The Alpha's Second Chance

“Ava, Ava, Ava...” The persistent whisper and the pains stabbed through my skull woke me from my deep slumber, my head aching, with no recollection of how I got there. The room was unfamiliar and had a soft, golden haze, like the warm glow of a crackling fire on a winter's night. The walls, painted a rich, velvety red, seemed to whisper secrets in the shining candlelight. The air was alive with the sugary fragrance of old roses and unremembered dreams. An isolated window high above me let in a shaft of moonlight, casting a beautiful gleam on the walls. The man lying right beside me was a stranger. But, hesitating to leave, I recognized the face but was unsure of who it was. Probably a man I had known a long time ago, someone who was once important to me. I took a moment to admire his features, and a thrill shot through me. This stranger definitely looked much more handsome than I can remember. His blue eyes, pink lips, strong jawline, and messy brown hair made my pulse race. I couldn't resist the way his muscles curled while he slept and the gentle rise and fall of his chest. I felt a drift in my chest, and I wanted to leave as fast as possible. But my legs were stiff, and my mind was muddled. I tried to remember what happened the night before, but everything was obscure. I got nervous as I scrambled to put together the incident that led me to be on the same bed with this stranger. I wanted to leave there before he woke up. But as I turned to leave, he stretched, his eyes opening onto mine. Immediately, I rushed myself, getting down from the bed, but then I paused, feeling his touch on my back. "Ava, wait," he said, his voice firm and commanding. "We need to talk." I tried pulling him off, but he snatched my arm, his grip like a vice. "Ava, please. It's about what happened before." Before? What was he talking about? I withdrew, my mind rushing with questions. Why am I here? What had happened between us? But I felt it a strange sensation in my stomach. And instantly, it all came overflowing. The night we spent together, the passion and intensity, and the promise of a future that never came to be. "Ethan," I whispered, my voice quivering. "I think I'm in trouble." His eyes narrowed, and his expression was unreadable. "What kind of trouble, Ava?" I paused, unsure of how much to reveal. "I'll handle it. Just leave me alone." He was staring like he was about to say something, but instead, he nodded and left the room. I was abandoned with more questions than answers, and a sense of fear overshadowed me long after he was gone. As I was lying in bed, my mind was filled with thoughts of Ethan and what had happened between us.Why did he decide to break my heart? I felt tears rolling down my cheek, but I wiped them away immediately, angry at myself for still caring even after the hurt he caused. But I tried looking around the room, thinking of how I could escape before he came back. I tried standing up, but my legs shook below me. I was very weak, and I knew I couldn't face Ethan alone. Just at that moment, the door opened, and it was Ethan. "Ava, we need to talk," he said, his voice commanding. I shook my head, my heart beating faster than normal. "No, Ethan. I'm done talking. I'm done with you." But instead, he walked closer, his eyes blazing with strength. "Ava, you're not going anywhere. We have an unfinished business." And suddenly, he dragged me into his arms, holding me really tight. I wrestled against him, but he was too strong to defeat. I was confined, and I knew I had to face the consequences of my past actions. As Ethan's grip on my arm felt so tightened, I perceived a rush of fear mixed with a thrill of excitement. Why was I still reacting to him like this? After all he did to me, I should be running away, not melting into his touch, I thought to myself. "Ava, please listen," he whispered, his voice low and coarse, my body quivering. "We need to talk about what happened between us. About that night...and what came after." I tried to shake off his hand, but he held fast, his eyes blazing with intensity. "Get off me, Ethan," I murmured, my voice trembling in fear. "Keep it to yourself." But he grasped me closer, his face just an inch from mine. "Ava, you're my mate," he growled, his voice full of belief. "My wolf recognized you that night, and...we have a bond that can't be broken." I felt vibrations in my chest, sending waves of excitement mixed with fear as he spoke. What did he mean? What bond? And suddenly I recalled—the memory of that night, of the passion and intensity we'd shared. "Ethan," I mouthed,What have you done?" His eyes blazed with pain, and for an instant, I thought I saw a twinkle of regret. But then his face hardened, and he pulled me closer. "Not right now," he said, his voice firm. "We need to get out of here. It's not safe." As he dragged me out of the room, I kept asking myself, Where were we going? And what did he mean by "not safe"? But I realized I was now trapped in Ethan's world as we strolled through the pitch-black streets with his unwavering hold on my arm. I also doubted that I would ever be able to escape. A figure emerged from the shadows and walked toward Ethan as we were turning a corner. "Ethan, you've been expecting me," he said in a stern and menacing voice. Ethan tightened his hold on my arm, drawing me in closer to him. "Ava, this is Lucien. My...associate." Lucien's eyes were fluttering at me, and I started quivering as I glanced at him. "Ah, the famous Ava," he said, his voice drizzling with malice. ". I've been hearing a lot about you. He extended his hand, seized my arm, and pulled me away from Ethan. "You see, Ava, you're not just Ethan's mate," he said, smiling at me. "You're also the key to our survival. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe." As I looked into Lucien's mouth, whispering those words, I felt a rush of fear take over me. What did he mean? And What did he want from me? And then, everything went black.