Chapter 2

Right then, Sarah suddenly dropped to her knees and grabbed the hem of my skirt.

Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, "Elena, it’s all my fault. Don't blame Damien. If you're angry, just hit me, but please don't call off the engagement. Damien... he’s just confused. He still cares about you."

"Sarah, don't do this!" Seeing her on the ground, Damien rushed over in a heartbeat, looking devastated as he pulled her up. "Your knees are already bruised. Why would you do that? Get up!"

He held Sarah protectively before turning back to me, screaming in a rage, "Are you happy now?! Seeing her beg like this, is that still not enough for you?! Elena, do you really have to use your pack’s power to force me? Aside from making threats, what else can a spoiled brat like you even do?!"

In my past life, those words kept me crying until midnight.

Because my father hated seeing me hurt, he used our family's influence to force Damien’s family to punish him and make Sarah leave.

But so what? In the end, it was my family and I who suffered.

In my past life, I lost everything for this man.

This time, I won't make the same mistake.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh and said quietly, "Since that's how you feel, let's just call off the engagement."

Damien froze. He stared at me, his expression shifting from anger to shock, and finally to suspicion.

The lecture he had prepared to throw at me got stuck in his throat.

Sarah was stunned too. She stayed tucked in Damien’s arms, but a flicker of triumph crossed her eyes.

It took a few seconds for Damien to find his voice.

He narrowed his eyes, studying me skeptically.

"What kind of game is this?" he asked, his tone dripping with doubt. "Playing hard to get? Weren't you the one crying before, saying your wolf couldn't live without me?"

I met his gaze coldly. "Damien, I'm just not interested in you anymore. I’ll tell the elders from both packs that I'm bored with this childhood sweetheart routine and want someone new."

Damien’s face turned pale.

He stood there with his fists clenched, an inexplicable sense of frustration washing over him.

He expected me to cry, scream, or threaten him—to cling to him like I always did.

"Elena, there's no need to take it this far."

Damien let go of Sarah and took a step toward me, trying to take my hand. His tone softened.

"If you can just accept Sarah and stop targeting her, I promise I'll look after you like I always have. I'll treat you like my own sister."

A sister? I dodged his hand and let out a contemptuous scoff.

I turned to look at him. "Damien, don't be disgusting."

I walked right past him toward the door.

"I don't need a brother. I have Lucas."

As I left the classroom, I could hear Damien whispering comforts to Sarah behind me.

"Don't cry, Sarah. It's okay. I'll protect you." His voice drifted through the door, carrying the same tenderness I used to crave.

My footsteps faltered for a second. Damien used to comfort me like that.

We grew up together.

When we went skiing, he would tuck my freezing hands into his coat pockets, telling me his body heat would keep me warm.

After galas, he would carry my heels and let me walk home standing on top of his shoes.

On my sixteenth birthday, an Alpha heir from another pack got drunk and tried to grab me, claiming he’d mark me.

Damien jumped in and beat the guy so badly he broke his nose.

He warned him in front of everyone: "Elena is mine. Anyone who touches her is dead."

Back then, I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world.

But now, that tenderness and protection belonged to someone else.

"Don't worry," Damien continued to Sarah. "I’ll take care of the engagement. No one is going to bully you just because of their status, I promise."

I closed my eyes.

Even though I had decided to let go, my heart still stung with a million tiny needles.

I stood at the end of the hallway and took a deep breath.

No, I can't do this anymore.

I pulled out my phone and called Lucas.

In my last life, at this exact moment, I was insisting on applying for the combat program at the Alpha Academy just to stay by Damien's side.

Even though I was terrible at fighting. Even though I had a rare gift for healing.

But Damien had said he wanted me to be a strong warrior so I could fight by his side.

So I went.

But this time, I won't repeat the cycle.

"Elena?" Lucas answered, his voice full of concern. "Is something wrong?"

"Lucas." I tried to keep my voice steady. "Help me get in touch with the admissions officer at the Royal Lycan Academy of Healing in Europe."

There was a silence on the other end for a few seconds.

"What did you say?" Lucas clearly hadn't processed it.

"I'm applying for their Advanced Herbalism program," I said firmly. "Yes, I'm turning down the Alpha Academy."

"But I thought you were set on the Alpha Academy? And what about you and Damien—"

"Damien and I are done," I interrupted. "I don't want to stay in North America and watch this disaster. I'm going to Europe to get away from all of it."

Lucas was too shocked to speak at first. But a few seconds later, I heard the unmistakable joy in his voice.

"My god, Elena, you finally woke up!" He sounded ecstatic. "I always told you that using your healing gift in the combat department was a total waste! Mom graduated from that academy; she’s going to be so proud of you!"

Lucas went quiet for a moment before adding, "You're doing the right thing. That prick never deserved you anyway."

By the time I got home, it was nearly evening.

My parents were sitting in the living room with a stack of documents spread out in front of them.

They were plans for the marking ceremony pre-party next month.

In my past life, that party was massive.

The union of the two most powerful packs—everyone came to congratulate us.

"Elena, you're home." My mother looked up with a warm smile. "Come look at these venue designs. Which one do you like?"

I walked over and sat directly across from them.

"Mom, Dad." I took a deep breath. "I've decided to call off the engagement with Damien. And I’ve already applied to the Royal Academy of Healing in Europe."