My Boss is my Second Chance Mate: The Alpha after Goodbye

WEEKEND DILEMMA

MALEA

It was the weekend. I was sitting on the couch, pretending to relax while keeping one eye on Aria, who was busy with her coloring book.

The book was spread across the small table in front of her, surrounded by neatly arranged crayons she had arranged by color scheme.

The little bunny plushie Riven had given her sat on her lap. Aria loved it from the moment she received it. She carried it everywhere, and always had it close when she sleep.

I initially thought it was simply another toy she would eventually lose interest in, but days had passed and she still treated it like a precious treasure.

More importantly, it seemed to be helping.

Since she received the plushie, Aria hadn't shifted again. She still became a bit anxious whenever I left for work, but there had been no sudden aggression, strange episodes, and moments where she seemed disconnected from herself.

For that, I was grateful. Still, I couldn't completely relax.

My eyes darted toward her again. The mug of tea on my hand had already cooled down and I haven't even finished half of it.

There was only one week left until the full moon and I had no idea what would happen. I spent years suppressing my own wolf during the full moon. It was painful in the beginning and even now. Every instinct inside me would scream to run, to shift, to feel the moonlight against my fur. Instead, we stay inside the house and wait for the peak to pass.

Eventually, I just got used to it.

It was simply the fate of many rogues who had no safe territory to run in.

I never wanted that life for Aria. I thought I still had time before I had to worry about such things with her but she manifested her wolf way too early. Not only that, she also have an alpha wolf, and judging by what happened during her first shift, her wolf was already far too powerful for a five-year-old child to control.

I glanced at the bunny plushie again. Maybe this really was helping, but I still have to explain more things I hadn't told her yet...

"Mommy?"

My stream of thoughts halted with Aria's voice. She was staring at me from the floor, crayon still hovering above the page.

"Hm?"

"What happens in a full moon?"

I froze for a second before feeling a wave of resignation. I slowly lowered the mug in my hand.

"Did you hear that from Mara?"

Aria shook her head.

"No." She looked down at her coloring book before casually adding, "Nixie told me."

My eyebrows furrowed.

"Nixie?"

Aria nodded enthusiastically.

I stared at her for a moment before realization struck me.

"Is Nixie your wolf?"

Her face immediately brightened. "Yes, mommy. She told me her name."

A strange mixture of relief and hope filled my chest. She could communicate with her wolf already. Maybe that meant her condition was improving and that Nixie wasn't completely out of control.

I moved my mug onto the table and leaned forward. "What else does Nixie tell you?"

Aria tilted her head, thinking hard before shaking her head.

"She just keeps saying she's excited for the full moon."

My lips pressed on a thin line. That wasn't exactly reassuring.

I patted the empty space beside me.

"Come here."

Aria immediately abandoned her crayons and climbed onto the couch, settling beside me with her bunny tucked securely against her stomach.

I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer.

"The peak of the full moon is very important for us werewolves," I began carefully. "It's the time when we honor the Goddess of the Moon."

"The Goddess?" She tilted her head again.

I nodded. "She's the mother of all wolves."

Aria's eyes widened.

"Like you, Mommy?"

"In a way, yes." I answered, smiling a bit.

I brushed her hair away from her forehead. "She looks after all wolves as her children, just like Mommy looks after you."

Aria nodded thoughtfully, though I wasn't sure if she truly understood.

"When the full moon reaches its peak, many werewolves run together and bathe in the moonlight. It's a way of honoring the Goddess and asking for her blessings."

Her expression filled with wonder.

"Lots of wolves?"

I nodded, “Yes, a lot."

"Like Nixie?"

She seemed fascinated by the idea until her expression slowly changed.

"But Mommy..."

"Hm?"

"I never saw a wolf before. I never saw your wolf, or Mara.”

My smile faded with her. I slowly nodded. "That's because we're different, Aria."

Her eyes shone with curiosity.

"Different how?"

"We don't live with other werewolves."

"Why?"

I took a deep breath. Aria has always been a curious child. It was hard to hide things from her when she starts asking questions but I did my best to delay this conversation.

Unfortunately, I couldn't anymore for her safety, too.

I looked at my daughter, and quickly saw Cyrus instead.

I remembered his face when I walked into his office covered in blood. The petty excuses, even the audacity of being angry at me for not calling him when I did, numerous times.

It was all still vivid in my mind, like a recurring nightmare. I remembered desperately calling him through our bond...only to learn that he was too busy with his mistress while one of our babies are dying.

