyed.

"What are you doing?" Mom whispered. "How did you know about that?"

Too late. Dad had already reached the door.

"What's wrong?" He looked at mom. "Why were you at the hospital?"

"I'll give you two space to talk about it? And also, you should stay with her and sort it out, don't bother coming with us again okay?"

I didn't wait for him to answer. I sprang off immediately and left with Stacey.

At least, I was able to avert his death. He's going to be with us... or so I thought.

****************

We arrived at the ceremony ground and there were lots of teenagers there, looking anticipated to find their mates.

"Try not to get too red in front of Winston," Stacey said.

I scoffed internally. Feelings was the last thing on my agenda.

"There's Vera," she pointed to the left. "She's so domineering," she groaned. "I can't wait for her to see you and Winston together,"

Strange enough, I couldn't remember her. That was actually my first time hearing the name. Maybe I hadn't taken notice of her before.

"Can you tell me more about her?" I asked, as we moved to sit on the opposite bench. Everywhere was already filled up, so we had to sit somewhere else.

Stacey looked at me, her brows raised, but she still answered. "She's from the beta family, and that's probably why she thinks she owns the world. Because they're second in command,"

I nodded. "Her father is one of the Elk elders of the South and..."

"Her father..." I cut her off. "An Elk elder of the South?" I asked.

"Yeah," she nodded. "You sound like you don't remember. It was eight moons ago. That night was a blood moon as well and that was the day you were acting really weird and your wolf changed colour,"

I gaped at her, my mouth parted slightly. Why couldn't I remember that?

The sound from the drums signaling the start of the occasion, interrupted our conversation.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are glad to have you all gathered here. It's our tradition every year for every wolf who has come of age to participate in one of these activities to find your mate,"

I looked around, searching everyone's faces. I hadn't seen Kael. We were supposed to meet for the first time tonight.

I looked up to the sky... it looked blue, then almost immediately, flashed red.

I thought I was seeing things and looked away immediately.

I couldn't focus on what was happening. I was feeling restless. I breathed into my palms. My breath felt hot.

I stared ahead at a large tree in the woods. Its branches were moving in the direction of the wind.

I kept staring at it for a long time, then I snapped my eyes shut.

The sound of everyone around made me open my eyes.

The tree was on fire.

What!

"Whoa" Stacey gushed. "What happened to that tree?" She said and looked at me.

"Double woah," she exclaimed, wide-eyed. "Why are your eyes red? Did you itch them?"

"My... my eyes?" I muttered and touched them.

"Everyone run!" Someone from the crowd shouted.

The tree had burned down and was falling in our direction.

Everyone started running, it felt like a stampede.

Just as we ran out, we saw a group of warriors approaching us, and stopping us.

"It's not safe there," one of the warriors pointed to the direction we wanted to run to.

"We were attacked and some families are missing. They must have been taken," he added.

"Attacked?" I muttered. That wasn't how it happened.

"Just stay here for now, until everything's safe," he said and they started leaving.

"Matina," Stacey called one of the female warriors. She knew my parents.

"What about mom and dad?" I asked her.

"We've not heard anything from them. Let's just hope they were not taken as well," she said and hurried off.

I faced Stacey. "This wasn't supposed to happen. We should be ambushed and I should have met Kael,"

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said. "But I really know that we should make sure uncle and aunt are safe," she said and shifted as she ran into the woods.

Why was the past changing? It shouldn't. If everything was different, how would I be able to avoid my death?