Second Chances

*** Miranda POV*** There are many things that I know for certain. I am an unmarried Omega in the Aura Moon Pack. My son, Thaddeus, has not known his father since he decided to run away and seek his mate. I may not have the best life- but we manage. Alpha Ian has been nothing but kind to my son and I since the incident, and he really didn’t have to. I certainly did not expect to be welcome to stay after the scene that Thaddeus’s father made when he left. We do not speak his name, that is the level of disgrace he brought upon himself and the pack. Alpha Ian and Luna Kristina allowed us to stay and I am more than happy to be an asset in the kitchen. Thaddeus excels in school and makes me so proud. I know he will do great things in life, even if it is just in our pack! He talks about being a doctor one day, and with his grades I don’t doubt he will! “Good morning my sweet!” I say to Thaddeus as I stroke his hair and wake him up. “It’s time to get ready. What do you feel like for breakfast?” I ask. Working in the kitchen has it’s perks for Thaddeus because he gets to help plan the pack meals each day. “French Toast and bacon,” he said as he stretched and rubbed his eyes. “What a wonderful idea,” I say as I get up and move towards the door. “Get dressed and be down in 20 minutes, you can help me and Amelia crack the eggs.” Amelia is my assistant. She was supposed to lead the kitchen, but she offered to let me run it so that she can do more schooling. She is going to school online to get her teacher degree. I leave Thaddeus to get ready and head downstairs. I’m early, but that’s pretty usual. The kitchen is always empty at 5:30 when I descend and start my day. I get the eggs, milk, and cinnamon down and over to the counter so that Thaddeus can start cracking when he comes down. I then pull out 3 loaves of bread and 10 packs of bacon. I turn on the flat top and start to cook the bacon. The door opens, “Good morning Amelia! French toast and bacon today!” I say excited that Amelia is here to help with the bacon. “That does sound amazing,” says a voice that is not Amelia. I spin and realize it is Luna Kristina. I immediately bow, “Apologies Luna, I didn’t expect you so early.” “Oh nonsense, stop with the formalities, it is I who am way off schedule and I wouldn’t dare be responsible for you burning yourself or that bacon,” she says as she moves over to the breakfast bar and takes a seat on a stool. “I will finish this batch of bacon if you’re not in a rush,” I say as I turn back to the flat top and flip the bacon. “No rush at all, I had hoped you hadn’t started yet so I wouldn’t be interrupting your amazing cooking,” she said and she started reading one of the newspapers there for the pack to read over breakfast. Alpha Ian always makes sure that his pack is up to date on current events and not always glued to the TV. I finish the first set of bacon and turn off the flat top. I walk the plate over to Luna Kristina and set it down, she folds the newspaper down and looks down at the bacon. “There’s plenty if you want to taste it and make sure it’s up to par,” I say winking at her to let her know I brought it over for her, I had even made it chewy the way she likes it. “You spoil me Miranda, don’t tell Ian or he may be jealous he didn’t come to you with this information,” she said as she grabbed a piece and ate it. “Delicious, as usual,” she said as she set the newspaper to the side. “Now, onto business. Zach has found his mate!” Zach is our Beta and Alpha Ian’s best friend, “So Ian has decided we have to have everyone out to celebrate! His mate is from Aquamarine Pack, so we will be inviting them for the ceremony. I know we usually hire out for big occasions but there are no bakers available on such short notice, so we were hoping you would be able to make the wedding cake and desserts? The ceremony is 3 weeks away,” she said and I found myself in a wide array of emotions. “Luna, I’m honored to be considered for such an important event, but the largest cake I’ve ever made was only 3 tiers. Won’t Beta Zach need something grander for his wedding?” I was nervous and excited at the same time. “Three tiers would be amazing! We were thinking more cupcakes and maybe cake bites to make things easier for you! Believe me, I know what an undertaking this is so we have asked if Aquamarine Pack could spare someone to help you in the kitchen. They are not sure how many can come, but we have at least 2 extra hands for you the week before,” she said. She seemed to be more relieved and grabbed another piece of bacon. “Good morning Miranda, oh goodness me! Good morning Luna,” Amelia said as she bowed and almost dropped her books closing the door. “Good morning- as you were, no formality needed right now, I’m encroaching on your time here! I just needed to run some things by Miranda before her day gets too hectic taking care of the whole pack! You have no idea what a lifesaver you are! Have some of the teens get all the items you need