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Chapter 5 - Holly
Last Updated:
2024-12-27 19:09:24
BryantHolly is gonna be the stubborn one of this book. Though that was expected. At least her wolf is onboard.
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Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 6 - Alex
Fuck me. I loved how Holly said my name in a breathy voice. I yearned for her to say it like that in a more intimate setting, perhaps hidden in the woods or a parked car, where our boys could watch and listen. I had hoped for a stronger reaction, maybe her wolf surfacing or her calling me “mate.” I thought I saw a flicker of gold in her blue-gray eyes, but that worried me. It could mean she and her wolf weren’t ready for a mate bond, especially in front of the kids. As an optimist, I believed it was simply a matter of privacy. I understood her hesitation; we needed to discuss our feelings away from the boys. When we eventually tell them, it must be done thoughtfully, allowing them to react as they would. I suspected my son would be excited about having a mate and gaining a mom, but I was unsure how her son would feel. For now, I’d take the small win. Holly agreed to let me drive her to the farm and take her rental car to my dad’s shop. That rental company would hear from me, and I’
Last Updated : 2024-12-28Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 7 - Holly
I didn’t want to get in this truck, at least not with Alex. The idea of being in such tight quarters, even for the half mile to the farm, had me on edge. I wanted to avoid situations like this. I wanted to avoid anyone who could remind me of that night. ‘That’s not why you wanted to avoid being in the truck.’ Kira snorted. ‘You’re on edge because the mate bond affects you no matter how much you fight it.’ ‘Shut it.’ I grumbled. ‘There is no mate bond; if there were, I would certainly not have been affected by it.’ ‘Right. So, what’s your excuse for how often you’ve glanced at Alex?’ Kira teased. I quickly looked forward, annoyed that she called me out. ‘I wasn’t looking at him intentionally. I just happened to be looking in that direction.’ I defended myself. ‘You can’t lie to me, Holly. I’m in your head. You were admiring the man, our mate…’ Kira started to argue, but I cut her off. ‘Our mate was and always will be Nigel. Do not act as if Nigel could be replaced. The Goddess m
Last Updated : 2024-12-30Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 8 - Alex
I couldn’t believe how foolish I had been. What was I thinking when I reached over to touch Holly’s leg? I knew exactly what I was thinking—I wanted to comfort her. I had noticed her posture change as I turned onto the private road beneath the arched ‘Boland Farm’ sign. I intended to ease her tension and pain, but instead, I only made things worse. I startled her. I should have known better. I trained horses and understood that, for some people, comparing them to animals could feel like an insult. Maybe it was, especially if Holly had been an ordinary woman. But Holly wasn’t normal. She was a supernatural being—a werewolf, which meant she had a wolf spirit. Like all animals, wolves could get spooked if someone moved too quickly. Given that she had told me not to touch her, I realized I had moved too fast. Or perhaps she was trying to minimize contact with me because of the mate bond. Either way, this didn’t bode well for my plans to win her over and show her that the Goddess wasn’t w
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 9 - Holly
It was official: I had lost my mind. I had sent my son—my entire world—off in a tow truck with Alex Whitland, a man I hadn’t seen in a decade. When I last saw him, he was hardly what I would have described as a man. What had I been thinking? I should have stuck to the plan. I was supposed to ask Alison for a ride to the hotel. Instead, because I panicked about Samuel’s reaction to Blaire, I had signed up for more time with Alex. “Holly?” Alison questioned as she placed her hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay? Samuel is safe with Alex. He isn’t the proverbial joke of the pack anymore. He has grown up and certainly stepped up to raise Tristan himself.” Her words were meant to comfort me about my son’s safety, but my anxiety stemmed from trusting Alex. I didn’t want to get closer to him or spend more time together. I found myself blaming Kira and the Goddess for my feelings. I knew I shouldn’t resent the Goddess, but I did—first, she took Nigel from me, then put Alex in my path as if th
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I discovered a great deal about Samuel during our little adventure together, and the experience was nothing short of enlightening. For one, I quickly realized just how incredibly sharp he was. He proudly shared with Tristan what he had been listening to on his phone—an audiobook titled “Washington: A Life” by Ron Chernow. I remembered grappling with that book during my senior year of high school at seventeen. Yet here was Samuel, just nine years old, diving deep into material that had only come to me much later in life. You might be tempted to dismiss it as merely an audiobook, presuming he couldn’t quite grasp the complexities within. But when we started discussing it, I was taken aback—he understood the nuances far better than I had at his age. In contrast, poor Tristan was visibly bewildered, bless his heart, struggling to keep up with the conversation. Fortunately, Tristan was a master at finessing social interactions; he skillfully redirected the dialogue, averting the spotlight
Last Updated : 2025-01-02Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 11 - Holly
I hadn’t considered that washing Tristan’s face might have reminded him of what he was missing—a mother. My heart ached for that little boy, and my anger bubbled over at the woman who had abandoned him. My son may not have had a father, but that wasn’t because Nigel had walked away. Their losses were different yet profoundly similar. When Tristan expressed his feelings about my actions, comparing them to how other moms behaved, I felt an overwhelming urge to hug him tightly. I wanted to comfort him just as I had comforted my son when he felt the absence of his father in his life. ‘Of course, you want to make him feel better. He’s our new pup.’ Kira so easily claimed Tristan as our pup. ‘Not discussing that.’ I dismissed. I watched my son, Samuel, as he observed Alex and Tristan with a sadly familiar expression. He tended to have that look when he saw any of his friends back home spending time with their fathers. I wanted to hug my son until we both felt that we didn’t grieve his f
