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Chapter 19 - Holly
Last Updated:
2025-01-13 19:24:41
BryantHolly is so torn up about how she feels she's even at war with her wolf. She needs to let Alex decide instead of assuming.
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Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 20 - Alex
From the beginning, a sense of foreboding sat like a brick in my stomach. I had anticipated this moment, feeling it pulse just beneath the surface of our interactions. Deep down, I understood that Holly would likely want to push me away. That had always held me back, driving my hesitation to pursue her in the past. I had been acutely aware that any advance I made had to come only when she felt truly ready. When she returned, I dared to believe it was a sign from the Goddess, a divine nudge suggesting that the time had finally come. I thought that Holly, in her own way, would be ready for what I longed to offer. Despite my certainty that winning her acceptance would be a formidable challenge, I clung to the hope that she would at least allow me the opportunity to prove myself. I had been wrong. Holly hadn’t been ready to accept me or anyone. She had even fought her wolf about this. I hadn’t wanted to be the cause of conflict between Holly and her wolf. I had learned a lot in the last
Last Updated : 2025-01-14Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 21 - Holly
I blamed Kira. It was her fault I was in that mess. I hadn’t wanted to know what would’ve been worth the risk if that peck on my lips hadn’t been. Yet, my wolf wouldn’t let it go. She wanted to push the mate bond to break me. Alex needed to understand that I wasn’t the right woman for him. He said all the right things, acknowledging my love for Nigel and that he couldn’t replace him. He wanted a chance to earn my trust and love, but it felt like asking for the moon to me. I wanted to explain why I was not suitable for him. I could never give him children, which might matter to him eventually. Nigel had been exceptional, standing by me through my fertility issues and always insisting that his life was complete with me. I wasn’t sure if Alex would feel the same. He needed to know all the facts. I didn’t get a chance to tell him before I was pulled tight against him, and his lips found mine. Yesterday’s kiss barely counted by anyone’s standards, but this kiss was a kiss. Alex hadn’t t
Last Updated : 2025-01-15Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 22 - Alex
Oh, look, my mantra has returned. Stupid. Stupid. STUPID! I felt the heat of frustration rising within me. How could I be so incredibly foolish? Just moments ago, everything had unfolded perfectly. Holly was cradled in my arms, her warmth radiating against me. I could still feel the thrill of our lips meeting in a passionate first kiss, a moment that felt electric and full of promise. Then, in an instant, my stupid mouth fucked it all up, revealing my secret in a careless slip. Now, I found myself sprawled on the ground; the breath knocked from my lungs, the impact of her unexpected reaction still echoing in my chest. I watched, helpless, as Holly stormed out, her expression a mixture of hurt and anger etched on her face. It pained me to see her retreat for the second time in less than twenty-four hours. I couldn’t help but wonder—was that a record for such swift heartbreak? I knew she’d be upset that I’d known all along, unlike her. I had wanted to tell her the truth. However, I
Last Updated : 2025-01-16Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 23 - Holly
Kira had howled her displeasure the further we got from the ranch or, more importantly, from Alex. She was a wolf. Kira didn’t get it. She couldn’t seem to understand how I felt. The selfish bitch had only thought about herself and how she wanted a new mate. I know ‘pot calling the kettle black.’ I was also selfish because I had refused to think about what having a second chance mate could mean to anyone beyond myself. It would have offered Kira comfort and renewed strength, which had diminished when Nigel and Leo died. Then there’s Samuel and Tristan to think of. Both boys have been raised missing a parent, and if I were to accept Alex, we’d be giving the boys the parent they are missing. Even if Alex says he doesn’t want to replace Nigel, I’m terrified of him replacing Nigel with Samuel. Samuel only knows Nigel through stories. It broke my heart to think of a future where Samuel would forget Nigel was his father and refer to Alex as his dad, which brings me back to being a selfish
Last Updated : 2025-01-17Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 24 - Alex
I had been thrown from horses plenty of times throughout my life—an occupational hazard that came with working on a ranch. However, this time, it wasn’t me who was in danger; it was Samuel. In a split second of instinct and determination, I leaped off Cyrus to shield Samuel from the impending fall. Although Samuel was a werewolf, I knew he was just as vulnerable as any human child until he reached the age to awaken his wolf. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on my shoulders, especially considering my already precarious relationship with Holly. If her son had sustained serious injuries while I was supposed to be keeping him safe, I knew my chances of ever winning her trust—or her heart—would vanish in an instant. I wouldn’t have blamed her for being furious. After all, Samuel was her number one priority, just as Tristan was mine. Any parent in her position would have felt justified in being outraged with someone who allowed their child to get hurt. That said, Holly wasn’t
Last Updated : 2025-01-18Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 25 - Holly