added to the grocery order for next week and let me know if anyone gives you any trouble! Thank you for the bacon, it is amazing! I will see you ladies for breakfast! Oh, and good morning Little T,” Kristina said waving toward the stairs. Thaddeus had come down and was standing at the base of the stairs waiting for our conversation to end. I’m still not sure how I got so lucky with such a good kid, but the Moon Goddess must have known I needed a break. “Good morning Luna! Are you walking us to school today?” Thaddeus asked. Some days Luna Kristina would walk with the pups over to the schoolhouse after breakfast. She so loves the little ones, but the Moon Goddess had not seen fit to bless her with a pup of her own yet. She’s still young and Alpha Ian has had a lot on his plate since the untimely passing of his father and the sudden promotion to Alpha. “I wasn’t planning to, but how can I refuse such a wonderful idea! You’ll have to escort me, since it was your idea,” Luna Kristina said as she headed towards the door. “I can’t wait,” Thaddeus said as he flashed his lady-killer smile. Sometimes I just can’t with that boy! Luna Kristina waved good bye and exited the pack dining hall. “You, eggs, now young sir,” I said to Thaddeus as I pointed to the eggs I had pulled out. Thaddeus stopped to grab a big bowl and began his duties. “What are we doing for breakfast, and what was that about?” Amelia asked as she set her books down on the ledge and began to walk over toward me. “Beta Zach has found his mate and he’s bringing her home in 3 weeks for the ceremony. Luna was able to get a caterer but there are no bakers available so we’re making dessert,” I explained to Amelia as I grabbed a piece of bacon and bit half of the strip. Gosh I love the sweet and salty flavors of maple bacon, especially when it’s soft and and not crispy. “OH. MY. GOSH! So there will be a big gathering here! Maybe you’ll finally find your mate!” Amelia said with such excitement and hope. “French Toast and bacon for breakfast. As for the other nonsense, we will be far too busy to worry about any of that. Besides, the Moon Goddess has already blessed me with an amazing young man! I wouldn’t dare dream that I would have another!” Deep down, I did hope for my mate, and so did my wolf Opal. She would need a run soon, she has been getting restless and with a huge baking week coming up both of our nerves will be on edge. “Thaddeus is already getting the eggs going, I had started the bacon but you can do either bacon or French toast,” I said to Amelia, she usually likes to work alongside Thaddeus but today has already been full of surprises. “I can’t let my little assistant do too much work,” Amelia said as she tied her apron and walked toward Thaddeus. I smiled and headed back to the flat top. Glancing at the clock I noticed it was 6:05 AM. Round 1 would be starting in a mere 15 minutes. “May want to get a second bowl so we can get the first batch started. The Omegas will be here shortly. Can’t start the day behind,” I said as I laid bacon down to cook. I hurried over to the cabinet with the plates and grabbed a stack to put out. I spun around to get the silverware and used my hip to close the drawer. The door opened and a couple male omegas entered and said good morning as they headed over to a corner table and set down their bags. “Need any help?” They asked. “If you want to get the juices out of the fridge that would be great,” I said as I walked over to the flat top and removed the first batch of bacon. Amelia was flipping the first round of French toast and the door was beginning to open more frequently. “Good morning ladies,” we heard and responded in kind as members began to fill the dining hall. We finished making batch one with just a few minutes to spare and walked everything up to the serving bar. Everyone gathered around, held hands and bowed their heads. Leif, one of the older Omegas began to pray, “Moon Goddess, we thank you for the opportunities we have to serve you, our Alpha, our Luna, and each other. Everything we need you have provided and we pray our lives are a testament to your awesomeness. May our labors today please you and allow your will to be done. And the pack said, Howl!” Everyone unclamped each other’s hands and filed through making their plates. Thaddeus, Amelia, and I spun around to make the next batch of food. This was the last big batch as it was for the school aged pups. The omegas ate and placed their dishes in the wash cart as they finished them headed off to their respective duties for the day. Pack life starts early for the Omegas but we all enjoy our jobs. Leif and Erik finished their plates and start getting plates, silverware, and juices out for the pups coming through next. Amelia, Thaddeus, and I finish round two as the pups start to come into the dining hall. “Circle up pups!” Leif says as the pups circle up, hold hands, and bow their heads. “Moon Goddess we thank you for the opportunity you have provided for us to