The Second Chance I Didn't Give

After our pack lost the war, the survivors spent two years on the run. In the third year, the Wolf Council passed a decree allowing us to be absorbed into new packs. But there was a catch—we had to pass the Trials, a specialized test designed to test our physical fitness, reflexes, and overall abilities. Those who passed would be accepted. Those who didn't would be cast out as rogues for good. One month before the Trials, Vera Cross burst into the gathering, her voice trembling with excitement. "Everyone, stop preparing! I got a spell from a witch—just chant it in your head during the Trials, and you'll pass for sure!" She grinned and pulled out a record. "My friend Lily already took these exact Trials during her pack's routine check last month. She didn't prep at all—just chanted this spell in her head. And guess what? She passed." The record got passed around. Cheers erupted. Last life, I tried to warn them. Told them the official Trials would block all spellwork—that using it would flag them as anomalies, get their qualifications revoked on the spot, and dump them straight into rogue status. No one listened. So I reported the situation to the Council. Vera got her membership revoked. Died out in the wilds. Back then, every single pack member said she deserved it. Thanked me for saving them. But after we settled into the new pack, they cornered me. Doused me in gasoline. Burned me alive. "If you'd just kept your mouth shut, she'd still be alive!" When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the exact moment Vera was rallying everyone to give up on prep. Chapter 1 Vera held her phone high, jabbing at the screen with her finger. "This segment—testing muscle strength—my friend just chanted the spell in her head, and the system gave her a perfect score." She lifted her chin, eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction. "The Trials system is a joke. Completely defenseless against a witch's spell." The whole pack erupted. Everyone craned their necks to stare at that glaring perfect score on her screen. "No way—it actually gave her full marks?" Vera smiled, thoroughly pleased. "Have I ever lied to you? She had a few other friends who used the same method—all perfect scores. No question about it." Someone ventured hesitantly, "What if the Trial content changes when we take it? What if the spell stops working?" Vera's lips curved as she pulled up a chat log on her phone. "My cousin's interning with the Council. He told me himself—the Trials are standardized. Same format, same segments every time." The pack exploded. Every face lit up with excitement. "Inside info from the Council? Then we're golden." "Vera, you're a legend! I'm your servant from now on!" Vera pressed a finger to her lips, soaking in their adoration. "Right now, not many people know about the witch's spell trick. Other packs are still busting their asses preparing." She paused, letting her gaze drift slowly across the room. "You get what I'm saying, right? You exploit a loophole while it's still there. Once everyone finds out, the chance is gone." "Do what I say—chant the spell during the Trials, and we'll all score high. Then we can walk into whatever new pack we want." A few wolves still looked uncertain. Vera walked over and patted one on the shoulder. "Relax. As long as the format stays the same, it has to obey the witch's spell. There's no way around it." She crossed her arms, tone light. "Don't believe me? Then keep preparing. When we're all in our new packs, don't come crying to me." The ones who'd been sucking up moments ago immediately joined in. "I trust Vera! Anyone who doesn't follow her is an idiot!" "If you're scared, then stay behind. We don't need you anyway." The hesitant one's face went pale—clearly convinced now. Someone started unscrewing the caps on their enhancement supplements. Yellowish and white pills flew through the air, raining down onto the ground like hailstones. I sat in my seat, watching coldly. The official Trials system filters out all spellwork. Chanting that thing in your head will only flag you as an anomaly—automatic zero. And even wolves who score high on the Trials have to face a personal review by the Council. Anyone caught trying to cheat the system? They'd never get another chance. Not in this lifetime. Last life, I tried to warn them. No one listened. They were all blinded by the illusion of perfect scores, convinced I was just bitter that they'd coast into a new pack while I busted my ass for nothing. This time, I'm not saying a single word. If they want to torch their own futures, that's on them. When the real results drop, I'll be watching to see how they plan to get into that new pack. Chapter 2 Vera waved a stack of forms in the air, tapping the edge against a tree trunk. "These are opt-out forms. Sign them, and you don't have to show up to the Council's prep training camp. Just come straight for the Trials when it's time." Silas Morris was the first to rush up and snatch one, signing without a second thought. "Whatever Vera says goes. Anyone who doesn't sign is an idiot." Rowan White hesitated for two seconds, then signed too. With someone taking the lead, everyone else crowded in, scrambling for the forms. "Sign it fast. Let's go home and hunt. See