Second Chances:HOPE & FAITH

The Attack

"Mother start planning the Luna ceremony, it will be very very soon," Aidan said through his phone. Aidan rushed downstairs and began telling the staff to prepare for a huge dinner party tomorrow. He told Melody to make sure Hope's things were moved to his room. He was overjoyed and ready to make things right. He was getting ready to call Lucas and tell him to be ready to head out so they can both go bring Hope home. Suddenly Perry and Paul stormed into the mansion.

"Three of our borders were attacked," Paul said.

"Rogues," Perry added. "We barely made it out."

"I think they are going to try and hit us again.... soon and hard," Paul said.

"Why would rogues attack us, do they have a death wish," Aidan spoke angrily. He began to pace around the room. "Grab every man, warrior, and son of age; bring them to me NOW!"

"YES ALPHA!" they both said in unison. Within minutes they were all in the packhouse like old times.

" These rogues made a huge mistake today. They think they can come to our land and defeat us," Aidan said fiercely. "We will surround our territory and protect our home. Lucas, Mitch, Paul, Perry and I will go looking for our new friends and bury them," he said aggressively. The men all shouted and headed out the door. Aidan now shifted into his wolf inhaled the awful scent of these wolves and ran towards it.

 Back at Hope's apartment, It had been 24hrs since she sent Lucas off with her letter. She was unsure of what was going to happen next but she thought she would have heard from someone by now at least Lucas saying he made it or something.

"Ready for work," Olivia said.

"Yeah," I replied. I got dressed and had some coffee and walked out with Olivia. I wanted to act normal but I had just put everything on the line and knew nothing of the outcome. I had three appointments set up for this morning. I went through each one emotionlessly until lunchtime. When I went back to work I only had one appointment left. I sat in the break room and daydreamed for a few. Lauren, my boss came in suddenly telling me someone was here but everyone else was booked at the moment and asked if I could take him. I was a little out of it but I nodded and got up to go to my assigned massage room. I started to get everything ready and then this very handsome man walked in. He was in his late twenties maybe early thirties. He had curly brushed back ash brown hair. Intense green eyes and a stare that could read your soul. He had a stubble beard and chiseled jawline. He looked like a model pretty boy type, unlike Aidan who was rugged and manly yet still very sexy and handsome as well.

The older gentleman walked into the room and started to take his shirt off. He had a nice body too. I quickly turned around and left the room. He got undressed and laid on the table. I entered the room again after a few minutes. I asked him if he wanted any particular type of massage or service. As I said this I found myself sounding shy and timid. I wasn't this awkward sheepish girl but right now my heart is pounding. I didn't really know why. I put my hands on his back and it felt like I had just touched a hot stove. I started to move my hands and apply pressure to his shoulders.

"You're very good at this," he said. I felt embarrassed and even more shy now. I have done this for many clients now but none of them were male.

"Thank you," I replied.

"You can go lower," he said.

"Of course," I said. I realized I had been massaging the same spot for too long now. I moved my hands lower and started to press firmly on his back.

"I should come here more often but just for you doll," he said. I took a deep breath and kept massaging him.

As soon as it was over I decided to go home and take a shower. I got out and got dressed in a long T-shirt.

Olivia came in dancing from her job.

"We should go out and dance," she said excitingly.

I sighed and said " fine." Jackson came out of his room and went to grab my shoulders.

"Where are we going?" he asked. I rolled my shoulders to try and get him off but he just started to squeeze them harder.

"CLUB MIDNIGHT!" Olivia shouted. She ran to the bathroom and hopped in the shower. I went back into my room and went to get dressed. I decided to have fun tonight and go all out. I had to get out of my funk and this was the perfect opportunity. I wore a tight little black dress with mesh cut-outs on the sides. I went to put on my heels and saw Jackson standing by my door staring.

"Down boy," I said sternly. Once we were all ready we called an Uber and headed to the club. We all wanted to drink tonight so none of us drove. The club was packed but we got in within minutes of arriving. We went to a free table and ordered a round of shots. We then went dancing. Jackson was getting a little to close for comfort so I said I need to go and sit down for a minute.

"Hey, can I buy you a drink," A male voice said behind me. It brushed my ear and I felt shivers down my spine but not from excitement but fear. I turned around and recognized the male standing there waiting for my response.

"You," I said suddenly.

"Alaric," he replied. " My name is Alaric Redford. It's nice to see you again, miss.."

"Hope," I said. I was nervous but tried to remain calm. He sat down and gave me a smile that made me feel even more uneasy.

"Having fun?" he asked.

"Yeah just got a little tired is all," I said back. I motioned to get a waiter and asked for a tequila sunrise. After five minutes I got my drink and sipped it quickly. This encounter was awkward but I didn't want to be rude.

"It's a nice place, don't you think?" he asked.

"It's okay but I prefer a nice quiet bar," I replied. He grabbed my hand that was laying on the table and held it with his.

"You look very beautiful tonight," Alaric said smiling at me with that sociopathic demeanor.

"Tha..nks," I said nervously. I got up and told him I was going to go find my friends. He followed me on to the dance floor. Olivia was dancing and grabbed my hands so I could start dancing with her. I felt a little safe and just went with it. I could feel Alaric's eyes on mine. I was lost in the moment and began to just pay attention to the music. Jackson was still around and came to stand behind me and dance on me.

BOOM

BOOM

BOOM

My heart started pounding loudly. I wondered if anyone else could hear it. I felt like I was losing my breath. I needed air. I ran outside and caught my breath. I was exhaling so rapidly I thought I would pass out. I felt this panic and looked around for a taxi or car I could steal. I tried to grab my phone but I was useless.

"Hey what's wrong," Alaric asked.

"I need to go, I need to find.. " I could barely get it out. My head was spinning and I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

"I'll take you where ever you need to go, come on," Alaric said. He brought me to his car and he sped off into the streets. Somehow I knew where I was going even without GPS. I didn't remember the roads or streets but it felt like instinct. I was going home. The pain was getting too much to bear. Alaric reached to the back seat of his car and grabbed a bottle of water.

"Here, drink this," he said. I opened the bottle and took a few sips. After some hours we finally reached the border and their werewolves ready to pounce. I ran out of his car and hoped they recognized me. I hadn't been introduced to everywhere but I prayed that one of these big wolves was Lucas or someone that knew me. I wasn't worried about Alaric seeing these strange beasts. I just needed to find Aidan. I knew he was in trouble.

"Please take me to him," I pleaded. "He needs me."

"Hey calm down, drink some more water," Alaric requested. I took just one more sip and then ran towards the wolves.

"Please," I begged. Suddenly they moved to the side creating a path. I told Alaric to get in the car and drive me inside. He hurried into the driver seat and drove past the small army of wolves. As I got closer to the mansion I began to feel at ease.

"Here just keep drinking we will be there soon," Alaric said. I took the water once more and drank a few more sips. I suddenly felt weak and everything was getting fuzzy. I put the water in the cup holder but Alaric turned to me and shouted: "FINISH IT." I threw the bottle at him splashing the remaining liquid on him. I got out of the car and ran to the front door but soon collapsed to my knees. I was beginning to drift off but I heard someone approach us.

"Aidan," I said softly but I knew it wasn't him.

"She didn't finish it," an unknown male said.

"No, but it doesn't matter. Our plan will work," Alaric said.

"So even if she didn't finish it, this will still work," the unknown voice spoke again.

"Yes and I will finally get my love back," Alaric declared.

Suddenly everything went black.