Chapter 3 No.3

AUTUMN POV

Air rushed into my lungs as my eyes flew open. My body jerked upright, my heart hammering against my ribs. For one terrifying moment, I expected the wind to be tearing at me, the ground rushing up to meet me.

Instead... there were soft blankets. Warm, still air. The familiar scent of old wood and lavender.

My room.

I blinked rapidly, my breath coming in ragged gasps. No. This can't be. I scrambled up, my trembling fingers running over my arms, my ribs. Smooth skin. No bruises. No wounds. My hands flew to my face-no cuts, no trace of tears. My hair was clean and soft.

I was... whole.

Shaking, I looked around at the familiar walls. The desk by the window. The shelf of old books. The small crescent moon charm above my bed-the one Knox had given me years ago, before everything changed.

My breath hitched. I rushed to the mirror, staring at the reflection that met me. My skin was clear. My eyes looked younger, wider, untouched by the betrayal I remembered. I looked eighteen again.

How is this possible? The last memory was Agatha's triumphant smile as she pushed me, the sickening plunge, the rocks below...

Yet here I was, in my old room, in a body that hadn't yet known that pain.

My hands flew to my mouth as a choked sob escaped. "I'm back." I wasn't dead. The Moon Goddess had heard my desperate cry.

Tears streamed down my face as I sank to my knees. "Thank you," I whispered, pressing my hands together. "Thank you."

A second chance. I swore I wouldn't waste it. Not this time.

A loud shout echoed from outside. I froze. This moment... I remember this.

My legs felt weak as I pushed to my feet and moved toward the door. A strange calm settled over me as I walked down the hallway, my fingers brushing the wall to confirm it was real.

The voices grew clearer as I reached the front entrance. And there it was-the scene that had started it all.

Agatha stood by the small lake behind the estate, her golden curls damp, her dress clinging to her as if she'd just been in the water. Tears-perfect, practiced tears-streamed down her cheeks.

And around her stood them.

Adonis, arms crossed, his expression sharp with irritation. Knox, watching with that calculating gaze. Dante, brow slightly furrowed, a trace of amusement on his lips but concern in his eyes.

My heart ached at the sight. These men had once been my entire world. The same men who would one day believe her lies over mine.

But beneath the ache, a new resolve hardened. I wouldn't fall for it again. Death had taught me a strength I never knew I had.

Agatha let out a pitiful sob, burying her face against Dante. "She-she pushed me!"

And just like that, it all clicked. This was her first move. The first seed of doubt.

Five years ago, I had defended myself. I had pleaded. And they hadn't believed me.

Not this time.

"I pushed her."

The words left my lips calmly, without hesitation. I crossed my arms, lifting my chin. Inside, my heart raced, but my face remained still. This would be the moment they turned on me-just like before-and I could finally leave this place for good.

A heavy silence fell.

For a split second, genuine shock flickered across Agatha's face before she hid it behind another sniffle. I savored that small crack in her mask.

"She did it on purpose!" Agatha whimpered, clinging to Dante. "She's always bullying me!"

I stood my ground, bracing for their anger, their disgust, the punishment I was sure would come. Banish me, I thought. Let me go.

But instead-

Adonis sighed. Then... he shrugged. "It's fine."

I blinked. "What?"

Knox let out a breath, as if this were just a minor inconvenience. "Accidents happen," he said, his voice smooth, almost amused.

Dante chuckled softly, tilting his head at me. "You're in a feisty mood today, Barbie."

His teasing tone made my stomach tighten. This isn't right. The script had changed, and I didn't know my lines.

I needed them to reject me. To give me a reason to leave.

I turned and gave Agatha a sharp shove-harder this time. She yelped, stumbling back into the water with a splash.

Surely this will do it.

Adonis rubbed his temples, looking more exasperated than angry. "Autumn, don't be difficult."

Knox reached out and... ruffled my hair. "Feisty today, Little Moon. Cute, too."

Cute? My mind reeled.

Dante was worse. He grinned, then pulled me against his side, his arm resting loosely over my shoulders. His warmth was familiar and disorienting. "Maybe she's just having a rough day. We should be understanding."

Heat flooded my face. "Excuse me?!"

He laughed, but I was frozen. Where was the fury? The accusations? They were... teasing me? Comforting me?

Agatha stood by the lake, utterly stunned. Her eyes darted between them and me, her perfect composure shattered into pure confusion.

Join the club, I thought bitterly.

My plan was crumbling. I'd pushed her, admitted it, and yet-

"Go to your room, Autumn," Adonis said, but his voice was gentle, not cold.

"I'd rather be banished," I said, desperation creeping in.

Dante's grin widened. "And I'd rather give you a different kind of... consequence."

My face burned. This wasn't the man who had watched me be cast out.

I turned to Knox, but he was smirking too, his silver-blue eyes glinting. "I agree."

Adonis, the always-serious Alpha, sighed as if this were normal, then stepped forward and-hugged me. Briefly, firmly. His scent of pine and ember wrapped around me. "Go cool off," he murmured before letting go.

I stood there, stunned. The memory of his past rejection crashed against this unexpected tenderness.

What is happening?

I scowled, putting an edge in my voice. "You're all impossible."

Dante just smiled. "And you're cute when you're annoyed."

I give up.

Agatha's face was a picture of shock and frustration. "You're not going to punish her?! She pushed me! Twice!"

Knox sighed, sounding bored. "You're wet, Agatha. Not hurt. Go change."

"If it were me, you'd have-"

"Go. Change." Adonis cut her off, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I didn't wait. I turned and walked back inside, shutting the door behind me. I leaned against it, my heart pounding, my hands unsteady.

What was that?

This wasn't how it was supposed to go. I was always the one blamed. Punished. Pushed away.

But now... they looked at me with warmth. With teasing affection. As if they still wanted me here.

A chilling, exhilarating realization washed over me: The Moon Goddess hadn't just sent me back in time.

She had sent me somewhere else entirely. A world where the rules were different.

A world where they... loved me?