Chapter 1
Reincarnated, I lift the receiver, dialing first the r bond registry to cancel our union.
Next, the r maternity infirmary for a termination.
The final call goes to Jason Draycott, my father's old pack-brother.
"Is Robert still unbonded?"
I ask, voice trembling yet firm.
"I'm breaking my bond, Mr. Draycott. I wish to join Robert in the healers' brigade."
"I know his left eye sees less than half-moonlight. He'd never have been wounded if not for saving me. He needs a guardian in foreign packs."
"No, this isn't repayment. Believe me-I know my path. Tell Robert. give me one moon cycle."
Hanging up, I feel nothing.
Last life's miseries aren't worth a single howl.
Downstairs, the door creaks.
Silas returns, carrying Bella Calloway, who collapsed at a school ritual.
I stand on the stairs, face blank as he orders Amy to ready the south-facing guest room.
"Bella has asthma," he murmurs, gently lowering her.
Her wide eyes beneath his cloak stir his protectiveness-just as they did when she "accidentally" broke her leg last life, prompting Silas to demand my blood as repayment.
I turn to pack, ignoring his wrath.
"What's your issue now?" he snarls.
"I thought pregnancy hormones caused your moods. I gave you the master-room so you wouldn't strain the pup. I slept the guest room for you"
Lies.
He slept in the guest room to soothe Bella's night terrors. "I'm only thinking of Bella's recovery," I reply, voice dripping with scorn.
He explodes: "Bella is Uncle 's last heir! I won't abandon her. Bear it or leave-your choice!"
Bella appears in the doorway, eyes red.
"I'm sorry. I'll go."
She turns, "stumbles," and tumbles down the stairs.
Silas catches her, and I recall last life's "accident":
Bella's fall shattered a moonstone perch, her forehead splitting on the jagged base.
Silas crushed the perch with his vehicle, then banished my seven-year-old familiar, citing Bella's "allergy."
Now, Bella clutches her brow, fake blood trickling.
"Silas. my head aches,will it scar?"
His gaze snaps to the empty corner where the perch once stood.
Arms limp, I watch the guest room unfold.
Bella Calloway's hand flies to her forehead, then to the empty floor where the moonstone perch stood moments ago.
Miad Amy bursts in from the yard, shears and binding tape in hand.
"What's happened to Miss Bella? I was packing the perch when-"
Bella yanks a hair over her forehead.
"I'm fine, truly." As she pulls free of Silas, a crimson prop-blood packet slips from her sleeve.
Silas stares. "Bella, what's this?"
She leaps back like a spooked hare.
"It's from my troupe! For King Lear-when the daughter is stabbed. I thought I'd lost it."
My mind replays last life: Silas smashing the perch, banishing my familiar Moon. He blamed me, never asking my pain.
This time, after the farce, Silas sends Bella to the guest room.
I turn to my trunk, unfazed.
He clears his throat behind me.
"That was a true accident. Lucky we avoided healers' fees-"
"Indeed," I mutter, folding tunics.
"Stitches and dermabond aren't cheap." Our joint assets would bear the cost.
His hand reaches out; I bat it away.
"I warned that perch was a hazard. Fortune smiled."
I freeze, meeting his gaze.
"Had she been maimed, would you demand my life. ?"
He starts, frowning. "Nonsense. Bella's my dsister, but you're my mate. Stop this-we can have peace."
"Peace?" I scoff.
If not for past lives, I might believe him.
"Leave me. I need rest."
Chapter 2
The trunk's lid creaks open, revealing the bond-breaking pact .
My fingers trace the edges of the contract as I murmur, "This pup, like the last, isn't meant for my path."
Silas halts at the threshold. "Why send Moon's perch away? Buying a new-"
"Moon's gone too," I interrupt, my voice as frigid as the winter wind that rattles the windows. "Robert and I head to Favalon. His parents will foster Moon-his mother adores familiars."
His eyes flare with a sudden, wild grief.
Months ago, he'd groveled at my feet, pleading with tear-streaked cheeks to send Moon away for Bella's so-called "allergies."
I'd given him an ultimatum then: "Keep the familiar or keep me."
"Truly?" he whispers.
"Yes."
Then, a blood-curdling scream pierces the silence.
Bella bursts from the guest room, her bare feet slamming against the floorboards.
She careens into Silas, then crashes into me.
"Silas!The black familiar- its's here!"
She thrusts out her arm, two deep, parallel gashes oozing thick, dark blood-this time, no doubt about the authentipack of the wound.
Silas' jaw clenches so tightly I can hear his teeth grinding.
"Clara Ashford, you lied!"
A sharp pain stabs at my chest, but I steel mysel. I know all too well that he'll always choose the pitiful sister over his own mate. "Do you never wonder if Bella clawed herself in a nightmare?"
He seizes Bella's arm, his fingers digging into her skin as he inspects the gashes.
"This is real! You said the familiar cat was gone-you're targeting her on purpose!"
With a flick of my wrist, I yank out my comm-sigil, as I open the pet transport feed.
"Watch the live sigil-Moon's in a transport. His claws can't reach here. Who really wounded Bella?"
Bella freezes, her lip trembling like a leaf in the wind.
"Silas,I must've dreamed. Maybe a stray entered. Forgive me, Clara-"
"Stop."
"You think to leave me blamed without proof?"
I point to the ceiling corner, where a surveillance sigil glows with an otherworldly light.
"Check the feed. See the truth."
Bella's face turns ashen, the color draining from her skin.
Silas gapes at me, his eyes wide with shock.
"You installed this? Do you suspect-"
I let out a cold, mocking laugh.
"This south room was your idea for a pup's room. You added the wallpaper, toys, the sigil."
He whirls on Amy, his fury palpable.
"This was to be a pup's room! Who moved Bella in?"
"Madam ordered the dismantling this morning," Amy whispers, her voice barely audible.
Silas rounds on me, his eyes blazing with anger. "Clara, what game is this?"
I shrug nonchalantly, masking the turmoil inside.
" Question me, or seek the truth.Better check out who hurt your sister Bella" I turn to leave.
"Clara Ashford!" His shout echoes through the hallway as he grabs my arm, his eyes widening in horror at the sight of blood soaking my leggings. "What's happened?!"
I glance down, feeling the searing burn of the herbs coursing through my veins.
"It's my cycle." I duck into the wash-room, desperate to escape his probing gaze.
He stares after me, confusion etched on his face.
Then, realization dawns, and his eyes widen in horror.
"You're bleeding-" In a flash, he sweeps me into his arms, his voice filled with panic.
"To the healer's!"
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