A Second Chance

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Katie kept running through the woods for a while, passing one tree after the other. Feeling the grass and fallen leaves beneath her paws and the chilling breeze against her gray fur, Katie was able to breathe a little deeper than before. It was a good idea to let her wolf connect with nature this evening, she thought.

Slowing down a little to catch her breath, Katie’s wolf turned her head to the moon above and stared. She wondered if the moon goddess truly had another plan for her, another mate. Or had she just lost her one chance at happiness?

Deciding to stop her thoughts from going down that road, Katie willed her wolf to turn around and head back to her dorm. Yet before taking a single step, she smelled him. Alpha Zach. In no time, Katie felt her heart finally at peace as his scent came a little closer. Blinking rapidly, Katie’s wolf sniffed the air to make sure she was right, only to spot him across from her. There stood his huge black wolf panting, with the same crystal blue eyes she had tried her hardest to forget. His eyes stared at hers urgently, and even though she knew her wolf was bigger than the average female wolf since she was an alpha’s daughter, Katie couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated.

She wondered what he was doing here. They had broken the bond for good; he had no business following her, yet here he was. Despite her wolf feeling ecstatic by his mere presence, Katie felt even worse than before, being alone with him in the woods, as if they were somehow cheating on Megan.

Zach wanted to get lost in her honey-colored eyes forever, he decided, and for the second time since he met her, he didn’t know what to do next. He wanted to reach out to her, his wolf desperate to get closer, but he was afraid one more step and she might head for the hills. His wolf was ready to take that risk, however, as he stretched his paws ahead to shorten the distance between them, but as soon as his paws hit the ground again, Zach’s worry turned into a reality as she widened her eyes in shock before sprinting away in a blur.

Rushing after her through the woods, Zach admired how fast she was. No one had ever been successful in catching up to Zach, and here he was, catching up to her. Even though a part of him knew that running after her was wrong and that it would indeed scare and confuse her, he just couldn’t seem to let her slip away again.

Katie willed her wolf to run faster, trying her best to escape her Alpha, but he was damn quick on her tail. Passing through the trees as fast as she could, she let her anger at him push her forward. She had been trying her hardest to forget about him this past week, and just when she believed she had finally taken the first step of the ‘moving-on’ road, he jumped in front of her out of nowhere, shoving her back into that lecture hall and breaking her heart along with the bond all over again.

She kept running, unaware of how close she was to the woods’ borders, marking the end of her pack’s territory, until she suddenly came to a halt at the sight before her.

Zach somehow felt Katie’s sudden distress before he reached her, and his heart dropped to his stomach. Once he did reach her, he knew the reason why. Before her stood six large wolves with blood red eyes, snapping their teeth at her as they growled loudly. Only then did Zach notice that they were at the edge of his territory. Rogues.

Katie growled at the rogues across from her, her canine teeth a sharp and visible threat. She saw Zach instantly stand in front of her, threatening the rogues to dare and take a step closer to her. Even though her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him being protective over her, she knew it wasn’t the right time for that. It was time for a fight and bloodshed; that much was obvious.

Zach debated calling for Nick through their mental connection, but he knew it would take him several minutes to reach where he and Kat were, and time wasn’t in their favor. Slowly and carefully, the wolves moved around to form a circle, holding Zach and Katie captive inside and when Zach felt his back brush lightly against hers, he couldn’t be more furious. No one dares to threaten Kat would walk away alive, he decided. And with that thought in mind he lunged for the first wolf on his right.

Katie took that as a signal and instantly pounced on the rogue growling at her, her fangs out and ready to kill. Taking him by surprise, Katie bit down on his neck until she tasted blood and his howl of pain filled the woods. Another wolf jumped on her back, pushing her harshly to the ground away from the lifeless corpse.

Zach had just pulled the throat of the rogue with his teeth when he saw black fur push Kat to the ground and that was all he needed to end his life then and there. Jumping on him, Zach shoved his claws deep into the rogues back until he felt his backbones break beneath his paws and heard his heart stop.

Katie was back on her feet in an instant to see Zach ending the life of the wolf who pushed her, when she saw another ready to shove Zach from his left side. Reacting on instinct, Katie pushed against the ground and lunged at him, tackling him to the grass beneath them. The rogue sank its teeth in her shoulder as she bit through his flesh and pulled. Wincing in pain, the wolf rolled on the ground, giving Katie the perfect opportunity to finish him.

Zach’s eyes froze on Katie’s wound for a fraction of a second before he was pinned to the ground by yet another rogue. In one quick move and with a loud growl, Zach had the rogue withering beneath him in pain before he snapped his neck with his teeth.