I had always worried about my son Samuel’s health and safety. He was my miracle baby, a bright light after the darkness of loss and grief in my past. With every breath, I feared losing him, haunted by memories of my previous pregnancies that ended too soon. Though Samuel had been healthy since birth, that didn’t ease my fear of something happening to him. Given my history, you can imagine the whirlwind of panic that erupted within me when David said Samuel had been hurt. My mind flickered to Alex, but I quickly pushed those thoughts aside; delving into that worry felt too much. Instead, I fixated on the dread of my child suffering, my heart racing with every thought. Rationally, I knew he would be okay. Mikali was there. Even if he hadn’t been a healer by gift, he was a doctor. If I had proved anything in the last twenty-four hours, it was that I was an emotional train wreck. Rational thought hadn’t gotten through. I tried reaching out to Samuel through our family link, but I wasn’t
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Holly’s laughter, a vibrant sound that seemed to dance in the air, was the sweetest music I had ever heard. Even though she tried to stifle it behind her hand, the joy in her eyes sparkled brighter than any note could convey. I was acutely aware that beneath this light-hearted moment loomed the weight of the serious conversations we still needed to have. I couldn’t predict how long her cheerful spirit would last, so I mentally tucked this precious memory away like a treasured keepsake. I knew our talk would turn heavy, perhaps leading her to walk away again. If that happened, I wanted to reach back into my mind’s archive and find comfort in replaying the sound of her laughter. “The twins would argue that if they were going to get their asses kicked, the charity should be for the arts,” Holly quipped, shaking her head as her laughter gradually waned, leaving behind a warm afterglow. “Fair point,” I replied, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “As long as the proceeds contrib
Last Updated : 2025-01-21Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 27 - Holly
Our conversation flowed so easily. It only hurt a little when I thought about Nigel. I could look back at how he got jealous when Finn wrapped me up in a big hug without a care in the world the day I brought Nigel to meet everyone with humor and nostalgia instead of heartache and longing. It was adorable when Nigel got all growly and demanded Finn stop manhandling his mate. He felt stupid for getting jealous, especially after I put Finn in his place. Then Alex had to go and focus the conversation on what I was avoiding… us. Even Kira found his question difficult to answer. Obviously, we knew he was weaker, but it was not his fault. He was human, while I was a werewolf. We’re naturally on different strength levels. He’s stronger than he was when I left. I didn’t need to spare to know that. I’m a combat instructor. I can tell by looking at someone and if they’ve improved. Being weaker than me doesn’t make him unattractive. But how to word that? ‘If you ask me…’ Kira began, her voice ca
Last Updated : 2025-01-22
Latest chapter
Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 39 - Holly
What I wouldn’t give for a long, soothing bath right now. The thought of warm water enveloping me, with fragrant steam wrapping around me like a comforting embrace, was almost tantalizing. I could picture myself sinking into a deep tub, letting the day’s stress melt away. However, disappointment washed over me when I remembered that my hotel room only had a shower, robbing me of that tranquil escape.Exhaustion from farm chores was compounded by emotions I thought I had tucked away since Nigel passed. I hoped today would allow for quiet reflection on my budding relationship with Alex. Instead, I had an emotional breakdown in his arms, leading to an unexpected kiss that stirred feelings I hadn’t anticipated. Returning to the boys was meant to lighten my mood, but learning that Samuel and Tristan had arrived in the house filled with memories of Nigel dampened my spirits. Now, I faced the worry of my upcoming date with Alex. It had been so long since I considered dating anyone, and I re
Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 38 - Alex
I was flabbergasted by what happened in the pasture. I knew the conversation would be heavy, but I hadn’t expected Holly to break down crying. It was a deeply emotional subject, and I told her I love her this soon to reassure her that her inability to have children doesn’t change my feelings. I’ve waited years to be with her, and we already have two boys who are more than enough for me. While the thought of having a child together was interesting, it’s not crucial to our future. It was always about us and our boys when I imagined what lay ahead. I didn’t expect her to respond or say she loved me—my heart might’ve stopped! What shocked me most was that after that emotional moment, it was Holly who kissed me first. Let me repeat that for the people speed reading. Holly Boland KISSED ME! HOLLY BOLAND KISSED ME, ALEX WHITLAND! Let that sink in. I know it’s still sinking in for me, and we’re already back at the barn, about to sit down and enjoy the lunch my mom packed us. I’d played it
Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 37 - Holly
I hated being emotional—it was never who I was meant to be. I might have burst into tears more easily as a child, but that was long ago. The day my parents died, I built walls around my heart, shuttering away anything that resembled vulnerability. Aunt Donna once told me that I must have shed a lifetime’s worth of tears in the wake of that tragedy, and I believed her until Nigel’s death shattered that belief. After losing him, the tears came pouring out for the first time in years. I had cried for each miscarriage, but not like this. I mourned them in a muted way, feeling shattered inside yet unable to let more than a tear or two out. There was a deep sadness for the lives that could have been but remained unfulfilled. Yet here I was, crying—again—in front of Alex, a humiliation that both angered and terrified me. The first two moments of weakness felt justified; they were driven by grief over losing Nigel and the brutal acknowledgment that no amount of wishing could alter our shar
Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 36 - Alex