have so many pups to carry on your legacy. We pray that you will calm their minds as they study in class today and that you will see fit to bless our group with more pups in the coming years, especially for Alpha Ian and Luna Kristina. If it be your will, let it be. And the pack said Howl!” The pups dropped hands and lined up for food. “Thank you Miss Miranda,” the pups would say as I placed French toast and bacon on their plates. This is one of my favorite times of the day. We have such respectful pups, it is one thing Alpha Ian insists on. They all file through and find their seats. Thaddeus joins his classmates and sits down for breakfast while Amelia and I began to cook for round 3. The fighters and elites would be coming last but before that, most of the pack mated females would all come together while the pups were still eating. It makes for an interesting dynamic because many of them like to chit chat instead of focusing on productive matters. Some days I wish I could be as carefree as them, but I love what I do and I am fortunate to have a place in this pack. The ladies began to trickle in and I noticed Luna Kristina among them. I bowed in respect and she bowed back acknowledging and continued her conversation. She was talking to one of the teachers while getting her plate together. Amelia and I didn’t really have to stop cooking for this group, we filled plates and walked them over while the next batch cooked. Leif and Erik switched out the dish cart and began washing dishes. Luna did not make a plate instead she mingled with the pups and told each table that she was walking with them to class so they needed to hurry up and not be late! The pups finished and placed their plates on the cart then gathered around their Luna. Thaddeus took her arm and they led the way out the door and on to school. He makes me so proud, I often think I don’t deserve him. The mated women are still eating when the fighters and elites come in for breakfast. Everyone eats and cleans up their plates, Amelia and I make 3 extra plates for Alpha Ian, Beta Zach, and Gamma Edward before making our plates and sitting down to eat. Not long after the door opens revealing Beta Zach and Alpha Ian. We begin to rise for our Alpha but he quickly says, “As you were family! I appreciate you all, continue what you are doing!” Gamma Edward is last to enter and they each grab a plate and a drink then sit down. *** Ian POV *** “You just had to find your mate during wedding season, didn’t you? You are going to stress your Luna out if we can’t make this ceremony amazing.” I said to Zach, my Beta. He has been my best friend since we were pups and helped me through the roughest promotion period in our pack’s history. “We’ll, to be fair- it was Edward that suggested we go out for the bar crawl, and you definitely were not stopping the evening,” Zach said. FLASHBACK ** Ian POV ** “It’s going to be an awesome guys night! We won’t get too drunk and maybe Ian will relax enough to get a little freaky with Luna,” Edward said as he was holding up two different shirts deciding which one to wear. “I’ll thank you to not talk about my mate like that, but you may be right. Maybe I will stumble in drunk and she’ll feel so sorry for me to take care of me before I pass out,” I said with a sarcastic tone and a mocking glance. We finished getting ready and headed out into the closest town for a night of guy time. Zach was driving and Edward was navigating to The Spot where they were having Ladies Night. I was not excited about it because my Alpha status often brought women to me but I was happy to get out and watch my boys flounder a bit when I rejected their advances. Suddenly the truck was veering to the right and suddenly stopped. ** Zach POV ** Suddenly I couldn’t see straight- my wolf was going insane and I pulled over immediately. I knew I was scaring Ian and Edward but I could hardly breathe. I put the truck in park and jumped out of the driver’s seat. She’s here! She’s so close! You have to pull it together! Our mate is nearby! We have to find her! Lucius, my wolf, was on edge and I could barely keep him in check. Ian jumped out of the truck and rushed over to me. “Dude, what the hell is going on, are you ok?” He asked. I could hear the worry in his voice. “I can sense her Ian, my mate. She’s here somewhere. Lucius is going absolutely insane! I have to find her!” I said, I’m sure I sounded like a fool, but what could I do? I had never felt anything like this before. “s**t! Ok, well, can you drive? I don’t know where she is but Lucius does. Let him tell you where to go,” Ian said as he grabbed onto my shoulders trying to calm me down. “Yeah. Yeah, I can do that. Let’s go,” I said as I briskly walked back to the truck. Tonight’s the night. I was going to find my mate. We drove to The Spot and I could feel her pull getting closer. We walked in and my nostrils were filled with the scent of honey and brown sugar. There she is! She’s right there! Don’t blow it for us! Lucius