My Second Chance Mate?

Adelia's Pov

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I sneaked back into my room without getting caught after my escapades with Aiden. I felt so relieved now that I have confessed my feelings to him and it was good to hear that he felt the same. I have always known he was my mate and that was why I drew closer to him when everyone stayed away. 

Besides that, I believed strongly that Aiden wasn't useless as the rest of the wolves made him be and I know that inside of him was a strong wolf. I just didn't know why his wolf wasn't coming out. But I was determined to stand by his side regardless of what anyone said. 

Feeling sweaty and sticky, I got under the shower, washing myself up with a big smile on my face. I was elated.

I had barely gotten out of the shower when a knock came at my door and I froze a bit, wondering who it was since I wasn't expecting anyone.  

"Who's there?" 

"It's me, future Luna." Came the reply and I smiled, knowing full well who it was. It was Leah, my second best friend after Aiden. Or should I say my best friend since Aiden was my mate?

Leah was one of the scout wolves who were responsible for warning the pack of dangerous territory outside the clearing, if any. She was well known by neighboring packs and she visited  around often.

I quickly opened the door and she walked in, immediately plopping on my bed without my permission.

"Oh my goodness." Leah groaned as she lay on my bed, her wild brown hair scattered around her. "This is so comfy."

"I didn't say you could lie on my bed." I teased, walking to my dressing mirror to comb my hair. I wasn't going anywhere but I just wanted to comb it became it tended to tangle after shower. I raked my fingers through the crimson strands of my hair and I smiled, remembering how Aiden had said my hair was the most beautiful he had ever seen.

"You're smiling this way. I guess you sneaked out to see Aiden." Leah whispered into my ear and I flinched. I didn't know when she left the bed to stand by me.

"Holy shit, Leah." I held my chest. "You scared me."

Leah shrugged, her eyes on my big mirror as she played with her shoulder-length brown hair. She began to pose for the mirror, twisting her lithe figure as she did different posing styles. I shook my head.

"Get out of here." I chuckled and she chuckled with me.

"You saw Aiden, didn't you?" She asked again after our laughing fit and I nodded slowly. Leah was the only one who knew I was still hanging around Aiden even after my father's verdict.  But she was never in support because she too like others believed Aiden wasn't good enough for me.

"I thought we talked about this, Adelia." Leah folded her arms, turning serious. "And what's this on your neck? My goodness, Adelia! Don't tell me you already got marked by him?" Leah looked horrified.

But I only smiled as I recounted what had happened back in the woods with Aiden. Finally, I was marked too. We had both marked ourselves during our make-out session and I didn't regret it one bit.

"It's bound to happen. I can't stay away from him." I shrugged. "I already told you why."

"I don't believe he is your mate. How can you get marked by him?" 

"I don't believe Derick is yours too." I bit back, getting angry with her for saying such a thing.

 "Why shouldn't I get marked? He's my mate so what's the fuss? I don't need anyone to understand what I feel. He is my mate, not yours so you can't understand the connection. I didn't doubt you when you said Derrick was your mate even when you've nursed a big crush on him. Now you two are together and you've even marked each other. So why can't I?"

"But - " Leah was beginning to say but I shook my head vehemently at her.

"Don't doubt me now, Leah. I won't lie to you."

Leah bit her lips as a pout formed on them. I knew she wanted to say more but she didn't and I was grateful she did not.

Our silence was interrupted by another knock at my door. This time, it was an omega girl and she had her head bowed.

"Alpha Lundamous sends for you." She informed and I exchanged looks with Leah.

"What for?"

"He says someone is waiting for you."

"Who can that be?" I asked Leah immediately the girl left and Leah shrugged.

"Perhaps, he knows about your little hide and seeks."

"That's not true." I frowned at her.

"I wonder how he will feel when he discovers you've been marked." She huffed.

"That's for me to decide, Leah."

"Addy, you know I love you and want the best for you. Just be careful." Leah's warm brown eyes bore into mine and I looked away, unable to hold her gaze.

