Her Second Chance Mate

I was Beta

My breath caught in my lungs as our eyes stayed locked on one another's.

What is happening Rose?!

I…I don’t know. We shouldn’t be feeling this way. You rejected him, he left us, you have Connor and he has...we shouldn’t be feeling like we want to rip her head off and show everyone he is ours. 

They are not marked to each other...yet, maybe that’s why? I asked her.

I don’t know, i don’t understand any of it. Just, stay strong. Think of Connor. You should of stayed next to him. 

I rolled my eyes at her. We will be fine, keep yourself in the back of my mind and we will be fine. I can control it.

Ok, i’m here if you need me. She said as she retreated to the far side of my mind.

*NIKKI! Are you okay?!* My mother’s voice was floating through my head.

I turned and looked towards her, only then did I realize that I was still standing while everyone else was sitting and Carson had walked off of the dance floor. His eyes however, still on me. 

I slowly sat down, “Sorry I don’t know what happened. I spaced out.” I chuckled and my mother shot me a look and i just gave her a small smile.

“Stacey,” i said taking a sip of my water to gather my bearings. “How are you doing? I’m sorry I wasn’t here at the start, I had no idea it was going to be a Luna ceremony.”

“None of us did.” Connor added while patting her shoulder and sending me a small smile. 

I was regretting not sitting next to him, I needed him close to me to calm down whatever was happening inside of me.

Before Stacey could answer, a man walked up behind Connor. “Alpha Carson has requested that all Alpha’s join him for a quick welcoming in the room off of this. Please, follow me.” He was mainly talking to Connor, and the second I stood up he turned to me “Alpha’s only.” 

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m an Alpha then, isn’t it?” I replied as I pushed my chair in. Max looked up at me, and I felt Jake wanting to follow me.

I turned to them, Connor waiting for me. “We will be right back. Enjoy the start of dinner, I expect my plate to be untouched.” This time I glanced at Hannah who just stared up at me innocently. 

“Jake,” I said before glancing at Seth. “I believe you have someone to focus on now. Make me proud.” I smiled at him and turned on my heel to follow the man.

Connor walked beside me, placing his hand on my lower back causing goosebumps to flow over my body. 

“I am sorry my love.” He whispered into my ear. “I do not wish for you to be mad with me. I overstepped, but you have to understand. Seth is not just my Beta, he is my best friend. He would give his life for me as I would him.”

“And the same goes for me and Jake. Now am I mad with him running away? Yes, but you have to understand that Jake has never been with a Male nor has he ever been attracted to one. He was in shock and denial but he wants to fix things with HIS mate. It is not up to you or I with what happens between them.”

“I know.”

“And whatever does happen with them, they are still part of our packs. Jake is my Gamma just as much as Seth is your Beta. they will always have roles to play within our packs.”

“And when do we combine packs?” He asked.

“I don’t know about how or when that will happen. We have a tournament to win, and I plan on still kicking your ass.” I said with a smile towards him.

“Only if you promise to be my nurse when you’re done.” he said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes at him and just shook my head.

“What?!” he protested with a smirk. 

“Alpha…” The guy in front of me stopped at a door.

“Alpha Nikki of the Blue Ridge Pack and Alpha Connor of the Red Moon Pack.” I replied back to the young man. 

He nodded his head, “Mates?” He asked. 

“Not during the tournament.” I stated with my head held high.

Connor chuckled and followed me through the door as the guy introduced us to the other Alpha’s in the room. 

We walked into the room with seven other Alphas. All of them stopped talking as we walked in. “Alpha Nikki!” Alpha Hank of the Lake Moon pack song sang as he walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me. “Alpha Hank” I replied and patted his back. 

“How is your pack doing? It has been a few months since we last saw each other.” He stated, taking a look between Connor and I. Who had taken a step closer to me. 

“We are doing great! Lots of changes on the way and we are all VERY excited.” I winked at Connor, causing him to calm down. 

“And you must be Alpha Connor.” Hank said, holding his hand out to him.

“That I am.” Connor replied.

“How do you two know each other?” Hank asked between us, jealousy in his eyes.

“He’s my mate.” I stated with a smile and looked up towards Hank and the other Alphas.

“What?! Since when?” One of the other Alpha’s questioned and made his way over to Connor. “Congrats man! Does this mean your packs will be merged for the tournament?” 

