Second Chance

Chapter 3

Will

My room was right next to the one the clan had assigned to Skye. I was relaxing in my room when I heard some whispers coming from the hallway outside my door.

"It's okay love, no one will question two girls just sharing a bed for convenience, we can get changed into PJ's, get cuddled up and watch some TV" Skye said.

"As long as you're sure. You don't mind me sharing the bed?" This voice I didn't recognise.

"Quite the opposite, I would really enjoy getting cuddled up with you."

Immediately intrigued given Skye's lack of interest in making any love connections, I decided I wanted to meet this mysterious woman. I knew Skye was into women. She'd confided in me a long while before that she doesn't like men but even at home, the only interest she'd had in anyone was for one night stands, never cuddling in PJs like a real couple. Suddenly it dawned on me. She'd met her mate and she was taking it slow. This realization only fueled my decision to investigate further. I threw on a shirt and headed over to knock on Skye's door

"Yes?" she called

"Skye, it's me. Can I come in?"

She opened the door quickly stepped out and closed the door behind her. "Skye. You do realize our heightened senses mean I could hear you and the woman you've got in your room from the moment you came into the building right?"

She swore under her breath and looked me in the eyes. "Will, I'll let you meet her under two conditions."

"Shoot" I said. "Number one, you need to keep this quiet from every single person in this clan. Number two, be very calm and collected around her. I'll explain another time but strong men could be scary for her."

"Okay got it, no problem. So she's your mate huh?" Skye blushed and swore again.

"Seriously not a word to anyone in this clan. Promise me."

"Okay, Skye. I promise I won't mention a word of this to anyone in this clan"

"Alright, good, come on in." With that, she opened the door, dragged me into the room and shut the door as fast as she could.

"You know, you'd be able to keep whatever secret you're keeping a lot better if you didn't act so suspicious" She punched my arm and I laughed. I noticed suddenly that the other woman in the room was watching us, she seemed a little amused.

"Hi there, I'm Skye's big brother and chief of our clan back home. Most people call me Chief MacRobert but you can call me Will"

"Hi Will" she said in a quiet voice.

After our introduction, we all sat down and watched some comedy series on TV. My sister cuddled up with her mate on the bed and I sat on a comfy reading chair. Her mate seemed nervous at first, almost skittish. As the evening wore on, she relaxed more and more until she fell asleep in Skye's arms. I quietly said goodnight and left my sister to it. I hadn't seriously expected her to find her mate on this trip but I was so happy that she had. I slept soundly that night.

Drew

For the first time in a long time, I woke up feeling well rested and ready for the day. Waking up in Skye's arms felt so right and yet I still had a nagging feeling of guilt. I knew Alastair would be upset if he found out I'd slept cuddled up with someone else and knowing that made me feel as though I had betrayed him. My emotions were so conflicted and I needed to process these thoughts. I slipped out of Skye's embrace and headed to the bathroom to get a nice hot bubble-bath ready for myself. I would certainly need it. After Alastair's request that I stay in my room yesterday I had a lot of work to catch up on. I soaked and relaxed for a while letting my mind wander and after a while I got out and started getting ready for the day. When I was straightening my hair, Skye started to stir and when I turned to look she'd propped herself up on one elbow rubbing her eyes. After a big yawn she looked at me seeming puzzled "Where are you off to?"

"I've got a lot of work to catch up on. I thought you normally woke up at half 7 with you being a doctor."

"I wake up at half 7 when I'm working. Right now I'm on holiday so no early morning alarms, I get to sleep in for once"

"Okay well I'll see you later hopefully"

"Wait, what are you doing?"

"I'm just going to be in my office catching up on yesterday's paperwork and doing today's."

"Give me ten minutes and I'll come with you. I can sit quietly on my phone."

Skye

"Are you sure? It'll be pretty boring"

"Absolutely." To be honest, I probably would get very bored but I didn't want to leave Drew alone at all when that horrible prick is about. At least if I'm present he'll pretend to be nice.

As we were walking towards the packhouse I suggested we go by the library so I could read whilst Drew works. She happily agreed and as I scanned the texts looking for some interesting fiction to delve into, Drew told me about the work she'd put into the library and how proud she was of the collection and the way she'd pushed for it to be more inclusive with late opening times, disabled access and 3 times a day, the library would have an autism friendly hour with the lights being dimmed, music changed to something soothing and quiet and stricter enforcement of people being quiet. The more this woman spoke, the more I fell in love with her.

I found some interesting stories so we checked out my books and headed over to the Luna office.

We had just entered the building and were about to enter her office when I heard Alastair clear his throat behind us. Drew immediately tensed up but turned and smiled at him. "Hi darling" she said in a soft voice. "Hello dear, I'm glad to see you're entertaining our guest" Listening to this interaction, I struggled to understand why Drew was still in denial about him being abusive. He clearly adjusts his behavior if there are any witnesses so he's clearly aware that the behavior he displays in private is wrong. I'd seen my share of abuse victims though being a resident at the emergency room of a large hospital so on the other hand, I knew why she was in denial. When you admit to yourself that you're being abused, you can feel like you've become a victim rather than a survivor. It's easier to convince yourself that they love you, that they're just frustrated and they don't mean it.

