Her Second Chance: Claim the True Mate

CHAPTER SIX

LAYLA’S POV

Damien scores a three point dunk in our mini game. I let out a strained breathe and clutch my knee in fatigue.

“Hey, you okay?” Damien asks with concern.

“Yeah, just tired” I said and he hands me the bottle of water he was holding. “Thanks”

“No problem” He squints his face and looks towards the sun for a second.

Although the game was pretty fun and we have had a few laughs since I challenged to a game of basketball.

It was our go-to whenever we fought. We settled our differences through this game and whoever loses would have to apologize first.

But this time he won, but there was nothing for me to apologize for. He was the one that left without a trace, even though I have lived this moment before, relieving it doesn’t make it hurt less. Even though I already knew his response, I wanted to hear him say it. He doesn’t have to know that I know.

He is my fated mate, but if I want things to end up differently, I have to let nature take its course.

I take a deep breath before taking another gulp of water.

“So are you going to tell me why you disappeared for so long?” I looked at him but his face but he looks at everywhere but me.

“Damien, what is it? Why can’t you tell me?” My voice comes out more desperately

“Layla, listen to me, I.. it’s… I can’t say anything right now, it’s not something I can talk about but I need you to trust me” The thickness in his voice sends chills all over my body, but I ignore them and focus on my questions.

I sigh and shake my head. “Why can’t you tell me Damien, I thought we were friends I thought you were my best friend and you left without saying a word. Not even a goodbye and you come back with some bullshit about trust. Come on Damien I think you should know better” I cross my arms across my chest, my anger getting the best of me.

“You’re cute when you do that” He says, amusement lacing his voice.

I scoff.

“This is not the time-“ I start to grit out but I stop myself and raise a hand in surrender “You know what? Forget about it, stay away from me” I mutter before I walk out the field into the locker room.

The familiar smell of sweat and boy soap fill my nostrils. It smelled disgusting but one gets used to it with time. If anything this could ruin my career as a model, but the heart wants the heart wants.

It’s a hobby to play basketball and a lifelong dream to become a model. I know I can’t have both, and I’m not planning on it.

I’m blocked by Dylan just before I round the corner and I roll my eyes.

“Looks like you’ve grown a few balls since the last time I saw Layy”. He taunts

“Yeah, the ones you never had” I deadpan.

“You don’t want to go down this line with me you little b***h” His breathe fanning my face making me gag visibly.

“Oh God, not today Dylan, get out of my way” I tell him trying to control the bile in my throat.

Dylan was one of meanest people on earth. I remember he would naturally dip my head into the toilets and threatened to never let Damien hear any of it or he would make my life hell.

But not anymore. I would not let any of these douche bags walk all over me. Not today, not now when I have this second chance and definitely not ever.

He chuckles bitterly and walks slowly towards me as a small crowd begins to form and I know what’s about to come. But I keep my face stoic and my eyes on him.

“You know, I haven’t had fun in a while, it wouldn’t hurt to have fun now” His menacing strides should make me cower and fear, they usually do, but not today

I let out a scoff for the second time today. “Are you trying to rankle me Dylan?” I get in his face.

His phone morphs into one of shock but he quickly conceals it with a smirk. “Rankle you? Oh no little angel” He runs a finger through my cheeks and I smack it off.

In seconds in hand is on my throat, blocking my airways and making it hard to breathe.

“How about we do it this way, why don’t we put that little mouth to use Lay, how about I f**k some respect Into you, in front of all these boys and have them record you scream and writhe for help like that little friend of yours” He gloats and sniffs my face as he tightens his grip.

“What was her name again?” He continues while I see a camera pointed towards us in my peripheral vision.

“Ah, Isabelle, it was fun when Harry did that, I could do that too” He says with a mock smile on his face.

“You-“ I begin

“How about I feed you your balls in the process McKenzie?” I hear a voice behind us and I already knew who it was.

Damien.

“Looks like you got your knight in shining armor lay, I wonder how far he can go” He grip tightens as he mutters those words.

He kept eye contacting with Damien, I couldn’t see him properly because my head was kept in place and I think I was fading fast.

“Let her go Dylan” His voice comes out controlled as the crowd around us stayed quiet, a pin could drop and it could be deafening.

“Or what?” Dylan taunts. Dylan is an Alpha’s son, the alpha of one of the weak but uprising pack. That was why out of all the people that feared Damien and the rumors surrounding him, Dylan was one of the people that cared less.

Damien let’s out a small laugh.

I’m tired of this! This ends right now!

I drive my knee straight up his groan, the impact makes him release the grip on my neck. Once he is down to one knee, I kick him in the face.

“Or that” Damien says, amusement lacing his voice and he looks at me with a proud glint in his eyes.

“Next time McKenzie, you would actually be loosing those tiny snippets” I seethe and step on his hand that was resting on the floor. He groans in pain and I have never felt so accomplished.

I walk to my locker and bring out my necessities.

Just while I was stepping out of the locker room I hear Damien. I look back to see him hovering around Dylan.

“What she said”