After His Betrayal I Claimed My Warrior Throne

January 1987, New York Pack Healing Center.

"Ada, do you really not remember what we meant to each other?"

Austin stood in front of me, his tall, muscular frame filling the doorway. His dark hair was neatly combed back, revealing the sharp angles of his jawline that spoke of his status as a warrior in our pack. His piercing gray eyes bore into mine, searching for something I couldn't quite place.

Lying in the healing center bed, I stared blankly at the handsome warrior before me.

"Austin, aren’t you just my neighbor?"

His eyes flickered as he gazed at me for a long moment before speaking slowly.

"That's right, I'm just your neighbor. Take care and get well soon. I'll check on you another day."

With that, he turned and left without a second glance, his commanding presence still lingering in the room. I noticed how even the pack’s healers instinctively made way for him, a sign of the respect due to his rank as a Delta warrior.

Watching his figure fade away, my confused mind slowly cleared. I murmured to myself, "Austin, since you don’t want to mate with me, I'll grant your wish and let you be with Macy."

You see, I've been given a second chance at life.

In my previous life, Austin and I grew up next door to each other in the New York Pack. As we got older, we started dating, and after two years, we were on the brink of mating. After my stay in the healing center, we went through with our planned mating ceremony. Before the marking, Austin promised he would always treat me right.

But soon after the marking, Austin requested a transfer to the Western Pack. He never returned.

I argued and pleaded, but nothing changed. It wasn’t until later that it dawned on me: Austin went so far away because of Macy. He only dated and marked me because Macy had mated someone else, and he thought marking me was just settling.

In this life, I refuse to fall into another loveless bond. I've resolved to free both Austin and myself.

After Austin left and once my healing session was finished, I got out of bed, ready to leave the center. My movements were still a bit stiff, the result of a recent training accident where I’d dislocated my shoulder saving Evelynn from a fall. My wolf stirred within me, a low growl of approval at my determination.

As I stepped out of the room, I spotted my mother, Naomi Price, hurrying toward me, her beta aura faint but noticeable in her worried expression.

"Ada, where are you hurt? Does it hurt? Why are you up so soon?"

I shook my head.

"Mom, the healers gave me a healing potion. I'm feeling better. Let's go home."

Taking her hand, I started toward the exit. The scent of rosemary and sage filled the healing center, a calming aroma used by the healers to soothe patients.

Today happens to be