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

MY ALPHA

MALEA

I almost stumbled after the call ended. Mara's panicked words echoed endlessly in my mind. My daughter finally manifested her wolf, but it was an alpha wolf and something is terribly wrong.

My fingers tightened around my phone as panic surged through me. Everything had been peaceful for a good while. For five years, I had managed to keep Aria safe. We had built a quiet little life away from everything she should have grown up to.

Why did this have to happen now?

"Are you okay?"

Riven's voice snapped me back to reality. He held my arms, making me realize he was the only reason why I wasn't collapsed on my knees yet.

I immediately stepped away from him.

"I don't have time for you. I..." I swallowed hard, forcing myself to think. "I need to get back home."

"I heard."

I winced, cursing the world for this incredibly annoying circumstance I landed myself on. I almost forgot about werewolves' supernatural hearing and that I was standing beside one after spending five years running away from everyone of my kind.

Riven gestured toward his car. "You're in a hurry. I'll drive you home."

"No, I said I can take myself-”

I paused. My gaze shifted toward the direction of the train station. The last time I had walked that way, hunters had chased me through the streets.

Thanks to Riven, I managed to escape, but I couldn't guarantee I would be that lucky twice. Other things could go wrong, too. The trains could be delayed for all I know!

I bit my lip in frustration. I really had to get home as soon as possible.

"Fine..." I muttered.

Riven's lips curved slightly, but thankfully, he didn't make some smug comment about winning the argument.

He simply unlocked the car. I climbed into the passenger seat and immediately gave him my address the prayed to the Goddess that this man isn't taking advantage of the situation and bring me elsewhere.

I pulled my phone out again, tapping my foot impatiently as I wait for any update from Mara.

Maybe Mara would call again then say everything was fine, and that she had exaggerated because she was frightened.

I desperately wanted that to be the case, but I also know that Mara wasn't the type to panic over nothing. She rarely showed fear, and she certainly didn't use words like something isn't right unless she genuinely meant them.

I started biting my thumb nail in frustration. What could be happening to Aria that she can't explain over the phone?

My daughter is merely five years old. She wasn't supposed to deal with a wolf yet, and an alpha wolf at that! That wasn't something I had ever prepared for.

Riven drove without saying anything and I could feel that he was driving as fast as legally possible.

I appreciated his silence. Still, I could feel him glancing at me every now and then.

Eventually, his voice broke through the silence.

"That girl who just had her wolf, is she your daughter?"

My heart skipped a beat in the worst reason possible. I turned toward the window, refusing to look at him.

"Thank you for your help," I muttered. "But I'll appreciate it if you don't meddle with my personal life."

I paused, second guessing whether I should add more of my thoughts but went with it anyway.

"I'm just a rogue that happened to be working in your company."

I knew almost nothing about him except he happens to be my new boss. I don't even know which pack he was from and which pack circle it belonged to. I couldn't trust him with my daughter's identity.

Riven didn't respond and the rest of the drive passed quickly.

"Thank you," I said over my shoulder the moment he pulled up in front of my house.

I rushed inside, and was welcomed by Mara opening the door for me.

"Where is Aria?" I quickly asked, tossing my bag on the couch.

Mara immediately stood.

"I had to lock her inside the room."

I stared at her in confusion, "You did what?"

"She wouldn't calm down and she's more agitated when I was in her vicinity. I tried calming her down several times but she isn't responding to me at all.”

The panic I felt hearing her explanation was replaced with determination. I didn't bother asking for more details and rushed to my room.

The door was closed but I could hear her moving around inside followed by low growls.

"Aria?" I called as I slowly opened the door.

My sweet little girl is now a tiny wolf pup standing near the corner of the room. Her fur were all messy and raised, fully alert and clearly in defensive stance.

Her golden eyes were gleaming, both wild and fearful.

She bared her teeth as soon as I fully entered the room.

Wolf pups could become agitated during their first shift. I knew that much... but this wasn't normal. She can't even recognize me and I can't hear her voice through mind link at all.

I slowly lowered myself onto my knees.

"Aria, it's me."

Her ears flattened in response.

"You don't have to be scared now." I held my hand out, "Mommy's here."

She backed away and continued snarling at me. She pressed herself farther into the corner, staring at me like I was an enemy.

My chest tightened.

"Aria..."

I faced so many struggle all alone. I will gladly offer my life for my child's safety, but I didn't know how to save my daughter from something happening inside her own body.

"Please," I whispered, voice already breaking. "It's Mommy."

A tear slipped down my cheek, about to try again when the bedroom door opened again.

I turned in surprise and saw Riven stepping inside.

"What are you doing here?"

Before I could demand explanation, the wolf pup suddenly bolted toward the opening. Fortunately, Riven was faster and was able to close the door.

He stepped directly in front of her and Aria skidded to a stop. Her fur rose further and snarled at the alpha.

Terror crawled to my being. Riven's eyes shifted into his wolf's. It had gone colder as a deep growl escaped his throat.

"What are you doing?!"

Aria grew more agitated and tried to snap back but Riven snarled at her, forcing her to submit.

The pup whimpered. She lowered herself and quickly backed away.

Another whimper escaped her and she shifted back before us. Her wolf form disappeared and was quickly, replaced by the little girl I knew.

My body moved on autopilot, grabbing the blanket from the bed and wrapped it around her body.

"Mommy?" Aria called, Confusion filling her eyes.

I hugged her tightly, fighting my tears from falling.

"What happened?" She asked with pure innocence.

I held her tighter and kissed the top of her head. “Everything is okay. I will explain later, okay?”

My gaze went back to Riven. He had respectfully turned away but I heard him sigh in relief.

"I'm sorry. I had to startle her so she would shift back." He explained.

Riven opened the door and said, "I'll leave you two alone."

He stepped outside and closed the door behind him.

I looked down at Aria and my little girl still looked so lost.

"Come on, baby. Let's get you dressed."

"Did I do something bad?"

I quickly shook my head.

"No." I forced a smile. "You didn't do anything wrong."

“I feel weird, Mommy..."

I brushed her hair away from her face. “Later, okay? I will explain.”

I helped her put on some clothes and stayed beside her until I made sure she was fully calm. She eventually started talking about how hungry she was and that was when I knew my little girl is back to herself.

When I stepped into the living room, I immediately saw Riven.

He hadn't left and has been quietly talking with Mara.

Riven's gaze immediately landed on me. "She's feeling okay?"

I nodded.

"She doesn't remember what happened to her." I supplied, wiping my tears and cleared my throat.

"Most alphas manifest early, but not this early. It might be a temporary side effect, or maybe it's just a timing issue. She could be overwhelmed. After all, shifting in the middle of the city isn't exactly ideal for a pup.

I glanced toward Aria's room, hoping that Riven was right that this was something temporary.

My gaze went back to Riven and couldn't help but feel guilty for how I acted toward him. He had saved me from hunters, didn't fire me for being a rogue, driven me home and just helped my daughter when I couldn't.

And I had treated him like he was personally responsible for every terrible alpha I had ever encountered.

"Thank you...for everything." I finally said, "And I'm sorry for how I've been treating you."

A grin slowly appeared on his face.

"No worries. I guess I also shouldn't worry too much when you're with Mara."

Riven glanced toward Mara and realization suddenly hit me. She had been unusually quiet since he arrived and didn't even question why an alpha came with me.

"Wait." I looked between them, "You two knew each other?"

Mara sighed, looking exhausted.

"Yeah." She pointed at Riven without hesitation. "This guy is my Alpha."

My jaw dropped.

"What?!"