Jason hesitated. How should he even approach her? He didn’t want to be overbearing or overwhelm her with his aura. If he walked up to her and said ‘Hello Mate’ would that be too much?
“I know you are there,” she suddenly spoke. “Come out.”
Shit.
* * *
“Miss Phoebe, can I take Jack? Please! I promise I’ll be careful.”
Phoebe finally relented at the young girl’s urgent plead handing over the two-year-old. In general she knew the girls would take care of him and new better than to intentionally place him in harm’s way but toddlers tended to find trouble easily enough on their own. She watched the pups carefully. There was no fear of them wandering too far and they knew the safety rules which she was confident they would adhere to them.
The wind shifted and Máni was suddenly on alert. Ever since last night her wolf had been anxious and unsettled. Nothing seemed to help and even her wolf didn’t know the reason. But now she caught the smell of dogwood and campfire that stirred a part of her she thought long dormant. But that couldn’t be…unless…
‘Mate!’ Máni exclaimed.
‘But, it can’t be. Graham…’
‘Not him! Our real Mate!’
‘You mean, our second chance mate?’
‘Yes! He’s here! He’s here!’
‘But why would the Moon Goddess give us a second chance mate? I’m not…she wouldn’t care about someone like me.’
‘The Moon Goddess loves us! I told you so!’ Máni said. ‘Oh call him over and you’ll see!’
Phoebe bit her lip and steeled her nerves before she slowly turned, “I know you are there. Come out.”
“…Shit.” was the muffled reply.
It was followed by snapping twigs as a tall, well-built male stepped into view. An undeniable alpha aura washed over her. Like most males he sported a trim goatee and a bit of a five o’clock shadow. It wasn’t easy for wolves to maintain a clean-shaved look so most gave up. His dark brown hair fell over his forehead making her fingers itch to run through it.
Why? Why would the Moon Goddess do this to her again? Another alpha? She didn’t know if she could survive another rejection.
‘Don’t think like that!’ Máni admonished. ‘He won’t do that!’
‘Our last one did.’
Máni whimpered.
“Um…hi,” he said his nervousness palpable.
Perhaps she caught him off guard by calling him out. She knew how important it was for alphas to be in control but she didn’t have any desire to allow another to walk all over her.
Jason hesitated, “I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m…”
“I know who you are Alpha Jason. The pack has been buzzing about your visit for a week.”
Jason clenched his jaw at her dismissive and formal answer. He wanted her to call him by his name and only his name. There should be no titles between mates.
“So…do you want to do it here or do you want to move further away?” Phoebe asked.
“W-What do you mean?”
“The rejection.”
“What!” his eyes practically bulged from his head.
“That’s why you waited until now, isn’t it?” Phoebe asked. “You waited until I was somewhere alone so no one would see you.”
“Why would you think that?”
“It is what my first mate did.”
“Your first…Then I’m your second chance,” he said. She could almost see the wheels turning. No alpha wanted leftovers especially one that had already been rejected.
“So should we just get it over with now? Let’s move away from the pups…I rather they didn’t see…”
“No!” he suddenly closed the distance between them taking her hands in his. There was panic in his gaze.
Phoebe blinked as startled by his reaction as the electric charge of their bond tingling through her skin and up her arms.
“Please, no,” he said more softly afraid he scared her before stepping close. “I have been looking for you for ten years. You have no idea how many times I dreamed of this moment.”
Phoebe stood speechless as his scent wafted around her making her feel safe and warm. He bowed his head resting his forehead against hers. Breathing deep he sighed and she knew he was taking in her scent.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered. “I don’t know what I did to please the Moon Goddess that she would bless me with you.”
Phoebe remained silent. Did he really call her beautiful?
‘Yes! Yes, he did!’ Máni cooed. ‘I told you so!’
“Please say we can spend some time together,” Jason said slowly easing back afraid he might be overwhelming her. He still gripped her hands as if afraid she would disappear if he let go. “Can we have dinner? I’m dying to know more about you. I want to know everything. Please…”
‘Say yes human!’ Máni howled.
“Um…all right,” Phoebe nodded hesitantly studying him as he smiled at her answer. “How about my cottage? Say seven?”
“Perfect,” Jason eagerly agreed.
He smiled again revealing dimples as his eyes swirled amber. His wolf was close to the surface eager to see her. She shivered as his scent grew stronger and his aura protectively engulfed her. His arms encircled her pulling her close. He bowed his head close to her neck near her marking spot where her scent would be strongest. Breathing deep he filled his lungs with her scent: sage and lilac with just the slightest spicy note he almost missed.
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