Chapter 3 3. Rebirth

"Argghhh!" Elana writhed, her body convulsing as pain sliced through her nerves, jolting her awake.

Blinking away the blurriness from her vision, she focused on her environment.

White ceiling.

Kuf!' A dry cough tore from her throat, forcing her to sit up.

"There's no pain," she whispered, her hand flying to her chest.

Snapping her head up, she scanned her surroundings, "And there's no smoke!"

"This isn't the bar," her eyes widened as the realization hit her like a truck.

Scrunching her brows, she studied the familiar environment. "Isn't this...my bed?"

Her heart pounded as she slipped out of the bed and moved towards the vanity.

Stopping short, she glanced down at her legs. There was no pain in her joint or ankle– she wasn't limping.

In a rush, she ran to the long-standing mirror at the corner of the room.

"Impossible," her hands touched her face, pressing her cheeks. "I look younger!" She exclaimed.

But, there was one difference though.

Her brows furrowed as she touched her hair– there were silver streaks that lined her ash blonde hair.

"My back!" She gasped, heart pounding as her fingers went to the buttons of her nightshirt, fumbling with them.

In haste, she yanked the shirt down and turned around, her back facing the mirror.

Flesh! Her skin was in its best condition.

No burn marks. No bone peeking out. Nothing.

Slowly, her hands flew to her lips as she whispered, "I've been sent back to the past..."

"Maris?" She called to her wolf.

But there was no answer.

In the mirror's reflection, she caught sight of a thin, gold ring on her finger.

Shit! It was the ring Darius gave her during their mating ceremony. Damn it! She was already married.

"Ah!"

A familiar piercing pain shot through her stomach, causing her to stumble at her feet. Her hands reached for the vanity, steadying herself before she could collapse.

"No." Tears prickled at her eyes, "No no!" she cried.

Her hands went to her night shirt, as she ripped it open, exposing her breasts and abdomen.

Staring back at her was a finger-length scar across her belly button that would not disappear.

The mark of her accident. It still looked fresh, like it just began to heal.

That meant it wasn't long ago since Darius removed ...

Shaking her head, she pushed the thought away, her nails piercing her palm as she clenched her hand at her sides.

How dare he?

Hot anger surged within her as she adjusted her night shirt and stormed out of her room, her bare feet against the cold floor.

"Luna?" A voice called to her, but she was too lost in her anger to answer.

Where was he?

She snapped her head to the side, searching for him as rage blinded.

'Where the fuck was that animal?' She wondered as she strode across the passageway on the first floor.

The sound of laughter halted her footsteps, drawing her attention towards the sitting room below.

Her eyes widened at the sight before her.

Darius and Thalina.

He was seated close to her on the couch-too close. Their knees brushed, her hand resting on his thigh like it belonged there. His head tilted back in laughter, and Thalina giggled, fingers tracing the curve of his arm.

How could they flirt so openly? Had it always been this way?

Her hands went to her head as she fought to recall their past behaviors.

And why was Thalina still around? She should have gone to the North by now.

Or was it that she never did?

In her past life, it was Darius who told her that Thalina left while she was still recovering from her accident.

What if he lied then?

"Luna!" A voice hissed from behind.

Turning her head, she sighted her maid running towards her with a huge blanket in her hands.

"Dorothea..."

It was her maid she trusted, "You're still aliv..." the words caught in her throat as images of Dorothea's body flashed in her mind.

"Luna please, you're not dressed properly!" Dorothea whispered as she dropped the blanket over Elana's shoulder, covering her up.

"Oh no, luna. Have you been crying again?" Dorothea's hand cradled her face, "The alpha will surely come see you if you tell him that your stomach hurts again,"

"What? Oh..."

Then it dawned on her. In her past life she was a crybaby, still hoping for Darius' love and attention while she was cooped up in her room, struggling with the aftermath of the accident.

Meanwhile, here he was.

Turning her head, she looked down at the culprits as they continued giggling, oblivious to their environment.

"How foolish could you be, Elana?" She muttered under her breath, her hand gripping the staircase rail.

Fate had done her a favor, giving her another chance, and she was about to ruin it by confronting Darius. That snake would only deny it and declare her to be crazy.

Just like before.

"No, never again.." she shook her head.

This time had to be different.

"Did you say something, Luna?"

Turning around, she headed for her room.

