The Luna's revenge

Luna Sterling's heart pounded as she woke up to the warmth of morning sunlight streaming through her window. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her fingers clutching the sheets as if they were the only thing tethering her to reality.

But this wasn't real. It couldn't be.

She remembered dying.

She remembered the cold, hard ground beneath her knees as Kade, her mate-the man she had loved with everything she had-looked down at her with nothing but indifference in his golden eyes.

She had begged. She had pleaded for him to reconsider.

But he had simply uttered those final words before condemning her to death.

"You are no longer my Luna."

And then... nothing.

Darkness. Pain. Betrayal.

Yet here she was-alive, in her old bedroom, in her family's pack house.

How?

Her breaths came slower as she took in her surroundings. The familiar scent of fresh bread and roasted meat from the kitchen below filled the air. Outside, birds chirped, and the sound of warriors training in the distance reached her ears.

This was the Blood Moon Pack.

This was before it all went wrong.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her hands trembling. Rushing to the mirror, she stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of her reflection.

She was young again.

Her face wasn't bruised and broken from betrayal. Her body wasn't weakened by pain and grief. Her eyes-once dulled by despair-now shone with fire.

I've been reborn.

The realization sent a violent shiver down her spine.

She had been given a second chance.

A chance to rewrite everything.

A chance to destroy those who had destroyed her.

And this time, she wouldn't be the foolish, love-struck Luna who had sacrificed everything for a mate who never truly loved her.

This time, Kade Blackwood would pay.

---

A Familiar Breakfast, A Different Luna

Luna inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself as she walked into the dining hall. The scent of eggs, fresh bread, and coffee filled the space. Sunlight poured in through the tall windows, casting a golden glow over the wooden table where her family sat.

Her mother, Clara Sterling, stood by the stove, humming softly as she prepared another plate of eggs. Her father, Alpha Thomas Sterling, sipped his coffee, his sharp blue eyes lifting when he noticed her.

"There she is," he said with a small smile. "You're up early for once."

Luna's heart clenched.

He's still alive.

Her father-who had been murdered during the coup Kade led against the Blood Moon Pack.

Her mother-who had died of heartbreak shortly after.

She clenched her fists at her sides. Not this time.

Swallowing her emotions, she sat beside her younger brother, Ethan, who was shoveling food into his mouth like he hadn't eaten in days.

Her mother placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of her, smiling warmly. "You're unusually quiet this morning, Luna. Something on your mind?"

Luna hesitated.

I died, Mother. I was betrayed, humiliated, and cast aside. And now, I'm back for revenge.

But she couldn't say that. Not yet.

So she forced a smile. "Just a strange dream."

Her father chuckled. "You always had an overactive imagination."

Ethan smirked. "Yeah, remember when she used to wake me up at night because she thought shadows were moving outside her window?"

Luna's lips twitched. That had been years ago-before her life turned into a nightmare.

Clara brushed a strand of hair behind Luna's ear, her touch warm and gentle. "Well, whatever it was, don't let it ruin your appetite. Eat."

Luna nodded and took a bite, though her thoughts were already elsewhere.

If she had truly been sent back, then everything that had happened before-the betrayals, the war, the execution-was still in motion.

And that meant Kade hadn't chosen Lilith yet.

Her stomach twisted at the thought of him.

She had loved Kade Blackwood blindly. She had given him her loyalty, her trust-her heart.

And he had shattered it without hesitation.

She clenched her fork.

This time, she wouldn't make the same mistakes.

This time, she would ruin him first.

---

The Alpha-to-Be

Later that morning, Luna found herself near the training grounds. Her mind urged her to stay away, to delay the inevitable confrontation.

But she needed to see him.

To confirm that this wasn't some cruel illusion.

The scent of sweat and earth filled the air as she approached. Warriors sparred in the open field, their grunts and growls echoing.

And then, she saw him.

Kade Blackwood.

Her mate.

Her murderer.

He stood in the center of the field, shirtless, his muscles taut as he dodged an attack from another warrior. His dark hair was damp with sweat, his golden eyes sharp with focus.

He was just as she remembered-powerful, commanding, the perfect Alpha.

But she no longer saw the man she had once loved.

She saw a monster.

A predator who had played with her heart before tearing it apart.

Her nails dug into her palms as memories of her death surged forward.

The coldness in his eyes. The way he had ordered her execution without a second thought.

Breathe, Luna.

This Kade wasn't there yet.

He hadn't betrayed her yet.

Which meant she still had time to play the game.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward.

Kade must have sensed her, because his head snapped in her direction.

For a brief second, something flickered across his face-surprise? Confusion?

Then, it was gone, replaced by his usual smirk.

"Luna," he drawled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Luna forced a smile. "I wanted to watch the training."

His smirk widened. "Since when?"

Since I decided I would destroy you.

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Can't I be curious?"

Kade chuckled, stepping closer. "You're up to something."

Luna held his gaze, searching for any sign of the man he had once been before Lilith had poisoned him. Before his love for her had rotted into hatred.

But he was unreadable.

She had to be careful.

So she forced a soft laugh. "Maybe I just missed you."

Something dark flickered in his eyes at her words. For a moment, he looked almost... pleased.

Good.

If she could make him believe she was still the same naïve girl, he wouldn't see the knife she planned to drive into his back.

"Missed me, huh?" Kade's smirk deepened. "Then maybe we should spend some time together later."

Luna's stomach churned, but she nodded sweetly. "I'd like that."

Kade seemed amused by her response. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

The same way he used to.

The same way he had right before he sentenced her to die.

Luna fought to keep her expression soft.

She wouldn't let him see the storm raging inside her.

This was just the beginning.

She would play her part.

She would let him believe she was still his.

And when the time was right...

She would destroy him.