Her Second Chance

Chapter 4

Tessa's POV

Eighteen Months Later

Amos was true to his word the day he killed his uncle. He fixed up all the houses that were in disrepair, sold off most of the assets that Honi had acquired, and brought on a doctor for the pack hospital that has made Fire Moon's medical team one of the most sought out among our kind. Alpha Amos has accomplished all of this while battling a wildfire from Yellowstone just a few months ago, and two attacks from Honi's allies.

Alpha Amos and Beta James have been kind, gracious and wonderful leaders for this pack. Everyone respects them and neither Amos nor James has to command that respect like Honi did. Many of Fire Moon's she-wolves have tried their wiles on both of them, but to my knowledge neither Amos nor James have ever taken them up on anything. According to pack gossip, both men refuse to take any pack members as lovers because they are waiting on their fated mates.

A few wolves left as soon as Amos took over and he released them without any questions asked. Unfortunately, Amos couldn't banish Garrett Luther. No one else came forward with any accusation of inappropriate behaviors from him. The Omegas that were questioned all said they slept with Garrett willingly.

Garrett spent a couple of days in the tombs after the incident with me and Amos even got lectured by the Council over that. Some Elder came out to Fire Moon and talked to me, Garrett and Amos when he got an anonymous call that someone was being "punished unjustly", probably from that weasel Garrett himself. That Elder told Amos since I fought back and put Garrett in the hospital, that neither of us should've been punished since it occurred before Amos became Alpha and it should have been considered a "settled matter." Thankfully, Garrett hasn't even tried to look my way since.

Garrett found his mate last year, a young Omega named Julia Mills. As much as I hoped Garrett would settle down and leave the women of this pack alone, he has driven poor Julia out of her mind with his affairs and toxic behaviors. Julia was one of the sweetest women in our pack. But now she has become almost as awful as Garrett to be around, instigating fights with other women that she suspects have even looked at Garrett. She had to go to the tombs last week for beating one so badly that the girl ended up in the hospital. Just from what I've seen in the last few months, it's only a matter of time before the situation comes to a head.

I've been helping Brix train the females and also working as the lead for the cleaning team. It has been so refreshing to actually see money in my hand and be able to save it. I'm saving up for a trip to Turks and Caicos, Caribbean islands I have always wanted to see. I was working on cleaning the new pack daycare center when Alpha Amos mind linked me.

Tessa, I have a young woman who needs a job. She is a human. I'll send a pack mind link in a minute about her.

Not a problem Alpha, I may end up putting her on detail here in the daycare center. What is her name?

Sounds great Tessa. Her name is Jade Starr. She's also about three months pregnant.

Gotcha.

Alpha Amos has taken in a few humans who know of our kind and are seeking refuge for whatever reasons. All of them but one has become werewolves. I'm curious why Amos is taking in a pregnant human, but it isn't my place to ask.

Fire Moon, we have a human that I am offering sanctuary to. This woman does NOT know of the existence of our kind. I command that none of you shift in her presence or tell her what we are until I say so! She is pregnant and I don't want to cause her or her child unnecessary stress. Her name is Jade Starr.

A few minutes later I sensed the human walking into the daycare center. I turned and saw Beta James and a very petite young woman next to him. She looked to be barely eighteen.

Tessa, she's just a kid.

"You must be Jade. My name is Tessa Morse, it's nice to meet you." I smiled brightly at the nervous young girl. Jade is barely five feet tall and very pretty, with short black hair, bright hazel eyes and alabaster skin.

"Nice to meet you, Tessa." She smiled thinly back. She didn't just look nervous, she looked scared to death. I wonder what of?

"So, Amos said you need someone to do cleaning detail here at the center?" Beta James asked me.

"Yes, just to clean after the kids leave for the day around 5:30. Do you have any housekeeping experience Jade?" I scanned her hands quickly and knew that was a no. Judging from her clothes and the way she carried herself, I doubt Jade has ever had a job.

"No, but I learn fast and am dependable." Jade told me.

"That's all you will need." I smiled reassuringly at her, and thankfully that seemed to put her at ease. I was drawn to Jade, not in a romantic way but there was something about her that made me and Athena want to protect her.

My senses are telling me something horrible happened to that girl, Athena whispered to me. As much as I want to ask James, he may not know very much himself. Alpha Amos is discreet about these things.

