Her Second Chance Mate

Stopping and Trails

The second I walked into my room I rushed into the bathroom and showered away the smell of BBQ and sweat from all the dancing. 

You need to stop this.

Rose said as there was a knock on my door.

We will.

No, Nikki now. 

What’s the big deal? I asked her as I walked to the door. Jake stood there with a smile on his face as he stepped in and slid his hands around my waist and picked me up.

Nikki! Rose yelled in my head. I couldn’t pay attention to her as Jake’s lips kissed mine and he made his way down to my chest. Grabbing hold of the towel that was wrapped around my body.

NIKKI! STOP!

I grunted and put my hand on Jake’s chest, pushing him back a little. 

What is wrong with you Rose?!

“What’s wrong?” Jake breathed out. 

I shook my head. 

Rose, what is wrong? 

Just please, i know you say you don’t have a mate. But I really think he’s out there and I don’t want to be rejected again.

Rose…

Just till after the tournament. Then I promise, I’ll never complain again and we can talk about making him our chosen mate.

Jake stood there staring at me.

“Jake…” I started.

“I know, Kurt told me. Apparently Rose already talked to him.”

“Of course she did...and he agreed?”

“Reluctantly, yes..he said till after the tournament.” 

“We can hold off that long...right.” I said with a laugh.

“Well, seeing as how we’re both revved up and they are refusing us to be allowed to finish...it’ll be the longest 2 months of my life.”

I laughed and quickly grabbed my robe. 

“So...now what?” Jake asked, taking a step back.

“I think now, we call it a night. Tomorrow, we need to come up with a schedule for both the training for the warriors that are not allowed to travel with us as well as a schedule for the three of us to train. Maybe the s****l frustration build up will help us.” I said with a laugh.

“Come two months, we’ll be killing machines...we’ll have to talk to Max about holding back as well.”

“Pregnancy hormones, haven’t you heard? They can make the person SUPER horny. If he holds off, I’m afraid she’ll chop him up.” 

Jake laughed and nodded his head. “True.” 

“I’m sorry.” I said to him, looking up into his eyes.

“Don’t be. Rose is right. We need to focus on what’s coming. But if she ever changes her mind, you know where I am.” He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “I’ll see ya tomorrow.”

I gave him a small smile and closed the door behind him, before walking into my closet and throwing on some pj’s. 

Nikki….

Yeah, Rose?

I’m sorry.

Don’t be girl. You’re right. Plus if Kurt and Jake really wanted to, i’m almost positive they could have convinced us for one last time. 

Do you think i’m stupid for wanting a new mate?

Do you think i’m stupid for still thinking of Carson?

No, he was our first true mate. 

He may be our ONLY true mate.

I don’t believe that.

I hope you’re right, Rose. But would it be so bad to not have a mate? To do this alone?

What about Jake? 

What if he finds his mate at the events? 

I’ve thought about that...but what if we find a second chance mate?

You’ll hold it together and wont break for him right away. 

What do you mean?

I loved Carson, with my whole heart. He knew for almost 2 years that we were mates and I had no idea. And then when i find out he stays away from me. To only sleep with another she-wolf. He broke me Rose. Jake, Jake’s been the first guy to make me think that I could be loved.

Nikki, Jake is a GREAT Gamma and a great man. Kurt is a wolf we could be with forever, but something in me is telling me he’s out there...our second chance. And I just,i want to give them that chance.

I hear you Rose, and I hope you’re right. I hope we find him soon and he wants us. 

He will Nikki. I know it. 

I smiled, thinking about how strong and loving Rose is. I could do this for her. She’s already done so much for me these past few years. 

I woke up the next morning before the sun. Throwing on a pair of black workout pants and a sports bra, along with an oversized sweatshirt. I threw on my trainers and went down to the kitchen to grab a water before heading out for a morning run. 

Okay, Rose. We need to come up with two 10 mile runs. One that our shifters can run and one for the non-shifters. Knowing Carson, but never having been to his territory we can only imagine the worst conditions for both. So, let’s make it the hardest paths for them we can think of. Then we’ll have Max and Jake run them for fastest times, and then let our warriors see how fast they are. If it’s too easy for them, we’ll make new ones. 

Great idea Nikki! Let’s get to it. 

Okay, this first run, I need to do without any help from you. So don’t give me any help.

No problem girl!

I walked to the tree line and started the app that will track my run. This way I can easily map out the trail for everyone else. 

You should make markers along the way, non-shifters won’t be able to know the trail by scent. Rose advised.

Already thought of that. I said to her, pulling out a handful of bright orange ribbons to tie along the path. 

I made sure to run on unmarked trails, they needed to go in this blind, very much like how it will be for the challenges. Tying an orange marker every few yards to lead them along. They needed to be able to follow the marked path as fast as they can. Making sure to switch back and forth from uneven to even grounds, rocks, boulders, crossing over a river. Everything I came across I did it. Running 5 miles on way then making a loop and running back to the start for the last 5. 

By the time I was done, i was exhausted. But had so many more ideas on how to help my warriors train. And if it worked out well, I may just throw in these new tactics to our every day training. 

