Her Second Chance Mate

We're Mates?!?!

“Well, so much for keeping it a secret.” Max said as he and Hannah walked up to us. Hannah engraving me in a tight hug. 

“I knew you wouldn’t be able to stay away from him.” She whispered into my ear, causing me to blush.

“Oh hush, leave your sister alone.” My mother said, smiling at Connor and myself. 

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Connor asked me, pulling me tight to be flush with him.

“Are you not?!” I asked, worry starting to creep in.

“I was ready the second I saw you.” He smiled down at me and kissed my forehead. 

We stood there as pack members came up to us and congratulated us. They all were so excited and happy that their Alpha’s found their mate. Not one of them asking about the living situation or what we’re going to do. 

“Let’s go get ready!” Hannah said, grabbing my hand and pulling me away from Connor; causing him to let out a small growl.

“Now, you listen here.” She said facing him. “You may be her mate, but she’s my sister and we have a party to get ready for!” 

I laughed, turning to Connor, “I’ll be quick, you go get ready too!” 

“What this isn’t good enough?” He asked looking down at his faded jeans and casual T-shirt.

“I mean...it’s…” i started.

“She loves it, but it’s not appropriate for tonight. You are representing your pack and she will be representing ours!” Hannah said with annoyance.  “Do you not have any female leaders?!” 

“Other than my mom...we didn’t…” he said with a smile, causing my heart to flutter. 

“Max!” Hannah yelled. 

“Really, I’m right here Han.” He said to her, literally standing on the other side of me.

“Get Jake, the two of you need to get ready. And Luna Nancy, Beta Stacey, come with us. If we team up with can get Nikki done in no time.”

“Get me done? I’m not going all glitz and glam Hannah, a simple outfit.”

“No make-up.” Connor protested, “She doesn’t need any and I’d love to just look upon my mate without anything hidden.”

I blushed, i full blown blushed. 

“Awweeee, oh my goddess! MAXXXXX why aren’t you romantic like that?!” Hannah gushed and yelled at the same time. 

“Great, good going Connor.” Max rolled his eyes. 

“Come on Hannah.” I said taking her hand, “I know Max has done many romantic things towards you, which is why there’s a pup in that belly.” I laughed.

She pouted her lips and walked with me back towards my tent. 

“Wait, are we all entering together at the ceremony?” Seth asked.

I shrugged my shoulders, “sure why not?”

“Okay, great!” 

Just then Jake walked up, Max must have mind-linked him to come meet up with him. 

“Congratulations.” He said to Connor, shaking his hand. “You should be honored to be able to call our Alpha your mate.” 

Connor smiled at him, “I am.” 

He then shifted and introduced Jake to Seth, and the moment their hands touched all chaos went loose. 

Hannah pushed me into the tent as I saw Jake’s face go pale and Seth’s form a smile that went from ear to ear. 

“Are you f*****g kidding me?!” Jake let out, at the same time Seth said “MATE!” 

I stopped dead in my tracks, as everyone else dropped their mouths open and looked shell shocked towards Jake and Seth. 

“I didn’t know your Gamma was Gay.” Connor commented towards Max. 

“He’s….not??” Max said, confused and glancing towards me. 

“No, I’m f*****g NOT!” Jake yelled out as he turned on his heel and walked away from them.

Seth’s face fell and Connor turned red in anger.

“I will handle it.” I said to them, Seth looking at me with tears in his eyes.

“I will not allow my Beta to be treated that way.” Connor said, anger in his voice, making me look up at him with my own.

“You forget who I am? Is that why you raise your voice at me. We may be mates, but I am ALPHA of the Blue Ridge Pack and Jake is my Gamma. You will not make any threats towards my members.” I stood there, claws ready to come out. We may have just announced us being mates, but he will disrespect me or my pack members. 

“Nikki…” Connor’s face broke when he realized he crossed the line.

“We will see you the ceremony. Max, go tell Gamma John to forget about having our packs mingle. I will not make our members sit with a pack who’s Alpha has threatened their Gamma.” 

“I didn’t…” but before Connor could finish I turned around and entered the tent. 

“Make this quick, I’ve got a Gamma to find and a problem to solve.” I barked at the girls, making Hannah and Stacey cower away from me.

“Nikki,” My mother started and I shot a look at her. “Do not take this out on your mate.” 

“I will not allow another Alpha to speak that way about a member of my pack. I don’t care who they may be to me.” I snapped back while grabbing clothes to change into. I turned to see Hannah, smile plastered on her face pleading as she held up a simple summer dress. 

“If I can pair that with these boots and leather jacket, then fine.” She let out a breath and ran towards me. Helping me change and get my hair done within 10 minutes. 

*Jake.* i mind-linked to him as i was getting read to step out of the tent.

