All over again?!

Tori’s gaze snaps to him, her eyes wide with disbelief. The room seems to freeze as everyone processes his words. For Tori, it’s a moment of clarity amidst all the fake facade.

She recalls clearly that Wayne wasn’t supposed to be here on this day. In her first life, she hadn’t met him until months after her bonding ceremony with Wade, shortly before the marriage but he had seemed like a sleazeball, always staring at her before the day right before the marriage when he had spoken to her first, but she had walked away angry.

Her mind races as the pieces fall into place… the strange dream, the strange woman’s words, the familiarity of events repeating themselves, and the place. Could this truly be her second chance? Her heart swells with gratitude toward the Moon Goddess. Whatever the reason, she’s determined not to waste this opportunity.

Tori doesn’t question Wayne’s presence; instead, she seizes the moment. Turning to Wade, she takes a deep breath, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions within her. “I accept Wayne as my mate,” she announces, her words cutting through the silence.

Wade’s face twists in disbelief. “What? What are you talking about, Tori?” he demands, glancing behind him at the intruder. He does not even know who he is just yet… To Wade, Wayne is just another stranger.

The memory of her baby’s death, at the hands of her own step-sister and the mate she once loved, comes back flooding in her mind. She feels a surge of determination to rewrite her story, to protect her future and ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself.

She turns to Wade, her voice cold and unyielding. “What you’re feeling isn’t a mate bond, Wade. You’re mistaken. It’s nothing more than you being under the weather.”

The room erupts in shock. Her father, once supportive of Wade, looks surprised. Wade, anger rises as he clenches his fists. He struggles to form words. But it’s Elena  reaction is what convinces Tori that she is actually living her second chance.

Elena's face is pale, her eyes darting nervously between Tori and Wayne.

“Tori,” Elena begins, her voice trembling, “what are you talking about? How could you…?”

Tori doesn’t give her a chance to finish. She rises, her movements slow but deliberate. “I’m done here,” she says simply before walking out of the room, giving Wayne one sly smirk.

Elena rushes after her, catching up to her sister in the hallway. “Tori, wait!” she pleads, grabbing her arm. “Why are you doing this? What’s going on?”

Tori pulls away, her exhaustion evident. “I’m tired, Elena. I need to rest.”

“But-”

“Elena, please. Leave me alone.” she yells.

Elena hesitates, clearly wanting to press further, but Tori’s firm tone leaves room for no argument. She watches as Tori disappears into her room, the door closing softly behind her.

Inside, Tori collapses on the bed, her body trembling with the weight of everything that has happened. She closes her eyes and whispers a prayer of gratitude to the Moon Goddess for this second chance. Though a part of her feels unsettled by the idea of Wayne still being her second mate. The man stalked her in his last life but now he is here… Should she really depend on him? Or just decide to end it all with that damned family?

She has no idea that both of them have been reborn, not just her and now they have a second chance, a second chance to re-do it all.

***

The next day, at school, Wade decides to confront Tori. He intercepts her in the hallway.

“Tori, we need to talk,” he says, blocking her path. His face is filled with desperation.

She crosses her arms, her expression cold. “What is there to talk about, Wade?” Tori demands.

“Tori, you can’t do this,” he pleads. “You can’t choose that strange guy that you don’t even know. Whatever you think we had… it’s real. You’re my mate. I know you feel it too.”

Tori’s resolve hardens. “What I feel is disgust,” she snaps. “You think I’ll fall for your lies again? Leave me alone, Wade.”

“Tori, please,” he whispers, his voice breaking. “You’re making a mistake.”

She doesn’t respond. Instead, she turns on her heel and walks away, ignoring the stares of the students watching them. They are supposed to be a school couple but now… well, it is better nipped in the bud.

As she walks into the school courtyard, her thoughts shift to Wayne. His sudden appearance and declaration of her as his mate had taken her by surprise. Why had he supported her so openly? And where did he come from?

As she strides through the school courtyard, her thoughts drift to Wayne. His sudden declaration of their bond had taken her by surprise. Why had he supported her so openly? And where had he come from?

The flashes of memory from that fateful night resurface. She remembers seeing Wayne, his horrified expression, the blood pooling beneath him. Had he been killed too? And if so, had he also been granted a second chance? Or is this just the past with some tweaks for her?

Determined to find answers, Tori decides to visit Wayne.

She needs to know the truth, she needs answers.

Later that afternoon, Tori finds herself standing outside Wayne’s apartment. She hesitates for a moment, her nerves threatening to get the better of her. Gathering her courage, she knocks on the door.

It takes a few moments, but when the door opens, her heart sinks. Inside, Wayne is standing with his arms wrapped around another woman, their lips locked in a passionate kiss.

The sight freezes her in place. A mix of anger, confusion, and betrayal surges within her. She had come here seeking clarity, perhaps even gratitude for his intervention. Instead, she’s met with this.

Wayne pulls back from the kiss, his eyes widening as he sees Tori standing there. The woman in his arms looks at Tori curiously, clearly unaware of the tension crackling in the air. Tori looks over at the woman and the blood rushes from her face.

Elena.

“Tori,” Wayne starts, his voice uncertain.

But she doesn’t wait to hear his explanation. Without a word, she turns and walks away, her mind racing with questions. What is Wayne’s role in this second chance? Why did he step forward as her mate? And why, after everything, does it feel like her story is unraveling again?

Elena again? With her mate again? What the hell is happening and why?