Second Chance (Enduring Kiss) (3 page)

I realized too late, that what I said was technically a lie. The scent was familiar.
Where could I have been in contact with the wolf, maybe someone from my old pack? Impossible, no one should have cared where I went.

"What did you just remember?" Dane asked.

"Huh? Oh, just that the scent did seem familiar, but I can't remember where I've smelled it. He definitely is not part of this pack."

"Hmm, well keep thinking about it. Maybe something will trigger your memory. What else did you notice today?"

"Not much else. Just that when I was driving home, I could have sworn I was being followed, but again I couldn't see anything. It was just a feeling."

Now that I was there, telling
the Pack Master seemed like a bad idea. I didn't have any proof. Maybe I was wrong and I wasn't followed. A feeling was not enough to make such accusations. Dane probably thought I was being over dramatic and would send me out with a pat on the back and a gentle smile.

"Stop doubting yourself Rebecca. Those feelings you have, that we all have, are very real. Listen to them. I know you weren't exaggerating."

I looked at him startled and a little in fear. Could he read my thoughts or something? I hope he didn't hear me thinking about him and Sean on the beach. He laughed and I know my face paled. Maybe he could read my mind after all.

"No worries Rebecca. Your face gives you up every time. You wear your expression
s like we all wear clothes. You are very readable." He chuckled again at the look of relief on my face.

"Alright
Rebecca, thanks for letting me know and we'll look into it. I don't think you are in any danger, but it would be a good idea if you had someone with you when you leave the house, if you get my drift."

He gave me a knowing look
, but his eyes still sparkled with laughter. I knew what he wanted. I would have to bring someone to school with me. I took a breath and blew it out noisily. Who would I bring? Everyone was so busy and coming with me would be such a bore. I certainly would not be asking Sean to be my babysitter. I really did not want to be around him any more than necessary.

"I suggest asking Sean to come along with you. I've noticed how close the two of you are."

How did he do that? Just when I was thinking about Sean, he mentioned him. I noticed the questions in his voice and expression. He wanted to know what was going on, but was too polite to ask.

I was silent a moment thinking about that. I could use some advice. No one else could give me any.
Dane was perfect for talking with. He had to keep it confidential because he was Pack Master and he was considerate. I knew he was more knowledgeable of our race and culture than I was.

Our gazes met and I got nothing but good feelings. He was giving me a look that said I could trust him and he was my friend.
All right, decision made. I walked toward the chair in front of him and sat down as he took his seat behind the desk.

I debated on how to start the
conversation and was glad he waited so patiently for me to begin. I finally decided to just jump in.

"How can two wolves be so attracted to each other in every way
, but not be mates?" I asked.

He thought about it for a few minutes in silence and I started to wonder if the question was too hard. Maybe being interested in another werewolf other than your mate
was not acceptable.

I glance around the spacious office slash library while I waited for his answer. The mahogany bookshelves were beautiful and filled with every genre of book you could think of. I looked up at the arched ceiling and absently wondered how builders were able to create such a thing. Bending the wood to that angle must have been difficult
, but it was magnificent. The chandelier only added to the grandeur. I wondered how many crystals were on that thing, hundreds, or thousand maybe.

I suddenly glanced back at Dane and found him smilin
g at me. "I'm sorry Pack Master," I said with a blush.

"No problem. I was enjoying how much you approved of my office. And ple
ase Rebecca, call me Nathaniel," he said with a smile that reached all the way to his sparkling blue eyes.

I noticed he had a slight dimple in one cheek that reminded me of Sean's. I blushed again and looked away.

"Now, the answer to your question on how can we be attracted to others who are not our mates. Well I have a theory. I think it's all about nature. Nature has written our destiny when it comes to mating. It has put us together with the most compatible companions."

He gestured with his hands. "When we're together with our mates, our strengths and weakness complement one another so that we live longer healthier
lives, and have the strongest offspring."

I nodded my agreem
ent. The explanation for why we mated to a certain wolf was right on. It was something I already knew.

"B
ut I also have another theory."

He leaned his elbows on his desk and tapped his first fingers of his clasped hands on his pursed lips. He looked like he was debated whether to tell me or not. Nathan
iel stared at me for quite a while, making me a little nervous. Then he nodded and removed his fingers as if he came to a decision about what he saw.

"I'm not sure how you'll take what I'm about to say
, but I want you to know it's only an idea. It doesn't mean you have to act on anything I say."

He waited until I gave him a dip of my chin before he continued. "Well
, just like nature chose our perfect mates, I believe it also gave us back ups."

I smiled a little at the thought. Back up mates. That was a little out there, but he had my attention. He smiled back acknowledging the strangeness of the idea.

"Many times, a mate passes away or sometimes we never find our mate." I shifted uncomfortably with the compassion I heard in his voice. "I think nature gives us a second chance so life doesn't become bleak. Depression can overwhelm us when it comes to missing our other halves."

I let out a breath I had not
known I was holding and looked away for a moment to gather my thoughts. I actually understood and sort of agreed with what Nathaniel was saying.

Yes, it was strange
, but also made sense. Did that mean there could be a future with Sean? I wondered about his mate. If she was still out there, it could cause a lot of heartache in the end.

