Chapter 1 Second Chance
“If you fail, don’t come back home.”
Her words still ring in my ears. My mother didn’t yell, but I felt every syllable like a weight pressing down on me. I nodded, silent, because I couldn’t trust my voice not to shake. I had to pass my promotion test at Moonbridge Academy. I had to and if I failed… I couldn’t even imagine what would happen.
The next morning, I walked toward the academy gates, my books pressed tightly against my chest. Every step felt heavier than the last. The hallways were already crowded with students, laughing and joking like nothing mattered. I tried to block it out. The knot in my stomach tightened with every step.
“Hey, Elena!”
I turned to see Ryan waving at me. Ryan had always been kind. He seemed to notice when something was wrong, even when no one else did.
“Hey,” I said, forcing a smile.
“You look tense,” he said as we walked together. “Didn’t sleep well?”
I shook my head. “Just… a lot on my mind. Big day today.”
He raised an eyebrow knowingly. “Promotion test results?”
I nodded silently. I had hoped I wouldn’t have to face it so soon. “Yeah. I’ll know today if I… passed.”
We walked into the classroom just as the teachers started handing back the results. The room went quiet for a moment, all eyes on the papers. My hands shook as I took mine. I wanted to hide from the world, but then I remembered my mother’s words:
If you fail, don’t come back home.
Panic hit me again. My chest tightened, I couldn’t go back. Not like this.
“Uh… what does it say?” Ryan asked gently.
I swallowed hard. I couldn’t speak. I only nodded and whispered, “I failed my wolf test, I eed… I need to take it again.”
Ryan frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I… I have to see Professor Charles,” I admitted, my voice barely audible. “I can’t… I can’t go home like this.”
Ryan put a hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure? He’s… not exactly easy to deal with.”
“I know,” I said, nodding. “But I have no choice.”
He didn’t argue. Just gave me a small, encouraging smile before walking away. I turned toward the professor’s office, my legs moving on their own. My heart beat faster with every step. The hallway seemed longer, the walls tighter. My palms were sweaty, my stomach twisting in nerves.
When I reached the office, I paused outside the large wooden door. I had never been this close without an appointment. The nameplate read: Professor Charles. I had heard stories about him being strict, unforgiving and terrifying. Some said he could see right through lies, making people feel small and exposed.
I took a deep breath and knocked lightly.
“Come in,” his deep voice said.
I opened the door and stepped inside. There he was. Professor Charles., his dark eyes locked onto me, studying me carefully. There was no smile, no welcome. Just a look that made me feel completely exposed.
“Professor,” I said, my voice shaking. “I… I need a second chance. Please. I failed my promotion test, and I… I can’t go back home. Please, give me another chance.”
He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers, eyes never leaving mine. “You want a second chance?” he asked calmly. “And why should I give it to you?”
I swallowed hard. “I… I’ll do anything. I’ll work harder. I’ll stay late. I’ll follow every rule. Please. I can’t… I can’t fail.”
Professor Charles raised an eyebrow. “Anything?”
“Yes,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
He studied me in silence. My hands twisted together nervously, my eyes fixed on the floor. I could hear my own heartbeat in the quiet.
Finally, he spoke. “You are desperate, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” I admitted. “I… I can’t go home like this. Please. I’ll do whatever it takes. I just need to take the test again, I'll prove I can do better”
He stood and walked slowly around his desk. Each step made the room feel smaller, the air thicker. He stopped in front of me, his eyes intense. “Do you understand what you are asking for? A second chance… it doesn’t come freely. Not from me, not from anyone who cares about success.”
I nodded quickly. “I understand, sir. Please, I just need to take the test again. I wasn’t serious with the first one, I'll admit I missed some of your classes .”
He leaned closer. “Anything…?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
He tilted his head, as if thinking carefully. Then he straightened. “Very well,” he said. “I can give you another chance but there is one condition.”
I stood still and stare into his eyes.“Condition?”
He stepped back, folding his arms. “The only way I can help you… the only way I can give you a second chance… is if you let me in.”
My stomach dropped. My mind raced. What did he mean? Was it a test? A rule I didn’t know? My heart pounded. I wanted to ask, to plead, to beg for clarification but I couldn’t. I had no other choice.
My lips parted, but no sound came out. My throat felt dry. I wanted to run, to step back, but I didn’t. I couldn’t, my mother would kill me if I came home with this test results.
He smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Good,” he said softly. “Then we understand each other.”
The words pressed down on me like a heavy weight. I had wanted another chance, to save myself. And now… I wasn’t sure what I had just agreed to.
The door clicked shut behind me. My heart raced so fast I could barely hear anything else. I had begged, pleaded, and now I had agreed.
But agreed to what?
Everything had changed in that moment.
“The only way I can help you,” he said, “is if you let me in.”
I froze. What did he mean by that?
