Rodrigo stared at the woman in front of him.

His lips parted slightly in disbelief. He tried to speak, but no words came as he wondered where she’d gotten the sheer audacity from.

"You cannot stay here.."

Nina stared at him, her fingers tightened against her dress.

Her lips quivered, and a tear dropped from her eyes.

"I know you don’t want me close.’’ she swallowed. ’’I won’t lie on your bed," she said.

Her eyes moved around the room before settling on the couch. She pointed at it.

"I’ll stay on the couch, I promise, I won’t disturb you."

Rodrigo placed the medicine down.

"A man and a woman cannot stay in the same room."

He said,

"Why not?" Nina asked, her eyes staring at him.

Rodrigo blinked, wondering if she really didn’t know why or was pretending not to.

He cleared his throat and stood.

"You won’t be comfortable here. I’ll get guards to..."

"But we are married. Do husbands and wives not sleep together?"

Rodrigo coughed as he almost choked, his eyes turned to her in disbelief.

When did she become so brazen?

’’No.’’ he said flatly.

"Please..." She pleaded, her voice lower.

"I won’t cause you any trouble, I promise."

Her big eyes stared at him, and they blurred at the edges.

Rodrigo held her gaze, properly now.

There was something definitely strange about this woman. First the healer at Hades pack.

Now this...

He needed to keep her close to find out what this was.

His gaze narrowed, thinking, then he nodded.

"Fine. You can stay."

Nina’s face lit up immediately.

"Thank you. I’ll be good."

Rodrigo didn’t react to that. He had already turned away.

"Take a bath," he said. "There are fresh towels inside."

He walked out the door.

Silence settled as Nina stared at the shut doors.

Then—

slowly—

Her lips curved.

Her hand lifted, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear as her gaze drifted across the room.

"That wasn’t so difficult," she murmured under her breath.

Her eyes moved to the table, and she stood walking towards it.

She pulled a drawer out.

Piles of books sat in them, nothing unusual.

She couldn’t feel any magic.

She shut the drawer, brushing her fingers through her hair.

Obviously, he wouldn’t leave something as important lying around.

But why did she curse them? What really happened 20 years ago?

There were too many missing pieces.

There should be someone who knew something. How would she go digging without raising suspicions?

Her eyes closed, thinking.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

She straightened and turned to it.

’’Come in.’’

The door creaked open, and Moreen stepped inside.

For a second, she froze.

Then her eyes filled with tears.

"My lady—"

She rushed forward and wrapped Nina in a tight embrace.

Nina let out a small yelp as she steadied herself on the table.

Moreen dropped to her knees, still clutching her.

"You’re alive," she said, her voice breaking. "You’re really here."

Nina lifted her hands awkwardly before resting them against her back.

"I am," she said, her voice dry. "Though I might not be if you keep squeezing me like this."

Moreen pulled back immediately.

"I’m sorry! I was just happy."

Nina smiled, "I know. It’s fine."

Moreen stared at her, as if trying to convince herself she was real.

Nina pulled her to her feet, ’’Get up,’’ she said. ’’It is all over now. I am alive.’’

Moreen’s eyes remained wide, ’’How did you survive, all the previous Lunas...’’

"I was just lucky," she said. "Enough about the ugly things. Bring me a change of clothes. I look terrible."

Moreen’s gaze dropped to the dark stain on Nina’s dress.

"What happened?" she asked, a worried look on her face.

Nina dragged a breath. ’’Enough questions now, Moreen.’’ she said, her voice firmer this time. ’’Get me clothes I can change into,’’ she paused, ’’and move my things here.’’ A faint smile touched her lips.

"I’ll be staying in the Alpha’s quarters from now on."

Color drained from Moreen’s face.

"What?"

Nina turned to her, ’’What?’’ she asked.

’’The Alpha... ’’

Nina smiled, humming as she walked towards the bath chamber.

’’Hurry up now.’’ she said, ’’Bring hot water and run the bath.’’

Moreen straightened immediately.

"Yes, Luna."

She hurried out of the room.

...

Nina lay still inside the bathtub, the water above her head, bubbles rising to the surface.

She held herself under and reached for fragments of memory. But there was nothing. Just a blank slate.

Not even a face she could remember.

Her eyes opened under the water, the surface rippling faintly above her, bubbles drifting up from her lips, and she stayed still until her lungs began to burn.

She held herself under a moment longer. Then she pulled herself up, broke the surface, and dragged in air, water streaming down her face and over her shoulders as she gripped the edge of the tub.

If she was tortured to death, she couldn’t have done the reincarnation ritual herself.

Nina’s eyes lifted.

Someone else did it.

Nina’s hands tightened around the bathtub.

Someone else knows who she was.

Someone who wanted her back.

Her heart thudded against her chest.

Who?

Morning light poured into the bathroom through the high windows, dust motes dancing in the air as dread coursed through her.

And why?

The doors to the bathroom opened and Nina’s eyes lifted.

’’My lady,’’ Moreen’s voice sounded. ’’Breakfast is ready.’’

Nina stepped out and her feet came to a stop when she saw who was standing in the middle of the room.

Ruri.

When she saw her, her lip stretched into a bright smile, before Nina could say a word, she had crossed the room, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Nina stumbled, catching herself before she could fall.

’’I knew there was something about you.’’ she lifted her head, staring at Nina, a bright smile stretching her lips.

’’I’m so glad you made it.’’ she said, breathless. ’’I had to rush here first thing in the morning to see for myself.’’

Nina smiled. News does travel fast.

’’You’re going to be Rodrigo’s wife. I’m so happy. Finally he’s going to have someone by his side.’’

She said. Nina stared at her.

’’Are you close with him?’’

Ruri’s eyes narrowed slightly, ’’We are... Kind of.’’ she chuckled. ’’The Alpha isn’t close to anyone, but I think he dotes on me.’’

Nina stared at her.

A grin formed on her lips.

’’Have you had breakfast?’’ she asked.

Ruri shook her head.

"That’s good," Nina said, her smile softening. "We should eat together."