Luna

Chapter One: The Second Chance

Luna Hartwell died on a cold night in the rain, on the steps of her own family's mansion.

She remembered everything. The silver knife her cousin Celeste had hidden in a bouquet. The way her husband's signature sat cold and final on the divorce papers. The way the Moonvale clan, her clan, turned their backs while her wolf howled inside her, too weak and too stubborn to run.

If I could only do it again, she thought as her heartbeat slowed. I would be smarter. I would never trust anyone.

Then the world went white.

She woke to sunlight and the smell of jasmine.

Luna sat up gasping. Silk sheets. A tall window overlooking manicured gardens. Her hands were smooth and unmarked, and the calendar on the nightstand showed a date she knew by heart.

Three years ago. The morning of the day everything began.

"Miss Luna!" A maid knocked and rushed in. "Your grandfather wants you in the study. Mr. Blackwood is here."

Luna's breath caught. Damian Blackwood. The CEO of Blackwood Global. The Alpha of the Silverfang clan. The most powerful, most infuriating man she had ever met.

The man she had married in a contract.

The man who, in her last life, had never once looked at her with anything but cold contempt.

She dressed in white, brushed her long dark hair, and stood before the mirror. Her eyes flickered gold for a moment, the wolf inside answering her. Now she knew the truth about her power. In her last life she had been ashamed of it. This time she would use it.

One year, she promised her reflection. I will sign his contract, take what I am owed, and leave him. Then I will build my own empire and never be anyone's pawn again.

The study smelled of old leather and smoke. Her grandfather, Elder Hartwell, sat behind his great oak desk, looking older than she remembered. Across from him, standing at the window with his back to her, was Damian.

He turned.

Even now, knowing what she knew, Luna's heart stumbled. Dark hair swept back. A tailored black suit that cost more than most houses. Eyes the color of storm clouds, and a stare that could freeze a room.

"Miss Hartwell," he said. His voice was low and without warmth. "You're late."

"Two minutes," Luna replied.

His brow lifted, just slightly. Last time, she had stammered an apology. She saw a flicker of surprise cross his face before it vanished.

"The situation is simple," Elder Hartwell said heavily. "The Moonvale and Silverfang clans have been rivals for a hundred years. The Council demands unity. Damian needs a wife to secure his position as Alpha. We need Blackwood capital to save the Hartwell company from bankruptcy."

"A contract marriage," Damian said flatly. "One year. No romance, no obligations, no expectations. At the end, we divorce quietly, and both clans get what they want."

He slid a folder across the desk.

Luna picked it up and read every line. In her last life she had signed without looking. This time she found what she had missed: the clause about the divorce settlement. Damian was offering only a modest sum.

She smiled politely and took a pen.

"I'll sign," she said. "With two amendments."

The room went still.

"First, a full third of Blackwood Global's Asia division shares, transferred to me on the day of the divorce." Her voice was calm. "Second, I work. Not as a decoration on your arm, but as a real employee at Blackwood Global, under my own name."

Damian stared at her. "You want to work for me?"

"I want to work," Luna said. "Whether it's for you is a technicality."

"You'll be my subordinate." His eyes narrowed. "You'll have to obey me. In the office, and at home."

"In the office, I'll work hard," she said sweetly. "At home, we'll see."

Her grandfather made a strangled sound. Damian only looked at her for a long, unreadable moment. Then, to her surprise, the corner of his mouth moved. It wasn't quite a smile. It was more like a challenge.

"Fine," he said. "Sign it. Let's see how long you last, little wolf."

Little wolf. He had never called her that in her last life.

She signed.

The wedding was small and cold. The Council watched. Both clans watched. Luna wore the ivory dress and stood beside Damian, and when the priest said you may kiss the bride, he only touched his lips to her forehead, so briefly she barely felt it.

But the wolf inside her stirred.

It was strange. In her last life, her wolf had been silent around him. Now, as his warmth brushed her skin, something in her chest hummed like a plucked string, low and bright. She pushed it down.

Don't be foolish, Luna. He is your enemy. He will hurt you. Remember the divorce papers. Remember the rain.

That night, in the vast penthouse that would be her home for a year, Damian stood at the doorway of her bedroom.

"Rules," he said. "You stay on your side of the penthouse. I stay on mine. We attend clan events together. We say nothing about this arrangement."

"Understood."

"And Luna." He paused. "Whatever you think you know about me, whatever game you're playing, you should know something. I don't lose."

She met his eyes. Gold flickered in hers for the first time in front of him, and she saw him go still, his own eyes darkening in answer.

"Neither do I, Mr. Blackwood," she said softly. "Not this time."

He held her gaze a heartbeat too long. Then he turned and walked away.

Luna closed the door and leaned against it, her heart racing.

One year, she told herself. Just one year.

She had no idea that somewhere down the hall, the coldest man in the city was standing in the dark, one hand pressed against his chest, wondering why his wolf had just whispered a single word he had never heard it say.

Mine.

To be continued in Chapter Two: The New Employee