Beautiful Mate

* Second Chance *

Ashley woke up early for her first day of school. She got off the couch with a yawn and groaned as she walked her way to the bathroom. She looked down at the shirt and jeans she was wearing and groaned "No wonder my legs are killing me. Never sleep in jeans, Ash." She said with a sigh as she made sure there was a warm fluffy towel in there and began her shower once again, using her Vanilla shower gel and Honey shampoo and conditioner. She got out and wrapped the fluffy towel around her and brushed her teeth before going into her room and trying to find clothes. She really should have unpacked instead of falling asleep, but her body and mind were exhausted from all the traveling she had done and this was the first time she felt at ease enough to fall asleep without Paul being there. After a few moments of looking, Ashley finally found the box of clothes she needed. She grabbed her rainbow stripped bra and undies to match each other, a pair of socks, and, a Metallica shirt, along with black jeans. Luckily, she had her favorite Vans, which had french fries on them. She looked at her wrist that still had the hair bows on them and added a few more.

Once Ashley was completely dressed and had her shoes on, she grabbed her car keys and her messenger bag, which was loaded with pins of all different kinds on it. Both luckily were on the couch where she had fallen asleep. Ashley then headed outside to get in her car. She noticed the young men once more as she gave a slight wave and opened her car door with a squeak. She got into her car and was about to crank up the car when the man that had literally growled at her earlier tapped on her window. She rolled it down manually and smiled sweetly. "Yes?" She asked as he just stared at her making her blush." I'm uh, I'm Brayden. " He finally said as she smiled once more. "I'm Ashley it's nice to meet you." She said extending her hand as he froze and backed up some. "Um, just make sure to use the garage." Brayden said walking back to his group of guys as she rolled up the window. "He must really hate my car" she said to herself out loud as she turned on the radio listening to 'Nothing Else Matters' by Metallica. Ashley sang and swayed in her seat as she listened to the music playing through her speakers. She took a deep breath and began her drive to the campus of Virginia Tech. Before the end of the song, she arrived at the campus and parked her car. She sat there waiting for the end of the song. It was one of her favorites, and they barely played it on the radio. So this had to be a good sign, right?

When the song was over, she turned off her car, got out and placed her purse over her head and onto her shoulder, she then put her keys inside after making sure her doors were locked and closed the door. She began her walk to the dean's office to get her schedule and figure out where she was supposed to go.

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"What was that!" Malice growled. "What do you mean?" Brayden said, mentally slapping himself. Why did he tell her to park in the garage again? Why couldn't he have just taken her hand and shook it? He died to feel the sparks of touching his mate, but no. He had to chicken out and walk away from those beautiful doe eyes, the pale skin his wolf wanted to sink himself and his teeth into. "Why did you treat our mate like that?" Malice growled as Brayden sighed "I'm sorry she made me nervous, and I wasn't sure I could control you and myself." He said walking as the pack looked dumbfounded at the disappointed alpha. "The garage thing again?" Jaden said cracking a smile which caused Brayden to growl annoyed "Lets just get to class" The group got on their motorcycles and left the pack house, but Brayden couldn't stop thinking about Ashley, he had yet to say her name out loud but if it tasted the way it sounded he could definitely get used to it being on his lips. Before long, they pulled into parking spots right beside the damaged neon. Brayden thanked the moon goddess as he took his helmet off and began walking inside following the scent.

When Brayden walked in, his eyes met the short woman named Ashley as she was walking looking around at the doors. She was really close to his Science class, and he hoped for the best, and once again the moon goddess did an amazing thing. Ashley walked inside, going up to the teacher's desk. She handed the older gentleman, Mr. Franklin. He was a werewolf as well as being Jaden's father, who was Brayden's dad, Beta. "Miss Ashley Rose. You will be sitting with Jaden Oliver, Willow Rayne, and Brayden Hall. They need another partner." He said as Ashley nodded, turning around, seeing all three people now staring at her. As she took a deep breath and began walking over to them,"Hi." She said as she went to sit down beside Willow. "Um, I normally sit beside Willow." Jaden said, quickly noticing his friend's face of disappointment when Ashley sat away from him." Oh, okay yeah." She said a bit and moved to the other side of the table sitting beside Brayden. She didn't dare look at him but noticed a slight smile on his face. "My name is Brayden" He finally spoke as the class got a bit fuller. Ashley looked up at the man and smiled "It's nice to meet you." She said, taking out her notebook and pencil.

The class went on in a blur as Ashley took notes and even began starting on a diagram of the upcoming project they would have to do together. The bell soon rang and everyone was out of the classroom except for Ashley, Brayden, Jaden and Willow. "You know we can work on this together, so we can all get a good grade" Willow said as Ashley looked taken back "What?" Ashley asked as Jaden spoke "We always work on things together never leave one person to do it all." Before Ashley could protest Brayden spoke up." Then that is what we will do! Everyone meets at the p--parents' house tonight and we can start working." Brayden said happily as Ashley looked confused still " Um, yeah I guess so. I do have an interview about 4:30 at a Café called 'The Busters' Ashley said softly as the other 3 looked at her with a smile." Okay maybe we should exchange numbers so we can stay in contact." Willow said as Ashley nodded "Okay, yeah." She said smiling writing her number on a piece of paper "Um, i have to find English Lit. So just message me." Ashley said, smiling and walking out as Brayden smiled behind her back."Hey, that's Brayden's next class, maybe he could walk with you." Willow said, pushing the alpha as Ashley went to turn and slammed into each other. Ashley's face slammed into his chest as she dropped her books. "Damn, Ashley I'm so sorry." Brayden said softly, but the sparks he felt made him feel like a little kid again, they made his whole body feel alive, and he couldn't place his finger on it but knew it was the mate bond.

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"Quote unknown

In this world

We have to take chances

Sometimes they're worth it

and sometimes they're not

But I'm telling you now

You'll never know

UNTIL YOU TRY"