TALES OF JUNE

CHAPTER FOUR: A Second Chance Mate

APOLLOS' POV

‘Mate! Mate!’ Zane called out very loudly as I stared into her deep blue eyes.

“It can't be,” I paced my chambers from end to end.

I had not gotten another mate since I lost Jessica three years ago, and all because of my foolishness and greed.

June certainly couldn't be my second chance mate, not after the history we shared.

I found this more confusing than ever.

Sekani was all I had left from Jessica, and I had protected him with all that I had.

In a panic, I had to make an announcement, seeing that Stacy had almost walked in on our moment.

‘Mate! Mate!’ Zane's call for June only got louder, interrupting my unending well of thoughts.

“You will not do this to me, Apollos,” Stacy walked in, slamming the door behind her.

I rolled my eyes, preparing my heart for another round of her endless badgering.

"I can't believe you did this! You entrusted our son to another woman without even consulting me!" She began.

"What's the big deal?” I queried, in a low tone, expressing my exasperation.

“You complain about having to take care of him yourself all the time,”

"June?”

“You mean your old flame from years ago?” Stacy was never going to get over the night with June.

“Don't lie to me, I know all about it!" And even more badgering.

“I see the way you still look at her, and the way you prayed and hoped she recovered from her illness,” her tone was growing pretty dense with emotions and tears were welling in her eyes.

"That was a long time ago. It has nothing to do with this." I defended myself.

“Besides, I made you Luna,”

“You say Sekani is a handful, so it comes off as a good punishment and pretty occupying, if you ask me,” I wasn't letting go.

“I have done everything for you to love me,” she sang her usual song.

“I wanted you to be involved in caring for Sekani, not take him away from me,” she cried as she spoke.

“If Jessica was here, you would…”

"That's enough!” I yelled.

I angrily stormed out and slammed the door behind me.

Stacy was sure to drag Jessica into every single conversation, drawing lines of comparison between her and my mate.

It pissed me off that she hovered around, demanded my life and commitment, knowing I had a pack on my hands to run.

Stacy also never failed to rub the days of my shameful beginning in my face, bringing back memories of Jessica and the life I had with her.

My feet led me straight to the pack house garden. The one place I could find any peace.

The orange sky from the sunset and fluffy clouds brought me peace.

As I watched the dark sky overtake, and the clock struck midnight, I sighted June from a distance, sneaking out of the pack house.

I masked my scent and trailed her.

Rage filled me, as I noticed wrapped in her arms was my three-year-old, sweetly asleep.

I thought to launch an attack on her and reclaim my son, but was restricted by Zane, so instead, I followed her quietly to see her end.

June snuck out of the pack house and scaled through the silver birch forest, until she came to the Crystalline pack.

Tears welled in my eyes as I finally returned.

After three years, the very place where it all began.

June went straight for my little apartment.

I was gripped by a little fear.

June and I may have shared something after I left the Crystalline pack, but I didn't remember sharing any details on the Crystalline pack with her.

For reasons beyond my understanding, I didn't jump out of my hiding, but quietly followed.

She placed Sekani in our shabby little bed, and I wondered how all of this was still standing.

“Move away from my son,” I finally came out of hiding, holding a knife to her neck from behind.

For a while she remained frozen, after which she took baby steps away from the boy.

“Who are you?” I queried.

She had her hands in the air, and didn't make any significant move.

“I know you are not June,” I said, “June knows better than to be here,”

“A lot better than to steal my son from the pack house and bring him here,” I continued,

“So who are you?”

She slowly turned around and her deep eyes struck me.

The striking similarity of that with my son.

“Mama?” Sekani opened his eyes and called June.

I immediately picked him up and held June in one arm, lifting her above the ground in my other hand.

“You will pay dearly for this,” I said, staring at her, choking in my hands and tapping my arm for freedom.

Through my confusion and quest for answers, Zane only had one word on his lips, firmly imprinted on my heart.

‘Mate! Mate!’