I Just Saw You Yesterday

Celeste’s POV

I went into my bedroom, locked the door, and fell onto my bed. Then, I sat up and looked at my reflection in the vanity mirror. I swallowed hard, and suddenly, I couldn't help but cry.

The tears fell fast and heavy. I was crying because I was just so overwhelmed. "I'm sorry," I whispered to my reflection, my voice cracking. "I am so sorry I let him break you. I'm sorry I let myself be so blind, and I'm sorry I couldn't protect our baby." I cried for the naive, sweet girl I used to be. I cried for the brutal death I had suffered on that cold stone floor. But most of all, I cried because I finally had the chance to save myself. 

I promised my reflection I would never be weak again, crying until my eyes grew heavy and I finally fell asleep.

When I woke up, I let out a sharp gasp.

Caius was already in my room. He was standing right at the foot of my bed, just watching me sleep.

I quickly pulled the bedsheet up to my chest, glaring at him. This kind of thing wasn't new for us, but right now, it felt like a massive invasion of privacy.

"What are you doing here?!" I snapped. "You can't just step into my room and watch me sleep like a creep—"

I stopped myself. I had forgotten. I was currently a nineteen-year-old college student. In the past, I had always left my door unlocked for Caius. I always let him into my room because we were "best friends" and I secretly loved his attention.

But now, as a twenty-seven-year-old woman trapped in a nineteen-year-old's body, the truth finally hit me. His lack of boundaries wasn't cute or romantic. It was uncomfortable, invasive, and completely not okay.

"You’re late," he said, turning back from the doorway. "And I gave you ten minutes to get ready."

He left before I could argue. I rolled my eyes, quickly freshened up, and changed into a clean outfit. But the moment I stepped outside the front door, he was already waiting by his car.

"Why don't you just leave me alone?" I snapped, pointing at my bike parked nearby. "I have my own bike. I can go to school myself."

"You're already late. Ride with me," he ordered. Without giving me a choice, he gently grabbed my arm and pushed me into the back seat of the luxury car, slamming the door shut before leaning in to tell the driver to go.

Caius turned around from the front passenger seat, flashing a cool grin that only made me want to slap it off his face. "Relax, Cece. If I let you ride your bike, you'd show up sweaty and miserable. Consider this a favor."

"I hate you," I muttered, but I really meant it. I really hate him.

"I know," he replied smoothly, his eyes warm and amused. "You always say that right before you ask me to buy you coffee."

I looked away, my chest tightening. In the past, this kind of banter would have made me smile. Now, it just reminded me of how deep his claws were into my life.

Soon, the car pulled up to the gates of Valerius Academy. It was the exclusive academy where elite werewolf students from all over the region went to school.

I had always tried to remain invisible here, a quiet shadow trailing behind Caius. But that anonymity was gone today. The moment the luxury car stopped and I stepped out, the whispers started. 

Everyone in the courtyard knew I was Caius's personal healer, and the elite she-wolves glared at me with hatred.

I stepped out of the car immediately, walking as fast as I could to escape their stares, until my path was suddenly blocked. I crashed right into someone's solid chest.

I stumbled back, my breath catching in my throat. I looked up and froze. It was a face I knew all too well from my future—Caius's most brutal enemy seven years from now. 

The future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, Nathan Darrington.

His facial features were sharp, hard-cut and severe. It felt like I had never seen him smile in my entire life, though maybe that was because looking directly at him felt like staring at a loaded gun. 

One look from those piercing eyes felt like a death sentence. 

Yet, even at this young age, there was no denying how breathtakingly handsome he was—dark, brooding, and infinitely dangerous. 

The rumors in our society had always said that Nathan was a monster who killed his own mates or discarded she-wolves after a single night.

Nathan just looked down at me, his gaze cold enough to freeze fire. "Watch your step, Celeste Thorn.” 

I gasped, my eyes widening. Wait... how did he know my name? 

We hadn't been introduced yet. In this timeline, this was supposed to be our very first meeting. We had never crossed paths before.

"Keep your hands off her, Nathan," Caius growled, stepping up beside me. His body was tense.

A chilling smirk spread across Nathan's sharp face. "Relax, Caius. I'm not here to steal your little personal healer... though, right now, I actually need her help."

I cut him off, blinking in surprise. "You need my help?"

"Yes. Follow me," Nathan commanded smoothly, turning on his heel.

Instantly, Caius's grip clamped hard around my arm, pulling me back. "Like hell you are. You can't just follow some random guy you just met—"

Before Caius could finish, a clear, sweet voice cut through the crowd.

"Caius?"

We all turned. Stepping gracefully out of the student crowd was Olivia.

I stared at her, my heart pounding furiously with rage. Memories of exactly what she did to me flooded my mind. My hands trembled, not because I was afraid of her, but from looking at her sweet, innocent face and knowing the ruthless murderer hiding underneath.

Right. Of course. They were a match made in heaven—the future golden couple of the Feral Pack, destined to be mates after the next full moon.

A sharp pang of bitter disgust twisted in my chest, but it faded just as quickly. I didn't care anymore. Let them have each other.

Without a second thought, I yanked my arm right out of Caius's grasp, completely ignoring his stunned expression. I looked at Nathan and said flatly, "Coming right up."

“Celes—” 

As I turned to walk away, Olivia immediately seized her moment. She glided over to Caius, “Caius! There you are… I’ve been looking for you…”

Nathan led me just around the corner of the brick hallway, safely out of their sight. He pulled up the sleeve of his uniform shirt, revealing his forearm. 

The skin was badly torn, and a web of dark, broken veins pulsed menacingly around the deep wounds.

He held it out to me without a flinch. "I’ll wire you ten thousand dollars," Nathan said casually. "I heard from the academy administration that you were looking for an extra scholarship grant to cover your upcoming pre-med lab fees."

I froze, staring at him. "Are you stalking me?" I asked softly.

Without thinking, my healer instincts took over. I reached out, my fingers gently brushing against his cold skin as I channeled my pack healing energy into the broken veins.

Nathan watched me work, a faint, dark amusement in his eyes. "No. I just saw you yesterday."

“Yesterday?” 

Yesterday. The exact day I was reborn.