๋ก๊ทธ์ธ๊ณต์
025.
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๋ฐ์ดํธ:
2024-11-19 22:42:10
๊ด๋ จ ์ฑํฐ
Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 026.
Cassie.I woke up for the second time to a gentle tapping on my shoulder, a sound soft but persistent enough to drag me out of the sleep I hadnโt realized had claimed me. My head jerked up, and I blinked, trying to organize myself, and my thoughts. The living room came into focusโthe same one Iโd reluctantly stepped into last night. My suitcase was still where Axel had left it.A sigh escaped my lips and I closed my eyes again, too tired to deal with anything.The tapping came again, and I turned my head to find a young girl standing beside the couch. She looked to be in her late teens, with dark hair tied into a loose braid and eyes that mirrored curiosity.โWho are you?โ she asked her voice light but laced with caution.I froze, startled by the unfamiliar face. My mind jumped to conclusionsโones that made my stomach churn. Was sheโฆ Axelโs?I gasped, sitting upright. โAre youโare you married to Axel?โ The question tumbled out before I could stop myself, and the girlโs brows shot up
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-20Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 027.
Axel.The moment the elevator doors slid open, I felt a spark of irritation that shot straight through my chest. Cassie was standing next to Jake, her petite frame dwarfed by his tall, broad stature. Her face tilted up toward me, confusion clouding those brown doe-like eyes of hers.And indifference. There was a damn trace of indifference in her expression, like she couldnโt care less about my presence.That look was enough to make my jaw clench, and my wolf, Ice, stirred in my mind.โPull her away. Mark her,โ he snarled, his voice raw and demanding, โLet them all know sheโs ours.โI shook my head, keeping my expression neutral even as Iceโs growls rattled my brain. โNot now,โ I told him firmly.โThen when, Axel?โ Ice snapped, โSheโs right there, and I can smell Jake all over her!โIceโs possessiveness clawed at me, but I shut him out before his anger spilled into mine. I couldnโt deal with his relentless growling and Cassieโs infuriating presence at the same time.Still, my eyes c
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-21Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 028.
Cassie.The faint sound of furniture being moved greeted me as Axel raised a brow, curiosity etched across his face. His features were calm, yet there was a sharpness in his eyes that unsettled me. He gestured toward the apartment, his broad shoulders brushing past me as he stepped ahead. I followed silently, feeling my chest tighten with every step.When we reached the apartment, the door was already ajar, and inside, men were working diligently, shifting furniture and unpacking boxes. I paused in the doorway, taken aback by the sheer size of the space. The white walls glistened, reflecting the soft rays of sunlight that poured through the open windows, making the whole apartment feel warm and inviting.It was far more spacious than I had anticipated, with high ceilings and polished wooden floors. For a moment, I allowed myself to admire it. But then, as if on cue, Axelโs presence loomed behind me like an unspoken reminder of everything I was trying to forget.โWe can talk in the b
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-21Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 029.
Cassie.My heart raced as I stared at the glowing screen of my phone, my breath caught somewhere between disbelief and exhilaration. My name sat boldly in the salutation, followed by the word โaccepted.โโDear Cassandra Holtโฆ we are pleased to inform you that you have been acceptedโโI screamed. Loud, piercing, and raw, the sound bounced off the walls of the room, so loud that for a moment, I didnโt even recognize it as my own. It was pure joy, unrestrained and rareโa spark of light in the darkness I had been wading through for years.Before I could fully process the email, the door to my room burst open, slamming into the wall with a deafening crash. My scream choked in my throat as I spun around.Axel stormed in, shirtless and barefoot, his dark eyes wild and frantic, scanning the room like he expected to find danger lurking in the shadows. His hair was tousled from sleep, but his bodyโtoned and intimidatingโwas tense, ready to fight whatever threat he thought I was facing.โCassie
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-22Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 030.
Cassie.โSo does that mean you wonโt be returning? Or do I need to hold on to your spot for a weekโwhich quite frankly is all I can do?โ Eric asked over the phone.I smiled, shaking my head even though I knew he couldnโt see me. โNo need to hold on to it,โ I said, keeping my voice as even as possible, โI donโt know how long Iโll be gone for.โThe moment the words left my mouth, I heard the soft clearing of a throat from the other side of the table. I didnโt need to look up to know it was Axel, seated with his iPad in front of him, though I could tell his attention was zeroed in on my conversation. His presence was suffocating, even when he wasnโt saying a word.I rolled my eyes, turning my gaze back to the piece of bread in my hands. I dragged the butter knife through the Nutella jar with more force than necessary, my phone still pressed between my ear and shoulder.Iโd hoped that the harsh sunlight that filtered through my window when I woke up would somehow prove everything from th
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-22Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 031.