I had to hand it to our boys. They had played us, more so Holly, perfectly. I couldn’t complain about their plans. I was one hundred percent behind Samuel and Tristan working together to get Holly and me together. It was honestly the best outcome for our situation. We could’ve had an issue with our boys being against us being together. It would have been impossible to be with Holly if her son was against it. Mate bond be damned, Holly wouldn’t have entertained my existence if her son said he didn’t like me.I had never had to herd cattle, but I liked it. I liked it even more that I was working alongside Holly. It felt right. Any time I was with Holly, it felt right. But this was up there. Working together on the farm… it felt like where we were supposed to be. I had always felt at home on a ranch riding a horse, with my dream of having a rodeo that included working with other animals like bulls—not the complacent kind like the Boland herd—but still, being there felt like fate.While I
Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 35 - Holly
My mind couldn’t grasp what happened last night. Between the nightmare of Nigel turning into Alex, my freak out, that voice saying “a life for a life,” Kira taking control, and then waking up naked in Alex’s lap, it was overwhelming. I saw the picture of us on his nightstand, and that kiss—don’t get me started on that kiss—then he kissed me again before leaving my hotel room. I don’t think there’s enough coffee to process all of this. Thankfully, I would have some quiet time today working at the farm. That will give me some breathing room, and as long as Kira doesn’t get on my nerves, I’ll be able to think straight and plan how to deal with all of this. It would be just Samuel and me working around the farm. With everything in probate, all the employees, werewolves and humans, have been put on a leave of absence. I sure can’t afford to pay people to work the farm. I won’t ask Logan to do it for me. Until I can sell the farm, it would be a lot of legal hassle and paperwork to let L
Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 34 - Alex
From the text messages of Tristan Whitland, aka Farm Boy, and Samuel Boland, aka Mr. Serious-Mr. Serious: Farm Boy. Are you awake?Farm Boy: Barely. What’s up? Did something happen? Mr. Serious: Your dad. My mom. Kira took over last night.Farm Boy: Wait. WHAT? Details. Now. Mr. Serious: Just what I said. Kira took control of my mom while she was asleep. Kira wanted/needed to see your dad. So I helped her get out of the room. Farm Boy: I’m screaming. Please tell me there’s more.Mr. Serious: I don’t know what happened at your house between them, but your dad brought my mom back to the hotel, and she was Freaked out about my safety because I was “alone in the hotel.”Farm Boy: Aw, poor Mr. Serious was left alone. 😂 So what happened?Mr. Serious: I convinced her to let him stay here. I could not let them make it awkward and send him off.Farm Boy: You’re a hero. Let me guess: she gave him the floor?Mr. Serious: Nope. I forced them to share her bed.Farm Boy: 🤣🤣🤣 STOP. I can’t b
Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 33 - Holly
I’ve lost my mind. It’s the only explination for what happened in Alex’s bedroom. Instead of changing in his bathroom, I dropped the blanket, leading to more banter and another kiss. The only difference from the ranch was that we were both naked from the waist up. I couldn’t linger on how that felt.I needed to focus on Samuel and how my stupid wolf left him alone in a hotel room. That urgency drove me to rush to my room, running ten flights of stairs, only for the smiling fool to arrive at the same time using the elevator.“Is Samuel a heavy sleeper?” Alex asked, leaning casually against the wall between my door and the room next door.I barely glanced at him as I knocked harder, my knuckles stinging. “No,” I snapped. “He’s nine, Alex. He sleeps like he might miss something important. Why?”Alex shrugged, his shamrock green eyes glinting in the dim hallway light. His sandy blonde hair stuck up in every direction, and his faded red T-shirt and black gym shorts were rumpled like he’d t
Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 32 - Alex
Holly HUGGED me. Holly hugged ME! Not only that, but she also apologized to me for what she said in a nightmare. We had been having the same nightmare all week from different perspectives. It made sense now why the room was unfamiliar, yet the dress was. For her, she was reliving her final moments in her home with Nigel, trying to capture a moment that never could be. Meanwhile, for me, it was a fantasy of being able to kiss and touch her till she freaked out, and it became all my insecurities thrown at me. As much as I’d have loved to stay on the sofa with Holly in my arms, we had more important matters. We couldn’t leave Samuel alone in a hotel room. I didn’t care how mature he was; it wasn’t safe and certainly not legal for him to be alone like that. This wasn’t as simple as she went downstairs or to a vending machine on their floor. Kira had more than left the Hotel property to see me. As flattering as it may be that Holly’s wolf wants me, I need Holly to want me and not at the r
Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 31 - Holly
I let Alex guide me, my heart pounding in anticipation as the heat built between us. But then doubt crept in, and I froze, digging my heels into the floor. The air grew heavy with confusion and pain. I stepped back, my back hitting the vanity, breath hitching as the truth unraveled. When I looked up, it wasn’t Nigel’s face I saw, but Alex’s. My heart lurched. How had I let myself believe it was Nigel, conjuring the man I’d lost instead of facing the one before me? Alex’s brow furrowed, his concern evident. “Holly… what’s wrong? I thought… you told me to ravage you, but now…” His voice was careful, uncertain, as if afraid to break the fragile connection between us. “No. No, I told Nigel. You’re not Nigel.” I shook my head violently. My hand flew to my mouth, the weight of the words crushing me. My knees threatened to give out as I looked at him, his face no longer the comfort it had been just moments ago. My voice rose, trembling with emotion I couldn’t control. “You’re not Nigel.