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Baby steps. I accepted even the tiniest step forward as a victory. The first victory was when Holly trusted me with Samuel. The second victory was being the one who drove Holly and Samuel to their hotel instead of Alsion. The third victory was when Holly agreed to dinner with me. It was dinner with our sons, but I didn’t belittle my victory. And the fourth victory was that she had been flirting. Or at least I thought she had been flirting. It could have just been my wishful thinking, but instead of flirting with her playful jabs, she meant them to be mean. She was always hard to read. Time and distance hadn’t made that any easier. That didn’t mean I gave up. That was my chance to finally act on what I had known for years. I wasn’t going to let it slip by. Don’t think for a minute that I hadn’t noticed how Holly had actively avoided touching me. She was under the impression I didn’t know we were mates, so she tried to avoid touching me so I wouldn’t feel the bond. Too bad for her, but
Last Updated : 2025-01-04Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 13 -Holly
Dinner with the Whitland men, particularly Alex, was a monumental mistake—a B-A-D BAD idea. I could feel the tension between Alex and myself from the moment we arrived. Tristan, the endearing and charismatic little boy, lit the room with an infectious energy. I’d never seen Samuel take to someone as easily as he had with Tristan. It was unusual to see my son open up so quickly to someone. For instance, it had taken Samuel a full month to warm up to Maverick. But with Tristan, things were different. It was as if they were old friends reunited after years apart. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter and animated gestures. Samuel’s laughter rang out, bright and cheerful, as he shared stories and jokes with Tristan that seemed to come from a genuine bond. Isaiah was the only person I had witnessed Samuel display such liveliness with. Their connection had been an immediate spark—something I had hoped to see with others, but this relationship with Tristan felt eve
Last Updated : 2025-01-06
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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.
Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 30 - Alex
Holly sat at the vanity, her back to me, and I couldn’t look away. The intricate lace of her dress hugged her shoulders, drawing my gaze to her curves. As she adjusted her hair, her movements were graceful and mesmerizing.When she finally turned, the dress flowed elegantly above her knees, the neckline dipping just enough to quicken my pulse. Her rich brown hair, swept into a stunning braid and bun, framed her face, making her blue-gray eyes shine.She caught me staring, and I couldn’t pretend otherwise. The way her dress shimmered in the light made everything else in the room fade away. Holly wasn’t just beautiful; she was breathtaking.Holly caught me by my tie with a smirk and tugged me to her. I knew it was an open invitation. I would’ve been a fool to decline such an invitation. I closed the distance, capturing her lips. Kissing Holly was heaven. Her breath hitched, and I swallowed her gasp as the kiss deepened, my arm wrapping around her to press her body into mine. We fit toge
Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 29 - Holly
I sat at my vanity, applying the final touches to my makeup, fully aware of Nigel leaning in the doorway, watching me. His gaze was warm, reverent even, and I could feel his love like a physical thing in the air between us. He’s always looked at me that way, like I’m the most beautiful woman alive, even though I’ve never seen myself that way.Growing up as a tomboy running wild through the Adirondack mountains with the Ironfur heirs didn’t leave much room for vanity. Nigel knew that. He tells me I’m beautiful every chance he gets and insists that I’m sexy, too. I always call him a liar, but I know the blush on my cheeks and the soft smile I can’t suppress each time gives me away.He’s stayed by my side through everything, even when I told him he didn’t have to. Eight years of trying and failing to bring a pup to term. I told him once I’d understand if he wanted to leave me, to find someone who could give him what I couldn’t. He refused.“I don’t care if we ever have a pup. You’re all
Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 28 - Alex
I really put myself out there, didn’t I? I told Holly everything—the whole story laid out, no secrets. Now, it was just a waiting game to see how she’d respond. She hadn’t said no and wouldn’t return to Ironfur directly after the memorial service. The fact that she was even considering going on a date with me felt like a win in my book. When I offered to drive her to pick up her rental car, she didn’t hesitate. She was all for exchanging numbers, too—something the boys had already sorted out among themselves. I was glad they got along so well. I didn’t want to manipulate anything between them, but having Samuel on my side could definitely help me win Holly over. If I ever had doubts about being with her, the way Tristan already cared about her made me stop and think. The day after everything happened at the ranch, Holly faced the memorial for Davis and Loretta in Bloodmoon. I wanted to be there for her, but I figured respecting her need for space would be better. I was comforted know
Her 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
Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 26 - Alex
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
Her 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
Her 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
Her 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