was right. She was at the bar surrounded by about 5 other females. She turned as soon as I walked through the door. Our eyes met and it was magical. She stood up, never losing eye contact and waited. I walked towards her not caring if Ian and Edward were still with me. I couldn’t believe it. She was absolutely perfect. No make up that I could see and wearing a modest dress shirt with an appropriate neckline. Not enough to give away anything, but enough to entice. I stopped right in front of her, “You smell like honey and brown sugar- and I’ve never wanted honey or brown sugar until this moment,” I said. That’s your pick up line? Hopefully her wolf senses are on point because you are not doing us any favors. “Umm, that is definitely a first for me. My name is Katie, and not gonna lie, I can’t seem to focus on anything else in the room except your sandalwood and sage aroma,” she said. Thank Goddess she is my mate because if I had to really try I would not be successful, I am so awkward! “Would you like to sit with me? Maybe have a drink and tell me your name,” she asked. Duh! I was too busy embarrassing myself I didn’t even mention my name. “Zach, and sure I’d love a beer.” We sat down together at the bar and a glanced around to see Ian and Edward in a corner booth. I waved to them and the bartender brought me a beer. Absolutely unreal. We came out for a guys night and I found my mate. I wasn’t even sure there was another pack this close. I mind linked Ian. What other packs are close enough? This just seems highly irregular that she’s here! I asked him. The Aquamarine pack settled in about 35 miles North about 8 months ago. Their Alpha James sent a message announcing his move in but I haven’t had the opportunity to sit down with him. Looks like I have no choice but to call him now. Ian said and I focused back to Katie. She was incredible. Dirty blonde hair, decent breasts and her hips looked like she was made to have pups. I could not wait to take her back to the pack but there were proper channels that we needed to go through. Ian was on the phone. I assumed he was talking to her Alpha. I couldn’t believe tonight was the night! PRESENT DAY *** Ian POV *** Today is the day I have been needlessly putting off for months. Since Zach’s mate was from Aquamarine Pack I had to formally meet their Alpha. I offered him to come see our lands or we could come there and he welcomed us to his land. I would be traveling with my Beta and two best fighters, just in case but I highly suspected it would not be necessary. Zach started the SUV and we loaded up, it was going to be a long drive and we would be gone all day. I mind linked Edward We will be gone most of the day so you are in charge. You’ll have to call if you need anything because we’ll probably be out of linking distance, but we should still have reception. I told him. Yes Alpha, all will be handled. Kristina was walking back toward the pack house and she stopped to see me off. I kissed her through the window then nuzzled her neck where I had marked her mine. I licked her mark and felt her melt with my touch. “I won’t be late, please wait up for me,” I whispered into her ear. “I think I can do that. May even slip into a little something something when you get close,” she teased. I linked Miranda to let her know we would not be needing lunch or dinner and we were off. *** James POV *** This is huge. We are a small pack and have only been together for 2 years. Our numbers were not the greatest but we were growing, well mostly. Katie, one of our fighters has found her mate. And he’s a Beta from our new neighbor pack. Aura Moon has been in existence for as long as any of us can remember. We are a small pack in comparison but we are fiercely loyal to each other. We had outgrown our previous pack lands and had to move to our new location. On the plus side we now had 55 acres to grow on. On the other hand, we are a mere 3 hours from the Aura Moon Pack. Our history is not as rich as theirs. I am the Alpha, but not by blood or birth rite. I was appointed to this position, which is unusual and quite scary. Our pack began as a group of lone wolves and rouges. Rogues tend to have a bad reputation because they are typically kicked out of their packs, but all our members were lone or rouge by choice. Many had been rejected by their mates and the thought of staying in that pack was too much for them. The Moon Goddess has certainly smiled upon our small pack because many of our members have found their second chance mates and are happier than they imagined possible. Katie is no exception. She was rejected by her mate in her previous pack. Her parents were killed in a territory war fighting for the pack and her mate didn’t think he could stand being with one she wolf his whole life and rejected her. Having nothing, she left and became a lone wolf until we found her. Katie was determined to show everyone that she was a force to be reckoned with. She trained harder than some of the males