Katie heard the rogue’s neck crack before she saw the last one standing jumping in the air, trying to tackle Zach. Jumping even quicker, Katie shoved him with her good shoulder into a tree hard enough to watch it break along with his spine.

Panting heavily, Katie moved her eyes to meet with Zach’s, and they both couldn’t help but stare at each other. Zach’s eyes scanned the blood covering Katie’s gray fur and although she was standing high and fighting hard, he knew she was hurt. Barking aloud, Zach tilted his head to the side, pointing at the nearest tree. Perks of being a member of Zach’s pack was the clothes tied to each tree in the woods, for any wolf that decided suddenly to shift back.

Katie understood what Zach commanded her to do. Walking slowly to the tree, she stopped behind it and shifted back to her human form. Reaching for the bag of clothes that was tied securely, she grabbed a shirt and some shorts and put them on, wincing quietly at the pain of her shoulder. Her brain was working as fast as her heart was beating, wondering how to get out of this situation.

“We need to get you to the pack house immediately.” Zach showed up beside her in his human form as well, wearing the same outfit she had.

Avoiding his eyes, Katie shook her head. She hoped he hadn’t noticed how she got the bite, but apparently he had. “There’s no need; I’m alright. I’ll just head to Jessica’s. She’ll know what to do.”

Zach wasn’t going to let her out of his sight before he made sure she was truly okay. Not after she just got herself bitten to save him. “I’m sorry, but that’s not good enough for me. My beta is on his way to deal with this mess, while you and I go to the pack house and see the healers.”

Deciding not to argue anymore, Katie nodded her head and started her way back, hoping he wouldn’t start a conversation. She was so confused, she didn’t even know what to think. Why had she done that? Of course it was the right and noble thing to do; he was her Alpha after all, but that wasn’t just it. The fear she felt for his life and the urgent need to protect him came from a place within her far deeper than mere loyalty. Which was not only incredibly wrong since he was in a relationship, but also made absolutely no sense since they broke the mating bond. Refusing to consider any other possibilities at the moment, Katie silenced her mind as she walked in front of Zach quietly.

Zach watched as Katie walked before him and he couldn’t help his anger from rising once again. Whoever was responsible for this breech in security was going to face the consequences severely, he decided. Yet despite his frustration he couldn’t help the sadness he felt once again. Standing side by side, he and Katie had easily taken down six rogues. Proof of how strong their pack would have become had he accepted the mating bond. Not only was she a fearless fighter, but she had also willingly risked her life to save his. A true Luna, Zach was now sure, and despite the happiness he felt at the fact, his guilt was now even greater.

“Where did you train to fight like that?” He couldn’t help but ask, his eyes trailing to her shoulder once more.

“It was nothing.” Trying her hardest to escape his attempts of talking, she shook her head. She heard him sigh beside her as they walked and swallowed the lump in her throat.

“You took down three rogues your own size easier and faster than most my fighters could. That takes training.” He stated with what seemed to her like a proud smile. Her heart skipped a painful beat at the pleasure of impressing him. Her wolf was proud that they showed him what they were capable of but Katie wasn’t. She didn’t need nor want to impress him. She had nothing to prove to him. They were no longer mates. He had chosen another partner, another luna, and she needed to remember that well.

“My father is Alpha of SilverNight pack. I got a lot of training growing up.” She stated, walking a bit faster than before.

Zach hated that he knew nothing about her and that once again she had unintentionally proven how fit she was to be his luna. For the hundredth time since he had broken their bond he felt regret creeping its way to his heart. His eyes studied her features, afraid he wouldn’t get the chance again soon, and he couldn’t help but admire her beauty. Her hair was a mess and her skin was bloodied, yet she was still drop dead gorgeous. It was too late now, Zach kept telling himself. They were no longer mates, and he needed to remind himself of that fact constantly.

“How’s your shoulder?” He asked, clearing his throat.

“Already healing.” She stated quietly and even though he knew she had every right not to want to talk to him, he still hated that obvious fact.

“Alpha!” Thomas, Zach’s gamma, ran out of the pack house and to Zach. His eyes scanned Katie briefly and he gave her a quick smile before he turned his gaze back to his Alpha. “I don’t know how this happened. We have been patrolling the whole territory and the lands near by day and night. We should have smelled them had they been near.”

“We’ll settle this later. Tell Nick through the mind link that I want a detailed report on my desk in an hour and call for an urgent meeting.” Zach’s voice was laced with anger and Thomas swallowed at his command with a nod. Katie felt sorry for the guy. He had always been such a great help to her, and she wished she could help him out of this bad situation.

“This way,” Zach led Katie through the front door of the pack’s house and to the medical wing on the first floor, waving at the members rushing his way to stop where they were. He would deal with everyone later. For now he needed to make sure Katie was alright.

