Chapter4
960 Words
The hardest part about a second chance wasn’t knowing the future.
It was knowing that no one else had changed.
I had woken up determined. Today was the day I’d take the first real step toward proving that I wasn’t the same girl I had been before. But as I walked through the school halls, I could already feel the weight of their stares, the whispers curling through the air like smoke.
"Look at her."
"She’s acting weird lately."
"Maybe she finally realized Elias isn’t interested."
It wasn’t just students who had opinions about me. The entire pack had a version of Adrianna Callisto they believed in. And that version? She was selfish, ruthless, power-hungry.
So why would anyone believe I had changed?
I swallowed the lump in my throat and walked into first period.
Elias was already in his seat, staring out the window as if the lesson hadn’t even started.
I hesitated for a second before moving to my usual spot—right behind him.
In my past life, I would’ve spent the entire period making snide remarks, mocking the way he scribbled his notes or calling him out if he got a question wrong. It was never about hate—I just wanted control.
But not this time.
This time, I sat quietly.
This time, when Mr. Grayson called on Elias for an answer, I didn’t roll my eyes or scoff.
And when Elias stood up and gave the perfect response—his voice steady, his confidence unwavering—I just listened.
I didn’t realize he had noticed until he turned back to his seat and our eyes met.
For a second—just a second—there was something almost curious in his expression.
Then, as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.
By lunchtime, the tension was unbearable.
The cafeteria was filled with the usual groups—the warriors, the scholars, the Omegas. And then there was me, Luna in training, standing in the doorway, knowing exactly where I should sit.
Right in the center of it all.
Next to Elias.
That’s what I had always done before.
Claiming my place beside him, making it clear to everyone that I was his mate, his equal—whether he wanted me there or not.
But today, I did something different.
I walked to an empty table in the corner and sat down alone.
Silence stretched across the room.
People were watching.
Waiting.
Elias had noticed, too. I could feel his gaze on me even before I dared to glance in his direction. He looked… confused. As if this was the last thing he had expected from me.
I forced myself to take a bite of my food.
It didn’t matter what they thought.
If I was going to prove that I had changed, I had to start somewhere.
And this was my first step.
"You’re acting weird."
I sighed, stabbing at my mashed potatoes with my fork. "Hello to you too, Daniel."
Daniel slid into the seat across from me, setting down his tray with a grin. "Seriously. First, you stop terrorizing Elias in class. Now, you’re sitting here? Alone? Do I need to check if you hit your head?"
I exhaled sharply. "Maybe I just don’t feel like being the same person anymore."
Daniel leaned back, watching me with amusement. "Yeah? And who exactly do you feel like being?"
I hesitated.
I didn’t have an answer to that yet.
But I did know who I didn’t want to be.
"Someone better," I said finally.
Daniel studied me for a long moment, something unreadable flickering in his expression. Then, to my surprise, he shrugged.
"Alright," he said, taking a bite of his burger. "Guess I’ll have to get used to the new Adrianna."
I blinked. "Just like that?"
He grinned. "What? You thought I’d argue? I’m all for change, Addy."
I stared at him.
Daniel had always been like this—easygoing, playful, never taking anything too seriously. In my past life, I had never let myself truly appreciate that about him.
I had been too focused on Elias.
Elias, who still hadn’t stopped watching me from across the room.
I forced myself to look away.
One step at a time.
Later that evening, I ran into him outside the training grounds.
I had been walking home when I spotted him under the dimming sky, his shirt damp with sweat, muscles tense from his workout.
For a second, I almost turned away.
But I had promised myself I wouldn’t run anymore.
"Elias."
He stopped stretching and looked up, his expression unreadable. "What do you want now, Adrianna?"
I hesitated.
I had spent so much time pushing him away in our first life. Now that I was trying to pull him closer, I wasn’t sure how.
But I knew one thing.
I couldn’t force him.
I had to let him see that I had changed.
Even if he didn’t believe it yet.
"I just wanted to say… I’m sorry," I said softly.
Elias froze.
The air between us grew heavy, the weight of years—two lifetimes—hanging between us.
I had never apologized to him before.
Not once.
His brows furrowed slightly, like he wasn’t sure if he had heard me right. "For what?"
"For everything," I admitted. "For how I treated you. For the things I said. For…" I swallowed. "For not being the mate you deserved."
Elias stared at me for a long moment, his gaze searching mine.
Then, with a humorless laugh, he shook his head.
"People don’t change that fast, Adrianna."
And just like that, he walked away.
Leaving me standing in the dark, alone.
But I wasn’t giving up.
Because even if Elias didn’t believe in second chances…
I did.
- Writer