“No.” I stated. “We just found out earlier today when he stopped by my pack. Our packs are mingling within the tent set up and at the tables tonight. But during the tournament we will be against each other.” 

“Well, this should be interesting. Especially  when the leader fights happen!” One of the other Alphas laughed.

“You will not still fight her, will you?!” Hank gasped.

“He better.” I replied.

All the Alphas chuckled, “well it sure seems the talk about you are true. Female Alpha that’s a spit-fire and chews men up for a living.” 

“The only way it should be.” I said with a wink. 

We continued light conversation as Carson walked into the room. 

“Welcome Alphas!” He stated as we all turned to him.

Connor put his hand back to my lower back, calming Rose in an instant. 

“Alpha Carson!” Hank replied, the first one to greet him. “Congratulations on finding your mate!” 

I stood there, watching Carson’s reaction. No one but Connor knew of Carson and my past. 

“She has become my Luna, this is true. But she is not my true mate, I chose her.”

Gasps filled the room, aside from my self and Connor. I stood there stoic, just listening to the conversation.

“Why would you pick a chosen mate? You’re at a young age, surely you’d rather your true mate.”

I felt Connor stiffen, placing my hand behind me I found his hand and intertwined our fingers. We were given to each other. It didn’t matter to him or me if he was my second chance, the point was we were made for each other and I would allow my past to ruin what we have or will have.

Carson’s eyes quickly glanced towards me, “Well, a true mate, as some would say can be the downfall to a pack. As Alpha i need to put my people first. Having a Luna strengths me and she will care for the pack like a mother. I had a true mate.” He paused, I held my breath. “And let’s just say she wouldn’t have been the motherly type. She was more about ruling and taking charge.  You know the type, they think they can rule but the only place they should rule…”

Connor coughed, interrupting Carson’s little speech. “Well, all due respect, she sounds like she would have been a great partner. While the pack does need a motherly figure, such as a Luna it is also beneficial that the pack know their Luna can handle herself if ever an attack occurs. A Luna who can only cook or clean or produce pups might as well stay locked up in the safe rooms every day.” 

Carson shot Connor a look as the other Alpha’s agreed with him. I was so thankful to have a mate that stood up for me, and respected me enough to keep my secret for as long as possible.

“Ah, Alpha Nikki! It’s nice to….see you!” Carson stated with a smile that never reached his eyes. 

“Carson.” I stated, the fact that I did not call him Alpha was not lost on the other Alpha’s. 

“When’s the last time the two of you saw each other?” Hank asked. 

“Two years ago when he ran out of our pack.” I stated, staring Carson dead in the eyes. I felt Rose coming to the surface. Connor must of felt the anger inside of me, as he placed his hand around my waist and pulled me towards him.

“Alpha Carson,” he started, “Alpha Connor of the Red Moon pack. It’s interesting that the Elder’s decided to use your pack as the host for the annual tournament. How did you pull that off?” 

I relaxed as best as I could into Connor’s embrace.I needed his touch and was thankful that he knew exactly when I needed without us even being mated.

“You two seem rather close, taking full advantage of the single life i take it.” Carson stated, sending me a knowing look.

“Actually,” I started, sending Connor a smile and sliding my arms around his torso, “we found out today that we are TRUE mates.”

The shock written on Carson’s face was priceless and if I had one wish it would of been to have taken his picture. 

Carson coughed, choked really, as if he stopped breathing with my confession. “MAtes?” He choked out.

“Yes.” Connor replied and pulled me tighter against him and kissed the top of my head. 

“Congratulations to us both then!” Carson stated, “Though I’m sure you’ll have a hard time, what with combining your packs, I know the Blue Ridge Pack is extremely picky, will you still maintain your Alpha title? Because if I know Nikki, And I do.” He shot a look at me. “I know she wont be giving up her position anytime soon.” 

“Why would she have to give up her Alpha title? She earned it.”

Carson laughed. “Riigght” 

I was seething, I wanted to rip him to shreds. Rose was fighting with me for control. I had to focus on breathing and killing him.

“Excuse me.” An alpha a few years younger than me interrupted. “How does Alpha Carson know so much about Alpha Nikki and the Blue Ridge Pack?” 

We turned our heads towards the younger alpha, who swallowed a large lump as all of our eyes landed on him. 

“I was Beta of Blue Ridge once…” Carson started.