Paula's POV
They say when you die, your life flashes before your eyes.
But for me?
That was the case, but I got a second shot at life.
The process of coming back wasn't warm, gentle or kind either. There was no white light. No soft voices. No closure.
Just darkness.
Then an unquenchable fire.
Then a freezing cold.
And then… breath.
I gasped like someone had punched the air into me, like I'd been dragged out of water after sinking for too long, to almost drowning. My chest heaved, heart racing, skin damp. My fingers clawed at silk sheets.
Sheets. A bed. A room.
It was familiar.
Too familiar.
This is my father's house.
But not the cold, mourning version I remembered after his death, this felt like he was still alive.
In my room there were fresh lilies in the vase. Warm afternoon sun bled through the curtains, and a calendar pinned on the far wall.
I shot up and ran barefoot across the room, yanking the paper off.
Two years.
Two goddamn years before Noah and Cassie pushed me off that cliff.
My knees buckled. I caught the wall with my hand.
I was back.
Before everything.
Before the proposal. Before the lies. Before my baby—
My hand flew to my stomach.
Flat and empty. There was definitely no life growing in there.
A sob nearly ripped out of my throat, but I bit it back.
This is no time to break. Not now, not when fate had just handed me a loaded gun.
I turned to the mirror.
My reflection was younger. My hands touched my face and it was softer than a baby's ass. I was not as hollow-eyed and broken as I had been in the end.
This was the version of me that still believed in love and family. That still trusted Noah, and still called that nasty murderous bitch Cassie, Mom.
I wanted to punch the mirror and scream at the girl staring back.
But I didn't.
Instead, I wiped my face with the back of my hand and whispered, "I will be the prey no more. From now on, I am the predator."
***
Father's voice travelled through the manor halls as I descended the stairs. That deep baritone I thought I would never hear again.
I froze halfway down, gripping the banister like it might disappear.
"Paula?" he called. "There you are."
He looked up, smiling like the world hadn't gone to hell.
God. He was alive.
My chest cracked open.
I nearly ran into his arms. Nearly threw myself into his embrace and begged him not to trust her. But I didn't. Not yet. It just can't be now.
If I told him what I knew, he would definitely think I was insane. And if Cassie caught wind of it early, she would change the game.
So I walked down slowly. Calm and controlled.
"Morning, Father," I said, voice steady even though I wanted to scream the truth at him.
He gave me that proud, formal nod he always did when we were alone. "Your mate is waiting in the garden. Says he has a surprise for you."
I guess Noah was already starting the act.
Good.
Let him try.
This might actually be fun for me.
I nodded. "I'll handle it."
***
He looked perfect like a Disney prince. Of course he did.
Leaning on the marble bench like a wolf out of a fairy tale. Clean-cut, dark hair styled, that lopsided smirk that used to make my knees weak.
Now it just made my stomach twist.
"Noah," I said, stepping into the sun.
He turned, smiled like someone who had just conquered the world. "I was just thinking about you."
I bet you were, I thought.
"I wanted to ask you something," he said, stepping closer. "Something important."
I held my ground. Let him come to me.
He dropped to one knee.
Pulled out a ring.
My heart didn't flutter. It was hammering with cold rage.
"Marry me, Paula Whitmore," he said. "Let me protect you. Let me love you, and build a wonderful future together."
Lies.
Every single word.
A part of me wanted to scream yes just to get close enough to slice his throat.
But no.
I am not going to do that.
I stepped back.
"No."
His smile faltered. "Wait, what?"
"I said no." I stared down at him. "I won't marry you."
He blinked. Slowly. "Is this a joke? Are you pranking me?"
"No."
He stood up too fast. His hands clenched. "Your father already approved—"
"And I changed my mind."
His jaw ticked. "Why? What did I do?"
I laughed, bitter and short. "You'll find out."
He grabbed my wrist. "Don't play games with me, Paula. You know what this marriage means. For both of our families."
I looked down at his hand.
Then slowly, deliberately, pulled mine free.
"I won't be your pawn," I said, stepping back. "I won't be your shield or your stepping stone. Go find someone else to fuck over."
"Is this about that Alpha king rumor?" he snapped.
Bingo.
So he was already worried.
I smiled.
"Maybe," I said. "Maybe I want someone more powerful."
His face twisted. "Theo is a monster."
"And you are a coward."
His eyes narrowed. "You think he will protect you from anyone?"
"I won't need protection when I'm standing at his side," I said, and turned on my heel before he could speak again.
My intention was to let him stew in it, let him bask in it.
***
Cassie came into my room that night like she always did when she wanted to play loving stepmother.
She brought tea, my favourite. Chamomile.
I didn't drink it.
She sat on the edge of my bed, her tone pretentiously soft. "Your father told me what happened."
"I'm sure he did."
She reached out to touch my hair. I flinched before she could.
"You're angry," she said sweetly. "That's normal. But rejecting Noah? Come on, he has been by your side for years—"
"Was he by my father's side too?"
She froze. Just for a second.
But I saw it.
A flicker of fear in those snake eyes.
"I don't know what you mean," she said, too quickly.
"Of course not."
I stared at her.
Long and hard.
"Your tea is getting cold," she said, placing the cup on my nightstand. "Think long and hard about what you're throwing away."
She left before I could spit in her face.
I dumped the tea down the drain.
Just in case.
***
The next day, I did something unthinkable.
Something that would shake every corner of this territory.
I sent a raven to the capital.
Sealed with the Whitmore crest and my father's seal.
A message no one else knew about.
—To His Majesty, Alpha King Theo of the Northern Territories,
From Paula Whitmore, Daughter of the High Chancellor Darius Whitmore.
I seek a private audience. A meeting on neutral ground.
One no one else can know about, not my father, not my pack.
I am prepared to offer something valuable in return.
My allegiance. My bloodline. My vengeance.
Signed,
Paula Whitmore—
Two days passed.
Noah tried to corner me twice.
Cassie watched me like a hawk, pretending to care. The fake smiles. The sudden interest in family dinners.
My father kept asking why I refused the match. I kept saying I needed time. Needed to find myself.
The truth buzzed under my skin like electricity.
And then it came.
A raven with black feathers and red ink on the parchment.
Theo's reply was short.
"Come alone. Come at dusk. To the ruined chapel in the eastern woods."
"If this is a trap, I will burn your pack to ash."
—Theo.
My fingers trembled as I folded the note.
He agreed to see me.
He was the only man Noah feared. His father. This would hurt him more than I could ever imagine. Theo Roosevelt is the only Alpha powerful enough to challenge Cassie's web of influence. The man they often called the Mad King.
Good.
Because I didn't need a hero.
I needed a monster.
And I was about to make a deal with one.