REVENGE UNDER THE MOONLIGHT

CHAPTER 2 – SECOND CHANCE

Amidst the silence, I heard a distant chime of bells. I thought it was normal in the afterlife to hear the bells ringing but it was really bothersome. So, with a gradual movement, I lifted my eyelids to check what was around me.

As I opened my eyes, I found myself in a room that seemed familiar and strange at the same time. The air smelled like lavender and it reminded me of something from way back. I tilted my head to the left, and I saw how the sunlight came through the curtains.

I furrowed my brows as I looked around and noticed that the walls were painted with gold and cream. So elegant! Then, the curtains danced with the breeze when someone opened the windows.

While I waited for the woman to turn around, I observed that the bed looked really grand and beautiful. It was made of rich, dark wood with fancy designs carved into it, and the headboard had pretty patterns of soft fabric. Somehow, I was reminded of my room at my parents’ house, but after I married Aric, Dad renovated the room because it was too girly.

The bed was covered in super soft sheets and it was perfect to curl up and relax. The room had a soft rug on the floor, and as I continued to look around, I realized it wasn’t just any room – it was mine!

“I am glad you are awake now, Isabella.”

The woman’s voice was familiar to me and she sounded like my traitor friend, but then, she didn’t die! It’s impossible that she followed me to the afterlife! No, this must be a dream! I kept convincing myself it was just a dream, but after rubbing my eyes, Vanessa was still standing in front of me. Did she realize her mistake and kill herself to regret her actions of coveting my husband and killing me? But as she sauntered toward me, I screamed for help!

“Isabella, what’s wrong with you?” she asked as she tried to hold my hand but I slapped her hand away. “Did you have a nightmare? Tell me about it,” she said with a wide grin on her lips as she was so interested in learning about the nightmare I had.

“I am just startled,” I lied, then I narrowed my eyes at her before questioning her. “Why are you here? You are supposed to be with Aric.”

“I got it. You must be too excited for tonight’s party!” she exclaimed, and I frowned even more because I was confused.

“A party?”

“Did it slip your mind? You couldn’t stop talking about it last night, Isabella. You were so excited to be engaged to Aric Stormheart!”

“W-what?” I asked in disbelief and when I couldn’t comprehend what was going on, I told her to leave.

“So, I need to help you get ready –

“Just leave,” I ordered and fortunately, she recognized the authority in my voice, and hurried up toward the door.

Once again, I studied the room and it mirrored my bedroom from five years ago, and everything seemed so familiar yet strangely out of place. The sense of déjà vu lingered as I tried to make sense of everything.

I cautiously rose from the bed and moved around to inspect. The details were uncannily similar! As I delved deeper, questions buzzed in my mind, demanding answers that seemed just out of reach!

Then, in a quiet moment, something changed inside me. It felt like a part of me woke up! Then, I heard her voice! I looked around to check if someone had entered without permission but there was nobody else in the room. Then, she spoke to me again!

“Who are you?” I asked.

“It’s Taiga, your wolf,” she replied.

For the first time, I heard my wolf’s voice and I was surprised because I never had this connection in my past life. I was wolfless but my father said I was just a late bloomer. He said it was normal to be a late bloomer especially when I was born on a moonless night. But after dying at the doctor’s hands, I heard my wolf’s voice for the first time!

“Taiga? What’s going on? I don’t understand what’s happening right now. Am I in the afterlife? Or am I just hallucinating?”

“No, this isn’t a hallucination, Isabella. We are reborn!” she announced.

“What do you mean, Taiga?”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to protect you before, but this time, I am going to be strong for you, Isabella!”

“I am confused,” I spoke to her.

“The Moon Goddess felt bad about us. So, she gave us a second chance to live our lives. Isn’t she wonderful? We can do a lot of things together!”

“What can we do together, Taiga?”

“A lot!” she replied and her voice was filled with excitement. “We can run under the moonlight, feel the wind against our fur, and so much more!”

“That sounds amazing!”

“I know, right? But not today.”

“Why not, Taiga?”

“Because tonight you will be engaged to your first love, Aric Stormheart,” she informed me, and I stood upright upon hearing it.

“Are you serious?” I inquired and my face contorted with disapproval.

And then I couldn’t help but wonder why Taiga chose to wake up after my death instead of my first life! She could have helped me when I was bound on that operating table!

“What happened, Taiga? Why were you not available in my past life?”

“It’s the Moon Goddess’ will, Isabella. I couldn’t do anything about it. I’m sorry,” she apologized. “But I am here now!”

Taiga was right. If it was the Moon Goddess’ will that I was wolfless in my first life, then we couldn’t do anything about it. However, I am still confused as to why I was given a second chance to live my life. Was it to avenge my baby? Or was it to avoid my horrible fate?

But then, Taiga was right. I had to change my fate this time and I shouldn’t waste the chance the moon Goddess gave me. In my first life, I surrendered my body to Aric Stormheart, and then we got married later on.

