

After chasing my crush, Edward Lightwood, for ten years, he finally accepted me as his blood bound. But, the day we were taking our eternal vow, his first love, Beth, from the allied clan was murdered by a gang of vampire hunters. He blamed me for her loss and tormented me every day. Exposed me to the eternal sun, pierced me with wooden stakes just not enough to kill me and then locked me up in his basement. Exhausted and heartbroken, I grabbed the oak stake and stabbed my chest in front of him. I killed myself. But, I did not die. I was reborn to the day I had confessed my feelings to Edward. But, this time, I'll not repeat my mistake. I'll stay far away from him.

Seraphina once believed she was the vampire prince Alistair's one true love. Five years ago, he rescued her and declared her his soulmate. But when she was attacked by werewolves while pregnant, he sent all the healers to her stepsister Isabella, who had forged a "life bond" with him, causing her to miscarry. Over five years, he favored Isabella—stealing Seraphina's paintings, giving her the studio key, and planting flowers that Seraphina was allergic to. After the truth came out, she faked her death and escaped under the alias Phoebe Miller. She later became an art restorer, was discovered by gallery owner Julian, and rebuilt her life independently. Isabella died in prison, and Alistair, consumed by regret, became an arbiter. A year later, her Light and Shadow series succeeded, and holding Julian's hand, she finally found a peaceful life.

Seraphina once believed she was the vampire prince Alistair's one true love. Five years ago, he rescued her and declared her his soulmate. But when she was attacked by werewolves while pregnant, he sent all the healers to her stepsister Isabella, who had forged a "life bond" with him, causing her to miscarry. Over five years, he favored Isabella—stealing Seraphina's paintings, giving her the studio key, and planting flowers that Seraphina was allergic to. After the truth came out, she faked her death and escaped under the alias Phoebe Miller. She later became an art restorer, was discovered by gallery owner Julian, and rebuilt her life independently. Isabella died in prison, and Alistair, consumed by regret, became an arbiter. A year later, her Light and Shadow series succeeded, and holding Julian's hand, she finally found a peaceful life.

I died on the day I was supposed to receive the Pack’s Distinguished Service Award. Three hours after I died, my parents, my brother, and my mate were just wrapping up the graduation party they’d thrown for my sister. While my sister, Ella, was posting a cozy family photo on Instagram, I was locked in our basement, using my tongue to swipe on my phone and call for help. The only person who answered was my mate, Ryan. All he said was, "Sophie, cut the drama. Ella's graduation party is important. Enough with the tantrums!" This was the ninety-ninth time they had let me down. And the last. I lay in a pool of my own blood, my lungs still. They thought I was just throwing a fit, hiding somewhere. That if they taught me a lesson, I’d come crawling back. But they didn't know. I was home the whole time. I was already dead.

I died on the day I was supposed to receive the Pack’s Distinguished Service Award. Three hours after I died, my parents, my brother, and my mate were just wrapping up the graduation party they’d thrown for my sister. While my sister, Ella, was posting a cozy family photo on Instagram, I was locked in our basement, using my tongue to swipe on my phone and call for help. The only person who answered was my mate, Ryan. All he said was, "Sophie, cut the drama. Ella's graduation party is important. Enough with the tantrums!" This was the ninety-ninth time they had let me down. And the last. I lay in a pool of my own blood, my lungs still. They thought I was just throwing a fit, hiding somewhere. That if they taught me a lesson, I’d come crawling back. But they didn't know. I was home the whole time. I was already dead.

My stepsister falsely accuses me of causing her allergies to act up. My three brothers stuff me into the cramped cellar and chain the door shut. I pound on the door and beg them to let me out. My eldest brother, an outstanding businessman, snaps, "It's bad enough that you keep bullying Lori. How could you make her eat seafood when you know she's allergic to it? Isn't that just murder? Stay in there and reflect on your mistakes!" My second brother, an award-winning singer, and my third brother, a genius painter, scoff contemptuously. "It's unbelievable that someone as evil as you is making excuses to garner pity. You can stay in there and repent for your sins!" After that, they take our shuddering stepsister to the hospital. The oxygen in the cellar soon runs out, and it gets difficult to breathe. Ultimately, I die in there. My brothers only remember me three days later when they bring our stepsister back from the hospital. Unbeknownst to them, I've already died of asphyxiation.

My stepsister falsely accuses me of causing her allergies to act up. My three brothers stuff me into the cramped cellar and chain the door shut. I pound on the door and beg them to let me out. My eldest brother, an outstanding businessman, snaps, "It's bad enough that you keep bullying Lori. How could you make her eat seafood when you know she's allergic to it? Isn't that just murder? Stay in there and reflect on your mistakes!" My second brother, an award-winning singer, and my third brother, a genius painter, scoff contemptuously. "It's unbelievable that someone as evil as you is making excuses to garner pity. You can stay in there and repent for your sins!" After that, they take our shuddering stepsister to the hospital. The oxygen in the cellar soon runs out, and it gets difficult to breathe. Ultimately, I die in there. My brothers only remember me three days later when they bring our stepsister back from the hospital. Unbeknownst to them, I've already died of asphyxiation.

After being brutally murdered—her body dismembered and scattered—Bella's soul returns home on Christmas Eve. There, she finds her biological parents, Paul and Evelyn, doting on her adopted sister, Anna, while remaining cold and indifferent toward her, completely unaware that their own daughter is already dead. When Bella's body is discovered, Evelyn, a forensic examiner, and Paul, the police chief, lead the investigation—yet fail to recognize the victim as their own child

After being brutally murdered—her body dismembered and scattered—Bella's soul returns home on Christmas Eve. There, she finds her biological parents, Paul and Evelyn, doting on her adopted sister, Anna, while remaining cold and indifferent toward her, completely unaware that their own daughter is already dead. When Bella's body is discovered, Evelyn, a forensic examiner, and Paul, the police chief, lead the investigation—yet fail to recognize the victim as their own child

While they slice me apart, I desperately call my brother, Nathan Slade. He finally picks up as my consciousness starts to slip and answers in an annoyed voice, "What now?" "Nathan, help—" I don't get to finish before he cuts me off. "Can't you ever go a day without drama? Gemma's graduation is at the end of the month. Miss it, and I swear I'll kill you!" Then, he hangs up without a second thought. The agonizing pain swallows me whole, and my eyes close for good, tears still trailing down my cheeks. Well, good news, Nathan… You won't have to kill me because I'm already dead.