you in the new pack!" Only one form was left. Vera turned to look at me, still standing there, and held it out. "Seraphina, aren't you signing?" I stared back at her, expressionless. Didn't reach for it. Vera's smile flickered for a split second, a flush creeping up her face. "Don't tell me you're scared? Everyone else signed. What's there to be afraid of?" Silas chimed in from the side, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "She's always been the strongest fighter among us. Of course she can't relate to us taking shortcuts." "Two years of busting her ass, only to find out we can waltz into a new pack with just a few words. All that work for nothing. That's gotta sting." Muffled laughter rippled through the crowd. Vera's voice took on a pitying edge. "Seraphina, I get it—it sucks. But even if you give it everything you've got, your own abilities alone won't get you into a new pack." She sighed, looking at me like I was an idiot. "There's an easy way up right in front of you. Why won't you take it?" My fated mate, Jasper Thorne, looked down at me, clearly losing patience. "You're the only one who hasn't signed. What's your deal?" He lifted his chin, contempt plain in his eyes. "A golden opportunity's staring you in the face, and you're just going to fight yourself over it?" Vera tugged at his sleeve, then turned back to me, putting on a concerned face. "You're really not signing? You're the only one in the whole pack who hasn't. Doesn't that feel weird to you?" Jasper let out a cold laugh, his gaze mocking. "She can't stand seeing us get ahead easy. She suffered for two years, and we get in with a single phrase—of course she's bitter." Silas butted in, his tone snide. "The whole pack signed except her, and she's playing the wise one. What's the point?" Vera waved the form in front of my face. "Seraphina, last chance. Are you signing or not? Don't say I didn't give you an opportunity." When I didn't react, she let out a dramatic, regretful sigh. "When we're all in the new pack and you're the only one left out, don't come crying to me." I slowly looked around at all of them, then finally spoke: "Not signing." Vera's smile froze. Her eyes turned a little red. "Seraphina, be honest with me. If you're not signing—are you planning to report us?" The whole pack went dead silent. She bit her lip, her voice trembling slightly. "If you have a problem with me, just take it out on me. But this is about everyone's future. Don't make the whole pack pay for your grudge." Her words lit a fuse. Everyone's expression shifted instantly. "No wonder she won't sign! She's been plotting against us this whole time!" Vera quickly waved her hands, trying to calm things down. "Everyone, relax. I'm just asking. Maybe Seraphina didn't mean it like that." Jasper slammed his fist into the dirt right in front of me, making the nearby tree shudder. He leaned down, his face inches from mine, disgust burning in his eyes. "Seraphina. Are you going to snitch? What the hell is wrong with you? How can you be so selfish?" His chest heaved as he ground out the words through clenched teeth. "If you don't sign today—we're done. No discussion." Chapter 3 A wave of sharp gasps rippled through the pack. Every pair of eyes locked onto me. I looked at Jasper and almost laughed. Last life, he was the one who burned me alive. This life, I couldn't wait to cut him loose. "Fine." The temperature around us dropped instantly. Jasper let out a bitter laugh, nodding repeatedly. "Seraphina. You'll regret this." Vera's eyes flickered with a flash of triumph as she reached for his arm. "Some wolves just don't know how to appreciate good things. Jasper's only looking out for you." Jasper's face darkened. He snatched up the form, grabbed my wrist with his other hand, and yanked upward. "You're signing today whether you want to or not. The whole pack isn't going down because of one wolf." A few wolves shoved my shoulders back, pinning me against the tree. A figure came sprinting from the distance: "What the hell are you doing?" Ober Frost, the Council-appointed supervisor, stood at the entrance. No one had noticed when she arrived. Jasper let go on instinct. The wolves sprang back like they'd been shocked. Ober's gaze swept across the shredded papers on the ground, her brow furrowing. "Is this a training ground or a brawling pit? What's all this noise?" Vera stepped forward first. "Ms. Ober, we're filling out opt-out forms for the training camp." Ober's eyes went wide, her voice shooting up. "Ridiculous! The official Trials are right around the corner, and the Council specifically sent me here to supervise your training because they still have hope for your pack. Dropping out now—you're throwing your own futures away!" Vera's tone was dismissive, a laugh slipping out before she could stop it. "Ms. Ober, we have our own training plan. The Council's program isn't useful for us." Ober stared at her like she couldn't believe her ears. "The Council's training methods have improved countless wolves' physical abilities. You're calling that useless?" The training ground went quiet for a beat, then scattered laughter broke out. Vera put on a helpless expression, but her voice was firm. "Ms. Ober, we're confident we'll get perfect scores. We don't need any more training." Jasper