Aric was the heir to the Alpha of Lancaster and he was damn gorgeous! In fact, I fell for his beauty the moment I laid my eyes on him. His hair was raven black and fell casually in loose waves. His eyes were vivid green and he had strong features like a defined jawline and high cheekbones.

“Isabella?”

Once again, I was startled by Vanessa’s voice. She was the last person I saw while dying on that table, and yet, she was the first person I saw as soon as I was reborn! What a twisted fate we had! Then, my inner wolf let out a growl as she warned me about the traitor.

“Yes, Vanessa?”

“Are you excited for tonight?” she asked. Previously, when she asked me that question, I would tell her everything I knew about Aric, and her eyes lit up every time.

For a moment, I stared at Vanessa. Before, I had no idea that she was harboring feelings for Aric Stormheart. Vanessa and I have been friends since we were young, and she was the kindest girl in Pembroke. Before Aric came into my life, Vanessa and I were super close friends.

We laughed together, shared secrets, and had our own silly jokes. Actually, she wasn’t just a friend; she was someone I trusted a lot. Remembering how close we used to be was both sweet and sad because I knew what would happen to her soon. She would betray me because of her love and devotion to Aric!

“Will he really come tonight to formally ask your hand?”

“I am sure he will be here tonight. After all, he couldn’t wait to have me as his wife,” I told her and for the first time, I saw something else in her eyes. “I will just take a quick shower. Could you grab me a cup of coffee please?” I asked her because I needed more time to gather my thoughts.

Being eighteen again was like riding a roller coaster of feelings – it was both scary and exciting. I got to feel young again and rediscover things with the knowledge of my previous life. However, I wasn’t ready to feel the pain of losing my mother.

Yes, because after I married Aric, Mom was killed by rogues, and Dad was devastated. Perhaps, could I change her fate as well? Would I be able to save her this time?

Just like what I said to Vanessa earlier, I took a quick shower and she was back with a cup of coffee before I could even apply my skincare. “Thank you,” I said as I drank the coffee.

“Is there something wrong, Isabella? It seems you are in trouble,” she said.

“I am. I should have asked this question before but I was hesitant. Can you be honest with me Vanessa? What do you think about Aric as my husband?”

“You and Aric are fated to each other,” she replied.

“Aric is a handsome young man. Don’t you like him? I mean, don’t take it the wrong way, Vanessa. I just want to know how you feel about my future husband,” I explained when I noticed she became uncomfortable at the question.

“I like him,” she replied without hesitation and I was amazed at how brave she was.

“You do?”

“Yes. As you well know, almost everyone likes him, Isabella. He is handsome and he is the future Alpha of Lancaster,” she added.

“I am asking you as a friend. Would you consider betraying your friend for a man? This is only hypothetical, but will you betray me just to have Aric?”

“Of course not! I may like him but I will never dare to seduce him, Isabella. Rest assured, I won’t steal your man,” she promised.

“I am glad to hear it, Vanessa and I know you wouldn’t do such a thing,” I said but then I couldn’t help but wonder if she could really stop herself from falling harder to Aric. “Where’s Mom by the way? Have you seen her?”

“She’s at the parlor, Isabella.”

“The parlor? Why? Is there a guest? Anyway, I have to see her now.”

“But you have to get ready for the party!” Vanessa tried to stop me.

“I will be back, don’t worry,” I told her.

Then, I immediately went to the parlor to see Mom. It had been a long time since she was gone, and I missed her so much! When I entered the parlor, I was a bit nervous, and seeing her again made me super emotional. Without further ado, I hugged her tightly, and Mom looked a bit puzzled.

“What’s gotten into you, darling? Why the extra hugs now?” she asked in confusion as to why I suddenly became clingy.

I tried to explain that I missed her a lot and it felt great to hug her again, and she burst into laughter. I knew she was wondering if I had lost my mind, but then the sound of her laughter was like a piece of music to my ears. It had been a long time since I heard it, and it felt wonderful to hear her voice again.

“I love you, Mommy. I love you so much,” I said while clinging to her arms like a toddler but then she tried to push me away. I was hurt by her action but then I understood why.

When I looked up, I wished I could become invisible! Her guest was none other than Luke Skywalker and I was shocked to see him! What’s going on? Out of all people that I wished to see again, Luke wasn’t one of them. Was he really innocent that night? Or was he working with Vanessa to oust me as the Luna of Lancaster?

Suddenly, I was curious about why he was visiting Mom. But as I studied his appearance, I realized his long, blonde hair was perfectly curled, and it reached down to his shoulder. And those eyes of his, a deep, mesmerizing shade of dark blue, and as I kept staring into his eyes, it felt like was looking into an endless ocean. Then, I frowned as I noticed the tattoos on his arms.

“Why are you here, Luke?” I asked him and he frowned while staring at me.

“You know me?” he responded with a question, and I bit my bottom lip when I realized my error.

In the past, Aric introduced Luke as his friend during the engagement party, and it was the first time I met him. So, what should I do? I already made a mistake about knowing his name even before we were introduced to each other.

“Isabella, how did you meet Luke?” Mom asked and I panicked even more.