The air in the northern grasslands was crisp and sweet. Walking across the Northern Grassland Werewolf University campus, I actually felt like I could breathe again.
During the day, I sat in classrooms listening intently, soaking up knowledge I’d never had the chance to learn in my previous life.
At night, I worked part–time at the pup training grounds, helping young wolves with their exercises and cleaning up equipment until my back ached. However, even bone–deep tired, I felt more alive than I had in years.
After a month, I had settled into this busy but fulfilling routine. I was gradually forgetting Adrian, and the memories of my past life were fading with the passage of time.
I never expected Adrian to come to the northern grasslands looking for me. He stood outside my dorm building, and the moment he saw me, he exploded with anger.
“Elena, why did you put Sophia’s name on the mate certificate? And why didn’t you come to the southern territories?”
I looked at him calmly, my heart completely still. “Isn’t that what you wanted? Sophia as your mate? I got out of the way. You should be thrilled.”
Thrilled? Adrian’s head was spinning. This was not right at all!
“That’s crazy talk! Sophia’s like my sister!”
I finally could not help but laugh coldly. “Right. The kind of sister you’re all over constantly? Come on, Adrian. I’m not stupid.”
Panic flashed across Adrian’s eyes. He stepped forward, trying to grab my hand. “Elena, stop this. You’re my only mate. There’s nothing between Sophia and me!”
“Come back with me. I’ll change the name on the mate certificate back to yours.”
I yanked my hand away and stepped back warily. “Adrian, I’m not going back with you. Whether or not you and Sophia have something going on no longer concerns me. I just want nothing to do with you ever again!”
I turned and walked away decisively, not wanting to look at him for another second.
Adrian shouted after me, “Elena, we’re mates! You can’t treat me like this!”
Over the next few days, Adrian kept lurking around campus. I deliberately avoided him, wanting no further contact, but I never imagined that he could be so shameless.
During class, the dean, Caleb Pole, called me to his office. That was when I learned that Adrian was trying to withdraw me from school.
I was shaking with rage as I pointed at him accusingly. “Adrian, what exactly are you trying to do? What gives you the right to make me drop out?”
“I want you to come back with me.” He stood up and walked toward me, reaching for my hand.
I jerked backward, dodging his touch. “Go back? To watch you and Sophia being all lovey–dovey in front of me every day?”
His face went rigid, and then he got angry. “Elena, we’re supposed to be mates! Stop being ridiculous. What’s the point of you running off to the north and us being long–distance?”
His shameless behavior made me laugh bitterly. “Adrian, Sophia is your mate! Her name is on the mate certificate and she’s the one you actually care about. Can’t you just leave me alone?”
His face turned dark as he said through gritted teeth, “The mate certificate was filled out wrong. We can change it back. I know I screwed up before, but I won’t do it again.”
Chapter 7
+15 Bonus
Those words hit me like ice water.
He had said the exact same thing dozens of times in my previous life. And every single time, he would go right back to doting on Sophia like it was hardwired into his DNA.
I was done talking. I turned to Caleb pleadingly. “Mr. Pole, I really want to continue studying here. Please don’t make me withdraw!”
Caleb had been watching everything unfold. He looked at me sympathetically, and then turned to Adrian. “Mr. Northgate, you have no authority over Ms. Elena. You cannot withdraw her from this institution.”
I breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Caleb gratefully.
Adrian started to argue, but Caleb was already escorting him towards the door.
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