stepped up to back her. "You don't need to worry about us. We know what we're doing." Ms. Frost's face flushed red, her finger trembling as she pointed at them. "Do you have any idea what a perfect score on the Trials actually means?" Vera didn't flinch, handing over the completed forms. "We take full responsibility. Whatever happens, it won't fall on you. We just need your signature and stamp." Jasper spread his hands, tone casual. "We're more efficient training at home anyway. Saves you the trouble." Others joined in from behind. "Didn't you always say we should respect every wolf's choice? This is our choice." Surrounded on all sides, Ms. Ober let out a heavy sigh. She pulled out her stamp and pressed it down on form after form. After the stamping was done, Jasper passed by me and lowered his voice in warning. "Seraphina. If you breathe a single word about the witch's spell—you know what happens." Vera let out a mocking laugh. "Relax, Jasper. She's the last wolf who'd want anyone to know. Otherwise, she'd be the only one at the bottom. How embarrassing would that be?" With that, they strolled out of the training ground laughing and chatting. The whole place was empty. Thirty-eight wolves. Not a single one left. Chapter 4 I looked away and started picking up the scattered supplements from the ground. After that day, I went back to the training ground during the day to do my physical drills, slept at night, and took enhancement supplements to push myself further. The Council's training program that Ms. Ober brought was solid. I ran through every exercise over and over during the day, and at night, lying in my bunk, I closed my eyes and replayed every single detail of the official Trials in my head. I could feel my body getting stronger by the day. During breaks, I scrolled through my phone. Social feeds were full of celebration. Vera posted a set of photos—her leaning against Jasper, smiling all coy and sweet. Caption: [No training, and even the air tastes sweet. Some wolves are still eating dirt at the training ground, while we're already living the good life in our new pack.] Jasper posted a selfie too, that lazy, cocky smirk on his face. [Just cruising. We're all getting the same results anyway—who cares how we get there?] Silas commented underneath: [@Seraphina The harder you try, the more it hurts. Hahaha.] Rowan piled on: [@Seraphina After the Trials, come be my servant in my new pack. Your physique's solid—I'll definitely put you to good use.] I shut off my phone without a flicker of emotion and went back to training. Arguing with a bunch of arrogant idiots would only make me dumber. The day of the Trials, the weather was perfect. Before entering the testing grounds, Vera sidled up to me, a smile playing on her lips. "Good luck, Try-Hard." I ignored her and went to find my station. Once the testing started, I caught her out of the corner of my eye—barely moving a claw through almost every segment. Within ten minutes, she'd finished everything. I looked away and focused on my own Trials, executing every single movement perfectly and properly. After it was over, the whole pack gathered outside the testing grounds. Silas spoke first. "We're good. I chanted the spell on every single segment. No way the system doesn't recognize it." Rowan said smugly, "You guys didn't go far enough. I added our pack's blessing chant after the spell—how polite is that?" Silas let out a small laugh and said to Rowan, "The system doesn't care about that stuff. Vera said the simpler the spell, the easier it works." Vera was holding back a laugh, her back to me, and said slowly, "You didn't see—Seraphina was in the same testing ground as me. From start to finish, she took it super seriously." Jasper immediately burst out laughing: "What's the point of her going all out? In the end, she's still getting crushed under our feet." After getting her fill of mockery, Vera jumped in to play the good wolf again. She glanced at me, covered her mouth with a laugh, and said, "Alright, alright, she's still right here. Stop it. She worked hard for two years—leave her some dignity." Her voice couldn't hide the smugness. She looked at me, eyes sparkling. "Seraphina, if you ever want to visit my new pack, just drop my name. I'll personally show you around our territory. We were packmates, after all." Silas immediately stoked the fire: "Vera's so generous. Unlike some wolves—why isn't she saying anything? Like she's the only one who gets it." Vera's eyes practically dripped with amusement. "Okay, okay, stop—she's going to storm off if you keep going." Everyone jabbered on, every single sentence aimed at mocking me. I turned off my phone and walked away from the pack. The only reason I'd been standing there with them was because Ms. Ober said there'd be announcements after the Trials. And she'd just messaged me that she'd already told me everything beforehand. I didn't bother with the jeers at my back. Once the Trials results came out, they wouldn't be laughing anymore. Results day. Everyone showed up early at the Council hall, practically vibrating with anticipation. The Council's voice rang through the hall: "Silas, Rowan, Vera, Jasper... cheating detected during the Trials. Scores voided!" The hall went dead silent for one beat—then exploded.