Oops, Wrong Girl to Bully Chapter 174

ARIA POV

It was a practical reason. Something that made sense.

But it was also true. I did want his guidance.

And it was an excuse to spend more time with him.

Derek's hands tightened on the wheel. Not from stress. From surprise.

He turned to look at me for a second before focusing back on the road. His expression showed shock. Then something else. Something warm.

"You're asking me to mentor you?"

"If you have time."

A genuine smile spread across his face. "I'd like that. I'd like that a lot."

"Good."

"We could meet up regularly. Go over tactical scenarios. I could teach you what to expect. How to navigate the system. Whatever you need."

"That works."

Derek was nodding now. Still smiling. "Yeah. Yeah, we'll do that. Next weekend maybe? Or whenever you're free."

"Next weekend works."

Something warm settled in my chest. Unfamiliar but not unpleasant.

This man was my father. My biological father. And even though he didn't know it, I wanted him in my life.

Not as a stranger. As family.

The Sterling house came into view. Lights were on in the living room. Nathan and my brothers were probably waiting up.

Derek pulled into the driveway. Put the vehicle in park.

He turned to face me. His expression was soft. "Thank you, Aria. For trusting me with this. I'll make sure you're prepared for whatever comes next."

"I know you will."

He got out. Walked around to get my gear bag from the backseat.

I opened my door and stepped out. The night air was cool. Derek handed me the bag. "Get some rest. You've got school in the morning."

"I will."

"And text me when you're free next weekend. We'll set something up."

"Okay."

He stood there for a moment. Like he wanted to say something else but wasn't sure how.

Then he just nodded. "Goodnight, Aria."

"Goodnight, Derek."

I walked toward the front door. Behind me, I heard the SUV engine start up again.

I stopped at the door. Turned around. Watched his taillights disappear down the street.

That warmth in my chest was still there. I'd asked for what I wanted. It was a small thing. But it mattered.

The second day. The bell rang. Final period ended.

I grabbed my backpack. Shoved my math textbook inside. The classroom emptied around me.

Logan appeared at my desk. "Hey, you coming to lunch tomorrow? Or are you gonna disappear again for some secret military thing?"

"I'll be there."

"Good. Because I need help with the history essay. You're like weirdly good at analyzing historical conflicts."

I smiled slightly. "I'll help you."

"Sweet! See you tomorrow!"

I walked out of Roseville High School. The parking lot was crowded. Students everywhere. Talking. Laughing. Living their normal teenage lives.

And I was one of them now. I liked it.

The walk home took twenty minutes. Same route I'd taken dozens of times now. Past the convenience store. Past the park. Past Mrs. Chen's house with the garden full of roses.

Everything was familiar. When I reached the Sterling house, I could smell dinner cooking. Grace's cooking. Something with garlic and soy sauce.

I opened the front door.

"I'm home!"

"Aria! Perfect timing!" Grace called from the kitchen. "Dinner's almost ready! Go wash up!"

I dropped my backpack by the stairs. Headed to the bathroom.

When I came back down, everyone was already at the table. Nathan. Grace. Ethan. Leo.

And Caelan.

He sat at his usual spot now. Between Ethan and Leo. Both my brothers still watched him carefully during meals. But the hostility had faded. Mostly.

"How was school?" Nathan asked. He looked tired. Long day at work probably.

"Fine. Got an A on my English essay."

"That's my girl!" Grace beamed. "I'm so proud of you."

Leo reached for the rice. "Of course she got an A. She's like annoyingly good at everything."

"Not annoying," Ethan corrected. "Impressive."

"Same thing."

I sat down in my chair. Started filling my plate. The food was simple. But it tasted better than any fancy meal I'd eaten as Alpha King.

Nathan started talking about work. Some story about a customer who tried to return a broken tool they'd clearly damaged themselves.

Grace laughed. Added her own story about a difficult customer at the restaurant.

Ethan mentioned his upcoming promotion evaluation at work.

Leo complained about his manager being unfair about shift schedules.

Normal family conversation. Nothing dramatic. Nothing dangerous.

Just people who cared about each other. Sharing their day.

I ate quietly. Listened. Sometimes added a comment.

After dinner, I helped Grace clear the dishes. Leo volunteered to wash. Ethan dried.

Nathan went to the living room. Turned on the TV. Some sports game.

Caelan stood up. "I'll be outside if anyone needs me."

I finished drying the last plate. Put it away. "I'm going to get some air."