"Jade I'm going to show you how we disinfect the nap cots. Amos tells me you are expecting. Our cleaning solution is all natural so there is no risk of harm to your baby. But if you want to wear a mask or gloves out of precaution, I do have some."

"I'm sure it will be fine but thank you anyway." Jade smiled at me. Beta James left and I showed her what needed to be done.

"Where are you from?" I asked her as I detected a Southern accent.

"Louisville, Kentucky." She answered.

"I've never visited that part of the country yet. I really want to see Florida at least once in my life. I've been to Oregon and Washington though." I scrubbed some sticky substance off one of the cots. "How in the world did this get on here!? Wait a second, this cot belongs to Gunner!" I'm not surprised. Gunner is a mischievous little toddler who is always sneaking snacks to eat at nap time.

"I just cleaned off a clump of banana if it makes you feel better." Jade laughed. I couldn't help but laugh with her.

"See what you have to look forward to?" I said, then instantly regretted it. Jade began to tear up.

"Oh s**t, I'm so sorry I didn't mean to upset you. I'm always putting my foot in my mouth!" Damn it! I just hope she doesn't go to the Alpha about it.

"It wasn't anything you said at all Tessa, I promise. I'm just wondering how in the world I am going to do this. I just turned eighteen and barely know anything about myself! How am I going to raise this kid on my own!" She sat down and began to sob. I sat down beside her.

"I don't think any of us really know our true selves. I lost my parents when I was 17 and had to grow up a lot faster than most people. I'm still figuring life out and I'm much older than you! As far as kids, I don't know anything about them. But from what I've seen working around here and in general, being a mother is an instinct. A couple of my friends with kids tell me when you become a parent, you'll just know what kind of parent you want to be. And I really think that will happen to you."

"I hope so. Because my own mother is a horrible person. My biggest fear is being the mother she has been to me. And don't even get me started on this baby's father." Jade said bitterly.

"That right there is going to make you a wonderful parent. You saw the mistakes your own made and you don't want to repeat them." I said to her gently.

"I ran away. She doesn't know where I am or even about the baby." I looked at her stunned.

Athena, what are you getting from her?

She's guarded for sure. You're going to have to earn her trust.

"We're going to be working long hours together, girlie. If you ever want to get things off your chest or just talk, I'm always here. No judgment and I can't stand gossipy b****s in general, so you don't have to worry about that. I'd crack a beer and have one with you but I don't think your baby would like that." That got Jade laughing a little bit.

"I appreciate that." We resumed working on the cots and then I showed her around the daycare center.

"Amos told me that as long as I work, he will let me stay here for free?" Jade asked me.

"Yes, he's pretty cool like that. I'm thinking about just keeping you assigned here. We opened the daycare center last month, and I need to assign someone here the staff can trust to do the job right." I told her.

"That will be great, thank you so much. Is there anywhere else you will need me to help out?"

"Probably the gym, that's where the men train and work out. That place gets SO gross! How good are you with smells right now?"

"Keep some diffused peppermint oil close by and I'll be fine." I liked her spirit.

"Can I ask you something Jade? I don't want to offend you, but have you held a job before?"

"No. My stepfather is rich so I've never had to work, but I've always wanted to because I wanted something all my own."

"For having that kind of background, you're doing a wonderful job." I smiled at her and watched Jade's face light up.

She's going to be one of our best friends. I can feel it. Athena whispered to me.

We started working in the main play area. She caught on quick and definitely did a thorough job. I knew it was the right choice putting her in the daycare. I caught the mistiness in Jade's eyes as she picked up the toys and stared at them.

"So I know you said you and your mother's relationship isn't good, but what about your father?" I asked Jade. The thought of this tiny young woman giving birth all alone broke my heart.

"I don't know anything about him. Mama never told me anything other than he was no good. She'd get ugly fast whenever I brought him up. I don't even know if I have any brothers or sisters from him." Jade said with bitterness in her voice.

"I'm so sorry." I couldn't imagine having a mother like she had. My mother was the best and it absolutely devastated me when I lost her and my father, especially at the same time.

"I just wish I knew something about him. A name, anything." Jade whispered with raw emotion.

I put my hand on her shoulder gently. "Maybe one day, you'll get some answers."

"I hope so. I've always wanted to do one of those DNA test things and send it off. Just to see, you know?"

"We have a great doctor here. Maybe when you get settled in, you can ask him about that." I told her.

Jade smiled brightly. "I think I will."