Nathaniel's voice brought me out of my thoughts. "You're still young, Rebecca; only twenty eight. Is there a reason you're not holding out for your perfect mate like most young wolves?"

Again, I heard his sympathy and knew he probably already suspected my answer.

"His n
ame was Drake," was all I said.

He nodded his understanding and the kindness in his eyes almost undid me. I choked back my tears and took a deep breath. It continued to hurt so bad
ly to think of Drake's death.

Closing my eyes
, I thought back to the times we spent together. There were so many moments, yet not enough. I remembered that I could never seem to take my eyes off him. His dark hair was almost black and looked like silk. I remembered the feel of the short locks on my fingers as we kissed. The ends curled slightly making him always look as if he needed a haircut.

He was so strong and
not too tall. He was only a few inches taller than my 5'7'' frame, just tall enough for me to look up at him. I would look up at his perfect face and want to kiss his full red lips immediately. I couldn't stop wanting him.

W
hat I missed the most was the look in his eyes. Those soft baby blue eyes that were framed in long, black lashes that should have been on a lucky woman, held so much love and kindness. I wanted to weep when I gazed into them. I felt his love, his power, his tenderness, his passion with every glance.

I shook my head to chase his image away. There was no use in wallowing in the past. When I opened my eyes
, I was surprised to find tears flowing down my cheeks and I quickly wiped at them with my hands.

A tissue was suddenly there. I glanced up to find Nathaniel standing in front me with the offering. I took the tissue thankfully and cleaned myself up
, a little embarrassed that I caused such a scene.

"I know I said you didn't have to act on my theory, but have you thought about making a life with someone else? Maybe Sean? Like I said before, I've notice
how close the two of you are."

I couldn't s
peak so I just shrugged and shook my head hoping he would get that I wasn't sure what to do.

He looked away then said, "I know Sean hasn't found his mate yet, but you could nonetheless be happy for awhile; possibly forever. Many of us never find our mates."

I glance at him uncertainly. There was a sadness that came across in his last sentence.

He looked back at me. "I'v
e given up hope on finding mine."

His words held
such sorrow. I knew he was much older than he looked. We just celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday and he only looked to be in his late thirties, early forties, but I just never thought about his not having a mate. I was ashamed of myself for the selfish way I had been thinking lately.

I reached out and touch his hand surprising him
, but he grasp the offered hand in acknowledgment of my sympathy. The misery on his face began to clear and with one final squeeze, he let go of my hand and walked back to his seat.

"I know it's a difficult decision
. Think it over. Talk to Sean and see what he thinks, or don't do anything and keep things as they are now. It's totally up to you," he said.

I nodded. "Thanks for talking with me Nathaniel.
I really appreciate your help."

Nathaniel stood up and I followed suit.

"I'll talk to you soon Rebecca. If we find anything out about the wolf following you, I'll let you know."

"Thank you."
I bowed slightly and left, unsure if I felt better or worse after our discussion.

I went to my room wanting to be alone with my t
houghts. There was a note taped to the front of my door. I pulled it off and opened it.

We need to talk.

Sean

I agreed
, but I couldn't talk to him right then. I needed to think first. Putting the note in my pocket, I went inside, closing the door behind me.

Wanting to feel comfortable after the day I had, I changed into my pajamas
, which were a pair of red plaid shorts and a white tank top. Then I crawled into bed getting under the fluffy white down comforter. After lying down, I closed my eyes and thought about what Nathaniel had said.

I knew Sean and I were going to have to talk about our relationship soon
, but I was unsure if I should mention Nathaniel's theory. I would not mind one bit living the rest of my life with Sean. I wouldn't even mind if I only got a few weeks or months, but I didn't know if I could move on without Drake. Could I push him far enough out of my mind so that my feelings for him would not interfere in my relationship with Sean? I did not know.

W
hat if Sean found his mate? I would have to leave, not just Sean, but the pack as well. The pack was everything to me. They were my family, but it would hurt too much to hang around afterwards. By that time, I would probably be in love with him. Truthfully, I already was a little bit.

The questions just
would not stop. My head was beginning to pound so my decision was to sleep on it. Maybe after a little nap things would become clearer.

Chapter 3

I moaned as fingers tugged gently through my long hair over and over. ‘Mmm,’ the sound escaped without me really noticing. I loved it when Drake played with my hair. When we would sit on the couch and watch movies in his room, I would lie across his lap and beg him to play with my long blonde locks. He always complied and even would add a scalp massage like the one he was giving right then.

I began to squirm a little when the familiar ache began to build. The tingling on my scalp seemed to zip straight to my core. I turned over to face him knowing he loved to fool around. We hadn't gone all the way yet. We were waiting until after our mating ceremony
, but there were other ways to express our love. He taught them to me, I thought with a wry grin.

Turning over I expected him to be ready for some lovin', but instead his face was grim. Yes, his baby blues showed his desire for me, turning almost a stormy gray, but the rest of hi
s face was stone. His lips pursed and I could see his jaw ticking out of anger or frustration.

I reached out my hand and cupped his cheek, rubbing my thumbed under is full lips. I opened my mouth to speak, to ask him what was wrong, but nothing came. Confused, my eyes asked what I couldn't.

He pulled my hand away from his face, but held onto it like a lifeline.