and quickly became one of our best fighters. She gets along with everyone. I had reached out to Alpha Ian of Aura Moon pack some months ago, but had not heard from him until a few days ago. He called me out of the blue to tell me that his beta had found his mate in one of my she wolves. I invited him to our land to formally meet and get some information about the land and his pack. Today is the day that he is coming to consult with me and I am super nervous. You have got to calm down. Ian is a birth rite, purebred Alpha of one of the greatest packs in the land. He will see right through our fake asses if you don’t get it together. Alcide, my wolf, was right. I was definitely not a purebred alpha and at any moment anyone from the pack, or outside for that matter, could challenge me for Alpha. I had trained extensively, often with Katie, so I wasn’t completely useless. My command of elocution and respect for others had landed me this Alpha position and the Moon Goddess has blessed me and our melting pot of wolves we call a pack. Since our foundation we have birthed sixteen pups and are expecting six more! The new land was much needed and many days were spent developing our new land. We have managed to compete 4 large pack houses and 10 individual homes for our mated and bonded pairs once they had pups to care for. There are currently two more under construction for our two newest expecting she wolfs. Never a dull day and I was excited to have Alpha Ian coming to see our lands. Beta Charles mind linked me to let me know the Aura Moon Pack was crossing into our border and would be arriving in about 15 minutes. The drive up the mountain took longer than a wolf to run and soon Charles was running past me in his wolf form to his home where he could put clothes on. Not long now. We’ve worked hard for this, and Alpha Ian is a reasonable man. He may even be impressed with your accomplishments. I was beginning to question my life choices as the black SUV pulled up. The passenger door opened and the passenger had to be Alpha Ian. He looked like an Alpha. No one could question that he was an alpha. Showtime. *** Ian POV *** We crossed into the Aquamarine Pack boarders and I couldn’t help but be jealous of their location. They had an amazing mountain that had to be scaled to reach their pack grounds. They literally have the high ground. Onyx, my wolf, was annoyingly right. If we ever had to attack them we would have a literal uphill battle. I’m confident that would not be necessary. Aquamarine Pack was a bunch of rouges that craved a pack so they made their own. They would never be a threat to us, but they could be valuable allies. Kind of odd that my Beta would find his mate here, but who am I to question the Moon Goddess. We drove up and Alpha James was standing there with another man I assumed to be his beta. I got out and a could feel his discomfort. One of my Alpha perks is that I am incredibly perceptive. I waited for Zach to come around and both my fighters to come around me. We walked together towards Alpha James and he stiffened up. Good job boy- you may just be alpha material after all. Onyx could be quite an ass when he wanted to be, but he was right. It was obvious to me that he was not born to be an Alpha, but he was doing the best he could with his circumstances and that was applaudable. “Alpha James, I am Alpha Ian of the Aura Moon Pack. I am so sorry it took so long for me to make your acquaintance. I hope you are not offended,” I said to James as I reached my hand out. He grabbed my hand with a solid grip and shook it boldly, “Alpha Ian, you honor us with your presence. There is no offense taken in the time it has taken for us to meet. I don’t know all the details but I know that you have had your hands full. Much like myself, you took on your role earlier than expected. And by earlier than me, I mean that I never expected to take on this role.” Whoa, he straight up told you that he’s not meant to be an Alpha. Is he insane? Onyx was just short of laughing at him, but I suppressed him. Onyx van be a little arrogant at times. Onyx has always been ready to be Alpha, I was not ready for my father to pass so soon and force me into the position at only 22 years old. “I admit, I thought I had a few more years at least, but the Moon Goddess had other plans,” I said to Alpha James. “We’ll, you have my utmost respect and I am very glad that we are finally able to meet, and under such wonderful circumstances! I admit I’m not happy to be losing Katie, but I can’t imagine there is a better pack for her,” Alpha James said as he turned and we began to walk towards a large building I can only imagine is a pack house. He explained how his pack had come together and grown from 20 members to over 200 in just a few short years. I had to tip my hat to him, for someone not born to be an alpha he was very good at it. His pack was thriving and growing exponentially with no signs of slowing. Excellent job James. A very excellent job indeed.