Cassie.The hum of the engine was almost soothing, but the man sitting next to me made it impossible to relax. Axelโs sleek black Range Rover glided effortlessly down the highway, its red and black leather interior gleaming under the sunlight streaming through the windows.Axelโs idea to take me back to say proper goodbyes to Eric and the others had seemed logical enough at the time, but now, sitting in a box of leather and masculinity, I wasnโt so sure anymore.He was wearing what he called casualโa fitted blue sweatshirt that stretched over his broad shoulders and jeans that hugged his thighs in ways no manโs jeans should. His sneakers were spotless, and the rolled-up sleeves of his sweatshirt revealed strong, veined forearms. My eyes kept drifting toward him like they had a will of their own.โPull it together,โ I muttered under my breath.Cy, my wolf, wasnโt helping either.โHeโs so sexy,โ Cy purred, the words vibrating through my mind like a smug little melody.I shifted uncomfo
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-23Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 032.
Cassie.The car felt suffocating. My fingers tightened around the seatbelt, gripping it so hard my knuckles ached. The sleek interior of Axelโs car, once fascinating with its leather and red-and-black design, was now the last thing on my mind. The only thing I could focus on was the way Axel drove like a madman, his foot pressing into the accelerator as though he wanted to punish the road beneath us.โAxel, whatโs going on?โ I managed to ask, my voice shaking despite my best effort to sound calm.His jaw clenched but he didnโt respond, his focus fixed on the road ahead, his knuckles white against the steering wheel.The tension was unbearable. The speed of the car, the way it swerved so sharply around corners, sent my pulse into overdrive. For a moment, I thought I heard a growlโlow and menacingโand I wasnโt sure if it came from Axel or somewhere deep within the car itself.โAxel, Iโm serious. Talk to me!โ I tried again, this time reaching out to him.I intended for my hand to land
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-24Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 033.
Cassie.โIโm sorry I couldnโt make it to you today. Something came up, and I had to return immediately,โ I said, pressing the phone closer to my ear as Axelโs car hummed quietly beneath me.โYou mustโve taken a huge risk coming here, Cassie. Are you okay?โ Ericโs voice came through with a mixture of disappointment and concern.Heโd called me to ask where I was since Iโd called him before Axel and I left Red Hollow estate, telling him I would come visit. A sigh escaped my lips at his words.โNo, it wasnโt like that. I am okay, but Iโm sad I was only able to see the old couple. There was a little situation and I had to leave right away,โ I explained, stealing a glance at Axel, who was gripping the steering wheel tightly, his jaw set in that unreadable expression he always wore. โIโll visit again when I can. I just need some time to get things in order.โEric let out a heavy sigh. โOkay, but be careful. Donโt forget to take care of yourself, alright?โ His concern made my chest tighten
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-26
์ต์ ์ฑํฐ
Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 131.
Cassie.I took a deep breath as I stood in front of the pack house, my eyes locked onto the massive structure that had once been my home. My fingers curled into fists at my sides, my nails pressing into my palms as if that would steady me.โIโve been here before. This is nothing,โ I whispered to myself, willing my body to relax. But the way my stomach twisted said otherwise.The evening breeze carried the faint scent of baked goods and damp earth, ruffling the braids that framed my face. I swallowed hard, rubbing my clammy hands against my jeans, trying to push away the nerves that had crept in without warning.โYou look like youโre a second away from losing your mind.โThe voice came from behind me, breaking through my haze of thoughts. I turned sharply, my heart jolting, only to find Jake standing there, his lips curved into an amused smirk.โNice to know you find this amusing,โ I muttered, rolling my eyes as I crossed my arms.โI donโt,โ he chuckled, taking a few steps closer. โKn
Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 130.
Cassie.The ride to school had been suffocating. Axel didnโt say a word to me, didnโt even glance in my direction, like I had done something unforgivable. Was it really that bad? Was it so wrong to want relief from the ache that had consumed me?โDo you know what would be crazy?โ Violetโs voice suddenly cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to the present.I blinked at her, my steps slowing as I took in the mischief in her eyes. โWhat?โ I asked, raising a brow.โIf after everything, your lecturer friend turns out to be a bad person, it would literally break me.โThe words hit like a brick, and I stopped walking altogether, my breath catching.โWhat?โ My voice was sharp as she turned to face me fully. โDid something happen?โViolet hesitated, rubbing her neck before finally looking away. โNot entirely,โ she admitted. โBut a couple of students were whispering about him yesterday. They said they saw him going toward the tall trees behind the schoolโฆ the big field.โI felt my stomach
Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 129.
Cassie.I woke up slowly, feeling warmโwarmer than I should have. My body felt oddly secure, wrapped in a tight embrace. The steady sound of breathing filled my ears, the slight weight of an arm draped over my waist grounding me before my mind even fully registered where I was.And then it hit me.Axel.I stiffened, my eyes widening as I turned my head slightly. His scent surrounded meโwoodsy, rich, completely intoxicating. His bare skin was hot against mine, his arm tightening instinctively when I shifted.He was still asleep, his breathing even, his face relaxed in a way I had never seen before.For a moment, I simply lay there, staring at him, caught in the quiet intimacy of the moment. Axel never looked like this when he was awakeโunguarded, peaceful.But I had to move. I shifted my waist, testing out the free space around me, and the moment I did, Axel groaned.I froze, waiting a moment so I donโt wake him, then I shifted again, attempting to slide out from his grip. His arms onl
Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 128.
