My Second Chance

Two days after waking up at the Lycanisius Pack clinic, Seara's body felt... different.

Not noticeably stronger. Not completely healed either, but there was a strange lightness, like an old burden slowly being lifted from her bones. Her steps no longer felt heavy, her breathing more stable.

Although Seara didn't fully understand it yet, since the battle, she no longer felt her body holding her back.

Austin walked half a step ahead of her, hands in his pockets, a lazy expression that contrasted sharply with the alertness in his eyes. He was leading Seara around the pack's territory, specifically towards the academy building that stood not far from the main pack house.

Seara's eyes scanned the large, sturdy building, its stone walls covered with old pack symbols. The hustle and bustle around her made Seara feel a little alienated, several young wolves passing by, walking tensely in their training uniforms.

"Don't look like you want to run away," he said casually without turning his head.

"I'm not," Seara replied quickly.

"You're thinking too hard. It's almost the same."

Seara snorted. Before she could reply, something inside her stirred.

A strange but instinctive urge. The growl of a wolf that had just awakened.

[Finally, you hear me.]

Seara's steps faltered for a split second. She swallowed, her heart beating faster.

“Who are you?” she asked cautiously.

There was a low, warm laugh echoing from within her own chest.

[My name is Arach. And I am your wolf.]

Seara took a deep breath, trying to walk normally. “Austin,” she said softly.

"Hm?"

"I... might need to sit down later." Seara was also starting to pant.

Austin glanced over, his eyebrows raised. "Take note. We've only been walking for five minutes."

Seara wanted to ignore the voice, she still felt awkward about the voice in her mind.

"Why now?" she asked again.

[Because you finally stopped fighting your own body,] Arach replied calmly. [It's also because you're in potential mate territory.]

Seara almost tripped.

"No," she thought sharply. "Don't start."

[Second chance mate,] Arach corrected lightly. [The loyal one, the strong one, and the one who won't leave.]

Austin's image appeared out of nowhere, his gait relaxed, his shoulders relaxed but ready, his gaze always alert even though his lips often smiled.

[Austin,] Arach continued without hesitation. [I want him, Seara.]

Seara clenched her jaw. "You can want whatever you want. I'm not necessarily convinced."

Arach's answer didn't come immediately. Then, slowly:

[That's why this is a second chance.]

Seara didn't have time to reply when her eyes caught the scene in front of her.

A young she-wolf was walking towards the academy building, her brown hair neatly braided, her face reddening as Austin slowed down and said something to her. The girl laughed softly, looking down shyly.

Austin smiled—the same relaxed smile. Seara had already guessed that he was a skilled seducer.

Strangely, Seara's chest tightened without her permission.

[See?] Arach's voice was not mocking. Just observing.

"He smiles easily at anyone," Seara replied coldly. "That's not loyalty."

Austin returned to her side as if nothing had happened. "What?" he asked, catching Seara's expression.

"Nothing," Seara replied quickly.

They were almost at the main door of the pack house when something hit Seara's shoulder hard.

“Sorry—!”

The small body immediately turned and hid behind her.

A teenage she-wolf, breathing heavily, her blue eyes panicked.

“Help,” she whispered quickly. “Hide me.”

Seara didn’t even have time to ask when heavy footsteps approached.

“Ingrid!” a man’s voice echoed sharply. “Stop running!”

An academy lecturer appeared, his face tense. His hand immediately grabbed Ingrid’s arm, pulling her out from behind Seara.

“Let go,” Seara said reflexively, her voice low but firm.

The lecturer stopped, looking at Seara with raised eyebrows. "This is an internal academy matter."

"She's scared," Seara replied without backing down.

Before the situation worsened, two other figures approached. A haughty-looking she-wolf followed by a black-haired girl with a cold expression.

"What happened?" Delcy asked flatly.

"She fought with Rhea, Miss Thornveil," replied the first lecturer quickly. "Then she ran away."

"That's a lie!" Ingrid shouted, trying to pull her arm away. "Rhea started it! She tore up my personal journal!"

Rhea snorted. "That journal is full of slander. You wrote lies about me."

"Those were my notes about the bullying you did!"

"Because you deserve it!" Rhea replied sharply.

The air thickened.

Austin stepped forward, his voice light but clear. "Stop! No one speak. I want to hear it from the beginning."

Delcy turned to him. "Alpha, this is a disciplinary matter. Ingrid will be punished."

Seara looked at Ingrid's face—her hands were shaking, her shoulders tense, her eyes full of mixed anger and fear. That feeling... familiar.

She took half a step forward. "She was defending herself."

All eyes turned to her.

Delcy stared at her with an unfriendly smirk. "And who are you?"

"I saw her reaction," Seara replied, her jaw tightening. "Bullying is not a minor issue. I'm Seara."

"I don't need a lecture from an outsider," Delcy replied coldly. "Especially someone who just arrived in this area."

"Bullying is still a crime, wherever it happens," Seara said firmly. "The journal isn't a weapon. It's evidence."

Rhea interrupted, her voice rising. "Ingrid wrote about me without permission!"

"That's because you hurt her without shame. Alpha could be angry with you," Seara replied quickly.

Delcy laughed briefly. "See? She's influencing you, Alpha."

Austin didn't answer right away. He looked at Seara for a moment, then back at Delcy. "Check the CCTV."

"What?" Delcy widened her eyes.

"Find the root of the problem. Don't just punish the end result."

Delcy stiffened. "I don't take orders from... a wolf like you. Don't interfere in our business."

The push came in a matter of seconds. Seara lost her balance and fell onto the cold stone.

Time seemed to stop.

Austin moved before anyone could breathe. He helped Seara up, his hand steady on her back.

When he turned to Delcy, his calm smile was completely gone.

The Alpha aura exploded—heavy, oppressive, forcing everyone present to bow their heads. I knew who it was aimed at.

"Touch her again," Austin's voice was low and dangerous, "and you won't be teaching in this pack anymore, Delcy."

Delcy fell silent, her face pale, her knees nearly buckling.

Silence fell like a hammer.

Seara stood tall beside Austin, her breath still rapid, but her eyes unwavering.

Inside, Arach smiled with satisfaction.

[That’s the Alpha I chose.]