Silence.

*JAKE!* I said again, this time with my Alpha command. 

“Alpha.* His voice was full of sadness and hurt. 

*When are you?!* I asked him.

*Woods, about a mile in*

*Start walking back towards the edge, I’ll met you.*

*Nikki…*

*As Gamma of Blue Ridge Pack, you have duties. I know that what just happened is a shock and I’m not quiet sure how’d you’re feeling...about having a male mate...but as your Alpha and FRIEND you are not doing this alone.*

*And what about your mate?*

*I will deal with him.*

*Don’t fight with him because of me.*

*What I do with my mate will be what I want to do, as I stated, you’re my friend. Now start walking*

*Yes...Nikki*

I closed the mind-link and turned to Hannah who was just getting done with getting herself ready.

“I am meeting Jake, to talk about what’s going on. We will meet everyone at the ceremony.”

“Nikki, what about Connor?” She asked me.

“What about him?” 

“Well, you told Max that we weren’t sitting with him anymore.”

“And?”

“I think you should re-think that.”

“I have a pack member that needs my help.” 

Hannah shook her head, “Just, don’t push him away.”

I knew she was right, but as Alpha i needed to protect my pack member, no matter their rank or issue. So I just nodded my head and held the tent door open for her. 

Stepping out of the tent, we found Max and Connor standing there. Both holding a flower in their hands. I looked towards Connor. I wanted to smile and hug him and kiss him. But I couldn’t get his words towards Jake out of my mind. He needed to know that my pack was and will always be MY pack.

“Max, please escort Mom and Stacey to the ceremony. I am finding Jake. We will see you there.” 

Max just nodded his head and wrapped his arm around Hannah before telling her how beautiful she looked. 

“Connor…” I started and then turned to walk away. 

Not getting very far, I felt his hand grab my elbow. Even with the jacket on his touch sent shockwaves through my body. “Nikki, wait…” he pleaded. 

“I have a pack member I need to find and take care of. As I’m sure you do too.” I said, glancing towards Seth. 

“Please, can we come with you?” He asked.

I looked at Seth, “Seth I will talk with Jake. I know that was not the reaction you were hoping for. As far as I know Jake has never been with a man before. He’s probably confused and not sure how to go about things. But I will talk to him and I will get him to the event. Please go with your Alpha to the ceremony.” 

Seth gave me a small smile, a tear running down his face. I stepped towards him, whipping the tear away. “Don’t cry, I will bring him back to you.” I gave him a hug and then turned to walk towards where Jake said he was.

“Nikki…” Connor yelled out again, but this time I just ignored him and kept walking.

“She’ll be back.” I heard my mother say to him. “Come on, Stacey and I will need all the support we can get before seeing Carson tonight.” I heard her say just as I saw Jake appear in the clearing. 

I walked through the meadow over to him, meeting each other in the middle where a large boulder sat. Climbing on top of it, we sat down together. 

“So…” I started.

“So…” He mocked.

“Oh Jake, I don’t know how to go about this...do I say sorry? I don’t think I should. Your mate is a BETA, intelligent, handsome, kind, and witty, and…”

“And MALE?!?” 

“And male...but does that, does that really matter?” I asked him.

“Yes...no...i don’t know…” he confessed. “I mean what other gay wolf do you know?!” 

“What other Female Alpha do you know?” I countered. 

“None.”

“Exactly, and I like to think i’m pretty badass.”

“An ass...yes…” he said with a smile as i elbowed him. 

“Look, it’s not something you thought would happen. BUT, you have been waiting for your mate for 2 years! You were at a breaking point of never finding them. BUT you did!! Don’t push your mate away just because it’s a male. Give him a chance.” 

“Are you only saying that because he is the Beta of your mate?” 

“f**k no. Right now I’m not even talking to Connor...he was not happy with how you reacted when you realized that Seth was your mate.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be. This is all new. But can you give him a chance?” 

“What is everyone going to think? Say? They’ll think our pack is a laughing stock.”

“f**k em. We’ll show all of them how much of a laughing stock we are during the challenges this week.” I said with a smile. 

“Oh f**k…” he said “The leader fights.”

“I know right, do you think Connor thinks I won't fight him just because he’s my mate?” I said with a laugh. 

Jake rolled his eyes and chuckled, “Poor man.” 

I just smiled back at him.

We sat in silence for a few minutes before we heard some music start up.

“Looks like we’re late for the beginning of the ceremony. Let’s get going. Do you need to change?”

“Yeah, but I’ll be quick!” 

We walked back towards the tents and he disappeared in his. Coming out only a few minutes later changed into black slacks and a button up with his sleeves rolled up. I wondered what Connor was wearing, I was too pissed to even notice earlier.