Cassie.I opened my eyes to the sound of running water filling my ears before I even registered what was happening. The soft splash against the tub was strangely soothing, pulling me from the heavy fog of unconsciousness. And for a second, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of where I was.My room.The faint scent of lavender clung to the sheets beneath me, grounding me in the familiar space. But something feltโฆ off. My body achedโmore than that, it burned. A dull throbbing coiled around my stomach, tightening the moment I tried to shift my weight. My breath hitched as the memories came rushing back, piecing together everything that had happened before I blacked out.Pain sliced through me, sharp and unrelenting. I gritted my teeth, pushing past it as I forced myself to sit up. My limbs were heavy, unwilling, but I couldnโt just stay here. I was alone. I needed to take care of myself.Slowly, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my bare feet meeting th
Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 127.
Cassie.I leaned back against the vanity, gripping the edge as Axelโs lips trailed along my neck, his breath hot against my skin. His hands roamed over me, his touch possessive, like he had every right to explore my body. One palm skimmed my waist, sliding upward until it settled over my chest, his fingers curling slightly as if testing my reaction.โI need to take this off,โ he murmured against my throat, his voice rough, filled with barely restrained hunger. The heat of his body pressed against mine, and I swore he was made of fireโburning, consuming, unstoppable.God.A shiver ran through me as he tugged roughly at my shirt, his impatience clear. My hands flew to his shoulders, steadying myself as he worked at the fabric like pulling at it alone would make it magically disappear.โWait, Axel,โ I gasped, my fingers trembling against his skin.โLike hell I will,โ he growled, his lips never leaving my skin, the deep sound of his voice sending a sharp pulse of heat straight to my core.
Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 126.
Cassie.The classroom was too small for the number of voices rising within it. Seven of us sat around a cluster of desks, a circle that didnโt quite feel complete, but no one seemed to mind. Conversations overlapped, ideas were thrown out and debated, but I was silent, watching the way they all worked together like they had done this before. Like they belonged.I didnโt.I had never spoken to them before yesterday, yet here I was, a part of the planning committee for Jaredโs candle walk. I wasnโt sure how it happened. Maybe it was because I had been there when they made the announcement, or maybe someone thought I looked like I cared enough to contribute. The truth was, I didnโt know what I was supposed to do.And so, I said nothing.For most of the meeting, I was there but not really there, nodding along when necessary, taking mental notes I knew I wouldnโt use. The date was still undecided, but they were discussing logistics nowโwho would handle what, how they would gather candles,
Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 125.
Axel.The meeting room was suffocating. Not from heat or lack of air, but from the sheer tension hanging in the air, thick and unmoving. The long mahogany table stretched across the center of the room, polished to perfection, reflecting the golden glow of the chandelier above. The walls, lined with deep burgundy wallpaper, felt like they were closing in, the heavy drapes blocking out any sign of daylight. A room meant for order, but right now, it held nothing but unspoken resentment and frustration.I leaned back in my chair, my hands gripping the armrests as I let my gaze sweep over the men in the roomโalphas from different regions, all with their own domains, their own responsibilities, and yet, none of them seemed willing to lift a damn finger.โI think itโs high time we address the elephant in the room,โ I said, my voice calm but firm, the kind that demanded attention.Across the table, Alpha Tristan scoffed, leaning forward with his arms crossed over his broad chest. His golden-b
Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 124.
Cassie.The ride to school was indeed long, longer than it had any right to be.Not because of the distance but because of the thick, suffocating tension that filled the car. No amount of air conditioning could cut through it, and even with the windows cracked open, the weight of unspoken words and unresolved emotions hung between us.Axel said nothing to me. And I said nothing to him.Violet, bless her, made several attempts at conversation. She brought up the weather, schoolwork, and even a random story about one of her neighbors that she clearly hoped would lighten the mood. But it was useless. Axel remained as unreadable as ever, with his signature scowl sitting on his face, and I was too deep in my own thoughts to play along. I wasnโt even sure what was happening between us anymore. I didnโt understand it.Eventually, Violet sighed and gave up, falling into silence as well.When the car finally came to a stop in front of the school gates, I reached for the door handle, ready to b
Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 123.
Cassie.The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was movement. The subtle shifting of weight, the faint rustling of fabric. My senses sharpened, and my body tensed. For a split second, my heart pounded against my ribs as my half-asleep mind leaped to the worst conclusionโintruders.I sat up in a rush, my gaze darting around the dimly lit room, searching for a shadow lurking in the corners. But all I found was Violet, standing by the mirror, stretching her arms before grabbing her towel.โGood morning to you too,โ she said, giving me a knowing look through the mirrorโs reflection.I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair as I forced my heart to settle. โGood morning,โ my voice was barely above a whisper, my hand pressed against my chest as I tried to slow my breathing.โIโm not going to lie, that scared me. The way you woke up, looking around like you expected to see somethingโor someoneโother than me,โ Violet said, her eyes wide as she chuckled, shaking her head as sh