*Meet me outside the pack-house in ten minutes. Bring all competitors for the running challenge with you.* I mind-linked Max.

*Well, good morning to you too sister.* He replied back to me.

I rolled my eyes *Hurry your ass up* I replied back to him.

I walked up to the pack-house, seeing 6 teens standing in their training gear. A recognized a few of them from the training sessions. 

“Morning.” I said to them.

“Good Morning Alpha!” They all said standing up straight.

“Are all of you heading to training this morning?”

“Yes, Alpha.” They again all replied and I just smiled at them.

“Are all of you under age?”

“I’m not Alpha.” The taller of the boys said stepping forward. “I just shifted for the first time at last weeks shifting ceremony.”

“Awe, yes that’s right. Would all of you be willing to help me?”

“Anything Alpha.”

“Ok so, I need to borrow 6 items. One from each of you, it can be anything. Big or small. But it has to be something you’re wearing right now.”

They stood there for a moment deciding what to give me.

“Ok, do you guys have your items?” I asked them.

“Yes Alpha.”

“Ok throw them in this bag.” I said to them holding open my backpack. “I’m going to hide these items for the training of the tracking competitors. I’ll need all of you to meet me back here at noon.”

“Yes Alpha.”

“Ok, thank you. Train hard! Train smart!” 

They all bowed their heads and headed towards the training field as Max and Jake both walked forward with running competitors. 

“Morning Alpha.” Jake said as he stepped forward.

“Jake.” I replied, lifting an eyebrow.

*Why are you calling me Alpha?* I mind-linked him.

*Don’t need the trainees to think they can just call you Nikki. Respect. Keep it.*

I smiled at him and nodded my head.

“Good morning runners!” I said with a smile.

“Morning Alpha!” They replied.

“I’ve had a VERY busy morning. All of you will be training together, both shifters and non-shifters while you will be running on the track and on the normal trails. HOWEVER, i have mapped out 2 NEW trails. One designed for the shifters and one for those that can’t shift yet. During the competition you will not be running one at a time. All of you, plus those from other packs, will all run at once and whoever is fastest wins. The first three will win their pack points. Both Beta Max and Gamma will run the trails right now and their time will be the times to beat. If anyone can beat the times set, new trials will be made. I EXPECT to have to make at least two more trails. For the non-shifters, if they can beat the time on their initial path, then they will move on to the trials made for the shifters. This isn’t going to be easy. But for those of you that remember Carson, or know how his father is, what he will have won’t be easy either.”

“Wait, we have to run?” Max asked. 

I rolled my eyes. “Yes Max, both you and Jake will run the trails right now. You will run the shifters trail and Jake will run the non-shifters trail. Jake, while running do not let Kurt help you at all.”

“Yes Alpha.” Jake replied.

*Why is he kissing your ass, did you two do it again?!* Max mind-linked me.

I shot my face towards him. *The f**k?!? No!! And you can thank yourself for these trails.*

“Ok, so are you two ready?” 

“Yes…” They both groomed out. 

“Alex pull out your phone. You’ll be in charge of timing Jake on his run.”

“Yes Alpha.” Alex said walking over to Jake and pulling out his phone. 

“Who is tracking my time?” Max asked.

“Me.” I replied to him with a smirk.

“Ok, now if everyone is done complaining...get to the starting point of your trails. You will see orange tags along the path, follow them. You will end up back on the path to end in the same spot. Remember Jake, no Kurt.”

“Right, no Kurt.” Jake replied. 

“Ready. Set. GO!” I yelled and both boys took off running while Alex and I both hit start on our timers. 

“How long are the trails Alpha?” Shane asked taking a step towards me.

“10 miles each, same length for the competition.” 

“When did you do this?” He asked.

“This morning.” I said with a smirk. “Oh, I have something for the rest of you to do while Alex and I sit here and wait.”

“How long do you think it’ll take them?” 

“Um, well it took me an hour per trail and I was putting up the tags and monitoring the distance. So i would prefer they finish within 30 minutes.”

Shane nodded his head.

“However, for all of you I truly hope that you’ll be able to beat their times. And I can make more trials. As many that are needed. I don’t think i’ll have to make new trails for the none-shifters. They should build stamina from the trails and build up on that. The shifter's trails will increase. So if the none-shifters feel the trails are too hard, well then they’ll keep running them.” 

Shane smiled and nodded at me, “Your father would be proud of you.”

I blushed, “Thank you Shane. I appreciate that. I also thought that these trails can come in handy for our every day training...but well talk about that at a later time. For now each of you take an item from the back pack. Hide it within the territory. I don’t know the size of the field for the tracking tournament, so we’re going to use our ENTIRE territory. 5 of you take your 5 items and hide them. Not next to each other.” I said with a smile.

“What about the sixth item?” 

“I’ll take care of that.” I said with a wink. Come right back here, you have 30 minutes. I expect the Elites to bring their items to the farthest parts of the territory. Don’t make it easy!” 

“Yes Alpha”, they all replied as they all ran off to hide their items leaving Alex and I alone.