Grace nodded. "Don't stay out too late. School night."

"I won't."

I walked through the house. Out the back door. Into the yard.

The evening air was cool. The sky was turning purple and orange. Sunset colors.

Caelan was standing near the fence. Looking up at the emerging stars.

I walked over. Stood next to him. Not too close. Leaving space.

We stood in silence for a minute. Just watching the sky.

Then Caelan spoke. "Getting used to this? Living this way? With me under the same roof?"

"More natural than I expected."

He smiled slightly. "Your brothers still don't fully trust me. Leo especially."

"They're protective. It's what brothers do."

"I know. I respect that actually."

More silence. Comfortable silence.

Then Caelan turned to face me. His expression became serious. "Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Do you ever think about going back? To being Alpha? Riverbend Pack is still yours. You could reclaim everything tomorrow if you wanted."

I thought about it. Really thought about it.

"No," I said finally. "That life is over. Angelina died. And I'm not interested in bringing her back."

"You don't miss the power? The respect? Being the strongest?"

"I had all that. And you know what I had at the end? An empty yacht. A pack full of people who feared me but didn't know me. And a death that nobody truly mourned."

I looked at him directly.

"Here I have a father who works himself to exhaustion but still smiles at dinner. A mother who worries about my grades and makes my favorite food. Brothers who protect me even though I'm stronger than them. Friends who trust me."

I paused. "That's worth more than any pack territory."

Caelan studied my face. "You really mean that."

"I do."

He was quiet for a moment. Then he said something that surprised me.

"I respect your decision. Whatever life you choose, I'll support it."

He turned to face me fully. His expression became serious. "Aria, I need to ask you something properly. Can you give me a chance? A real chance to be part of your life? Not as an Alpha pursuing another Alpha. But as someone who wants to know you. The real you."

I thought about it. Really thought about it.

This wasn't like my previous life. Where alliances were about power. Where relationships were strategic.

This was different.

"Yes," I said finally. "You can have that chance."

Relief flooded his face. "Thank you."

"But there's a condition."

He waited.

"I'm fifteen. Still in high school. Still figuring out who I am in this life." I met his eyes directly. "Anything beyond friendship, beyond getting to know each other, that waits until I'm eighteen. Until I'm an adult."

Caelan nodded immediately. "Of course. I wouldn't want it any other way. You deserve time. Space. A chance to just be a teenager without complications."

"You're okay with waiting?"

"I've already waited years. Three more years is nothing."

Something warm settled in my chest. He meant it. I could hear it in his voice.

"Then we have an agreement."

"We do."

We stood there. The space between us still careful. But there was understanding now.

"Good night, Aria."

"Good night, Caelan."

He walked back toward the house first. I stayed outside a few more minutes.

The stars were fully visible now. Bright against the dark sky.

I thought about my previous life. The power I'd held. The battles I'd won. The empire I'd built.

All of it had been built on fear. On strength. On being untouchable.

But I'd been alone. Always alone.

Here I had something different. Something I'd never experienced before.

Belonging.

I walked back inside. The house was warm. I could hear the TV from the living room. Nathan watching his game. Grace was probably doing dishes in the kitchen. My brothers were probably in their rooms.

I climbed the stairs to my room. Closed the door. Changed into comfortable clothes.

My phone buzzed. A text from Derek.

"Still good for this weekend? I've been putting together some training materials for you."

I smiled. Texted back. "Yes. Looking forward to it."

His response came immediately. "Me too. See you Saturday."

I climbed into bed. Pulled the covers up. The house was quiet now. Everyone settling in for the night.

Tomorrow I'd wake up. Go to school. Help Logan with his essay. Eat lunch with my friends. Come home to family dinner.

Repeat.

And I wouldn't change any of it.

Because this time, I wasn't Alpha King Angelina.

I was just Aria Sterling. A girl with a family, friends, and maybe something like a normal future.

And that was enough.

THE END

Dear readers,

Thank you for following Aria's journey through Part 1 of Rebirth. Watching her transform from the isolated Alpha King to a girl discovering what truly matters—family, friendship, and belonging—has been incredible to share with you.

Part 2 is coming soon with deeper mysteries, new challenges, and secrets that will change everything.

Please follow me on Facebook: Xena Kessler (profile picture is a cute Abyssinian cat 🐱). I'll post updates about new works and share bonus chapters there!

Thank you for being part of this pack.

With gratitude,

Xena Kessler