I realized suddenly that there was an awkward silence whilst I was lost in thought. I decided the best way to get my brother's help would be to show him the situation rather than explain it and the best way to do that would be stroking this man's ego. "Sorry Clan Chief Lachlan, I was lost in thought. I'm really impressed with the facilities here, especially the library"

"Ah yes, I put a lot of effort into that place. My ideas have been extremely popular and I'm glad more people feel included"

I couldn't believe he'd taken credit for all of Drew's hard work but I pushed on

"Oh definitely. I can't wait to see the Luna office. I bet you put a lot of work into the decor". It was a risky idea but I felt I knew my mate enough to know she'd have put special care into her personal office and I already knew this cretin would take credit for any of Drew's hard work.

"Oh yes, I designed it with my dear Drew in mind. I'm sure you'll be impressed." Excellent, he took the bait.

"Wonderful, you know my brother's redecorating his office. You should show him your hard work so he can get some inspiration."

"Oh erm yes, of course."

"Great, well I'm sure you're very busy with your clan chief duties so we won't take up any more of your time sir."

"Very good, carry on" He seemed impressed with himself and maybe even goddess-forbid happy about receiving attention and praise from an alpha she-wolf. Either way I'd achieved my goal so I stopped thinking about the asshole and texted my brother

Will

me: Listen bro, if the chief here asks about you redecorating your office, just nod and go along with it

Will: Ok I'll bite. Why?

me: Just trust me ok?

Will: Ok whatever ill do it

me: Thanks bro love u

Will: Ew lol love u too

Will

Just like Skye told me, Alpha Lachlan started a conversation about decorating my office and told me he had to show me what he'd done with the Luna's office. Although it was a weird request from Skye, I'd done as she asked.

I was wondering to myself why Skye would ask me to do such a weird favour when we entered the office and I saw Skye sat on the sofa playing on her phone and her mate Drew was putting some folders away.

"hey Skye, hi drew nice to see you again." I felt Alpha Lachlan tense up next to me and I couldn't understand why "And how do you know her name?" he asked

"What do you mean? I met her last night. This is Skye's-" Suddenly the realisation hit me when I saw how red and angry his face was "-friend."

"Are you f*****g her?" he demanded

"Excuse me?" I asked

"I said. Are. You. f*****g. Her?" He enunciated each word as if I were a child he was trying to explain something simple to.

"I heard you, I just don't understand why the f**k you're asking me that or speaking to me that way. Skye here asked her for a favour showing both of us how the library system works because the librarian was on a break and we didn't want to bother her"

"I apologise, Alpha MacRobert." He took a deep breath and smoothed out his clothes. "You know how territorial us alphas can be about our property"

I finally understood why Skye had made this weird request of me. She wanted me to see what kind of man this guy is with my own eyes. Probably the only way I'd be accepting of her seeing an alpha's Luna behind the guy's back. I cannot stand possessive short-tempered men like this guy. I was about to say something more when I saw Skye shake her head behind him. I took a deep breath and said "that's okay Alpha Lachlan, I understand. I can see how beautiful the décor is in this room so I get why you wanted to show me. It's definitely given me some ideas for my own office at home."

"Excellent, well you've seen the library so you can get an idea of the style we use here." I saw a timid looking Drew let out a shaky breath.

"Why don't you take me on another tour of the pack house so I can pay special attention to the details. That'll really help me" After what I saw, I wanted to test something. Drew was actually really chatty last night when she relaxed and so funny so I had an idea of what had made her revert back to that timid girl she'd been at the start

"I'd be happy to. I'll lead the way", Just as I suspected, she visibly reacted as he left the room. 'Skye, we'll talk later' I mind linked her. She gave me a wink and replied 'We sure will, Brother.'

Drew

"Skye, why on earth did you arrange all of that?" I had wanted to ask when she'd suggested it to Alastair in the first place but I just assumed it was really about decorating. Realising after that she hadn't told her brother anything had me puzzled especially because he didn't pay any attention to the actual decorating as he had his eyes on us or Alastair the whole time.

"Simple really. Will's not good at understanding delicate situations like this without seeing it with his own eyes. If I told him before now that you're the Luna of this pack, he'd get annoyed at me and struggle to hear me out" okay I could understand that. I felt guilty myself about spending so much time with Skye but even as just a friend, she makes me smile which is rare for me. She makes me laugh which is just unheard of.

"Okay I understand, but please, next time you plan something like this, warn me first."

"You got it, love" I knew I should tell her to stop using these pet names but they put butterflies in my stomach and I doubt if anyone would realise anything. I thought to myself friends use those kinds of pet names for each other too.

I continued to work for a while whilst Skye continued to play on her phone, occasionally she'd pull out some earphones and watch videos. I really appreciated her being so considerate, she was trying to be quiet so she wouldn't distract me. To be honest, I doubt I would have noticed if there was any because I was so lost in thought about my situation. I kept thinking over what Skye told me and although I felt I could trust her, I questioned whether that was because of the mate bond or whether I really could. After all, Alastair lies to me all of the time and we're mates I thought to myself. I resigned to ask her to show me the books and studies before I decided on anything.

If Skye was telling me the truth and I'd been given a second chance mate because the goddess has decided my current mate is unworthy then maybe I should give her a chance. As soon as that train of thought occured to me, my face heated up and I felt tremendous guilt. Alastair may have his moods but surely the goddess couldn't have taken his mate away. We were fated to each other.

I cleared my throat, Skye looked at me expectantly. "Erm, Skye?" "Yes, Doll?" she prompted. "Well would it be okay, I mean er... Can you show me the research you found please?" I braced for the accusations and anger, maybe she'd think I didn't trust her or that I thought she was lying. But it never came, there was no anger, no threats, no accusations. She simply smiled brightly at me and said "Of course, Love. Why don't we head over to the library after dinner?"