My Second Chance Mate is a Vampire

Chapter 5: The First of December

Ellie rubbed her eyes as she peered out the small window of her room. The courtyard below was blanketed in soft, pristine snow, untouched by any disturbance. There were no red smudges, no trails of blood, and no sign of the distressing scene she had witnessed the night before. It was as if the entire incident had vanished along with the night itself.

She frowned, wrapping her arms around herself. Had it all been a dream? It felt too vivid, too real to be a figment of her imagination, but now, in the calm light of morning, there was nothing to confirm it. Ellie shook her head, trying to push the eerie thoughts aside. Perhaps it was the castle—its atmosphere, its secrets—playing tricks on her.

She dressed warmly, pulling on her coat and boots before setting off down the corridor. The thought of Nick’s absence gnawed at her. She couldn’t ignore her growing concern for him. Greta had said he was unwell, and he hadn’t shown up for days now, not even to fix things around the castle. She felt a strange urgency to check on him, to make sure he was all right.

The staff quarters were unusually quiet for this time of day, the usual chatter and bustle conspicuously absent. Ellie paused at the door to Nick’s room, hesitating before she knocked lightly.

There was no answer.

She knocked again, her brow furrowing. Still nothing. She considered calling his name but decided against it. If Nick was resting, she didn’t want to disturb him. Instead, she turned away, making her way back down the narrow staircase that led to the castle foyer.

As she reached the bottom step, Ellie was surprised to find Nick standing there, by the large window, his back to her. He was dressed in his usual thick coat, his dark hair slightly tousled, and even from behind, Ellie could sense the weight on his shoulders. He seemed lost in thought, staring out into the snow-covered landscape beyond.

“Nick!” she called, her voice soft but filled with relief.

He turned, his eyes meeting hers. A flicker of surprise crossed his features, followed by something softer—something that made Ellie’s chest tighten. She took a step closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “I was looking for you. I heard you were sick, and I just... I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

For a moment, Nick said nothing, his expression unreadable. Then, a small smile touched his lips, and he nodded. “I’m fine, Ellie. Just needed some rest.”

His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a tiredness that made Ellie’s concern deepen. She moved closer, her eyes searching his. “I’m glad to hear that. I... I was worried about you.”

The warmth in Nick’s eyes grew, and for a moment, they stood in silence, the space between them filled with unspoken words. The foyer was bathed in the soft glow of twinkling fairy lights strung along the banister, their light reflecting off the polished stone floor. A fire crackled in the massive hearth, its warmth reaching out to them, creating a cocoon of comfort amidst the vastness of the castle.

Nick took a step toward her, his gaze never leaving hers. Ellie’s breath caught as she felt the heat of his presence, her heart beating faster. He was close enough now that she could see the faint lines of weariness around his eyes, the way his lips parted as though he wanted to say something.

For a moment, it felt like time slowed. The world outside, the cold, the uncertainty—all of it melted away in the soft warmth of the firelight. Nick’s eyes held hers, and she felt something unspoken pass between them, something fragile and powerful all at once.

He moved closer, his gaze flickering to her lips, and Ellie’s heart skipped a beat. She could feel the pull between them, the warmth of his breath mingling with hers.

She felt it again, Kida stirred. It was subtle and faint, but Ellie knew she was still alive and connected, and that Nick must be someone important.

But then, as if a shadow passed across his thoughts, Nick’s expression changed. He stepped back, breaking the moment. His eyes lowered, and he let out a shaky breath. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low. “I should... I have things I need to take care of.”

Ellie blinked, the warmth of the moment dissipating as quickly as it had come. “Of course,” she said, her voice barely audible.

Kida was paralysed once more.

Nick looked up at her, a hint of regret in his eyes. “Thank you, Ellie. For checking on me. It means a lot.”

Before she could say anything else, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing softly in the quiet foyer. Ellie watched him go, her heart heavy with the weight of what almost was.

—

The cold air greeted Ellie as she stepped out of the castle’s front door, a shiver running through her as the chill cut through her coat. It was the first day of December, and the festive spirit in the village below was palpable, even from a distance. Fairy lights twinkled from the windows of the cottages, and she could hear faint strains of laughter and carolers practicing in the distance. She wrapped her scarf tighter around her neck, her breath forming small clouds as she made her way down the hill toward the village.

It was her day off, and Ellie had decided to head into town to enjoy some time away from the castle. There was a tree-lighting ceremony at the castle later in the evening, and she wanted to pick up some gingerbread from the market to share with everyone. The idea of standing around the massive Christmas tree in the courtyard, surrounded by her new colleagues, warmed her heart in a way she hadn’t expected.

Christmas here was so different drom the ceremonies with the pack. The cold, the snow, the decorations—it was all so foreign and enchanting. Growing up in the pack house, it was strictly f*******n to worship false gods, and only the moon goddess herself could be celebrated. There was something magical about this winter wonderland, something that made her feel like she was in a different world entirely.

The streets of the village were alive with activity, the market bustling as people gathered to shop and chat. Stalls were adorned with garlands of pine, their tables covered with festive treats—candied nuts, warm cider, handmade ornaments. Ellie wandered through the market, her hands tucked into her pockets to keep them warm as she admired the goods on display. The air was filled with the scent of cinnamon and freshly baked bread, and her heart felt lighter than it had in weeks.

After purchasing a bag of gingerbread cookies, each one intricately decorated with icing and sugar, Ellie found herself a quiet spot on a bench near the town square. She sat down, taking in the scene—the children laughing as they ran through the snow, the carolers practicing by the large Christmas tree that stood proudly in the center of the square. It was like something out of a fairy tale, and for the first time in a long time, Ellie felt a sense of peace.

She reached into her pocket, her fingers brushing against her phone. She hesitated for a moment, then pulled it out. She hadn’t turned it on since arriving at the castle two weeks ago. She had needed the time to herself, to escape from the world she had left behind. But now, she felt a pang of homesickness that she couldn’t quite ignore. Maybe it was time to check in with her parents.

Ellie pressed the power button, the screen lighting up as the phone came to life. Almost immediately, a flood of notifications appeared—missed calls, messages, voicemails. Her heart sank as she saw the names flashing across the screen: Megan, Scott, her mother.

She opened the messages, her stomach twisting as she scrolled through them. Megan’s messages were long and rambling, full of apologies and pleas for her to come home, to let her explain. No. There were missed calls from Scott, and a few messages asking her to talk to him, to cut itout. Telling her she had made a huge mistake and caused embarrassment to the entire pack. No. Her mother’s messages were more reserved, but the worry was clear—asking if she was okay, if she could please call home and let them know she was safe. Maybe.

Ellie’s chest tightened, and she turned off the screen, dropping the phone back into her pocket. The noise of the market seemed to fade away, replaced by the echo of her own thoughts. The betrayal, the pain—it all felt so far away here, but seeing those names, those messages, brought it all rushing back.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath of the cold winter air, letting the scent of pine and cinnamon fill her senses. She wasn’t ready to deal with them, not yet. Not when she was finally starting to feel like herself again, not when she was finally finding a place where she could heal.

“Not today,” she whispered to herself, her breath misting in the air. She looked back at the village, at the people bustling around, at the decorations and the laughter. Today was for her—for her new beginnings, for the magic she was starting to feel again.

She stood, brushing the snow off her coat, the bag of gingerbread swinging at her side. Tonight, she would stand by the Christmas tree, surrounded by her new friends, and watch the lights twinkle in the December night. She would let herself be happy, even if just for a little while.