My Second Chance

The Phone Call

I wish this night could have lasted forever. Well, the part where dozens of other people surround me, anyway. I could not stop myself from thinking about what would come next. Alexander has not left my side since I spoke with Alpha Theodore, and unfortunately, I don’t foresee it happening anytime soon. The night is ending. Our guests are leaving or turning in. Pretty soon it will just be Alexander and I left, and I know what he will want.

Alexander got my attention as I was internally spinning out. “Is everything okay, Brooke? You seem lost in thought.”

“I guess I was for a minute,” I told him, “It has been a long, emotional evening. I never expected to be a Luna. With warrior parents, I never thought I would be paired with an Alpha. It is far more responsibility than I ever anticipated having.” I sighed and looked up at him. “I am just nervous about what is to come starting tomorrow. I am officially the Luna of the New Moon Pack. I just do not want to disappoint you or the pack.”

Alexander looked down at me, smiling, “You will be fine, Brooke. I promise you this. You have me and a pack full of support here at New Moon. I also know your parents are there if you need them,” he said.

I nodded my head in agreement and just stood there, wrapping my arms around myself, trying anything I could do to make myself smaller, invisible even. I knew it would not happen though. As his mate, I knew Alexander would have expectations of me, especially if this night was anything like the first time I lived through this day.

“Things are clearing out here, my love. Are you ready to turn in?” Alexander asked me.

I took a deep breath. I could not put this off any longer. “Yeah, I am feeling spent. The bed sounds nice.”

He smiled down at me, took my hand in his, and led me to the elevator, where we went up to the fourth floor where we live.

Allie? Are you there?

Always, Brooke. Always. I sense your fear, Hun. Take some deep breaths.

Alexander is going to want s*x. I remember how last time went. How can I do this? How can I have s*x with this man knowing what I know?

I do not know my friend, but what I can tell you is that you are not alone. I am here with you, always. Things may go differently this time around. You never know. What I do know, however, is, if we panic he will sense it and it could blow things up before we even get anywhere. You must try to stay calm around him, okay?

I took some deep breaths. I will do my best.

I opened my eyes after taking some breaths and realized we were on our floor and walking into our room. I always loved this room. It was so light, airy, and always felt so peaceful to me. It felt like a sanctuary for the first year or so of our relationship in my past life. Hopefully, I can use those thoughts to keep me calm this time around. I continued into the room, walking to my closet to pull out something to wear to bed. I could not cover up too much but did not want to be totally exposed. I pulled out a set of pajama pants that came with a tank top. I remember how much I used to love this set.

“Are you going to shower Hun?” Alexander said as he came over to the closet with me.

I looked up at him with a soft smile, “No, I am just going to change and lay down. I am dead on my feet.”

“I understand that” he said, “while you do what you need to do to get ready for bed, I am just going to go next door to my office and check for any messages. I will not be long.”

I nodded my head as he reached over and brushed his hand against my cheek. He looked at me and for a moment I thought he was going to kiss me again, but instead he just walked over to his office. He went into the room, shutting the door behind him.

After Alexander left the room and I finally felt like I could breathe again, I went to the bathroom to get ready for bed. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, changed out of my dress and into my comfy pajamas. I laid the dress on the bench inside the closet. I went out to go lie down, when I heard mumbling.

I wonder who he is talking to this late at night?

Go a little closer to the door, Brooke. We might be able to hear more of what he is saying.

I did as Allie suggested, walking over to the door to his office and stopping just short of it. I did not want something to happen and somehow he would be able to hear me. I turned to the side and leaned in towards the door as close as I could without touching it. It still sounded like mumbling to me.

Focus babe. Focus on hearing him.

I took a deep breath, letting it back out, then closed my eyes to try to focus a bit better on the sounds I was hearing. It took a minute, but things started getting clearer.

“Well, the first part of this is over and the plan is in motion.” I heard a pause before Alexander continued, “No, she has no idea. This is all normal for her. As a wolf, this is what is supposed to happen." Who the hell is he talking to?

Just keep listening, Allie said, also curious as to where this was going.

“We must look at this as playing the long game. This will take time. It cannot be rushed at all, or she will suspect something. Right now, we are lucky. She continues to have no idea who she truly is. The first step was making her believe we were mates and having the ceremony. That is done. Now, I must continue to keep her trust. In a few months, I will figure out how to deal with her parents.” I gasped, quickly covering my mouth.

Allie…he is not really our mate?!?!?!?!?! And he is already talking about killing our parents?!?!

I know, Brooke, I know. We just had our Luna ceremony, and this asshole is already plotting our parents’ death, she growled in my head.

Why though? What is he getting out of it? What are we?

I do not know, but we will figure it out together. We have time. We have a few months before he goes after our parents. We need to do some research. I think our starting point should be with Alpha Theodore.

I agree. He seemed to know more than he was letting on, or more than he could say here. I just hope we figure out a way to talk to him without alerting Alexander. We must be careful with every move we make. He cannot know that we know something is going on.

Allie nodded silently in my head, agreeing with my words. I did not hear anything coming from Alexander’s office, so it seemed like the conversation had been having was over. I am glad about that. I doubt if I could handle hearing anymore of what he had to say to this mystery person tonight. I quietly walked over to the bed, and very carefully climbed in. I still cannot believe I am stuck in this position. Why is this happening? What am I that is so important that Alexander is going to these lengths?

I was not sure I would be able to sleep, especially knowing I would have to share a bed with Alexander. I was so mentally drained from everything though; I was quick to relax. I did my best to let go of everything so I could at least rest. At least it seemed as though I would not have to worry about s*x tonight. There is not much that can be done right now. I am where I need to be. I just need to remind myself that I am doing this for myself and for my parents.

I know I said this before, Allie, but I am so grateful I am not here alone. Thank you for being the best wolf a girl could ask for.

She nudged me through our bond and curled up in my head. As I said before, I will always be here for you, Brooke. You are not alone. We will figure this out. Try to get some sleep, okay?

I smiled at her. You too, Allie girl. With that, I closed my eyes. As my breathing started to slow, another thought came into my head.

Allie? If Alexander is not really our mate, then who is?

She stirred lightly in my head. I do not know, but hopefully, before this is all over, we will actually find that out. It would be nice to be with someone who truly loved us.

I hummed in agreement. Then I heard the door gently creak open. I was too tired to worry, so I just kept falling deeper and deeper asleep. I heard a little rustling as Alexander changed for bed.

“Brooke? Are you asleep?” After he did not get a response, I heard a deep sigh. “This is going to be hard, isn’t it? I suppose it was never going to be easy.” I felt the bed shift as he laid down next to me. I felt his arm drape over my stomach. I wondered why he was faking love when no one was around to make him, but I decided not to fight it. I am playing the long game too, and it is time to get some rest.