So, this is a bonus chapter because this book has reached a little over a hundred reads. I'm so excited and thankful to you guys!!! Really, thank you sooo much!!
I'm so excited to write that there's not only this bonus chapter but another. A double update!!!
So, after you finish this chapter, make sure to read the next one!
Happy reading!!
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"Take him back, Cami. He's obviously sorry. Why won't you take him back?!" The king said exasperated.
Just as he was about to say more, I cut him off. " STOP. I will not be pressured into accepting Darius. He broke the bond. He rejected me. He was the reason I left my family. It was all him. I was willing to accept the moon goddess' gift but he turned me away. Now, I'm better. I'm stronger. It's not a coincidence that he wants me now and I refuse to be a pawn in his game."
"He looked genuinely sorry when I went to visit his pack. He wants you back." The king said.
"He's not." I replied over the phone.
"You will accept him." He said in a commanding voice.
I went silent due to shock. It took me a moment before I was able to speak again. " You rule over the packs from a political standpoint. This is a personal choice and you have no control over that. You've crossed a line. It's so easy for you to demand I accept him. But that's only because you wouldn't be the one putting up with him." I was breathing heavily by then.
"He is selfish. He is superficial. He is arrogant. All he cares about is climbing the ranks. Having a high status. Having the strongest pack. He doesn't care who he hurts. If he deems you unimportant, not a use to him, or below him, he will treat you like dirt. I would know. He was my mate. I would've looked over these flaws, probably tried to make him better, but he decided I wasn't worth it. That I was weak. He didn't spare me a second thought and I'm not giving him one. Merging with a pack with that type of Alpha would weaken mine. Regardless of the amazing wolves he has, he is no leader."
After I took a deep breath, I continued. "What happened to supporting me. 'Whatever you need, I'm here'," I said, quoting what he had told me when he found out about my rejection. "You were furious and now you're on his side?" I asked him.
He was quiet for a moment before sighing. "I was trying to do what was best for you. To get to know what having a mate is like."
"Having a mate is not what I need, but your support would be nice. How do you even know he wants me back."
He sighed. "I was visiting packs, making sure everything is running smoothly. When I got to his pack, he told me and I believed him."
"He wants me back for the wrong reasons."
"I know and I'm sorry." His tone portrayed his regret.
"It's fine. You're only looking out for me."
I had called Roman with the intention of filling him in on my birth parents, and I had. However, the conversation took a turn when he mentioned Darius.
"Have you found your second chance?" TheKing asked hopeful.
"I haven't even thought about a second chance. Do you really think I would have one?" I hated how my voice came out hopeful, but the truth was; I wanted a mate like connection with someone. I wanted someone who would love me, value me, laugh with me. Someone who would help me lead our pack.
"If anyone deserves one, it's you. Just keep an open mind, will you?"
Second chance mates differed from mates in that the bond strengthened over time rather than just being there. However, there were telltale signs, like catching each other's attention.
The mate topic had my mind drifting to a certain warrior. Though only having seen him thrice, he had caught my attention. I didn't even know if he had a mate, so I focus my attention back on the conversation with the King.
"Will do."After more small talk, we hang up and I begin getting ready for the weekly pack dinner.
Since I became Alpha months ago, the pack and I have been having weekly runs and dinners, never missing one. Recently, a green space by the children's park had been renovated into a dining area, a huge roof built above it. It was simple, with picnic tables and long tables for food. A mini stage was off to the side for announcements. A dancing area was built on the other side. After the dinners are over, the floor is never empty.
Stepping outside the pack house, I see most pack members mingling on the dance floor just talking. Low music came from the speakers nearby. Children were occupying the play area, and much to their parents dismay, we're getting dirt all over their clothes. Other pack members bustled about bringing out the food. Each family was in charge of making one dish. I held a pasta dish as I made my way over.
Everyone bowed as I moved through, but continued what they were doing. Standing in the center and looking around I realized I had achieved my goal.
We were a community.
We were family.
We were happy.
That's all I've wanted since becoming Alpha and here it is, surrounding me.
"What are you thinking about? You have a goofy look on your face." I turned to see Lio next to me.
"We did it," I whispered as my smile grew.
"Did what?" He whispered as his confusion grew.
"We rebuilt a community. Look at us," I placed my hands on his shoulders and turned him so he'd see the whole pack. "We're happy."
A smile over took his face. "I guess we are."
"Now where is Zach? It's time to start," I asked searching for him.
"I'm right here." He seemed to have popped out of nowhere as he stood next to me.
We headed over to the mini stage, announcing that dinner has started. Everyone cheered as they formed lines for food. Zach and I waited until everyone had served themselves before grabbing a plate.
Everyone ate quickly, eager to get to dancing. And that was how the rest of the night was spent. Dancing.
The next day, despite the late night, I woke up energized. I got paperwork and college courses out of the day and went in search of Lio. Unsurprisingly, I found him eating.
"Hey, little brother," I greeted him.
He playfully glared. "Stop calling me that. You're only older by two days and if you hadn't been born early, I would have been older."
"But I was and you're not," I replied with a teasing grin.
He rolled his eyes at me. "Whatever, what do you want?"
I mocked a hurt look on my face. "Dear brother, have you forgot what today is?"
"Uhh... Thursday?"
I gasped exaggeratedly. "How could you forget? It's our brother sister day."
His eyes widened before a sheepish smile appeared. "Oops?"
"Just for that, you're buying the candy for movies."
"On it," he replied as he ran out of the room with his keys.
He came back 20 minutes later with an armful of candy.
"Why so many candy?"
"I'm sorry candy?" He replied with a hopeful smile. I laughed and accepted half the candies. My half consisted of spicy, Mexican candies while his were sweet Mexican candies.
The rest of the day was spent watching movies and mocking some of the horribly used cliche scenes.
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