William stood in his room, staring at the reflection in the mirror, his hands gripping the wooden dresser with enough force to make the wood groan. His amber eyes burned with a mixture of fury and determination. The memories of his death were still fresh, the echoes of Alice's final words ringing in his ears.
He turned away from the mirror, pacing the room like a caged beast. His heart pounded as the enormity of his situation sank in. This wasn't just a dream or a hallucination—he had truly returned to the past.
The door creaked open, and a familiar face poked in. It was Roland, his childhood friend and loyal companion, still wearing the boyish grin that had disappeared in the cruel years to come.
"William, you're up early!" Roland said, stepping into the room. "You should be resting before the ceremony. Big day tomorrow."
William forced himself to smile, masking the storm within. "Yeah, I guess I couldn't sleep. Just... nervous, you know?"
Roland clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Nervous? You? You're the prodigy everyone's been talking about! Tomorrow, you'll awaken your bloodline, and the entire clan will celebrate your rise. You're practically a legend already."
William's smile faltered. In another life, that legend had been cut short by betrayal. He couldn't let it happen again.
Determined to make the most of his second chance, William decided to reacquaint himself with the clan. Every face he saw carried memories—some warm, others bitter. He greeted the elders with respect, sparred with younger wolves eager to test themselves against the prodigy, and exchanged pleasantries with families who had once looked to him as their hope.
But every interaction reminded him of what was to come. The ceremony. The betrayal. The pain.
As the day wore on, William found himself standing on a cliff overlooking the dense forest that stretched for miles. The view was breathtaking, yet his mind was elsewhere. He clenched his fists, remembering how he had trusted the wrong people.
"Not this time," he muttered to himself.
As night fell, William returned to his room, finding it harder to suppress the rage boiling within him. His mind raced with plans and possibilities. He needed to stay ahead of the betrayal, to uncover the schemes that had led to his downfall.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Come in," he said, masking his irritation.
The door opened, and his heart skipped a beat as she entered.
"Rose," he said, his voice carefully neutral.
Her smile was as radiant as he remembered, a mask of innocence that hid the venom beneath. She walked toward him with a grace that had once captivated him, her golden hair catching the light.
"William," she said softly, her voice sweet and melodic. "I wanted to check on you. Tomorrow's a big day, and I know how much it means to you."
William's jaw tightened. He remembered every word she had said to him before betraying him, every look she had given him as she conspired with another man. Yet, he forced himself to remain calm.
"Thank you, Rose," he said, his tone even. "It means a lot that you care."
Her smile widened, and for a moment, William felt the old ache of betrayal. He reminded himself that this time, he wouldn't fall for her lies.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said, placing a hand on his arm before leaving the room.
As the door closed, William exhaled deeply, his hands trembling. Not this time, he thought. You won't fool me again.
With the ceremony only hours away, William knew he couldn't rely solely on his memories. He needed allies, but he also needed to act with caution. Exposing Rose and her accomplice, Michael, without evidence would only make him look paranoid.
He spent the night going over everything he knew—every detail of the betrayal, every ally and enemy he had made, every step he had taken in his previous life. He knew the ceremony would be the turning point, the moment when everything fell apart.
By the time the sun rose, William was ready. He had a plan—a risky one, but it was the best he could manage with the time he had.
The day of the bloodline awakening ceremony was filled with pomp and celebration. The entire clan gathered in the grand hall, their excitement palpable. William stood at the center, his heart pounding as the elders began the ritual.
As the incantations filled the air, William felt the familiar surge of power within him. His blood burned as the ancient magic awakened his dormant abilities. He clenched his fists, relishing the sensation.
But his mind was elsewhere. He scanned the crowd, searching for signs of betrayal. He saw Rose standing with her family, her expression serene. Nearby, Michael lingered, his gaze sharp and calculating.
They're already planning it, William thought.
As the ritual reached its climax, the elders declared William's bloodline fully awakened. The crowd erupted in cheers, but William remained focused.
Later that evening, as the celebrations continued, William approached Roland.
"Can I count on you for something important?" he asked, his voice low.
Roland frowned but nodded. "Of course. What's going on?"
William hesitated, then said, "I can't explain everything right now, but I need you to trust me. Keep an eye on Rose and Michael. If anything seems suspicious, let me know immediately."
Roland's frown deepened, but he didn't question William further. "You've got it."
As the night wore on, William found himself standing alone in the forest, away from the noise and revelry. He knew the path ahead would be fraught with danger and heartache, but he was ready.
"This time," he whispered, his voice filled with resolve, "I won't lose everything."
The wind carried his words into the night as he prepared to face the trials ahead. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear—William would not repeat his past mistakes.