Rosella paced the length of the bedroom, bare feet silent on the cold marble.
She had figured out the truth, She was alive inside another woman’s body.
A second chance, She should have been grateful.
Instead it felt like someone had forced open her chest and poured a stranger’s life into the empty space.
How had this happened?
And how was she supposed to get home?
Everyone here looked at her and saw Alpha Colette Ansgard.
The way they all bowed and also waited for her orders, the way they spoke to her with careful plus graceful respect.
Rosella had never been an Alpha, She had never been treated this way, She was still trying to understand what kind of woman she was supposed to be now.
Underneath the strength that came with this body she could still feel something dark and heavy.
A fear that did not belong to her but any time she reached for it, the memory slipped away.
A knock sounded at the door.
She cleared her throat.
“Come in.” The door opened and Servants entered first, arms full of clean laundry, bowing low before disappearing into the enormous closet.
Behind them walked Beta Elias.
Rosella’s stomach tightened.
Why did her mind keep calling these people hers?
“Colette.” Elias’s voice was careful.
“Are you all right?” She forced a smile that felt too wide.
“Never better.” His brows drew together, the look he gave her was the same one he had worn in the infirmary—like he was trying to solve a puzzle that refused to fit.
“Is there something you need?” she asked when the silence stretched too long.
“I came to check on you, your highness.
You seem… distressed.” “I’m fine.” Elias’ frown deepened, almost like he was trying to figure something out.
Rosella shifted.
The intensity in his made her feel exposed.
She didn’t like it.
“What?” “Nothing.” She quickly said.
Elias stare sharpened “So, Why are you here?” Rosella asked, trying to distract Elias from his assessment of her.
If he found out the truth about her, she had no idea how she would explain it because she didn’t even fully know herself.
“What do you remember about the twenty-four hours before you died?” The question was blunt.
Rosella turned toward the window so he wouldn’t see her face.
“Just that Alar… I mean, a man named Sebastian appeared in my bathhouse, he was wearing a mask and also, poisoned the wine first.
Then he stabbed me.” The words came out steady, even though they still felt borrowed.
“I saw his eyes.
Unusual color.
I would know them anywhere.” Elias stepped closer.
“I will not rest until he and anyone who helped him pay.
Any special request?” “Just find them.” “You have my word.” He paused.
“Also, the Lycan king of SilverFang has accepted your invitation.
He wants the meeting set for the fifth.” What was he talking about this time?
She waited for the memory to appear like it had been appearing but she came up with almost nothing m Rosella blinked.
The name SilverFang stirred something distant, but no clear memory rose to meet it.
What the fuck?
“Did you hear me, Alpha?” “Yes.
Of course.” She tried to keep her expression blank from the way Elias’s eyes narrowed, she failed.
“I’ll send the pack doctor in.
You still need a full examination.” “No.
That won’t be necessary.
I’m fine.” “But—” “I said I’m fine!” The snap left her mouth before she could stop it.
Rosella froze, She had never raised her voice like that in her life, Patience and softness had always been her only weapons.
This sharp edge belonged to someone else.
Beta Elias studied her for a long moment, then bowed.
“Very well.” His gaze lingered on her face one last time before he left.
The moment the door shut, Rosella’s shoulders dropped.
The silence felt heavier than before.
She needed answers, she needed a way home, she also needed to make the people who killed her pay.
But first she had to survive inside this skin without giving herself away.
She searched the dresser but found only robes, unfamiliar undergarments, and clothing she would never have chosen.
No map.
No journal.
Nothing that told her who Colette really was.
The walk-in closet was nearly the size of the bedroom.
Weapons lined one wall—swords, bows, even modern firearms.
Belts and gear hung in neat rows.
Whoever Colette had been, she had lived ready for a fight.
Rosella’s foot brushed against something on the floor.
She bent and picked up a crumpled newspaper.
THE CURSED ALPHA AND WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE END OF HER REIGN Her heart stuttered.
She read quickly.
Colette was supposed to die this year.
A curse.
Marked for death if she remained unmarried past her twenty-fifth birthday.
Rosella waited for the memory to rise and explain everything.
But nothing came.
She clenched her fists.
“Come on.
Say something.” Still nothing.
It felt like the original owner of this body had turned her back and refused to help.
Frustrated, she kept reading.
The article mentioned that Bloodmoon territory sat thousands of miles from the packs she used to know.
Convenient.
And terrifying.
She needed more information than this room could give her.
Rosella stepped into the hallway.
She had barely taken two steps when a tall woman with greying hair appeared as if she had been waiting.
“Oh my goodness.
It’s true.
You’re alive!” Martha.
The name surfaced automatically.
Warmth followed it—soft, unexpected, and not entirely her own.
Before Rosella could react, the older woman pulled her into a tight hug and for a second Rosella stood stiff, then her arms came up and held on.
The embrace smelled like clean linen and something comforting she couldn’t name.
She hadn’t been held like this since her mother died.
Martha pulled back, eyes wet.
“Forgive me.
I know how you feel about hugs, but I couldn’t help myself, I thought I lost you, I thought I failed your parents.” “You didn’t lose me,” Rosella said quietly.
“I’m right here, Martha.” The woman studied her face, then nodded.
“I’m sorry again.
I’ve been inconsolable since the news.” “Your hugs… actually made me feel better.” Martha’s expression softened with surprise, but she didn’t question it.
“You must be hungry.
I’ll prepare beef broth—your favorite.” Rosella wrinkled her nose before she could stop herself.
“I’d rather have something else, if that’s all right.” “Of course.
Whatever you want.” “Pasta and meatballs?” Martha blinked.
“Are you sure?
You hate pasta and meatballs.” Rosella felt a flicker of unease.
Another small difference.
Another clue she didn’t know how to read.
“I know.
But I’m craving it for some reason.” Martha gave her a long look, then smiled gently.
“All right.
You should rest.” “I will.” “Oh, and the Lycan king of SilverFang has accepted the meeting.” “Elias already told me.” “Are you certain you don’t want to reschedule?” Rosella almost said yes.
Then she remembered the map in the newspaper.
SilverFang territory sat closer to her old pack than anywhere else she had seen.
If she could get there, maybe she could find a way home, or at least start hunting the people who killed her.
“No.
It’s fine.
Remind me again who this Lycan king is.” Martha stared at her like she had grown a second head.
“You’re unbelievable.” “I am?” “I know you claim to hate the man, child, but he’s your only real hope against the curse.
You have to at least remember your potential husband.” Rosella’s blood turned to ice.
“I beg your pardon?”