Chapter Nine Damien's POV : I forced a smile , though my patience was wearing caring thin " Wonderful , " I said dryly . " Truly , i like a dream come true . " " See ? " She cooed , completely ignoring the sarcasm dripping from my tone . " I knew you'd come around . This is perfect , Damien . A fresh start for us ! " I stepped back , crossing my arms over my chest . " Let me stop you right there , Ava . There's no " us . There never was . And I don't have the energy to deal with you . Her smile faltered for a brief second , but she quickly recovered , her expression turning coy . " Oh , come on , Damien . Don't be like that . We had something special once , didn't we ? " I let out a humorless laugh . " Special ? If by ' special ' you mean a complete disaster , then sure , let's call it that " Her eyes narrowed slightly , a flash of irritation breaking through her facade . " You're still holding a grudge , " She said , her voice softer now , almost coaxing . " I can see it in your eyes . But I'm here to make things right " " You want to make things right ? " I asked , my voice sharp as I took a step closer . " Then stay far away from me , Ava . The last thing I need is your chaos following me around again " She pouted , leaning against the doorframe as if she had all the time in the world . " Chaos ? That's a bit harsh , don't you think ? " " Not harsh enough , " I muttered under my breath , running a hand through my hair . " Look , Ava , I don't care why you're here or what game you're playing but stay out of my way . Got it ? " Before she could respond , Caspian , who had been quietly watching the exchange from the corner of the room , finally stepped " Ava , " He said firmly . " You've made your point . Now , give him some space . She turned to him , batting her lashes like she always did when she wanted to manipulate someone " Caspian , you're still as charming as ever , " She purred . " Save it ," he said , his expression unreadable . Tm not in the mood for your theatrics . " Her smile faltered again , but she quickly straightened up , brushing imaginary lint off her blouse . " Fine , " she said with a huff , throwing me one last lingering look . " I'll give you some space , Damien . For how With that , she turned on her heel and sauntered out of the room , leaving behind the scent of her overly sweet perfume . As soon as the door closed behind her , I let out a frustrated groan and sank onto the couch " First Julian , now w Avai muttered , running both hands down my face . " What's next ? A circus ? " Caspian smirked , leaning against the wall . " If it is , you'd be the star attraction I glared at him , but he just shrugged . " Look on the bright side , " He added . " At least things aren't boring . " " That's the problem . " I shot back , rubbing a hand down my face . " I'd take boring over this mess any day . " I exhaled and crossed the room , dropping onto the couch with a thud . Leaning forward , I rested my elbows on my knees and clasped my hands together , trying to make sense of everything . Ave and I had a brief but high - profile relationship at Harvard - one that had been the talk of the school Our breakup had sent shockwaves through campus , yet after I left and took over the Pack , she had vanished from my life . No calls , no sudden appearances Nothing +15 BONUS So why now ? Then it hit me . I was making changes . Taking this position as a lecturer was an attempt to rewrite mine and Elara's fate , but maybe , just maybe , it had set off a chain reaction . The college Elara attended in the past was this exact same one , and maybe it was the same place Ava had taught in the past . That could explain her presence : But Julian ? I had always kept tabs on him , and never - not once - had he been anywhere near this college . So what changed ? What had drawn him here ? Could Julian be her mate in this life ? Did the Moon Goddess choose him to give Elara the happiness I had stolen from her before ? Should I step back and let them have their chance ? The very idea clawed at my chest . the pain of my mistakes if I was But if that were the case , then why was I reborn with my past memories ? Why show me th powerless to change anything ? Was this my punishment to watch from the sidelines as she found happiness with someone else ? Over the next two days , I barely saw Elara , except from a distance , usually on the Lawn Tennis field . But I never approached her . Caspian didn't ask why , but his eyes had unspoken questions every time he caught me watching her . He knew something was off However , I drowned myself in work , throwing my focus into orientation , introductions , and familiarizing myself with my new responsibilities . Anything to keep my mind occupied . But fate had other plans Just when I thought I could avoid Elara lon long enough to figure out what to do , I received my class schedule Werewolf History I & II For first - year students My stomach twisted as I stared at the list of students that would be taking the course . And Elara's name was on it . Tomorrow , I would stand before my students , and she would be there - watching me , listening to me . The past I was trying to escape was about to collide head - on with the present . And I had no idea how to handle it Sighing . I tossed the file aside and turned to Caspian , who was busy typing away on his laptop . " I don't get it " I said , crossing my arms . " We had almost the same scores in college , so how is it that you're handling the second years while I'm stuck with the first years ? " Caspian looked up , a smug grin already forming " Glad you said " almost " and not exactly I rolled my eyes as he leaned back in his chair . " Besides , " He continued . "I was way more active in school than you were . You spent most of your time chasing girls and soaking up the fame , while I was leading clubs and , you know , learning i Thuffed ' Fair point . " Caspian closed his laptop and studied me for a moment before speaking again . " Also He hesitated , then leaned forward . " The whole reason you dragged me into this - forcing me to take a lecturer position was because you wanted to be close to Elara , right ? " I stiffened " But ever since the whole thing with Julian and Ava , you've been acting off His tone was cautious , but his eyes held a glare . Texhaled slowly , shaking my head . " I just … I don't know , " want her anymore , we can leave . It'd be better than letting history He watched me carefully before sighing " Look , if you don't w repeat itself , don't you think ? " My jaw clenched . " I will never let that happen again ! Not with Elara . Caspian held קטן his hands in surrender . " Good . Then do yourself a favor and step back . Don't ruin tonight for them , I leaned forward . " What's happening tonight ? " His brows lifted slightly . " You seriously don't know ? " I shook my head , my grip tightening on the armrest . Caspian let out a slow breath before answering . " Julian and Elata have a date tonight . "