Ezra's Second Chance

Second Chances

The next morning Ezra woke to his phone ringing. He immediately answered when he saw the number for the investigations and background checks team.

"We're putting together a trail and pattern for his travels. We'll have something for you to go on very soon."

"Thank you, please, work as fast as you can. The princess needs this guy caught, her health is compromised."

"We understand," the man hung up.

Ezra rolled out of bed and quickly dressed. He went to the dining hall and grabbed an early breakfast. After wolfing it down he went straight to the King who was already up and in his office writing letters. Ezra took his post outside the office door.

By mid morning the King emerged. "I'm going to visit Queen Margaret, go ahead and take a break," he said.

"Thank you, your majesty," Ezra answered. He called Aria's guard and found out where she was. She was taking a walk outside, so Ezra went straight to her.

He was taken aback by her appearance. She held a bloody handkerchief and her eyes looked almost dead. Her face was pale, dark circles darkened under eyes and she was the thinnest Ezra had ever seen her. Or anyone for that matter. "Are you hurt? Where did the blood come from?"

"I get nosebleeds now and then," she shrugged. "Have you found him?" she asked.

Ezra's heart lurched at the hopeful look in her eyes. "We're closing in, but haven't found him quite yet."

"I'm going to run out of time. I can't keep food down, I can't sleep..." she suddenly clutched her chest and fell to the ground. She didn't scream, but tears slipped out of her eyes and her nose began to bleed again.

Ezra sat by her and pulled her to himself. He took the napkin and held it to her nose. Her body trembled, made all the more obvious by the hard feel of her bones through her skin. "Aria, Aria, listen to me. Do you feel anything when we touch?"

"Wha...?" she looked at him, wide eyed. Her chin trembled.

"When I hold you, when we touch, do you feel anything? Even the slightest spark?"

She slowly shook her head and lowered her eyes.

"Do you wish you did?" he asked cautiously.

Without looking at him she nodded her head. She struggled to get up. "Wanting and wishing for it won't make it so," she said softly. She still looked strained by the pain.

"Aria," he reached for her hand took it in his. "Really focus, listen to your wolf, do you feel anything?"

She closed her eyes and focused. She swayed slightly, so Ezra put his hand on her to steady her. Finally, she opened her eyes. She looked more sad than ever before. "My wolf feels something, she's whispering things to me... but I feel nothing."

"Do you trust me?"

"I do."

"Aria, you are my second chance mate and I am yours. We are mates. You can't feel it yet because your mate is still bonded to you. But I can feel it because my mate has died. We are meant to be together, Aria."

She gasped and leaned away from him. The movement almost made her fall over. Ezra steadied her, but then withdrew. He didn't want to touch her if she didn't want to be touched. "Please, trust me."

"I trust you Ezra, I've always trusted you. I believe you. But what does that help us? I'm mated to another. In a very serious way. He's literally killing me. He has that power. We can't be together." Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"What if we could? Would you?"

"What do you mean?"

Ezra took a deep breath. "What if... what if we sealed our mate bond with each other. Your mate would feel it for sure, but more importantly, maybe it would lessen his hold over you. Maybe you would hurt less each time he's intimate."

"I... I want to do it right this time Ezra. I want a wedding and to be marked like I should be. Aren't I worth that?"

Ezra was sad she even had to ask. "You're worth all of that. I only suggest this because I want to help you. While your mate is being tracked down there isn't anything I can do."

She looked thoughtful, and almost like the life was returning to her. Her will to fight was coming back. "If we are really mates, and I trust you that we are, I think we should start an official relationship so it is public. It'll go faster than royal relationships usually do... but we can move to the marriage stage quickly. I've felt a pull to you since we met, but definitely no sparks when we touch. That will come."

Ezra smiled and pulled her back into his arms. "I love you Aria. I didn't know I did, but I do. I love you. We're going to get you through this and we'll live happily ever after. I promise."

"I trust you." she smiled up at him.

Finally, Ezra felt that they were doing something to help her and it was the best way to help her that he could think of. His heart swelled with pride for her and love. She was his and he would protect her at all costs.