Everything I had done since then had been for Aria. Every secret, every lie was for her safety.

I forced a smile.

"When you're older, Mommy will tell you everything."

Aria frowned in an instant, pouting again.

“Why?”

I gently cupped her cheek. “humans don't know about us, Aria. They wouldn't like us if they found out what we are."

Her forehead crumpled. “I don't understand...”

I swallowed heavily.

“It's how it is, baby. People can be afraid of things they don't understand."

She became quiet, but it was obvious that she has so many questions in her mind.

I continued softly, "I promise that when you're older, I'll tell you the truth. But remember this, okay? Everything I do is for you. To protect you and keep you happy."

I pulled her closer, embracing her tightly and kissing the top of her head.

"For now, you have to listen to Mommy. We can't show our wolves here. It's dangerous."

Aria's lips pushed into a pout again. "But Nixie wants to come out and play..."

"I know."

“She'll be sad. She wants to run and I want to play, too."

My heart twisted in pain. “I know, baby. I'm sorry."

I slowly let go of her. Aria hugged her plushie tighter.

"Did we do something bad?"

My heart broke at the question.

"No." I immediately shook my head. "No, baby. You didn't do anything wrong."

"Then why?"

I took a deep breath, fighting the tears threatening to fall. I can't show her that I'm weak, or she would crumble too.

"We're just in a tough situation right now."

I patted her head and kissed her forehead. "You'll understand when you're bigger. I promise, I will explain everything to you. Everything."

She didn't look completely convinced, but she eventually rested her head against me.

The doorbell rang, and a wave of worry hit me.

I carefully eased myself away from Aria.

"Stay here."

"But-"

"Just stay here, Aria."

I walked toward the door, every instinct suddenly alert. I checked through the doorbell camera and was taken aback when I saw it was Riven.

I slowly opened the door.

"Sir, what are you doing here?" I immediately asked.

He looked different today. I had only ever seen him in suits at work. But today, he was wearing a simple black shirt and pants.

His gray eyes immediately swept over me, relief immediately crossed his face.

"What happened?" I immediately asked, realizing her reaction.

"I had to chase off hunters again."

My heart skipped in panic.

"Again?"

He nodded. "I don't know what's happening, but you need to be careful."

My blood ran cold, looking back at my daughter.

"Are they still nearby?"

"No. I made sure they flee far. I just checked on you."

Aria suddenly came running, still holding her bunny plushie.

"Mommy!"

Riven's entire expression changed. The serious alpha from a moment ago instantly smiled.

His eyes immediately went to the plushie.

"Well, look at that."

Aria stepped closer and my heart skipped a beat again when her eyes suddenly flashed gold though it only lasted a second.

"You're like me." She told Riven.

Riven crouched slightly so they were closer to eye level.

"Yes, I am."

Aria stared at him with open fascination.

Riven pointed at plushie, "I see you liked my gift. Do you feel better now?"

Aria gave an enthusiastic nod.

"Yes."

I watched the exchange carefully. Aria had never been this comfortable around strangers. She's always been a shy kid around other people.

She barely knew Riven yet there was no fear in her eyes. Was it because she now can sense he's also a werewolf?

"This came from you?" she asked, lifting the bunny slightly.

Riven smiled and nodded, "I told a friend that you weren't feeling well. She made that for you."

Aria hugged the plushie. "Thank you, mister."

"You're welcome."

Riven straightened, "I'll tell my friend you liked it."

I stared at him in slight confusion. He looked so genuine about interacting with her, but I couldn't stop the worry in my chest.

"Thank you, sir," I quickly cut their conversation off, "For warning me and checking up on us."

He nodded, sensing my wariness and took a step back.

"I'll leave you to it."

He turned and was about to leave.

"Wait!"

Aria's voice made him stop and I also froze in surprise.

"Mommy, can he stay?" She asked and looked at me with eagerness.

"Aria." I quickly said.

She looked up innocently. "Please?"

"No, baby. He's busy."

Riven immediately looked back at us.

"Busy, me? Not at all. It's the weekend. I have no social life at all."

I have him a subtle glare but he blatantly ignored me and continued fueling Aria's excitement.

Before I knew it, Aria was already inviting the alpha inside. She was busy talking about her drawings and Riven enthusiastically responded all the time.

"Mommy makes the best pancakes in the world!" Aria randomly said.

Riven's smile widened.

"Pancakes for lunch. Yum!"