Chapter 221

Ella POV

"Everything happened so differently the first time around," I said, my voice quieter now, almost reflective.

Amanda’s glare didn’t waver, but I could see the flicker of confusion in her eyes.

"David and I were married. The ceremony was beautiful, and I couldn’t have been happier. I got a little tipsy—I suspect now that he put something in my drink, because I hadn’t had that much. When I passed out in our room, he snuck out… to celebrate your birthday with you."

Her nostrils flared.

"I had no idea, of course," I continued. "I wouldn’t find out for years. I became Luna of his pack, and eventually, David announced he was running for King."

Amanda’s expression twisted in anger. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Be quiet and listen." My voice was sharp enough to cut through her outrage.

She glared but said nothing.

"You and David continued your affair, but I was too focused on my father’s sudden illness to notice. And then he died."

The words lodged in my throat, but I forced them out. "I was too distraught to step in, so David took over my pack as well. That gave him the edge he needed in the election—along with the scandal surrounding Alexander. Rumors, revelations about his past… At the time, he was single. Eventually, he married Fiona, but it wasn’t enough to save his reputation. And so David won. He became King. I became the Luna Queen."

Amanda let out a scoff, but I saw how tense she had become.

"But David hated being King," I continued, voice colder now. "He liked the title. He liked the way people threw themselves at his feet. But he didn’t care about the responsibility. So I took on most of the work, and for the most part, the kingdom ran smoothly. Except for the rogue incursions at the border."

Amanda’s fingers twitched.

"They kept increasing. And for some reason, David refused to do anything about it."

"This is a ridiculous fantasy," she snapped.

I ignored her. "I had no way of knowing at the time that it was because David had enlisted the help of the northern rogues to win. He had been working for them all along. His whole plan was to hand the kingdom over to the North."

Amanda’s mouth opened, but no words came out.

"I was unknowingly getting in his way. Or maybe," I said, tilting my head, "it was because you found out you were pregnant."

Her free hand instinctively flew to her stomach.

I had her attention now.

"Either way, you and David decided it was time for the next step. You had my mother arrested—along with the other leadership of my pack. Then you accused me of being a traitor."

Amanda’s face paled.

"A trial would have caused too much scandal. Too many questions about David. So you took matters into your own hands." I leaned forward slightly. "You, Amanda."

She finally met my gaze, eyes darting over my face as if searching for deception.

"You forced poison down my throat. And you laughed as I died at your feet."

Her lips parted.

"I was so heartbroken. Betrayed by my best friend and my husband. If you had just told me the truth—that the two of you were fated—I would have stepped aside. But David wanted the power my pack could offer, so he convinced you to go along with his plan. And you hated me for it. You hated me for taking what you thought was yours, even though I never meant to take it."

I inhaled slowly, steadying my voice. "You murdered me in cold blood."

Amanda shook her head violently. "None of this makes sense. What you’re saying is delusional!"

"Everything went black as I died," I said, looking past her now, lost in the memory. "And then… when I opened my eyes again, David was on his knees, proposing."

Amanda inhaled sharply.

"And I hit him with that bouquet of flowers and ran."

For the first time, Amanda looked shaken.

"He had just had me murdered," I whispered. "And now, suddenly, I was back. Years in the past. Reliving it all."

I met her gaze again, holding her there.

"But this time, I wasn’t going to let things happen the way they had before. I knew what you were. I knew what you were planning. And I had the ability to stop you."

Amanda swallowed hard. "So you went to him." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "To Alexander."

I nodded. "He had the resources, the knowledge, and the power to help me. First, he helped me break off my engagement with David. Then, we faked a relationship for the good press."

Amanda’s expression twisted in fury. "So everything between you and Alexander is a fraud."

I shook my head. "It was, in the beginning. But it didn’t take long for me to fall for him for real."

Amanda flinched, but I didn’t stop.

"Then I discovered the truth—David was responsible for poisoning me. He kept my wolf dormant to weaken me. And when I finally got her back… I realized something else."

I held Amanda’s gaze, letting the truth settle deep into her bones.

"Alexander was my fated mate all along."

"You're lying," Amanda hissed, desperation flickering in her wild eyes. "You've made a grave mistake, Ella. You have no idea who I am—the connections I have. The people helping me are more powerful than you could ever imagine. They'll kill you and Alexander. Just you wait. I have the Ice King on my side."

I laughed. I couldn’t help it.

I stood, walking toward her until I was just out of her reach. "You have nothing," I said, my voice quiet but unwavering. "You lost."

She flinched, her free hand still pressed against her stomach.

"Alexander is going to be King. I will be Luna Queen again. And this time, there is nothing you or David can do to hurt me. You'll pay for your schemes."

Amanda’s body trembled. My gaze flickered to her stomach. The timing didn’t quite fit with the original past—it was too early. But it wouldn’t surprise me if she was pregnant.

I looked back into her face, and for just a moment, I saw the girl I used to love as a sister. "I loved you once," I murmured. "All you had to do was talk to me, Amanda. None of this had to happen."

Her expression twisted into something raw and ugly. "I'll kill you!" she shrieked, lunging forward.

The chain yanked her back.

I turned, walking toward the door, but just before stepping out, I glanced over my shoulder. "One more thing," I said smoothly. "The Ice King would never stoop to help you."

Her scream tore through the room—wordless, filled with pure, unhinged rage.

I stepped out and shut the door behind me.

The guards straightened as I emerged. "Are you all right, Luna?" one of them asked, his face tight with concern.

I nodded, brushing past them. "I'm fine," I said, sparing a glance at the door. "It's just sad, really. She's lost her mind."

As I climbed the stairs, Amanda’s screams echoed behind me. Time travel. Murders that never happened. Her frantic voice carried up through the stone walls, making her sound truly mad.

At the top of the stairs, Alexander stood waiting, his sharp silver-blue eyes locked onto me, analyzing every inch of my face.

Behind him, the King walked past, heading down to investigate the commotion. That left us alone.

"What did you do?" Alexander asked softly.

I met his gaze. "I told her the truth."

His jaw clenched. "Why?"

I exhaled, glancing back at the door. "Sentiment," I admitted. "Some small pity for my old friend. If they believe Amanda’s crazy, they might not kill her."

Alexander studied me, disbelief flickering in his expression. "I can’t believe you still feel anything for that woman."

I shrugged. "Maybe I’m just tired of chasing revenge." I looked up at him, my voice quieter now. "I’ve seen what vengeance does to people. I don’t want to end up like that."

His expression softened. Without another word, he pulled me into his arms, holding me tight against his chest. I leaned into him, letting the warmth of his embrace drown out the chill in my bones.

Amanda’s screaming continued in the distance, but I focused on the steady rhythm of Alexander’s heartbeat instead.

This was the end of a chapter.

But the story was far from over.

And we still had so much work to do.