"Don't worry about me, Leah. I'll be with Aiden. You just have to support me." I rose from my dressing table to pick up a dress to wear. Apparently, I couldn't see my father in only my white towel.

Leah watched me with scrutiny in her eyes as I dressed up and when I was done, she said,

"I will be waiting for you here." 

I nodded and slipped out of the room, walking quickly to the sitting room where I was sure my father was. If he wanted me to meet someone, then it couldn't be in his room. I guess I shouldn't be worried since I wouldn't be meeting him in his room. The last time I had been called like this was to inform me to stay away from Aiden but this was different, wasn't it?

I stared down at my floral dress, wondering if it was appropriate to meet who it was my father wanted me to meet. It was quite strange that I was being sent for to meet someone but I tried not to think too much about it. I gently stroked my hair to ensure that my ponytail was still intact before entering the large sitting room.

My parents were sitting on one of the sofas in the room while my brother occupied the only single-seater available. The atmosphere looked serious and my heart began to race as I examined the countenance of my parents to see if I could tell what they were thinking.

On another sofa was a man who I had never seen before and he was staring at me with a subtle smile on his face. His black hair was quite short and his green eyes twinkled as he followed my every movement. Sitting by his side was another man who was just as huge as the first man.

 This one was more serious and his face was hard with no single smile. His blonde hair fell over his forehead and he drummed on his lap like he couldn't wait to leave. 

I stared at my brother, trying to communicate with him through our personal mind link. 

I'm confused. What's going on?

You'll find out soon.

My brother tossed me a smirk and I glared at him. Jared could be quite immature sometimes and it made me wonder how he would be a good alpha when he acted younger than me in most cases. I was only twenty but I believed I was more matured than he was. My parents spoilt him a lot because he was their only male pup. Pathetic!

"I guess we will leave you two together then." My father's deep voice filled the air and my jaw dropped. What was this?

"This is Alpha Rio of the Blood moon pack. He's the son of late Alpha Raphael. He just became the alpha."

 So? I wanted to ask but I knew better to shut up. My father could be quite temperamental and he was always unpredictable.

"I believe I don't have to do the introduction to you, Rio. Since you claim she is your mate, then you already know who she is." My father said to Rio.

"What?" I couldn't keep calm anymore. "What mate?" 

"I guess Rio will explain. Come, honey. Let's give them both some privacy." My father stood up, his bulky figure towering over my mother who was more on the slim side. He placed his arm around her waist and led her out, with Jared walking behind them. Their behaviour got me confused. Why were my parents leaving their daughter with an enemy?

The blonde man sitting with 'Rio' walked out too and it was just me and 'Rio' in the room.

"Hi, Adelia." He grinned at me and I felt sick in my tummy.

"Do you mind explaining?" I folded my arms and his smile broadened. I would have found his smiles appealing if he wasn't from the enemy pack. He wasn't bad looking, you know. 

"You're my mate. I came here with my beta to speak to your father about a peace treaty since my father is dead and I'm the new alpha. You know, I've never been a fan of war. But when I got here, there was this strong connection and your scent was all I could sniff. Your beautiful scent." He flirted and I got sicker.

How on earth could I be his mate when I was already mated to someone else? What game was the moon goddess playing on me?

"I think you are mistaken, Ryan." I deliberately missed his name and his brows puckered.

"It's Rio and I'm not mistaken. My wolf has been restless ever since I got here. It can only mean one thing." He got up from the chair and approached me. I took a step back and when he saw that, he stopped.

"I won't hurt you."

"How will I know when you're from the Blood Moon pack. Everyone from that pack is an enemy."

"This is why the peace treaty is necessary especially now that we are mated to each other. We shouldn't fight ourselves anymore."

"I already have a mate, mister. In fact, I've been marked."  I turned my head to the side, revealing the bite on my neck proudly, enjoying the shock on Rio's face.

But I didn't know I had done the wrong thing because my father walked into the room that instance, his eyes red with anger.

"You are what?"