“The witch said that in three days, their souls will fuse completely with their current bodies. “There will be no turning back after that.”
My brother Julian’s voice came from behind the door.
My fiancé Adrian fell silent for a moment, then murmured.
“We have to keep Cecilia off our scent for these three days. She must never know the truth.”
“Don’t worry. She trusts us completely. Any excuse will be enough to fool her.”
My hands and feet were ice-cold. I barely knew how I made it out of there.
A year ago, I had swapped bodies with Lydia Moore, my Omega maid.
Trapped in this frail body that can’t even fully shift into a wolf, I’m forced to watch as she occupies my powerful bloodline and enjoys everything that was once mine.
The witch came and went. Day after day, they soothed me, saying they would find a way to send me back into my own body.
It had all been lies.
Over breakfast, Julian affectionately ruffled my hair, or at least pretended to.
“Cecilia, eat more. I had Martha bake honey pancakes for you.”
Yet I caught the flicker of impatience crossing his eyes.
I could not hold my tongue.
“I dreamed last night. We swapped back.”
Lydia’s face paled. She bit her lip and looked at me like she was about to cry.
“Cecilia… are you still angry at me? I never meant to take over your body…”
My fingers curled tight. I turned toward Adrian and spoke softly.
“I only want to know—is there anything I can do?”
He looked at me, his expression unreadable.
“Soul witchcraft is complicated. It takes time.”
I pressed my lips together and kept pressing.
“A day? A week? Or a month?”
Julian’s brows drew tight.
“Lydia is a victim too. Why are you in such a rush? Can’t you speak nicely?”
I froze.
My own blood brother, blaming me for the one who had stolen my body.
Lydia tugged at Julian’s arm, her tone gentle.
“Julian, don’t scold her.”
Then she turned to me with earnest eyes.
“Just hold on a little longer. Once everything is set to undo the ritual, we’ll switch back right away.”
Julian gave her cheek an affectionate squeeze.
“Poor Lydia, having to endure this.”
A cold dread washed over me.
What hardship could Lydia possibly be suffering?
She inhabited my powerful, pure-blood body, cherished by everyone around her.
Meanwhile, bound by what she called the ritual’s restraints, I was confined to a cramped, damp servant’s quarters, ordered about just as she once had been.
Once breakfast ended, Lydia walked Adrian to the door.
She rose onto her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
Adrian did not pull away. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her waist and leaned down to return the kiss.
“Wait for me.”
It was only then that I saw the fondness in his stare.
It was the same look he’d had when he confessed his feelings for me at 18.
Watching the scene unfold, nausea churned in my stomach.
Julian’s frigid voice sounded from behind me.
“Stop staring. Adrian is only doing this to fulfill the ritual’s conditions for reversal.
“Don’t even think about trying anything. And don’t you dare hurt her. She’s using your body right now.”
My stomach dropped.
Did he truly believe I was that unreasonable?
I spun to face him.
“Julian, do you still remember the promise you made to me when I turned 10?”