Chapter 1

My sister, Selene, and I fought for ten long years over Lucian, the Alpha heir of the Shadowhowl Pack.

In my first life, I won.

For seven brutal years, I gave him six sons. After I delivered the seventh, he pushed me off a cliff at my weakest moment.

As I fell, his icy voice echoed.

"Your only value was breeding strong heirs. Seven is enough. You can disappear now."

I died consumed by hatred.

In my second life, I simply walked away. I thrust the engagement ring into Selene's hands. "Go on, Selene. You're the one Lucian truly wants."

Five years later, our mother's loyal physician risked her life to bring back a bruised and battered Selene.

Selene wailed, "Aria! Lucian never love me! He only used me as a sex toy! He beat me every single night."

Soon after, Selene died.

Then I opened my eyes again, reborn.

This was my third life. Lucian arrived once more, proposal in hand. Selene and I exchanged bewildered glances.

That bastard Lucian, who does he actually want to marry?

My mother, Evelyn, looked at the nameless engagement agreement, just as confused as we were.

She asked, "Is Lucian marrying Aria?"

Mom thought of me first because Lucian and I had been childhood sweethearts.

Lucian hadn't found his true mate yet. His father, Marcus, the Alpha of the Shadowhowl Pack, wanted him to marry into our family as soon as possible.

I was still reeling when Lucian nodded, answering my mother.

"Yes, I'm marrying Aria."

I quickly refused. "No, I'm not marrying him."

The nightmare of my first life was still searingly clear in my mind.

For eight years, Lucian wove a fantasy for me, saying he loved children and wanted the pack to flourish.

He allowed no recovery, no respite. Six pregnancies in seven years.

The pack toasted my fertility, envying the "perfect love" between Lucian and me.

Until the eight winter arrived.

After giving birth to my seventh child, I suffered a severe hemorrhage because my body was too weak.

As the healers fought to save me, Lucian waved them away.

He leaned in close, forcing wolfsbane poison down my throat.

"Aria, I don't love you. This marriage was your doing, not mine. Now that seven children are enough. My breeding tool has served its purpose. Go die."

Rage simmered within me. I fought through the excruciating pain tearing through my insides, weeping and desperate for an answer.

Lucian hesitated, then said, "Fine, I'll tell you. The one I truly love is-"

But I died before I could hear him finish.

The agony of my first life made my whole body tremble, yet my mind was clearer than ever.

I refused again. "Mom, I'm not marrying him."

Mom knew. She'd watched me trail after Lucian since we were kids.

I'd waited an entire month, sick with dread, the first time he went on a rogue patrol.

When he came back bleeding, I didn't sleep for two weeks, tending to him.

Mom stared at me, her confusion plain. "Aria, didn't you used to say you absolutely had to marry Lucian?"

I shook my head firmly. "That was a child's vow, Mom. I didn't know better then. I'll find my real mate someday."

Mom's face was etched with shock. She then turned to Lucian, apologizing. "Lucian, Aria is unwilling, and I can't force her. How about Selene? She likes you too."

Selene, who had been silent until now, flinched and shook her head vigorously. "Mom, I'm not marrying him either."

Mom scolded her. "What's wrong with you?"

Selene glanced at me, stammering, "I... I'll also marry my true mate someday. And he'll be here to propose soon."