Ezra's Second Chance

Aftermath

Ezra checked his phone for the first time in over a week. Multiple texts and missed calls from his sister and one from his mother. "Shiiiit..." he breathed out before calling his sister.

"Ezra! I knew you were alive because we hadn't gotten official notice of death so what's your excuse? Hmm?" Alina asked.

"I'm sorry, things got very busy here. Like... it's been intense. That part is over though. How are you?"

"Intense? How?"

"I can't go into detail, but I'll just say that the Silverwater Pack made a move and failed."

"They still exist?" she gasped.

"Probably not anymore," Ezra answered. He couldn't say too much. Especially not over the phone.

"I get it... but, wow. That's a lot."

"It is, but don't worry. It's handled."

"Okay, okay... well, in other news, you're an Uncle again."

"You gave birth??"

"Ezra, I was due a bit ago..." Alina laughed.

"I really dropped the ball on everything except work," Ezra sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Did you read your texts?"

"No, I just called immediately."

"Read them..."

Ezra pulled up his messaging app. Pictures of a beautiful baby boy. Dozens of them. "Congratulations Alina, he's beautiful."

"Thanks baby brother. Now it's time for you to make me an Aunt," she laughed.

"About that..." Ezra said carefully. He explained the situation with Aria and how she was now his mate.

"You got a second chance mate! Ezra, that's so special. We almost never get those and now you've been one and you have one," she exclaimed.

"Yeah... I just have to figure out what to do about her mate so we can move forward."

"Yeah... she won't take him back will she?"

"Very unlikely."

"Good. Find him, figure out what his deal is and make him reject her or she can reject him. You have to find him, Ezra."

"I know... that's my mission now."

"Good luck."

They caught up a little more before ending the call.

Ezra headed straight for the team in charge of investigations and background checks. He'd given them all the information he had, now to see what they'd done with it.

As soon as Ezra cleared the door he was approached by one of the top men on the team. "We don't have much for you, but I'll give you everything we have. Come to my office."

Ezra followed him in and they sat down. The man pulled a folder out and handed it to Ezra. He opened it to see a picture, a mugshot to be exact, of Brayden Brentwell. A long crime sheet. All thefts and frauds, he was a conman. A decent one, even with the wrap sheet. He managed to get out of any long prison sentences. He'd been off the radar for a very long time. When he'd met Aria it was probably an absolute surprise. He'd used her until he decided to move on. Move on to where? That seemed to be a mystery...

"I'm going to need you to reach out to all the police forces you can get an ear with and have them either keep an eye out or forward any information they have, if they have any. Tell them it's from the King."

"I will do that, I'll let you know what I find.

Ezra left frustrated. He wasn't any closer to finding this guy. He could only hope that they'd get a lead quickly. In the mean time, he was back to regular duty as the King's bodyguard. The King had his hands full calming the court in the aftermath of Bridgit's death. Or whatever her name actually was. Civilians in attendance didn't feel safe any longer and courtesans were demanding higher security. The King was working long hours with his closest nobles to calm everyone. They were trying to spin it to show the positives, that the security worked. No innocents had died and the threat was neutralized quickly. None of this was Ezra's concern, he just overheard it all. He knew they'd smooth it over someway or another. His concern was Aria, his mate. She was looking more and more ill all the time. Her mother was calling in doctors from near and far. They all said the same thing, she was just grieving and the effects of feeling her mate would fade. Since they hadn't slept together. Aria wouldn't tell her mother they had, and she demanded Ezra keep it to himself. What help would it do to tell anyone anyway? She would feel the shame and judgment that came with a princess acting like anything less than a perfect royal, as stupid as those standards were, and her mate would still not be found. No, Ezra wouldn't say anything. He'd keep her secret. But... he had an idea. Maybe if he told her they were mates. If they sealed their own mate bond it might lessen her pain and it would definitely hurt her mate. Maybe even draw him out. He'd try to find a way to tell her... he hoped she'd believe him.