My mate got into Oxford, but he decided to repeat a year of high school instead. As an Alpha, Luca Stone had the privilege to choose his path, but I encouraged him to pursue his studies at Oxford. Later, we both went abroad for our master's degrees and returned to lead a successful and fulfilling life within our packs. But then, after his high school sweetheart, Adrianna Sullivan, was beaten to death by her husband, he ended up killing me.

"It's all your fault, Gabrielle, for pushing me to go to Oxford," he growled, his Alpha tone cutting through the air like a blade. "If I had stayed back with Adrianna, she would have marked me, and she wouldn’t have suffered from the abuse."

So, she was his true mate all along. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back at the time right after the college entrance exams, my memories intact but my heart heavy with the knowledge of what was to come.

"Gabrielle, I'm thinking about repeating the year," Luca said, his deep voice carrying the weight of his Alpha authority, though he tried to soften it for me.

"Go ahead," I replied, my tone steady despite the turmoil inside me. My wolf stirred faintly, a quiet whisper of unease, but I pushed it aside. This was a path I had walked before, and I knew where it led.

Luca was pleased to hear my support. "Adrianna is going to repeat the year too. With my scores, I can request to be in the same class as her. There shouldn't be any issue."

I nodded in agreement. After all, a top score was quite impressive, even for an Alpha. Luca muttered to himself, “So it’s settled.”

Then he suggested, “How about we catch a movie later?”

“No, thanks,” I replied, holding his gaze, because there was something else I needed to say. “Luca, let’s break up.”

“…”

Luca was stunned for a couple of seconds, but then he regained his composure, his Alpha mask sliding back into place as he hid any emotion behind a cool indifference. “Fine, let’s break up.”

“It’s just as well. I wasn’t keen on a long-distance relationship anyway; we would have split eventually.”

I nodded and turned to leave, my heart heavy but resolute. My wolf whined softly in the back of my mind, a faint echo of the bond we had once shared, but I silenced it. This time, I would choose a different path—one that didn’t lead to tragedy.

In my previous life, when Alpha Luca Stone of the Shadow Fang Pack considered resuming his studies, I did everything I could to convince him to attend Oxford. Together, we walked through the ancient gates of the university, our bond growing stronger as we pursued knowledge side by side. After graduation, we chose Columbia for our postgraduate studies, our shared dreams guiding us forward.

When we returned home, Alpha Luca and I launched a business venture. Within two years, our company thrived, and we took it public. We marked each other as mates, sealing our bond in a ceremony surrounded by our pack. Our future seemed bright, filled with plans for a family and a legacy to leave behind.

But everything shattered when Luca heard that Adrianna Sullivan, the golden-haired beauty from the Nightshade Pack, had died due to domestic violence. He disappeared for three days, his pack in chaos as they searched for him. When he finally returned, his aura was wild, untamed, and dangerous. He confronted me, his eyes blazing with fury, and before I could react, he struck me down, his claws piercing my heart.

"It’s all your fault, Gabrielle," he snarled, his Alpha tone reverberating through the room. "You convinced me to go to Oxford. If I’d stayed with Adrianna, she would have been my Luna, and she wouldn’t have suffered."

In that moment, I understood. Adrianna had always been the one he truly loved. I was just a placeholder, a mistake in the eyes of the Moon Goddess.

So now, in this life, I won’t persuade him. Let Alpha Luca retake his studies, let him be with Adrianna. I wish them a future where they mark each other as mates and live happily ever after. I’ll focus on my own path, far from the shadows of his regrets.

Upon arriving back at the Silver Moon Pack territory, I carefully tucked away my acceptance letter from Oxford and started planning what I’d need to pack for the start of term. I decided to go shopping for supplies in a few days, my mind already racing with the possibilities of my new academic journey.

The next day, as I scrolled through my Instagram, I stumbled upon Adrianna’s grand announcement.

**Adrianna:** *I’ve always been called the prom queen, so... the prom queen has found her match with the valedictorian.*

The post featured two pictures: one of them holding hands, and another of Luca kissing Adrianna on the cheek. Since we shared many mutual friends, the comments began flooding in.

“What a perfect match!”

“Congrats, Adrianna! Wishing you loads of happiness!”

“Congrats to the prom queen and the valedictorian! When’s the celebration dinner?”

Before I could finish reading the comments, a message popped up from my desk-mate, Abigail. As a Beta from the Crimson Howl Pack, she was both a confidant and a steady presence in my life.

“So, when did you and Luca break up?” she asked.

Abigail knew everything about me—our friendship was built on trust and shared secrets.

“Yesterday,” I replied simply.

She responded almost instantly, “Luca moved on fast.”

I chuckled softly, not bothering to engage further. Truthfully, Luca and Adrianna had been classmates since freshman year, and there had always been whispers about them. But during our sophomore year, those rumors were overshadowed when the star athlete publicly declared his relationship with Adrianna.

Luca and I had gotten together during the summer before junior year. It started during gym class when he shielded me from a rogue basketball. Standing there in the sunlight, he looked every bit the commanding Alpha he was—his tall, muscular frame exuding dominance, his sharp features softened by the warmth in his eyes. That was the moment I felt a spark and developed a crush on him.

That summer, our classmates invited me on a hiking trip. To my surprise, Luca was there, and during the descent, he found a moment to confess his feelings to me. My silent crush turned into reality, and I accepted with happiness.

As we tackled the challenges of senior year, our relationship was straightforward. We studied together, supported each other with homework, and made a pact to apply to Oxford. In the end, we both got in.

During the summer following our final exams, Adrianna met up with Luca several times. He mentioned it to me, claiming it was just casual meals with classmates and that others might join. I was naive and didn’t give it much thought. Now, reflecting on it, it was probably more than just friendly meals.

But none of that matters to me now. In this life, Luca’s affairs are no longer my concern, and I have no desire to be involved with him.

After a brief pause in my conversation with Abigail, she messaged again.

“I’m planning to retake the year.”

She continued, “I discussed it with my parents last night. I don’t want to settle for a second-tier university; I want to try again.”

In the past, Abigail had also retaken the year and gotten into Cambridge. During the first weekend after her enrollment, Luca and I took her out for a celebratory dinner in London. Now, faced with the same choice, I was fully behind her decision.

“Yes, definitely go for it and aim for your dream school.”

Cambridge was her dream institution.

“I will. I have to get into Cambridge. Wait for me in London.”

“Of course.”

After finishing our chat, I decided not to check Adrianna’s Instagram anymore and chose to unfollow her. After breaking up with Luca yesterday, I’d already removed all his contact details but hadn’t considered Adrianna’s social media.

As I opened her profile to unfollow, a message notification from Adrianna came through. I was taken aback and opened it.

More messages quickly followed.

“Gabrielle, did you see my Instagram post?”

“Honestly, I’ve liked Luca for a long time, since our freshman year.”

“We’re finally together now, and I’m thrilled.”

“Since you and Luca have broken up, I hope you won’t bother him anymore. We’re planning to retake the year and apply to Stanford together next year.”

Was this her way of flaunting or warning me? I felt no emotion about it.

I smiled faintly and chose to reply.

“Best wishes for both of you at Stanford.”

In this lifetime, may they stay wrapped up in their own world.

Logging out of the chat, I unfollowed Adrianna, feeling a sense of relief as I closed the app. My focus was firmly on my future—Oxford, my studies, and the life I was building for myself, far away from the shadows of Luca and Adrianna’s drama.