"Dorothea, what day is it?" Elana asked as she entered her room.

"The-the eleventh,"

'There was still time,' she thought as she glanced at her calendar.

"Just two months after the accident,"

"Luna! Your hair! What did you do to it?" Dorothea exclaimed, closing the door behind her.

Ignoring her, Elana ordered, "Prepare my day outfit, Dorothea. Something simple. I'm going to see the Alpha."

"But you're not well enough!"

"Do it!" Elana ordered as she stepped into the bathroom.

Her memories of the past were still intact. Now, she was going to use it to her advantage.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-**-*-*-*-*-*

Bang!

The door of the second sitting room slammed open. Darius and Thalina had changed locations in the few minutes she had taken to prepare.

Darius's glare was already on her as she stepped inside.

"What are you doing, Elana?" Darius thundered, his jaw tight, "Have you no respect?"

"Hello, dear sister," Thalina waved, perched on the table where Darius was seated; her back turned to Elana.

"Shouldn't that be directed at Thalina?" Elana asked, her voice cool, "It's disrespectful to remain seated while I'm in the room,"

"Oh!" Thalina's cheeky grew red at the correction, "I didn't ..."

"I told her not to stand for anyone," Darius cut in, his hand shooting out to grab Thalina's wrist, stopping her from standing up.

"Besides, I'm the one with the highest authority here,"

"Is that what you're here to say?" he added, a growl in his voice.

Closing her eyes, Elana released a deep breath as she calmed herself. If she was going to do this. She had to do this well.

"I need to talk to you," she started as she opened her eyes, "Alone,"

Darius glanced at Thalina, "Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of Thally. She's your sister after all."

Thally?

Elana pressed her lips together before a scoff escaped. Pinching her palm to keep herself from reacting, she forced her face to remain neutral.

"I'm sick, Darius..." she started, her voice low, almost pleading.

He rolled his eyes before she could continue, "Look, you're not pregnant, okay?"

"I'm not saying that. I've been working alot. And after my accident, I just..." her voice broke as she wiped an imaginary tear off the corner of her eyes.

"I need a break. To recover. I'll be leaving for the Crompton cabin at the Southern edge,"

His eyes narrowed, "You have duties..."

"I'm already ahead of them," she countered.

Luckily, in her past, she had thrown herself into work as a means to forget the burning pain in her stomach.

After all, it was his suggestion to overwork herself. Who knew it would pay off this soon?

"I want to make a proper recovery to do my duties as a Luna perfectly well."

His eyes narrowed as he studied her, "How long is the break?"

"Darius!" Thalina exclaimed, her voice laced with shock that he agreed.

"Shush!"

"Three months should be long enough," she muttered as she rubbed her stomach.

Darius' gaze followed her hands before snapping to the side.

Hm. At least, he had the sense to look guilty. Even though it lasted for a second.

"Fine. But I can't have any guards go with you. Just take your maid. "

"Of course,"

His eyes widened in surprise. He looked shocked that she didn't argue.

"I'll be leaving now," she turned and walked out from the study without a glance to her sister.

Who cared about his guards? They would only spy on her and report back. With this, she had the privacy she needed.

Three months was more than enough to set everything in place.

This time, she would use everything and everyone for her goal. This time she would be very patient. This time, she would watch them burn and lose everything, just like they did to her.

-- Two and a half months later ---

"Thea, stay behind me," Elana orders.

Dorothea shuffled on her feet, as she wrung her hands together and scanned the bar they had entered.

The bar was somewhat scanty with a few people around. And for good reason.

Leaving Dorothea at ground level, Elana made her way upstairs, towards a quiet section of the bar.

Based on what she had heard from someone in her previous life, her target would be seated at the corner, slowly sipping a beer as though he had no care in the world.

Only those with sharp senses or foreknowledge could tell the true identity of the person she was going to meet.

And there he was, just as she had heard.

As she took a step closer, some male wolves appeared by the corner. One of them clutched his sword that was tucked in his belt. His eyes glowed yellow- a warning to her.

Raising her chin, she walked on, ignoring them as they zeroed in on her every move.

Her heart pounded loudly in her chest as she reached talking distance of her target. Grabbing the hem of her ankle length skirt, she lowered herself, giving a polite curtsey as she bent her knees.

"Greetings, your majesty," she started, her heart in her throat, but her voice steady as she waited for his response.