Katie already knew her way around the pack house, but she let Zach lead her anyway. When she first joined his pack she stayed there for a couple of months before college started and she moved to her dorm, but she didn’t feel like explaining that to him. Zach knocked on a door twice before opening it and gesturing for Katie to go ahead.

“We heard what happened, Alpha. Are you alright?” Dr. Hall asked Zach once he heard the door open, but when his eyes fell on Katie he froze.

“Dear God! What happened? Are you alright? Amanda, it’s Katie. Come quick!” Zach watched as Dr. Hall pulled Katie from beside him to the nearest chair to examine her shoulder, throwing out one question after the other, his eyes laced with concern.

“I’m alright. It’s already healing. You don’t have to worry.” Katie replied sweetly with a smile on her face.

Dr. Hall’s wife rushed through the door and ran to gather Katie in a bone crushing hug, despite her husband’s glare. “How many times did I tell you not to run this late into the woods, young lady?” She asked.

Katie felt a blush reach her cheeks as Jessica and Jared’s parents kept scolding her for being careless. She smiled at the warmth that instantly filled her heart. “I’m a big girl, Mrs. Hall. You don’t have to worry.”

“Of course we’ll worry about you.” Shaking his head, Dr. Hall started cleaning Katie’s wound.

Zach was still watching the scene with an open mouth, admiring how the healers’ undivided attention was not on him but on Katie, who looked insanely adorable with a delicious blush on her cheeks.

“Zach?” Katie’s head snapped to the door that was shoved open to see Megan rush in and throw her arms around Zach. “I just heard about what happened. Are you okay?” Her eyes examined him head to toe, full of worry and concern and Katie couldn’t help the aching tug she felt on her heart.

At least he was with someone who truly loved and cared for him, she thought with a bittersweet smile on her face. It hadn’t been all for nothing, she kept reminding herself.

Zach froze the second he felt Megan’s arms wrap around him, his eyes falling on Katie to see a sad smile print itself on her face. No matter how much she was hurting, she still found it in her heart to be happy for him, that much was obvious, and he couldn’t remember ever feeling worse.

“I’m alright.” He nodded, his voice small. Megan’s eyes turned to Katie’s and she frowned briefly. Katie could see the doubt in Megan’s eyes as they met hers. She was probably wondering what they were doing together in the woods this late.

“Are you okay, Katie?” Despite her concerns, Megan asked Katie with a smile.

“I’m okay, thank you.” Katie nodded, her eyes trailing back to the floor in guilt. She needed to stay away from Zach, no matter what, she decided.

“There you go, hun. Take these before you go to bed and you will wake up just as new.” Dr. Hall explained to Katie as he handed her the pills. “This one will numb the pain and this one will work as a catalyst to speed up the healing.”

“Thank you, Dr. Hall.” Katie smiled as she stood up, ready to get out of this house and lock herself in her dorm room already.

“Katie, I’ve texted Jared to pick you up. He’s almost here.” Zach’s heart dropped at Mrs. Hall’s words.

“That’s alright, Mrs. Hall,” Ignoring both Katie’s and Megan’s eyes, Zach smiled at the woman before him. “I’ll drive her wherever she wants.”

“No.” Katie spoke a little too quickly. His eyes found hers and he frowned slightly. “Thank you for offering, Alpha, but there’s no need for that.” She stood her ground even when she saw his jaw clench. Swallowing the lump in her throat she forced a small smile at him, trailing her eyes to Megan whose frown matched his.

Zach, confused as he was, was certain that he wanted to spend some time alone with Kat. Driving her home was the perfect opportunity to thank her about saving him as well as talking. About what, exactly? It didn’t matter much to him at this point.

“I insist, Kat.” Ignoring Megan’s stare, Zach bit the words out through clenched teeth, using what Katie assumed was his Alpha commanding tone. Good thing it didn’t work on her then.

“And I insist that there’s no need, Alpha. I’ll go with Jared, thank you.” Keeping her gaze steady on his, and ignoring the stares of everyone else in the room, Katie challenged him. If he wanted to make a scene now, in front of everyone, his girlfriend included, then she was going to give him one. There was no way in hell she was riding a car with him alone. She’d rather jog on her wounded shoulder all the way to her dorm.

Zach could feel his blood heat up at her defiance. Once again, a part of him enjoyed how no one else but her would dare to defy him, yet now was not the time for her to be stubborn. Moreover, who the hell was this Jared and why would she choose to ride with him instead? Zach’s fists clenched and as he was about to insist even harder, the door suddenly swung open.

“What the hell happened to my princess?” Jared rushed into the room to gather Katie in his arms, ignoring the rest of the company present.

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Favorite quote of the chapter: “It hadn’t been all for nothing.”

Love, Farah x