๋ก๊ทธ์ธ๊ณต์
032.
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๋ฐ์ดํธ:
2024-11-24 23:08:25
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Second 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 : 2024-11-26Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 034.
Cassie.โCassie,โ Axel called my name like a warning, his deep voice vibrating through the small kitchen space.I folded my arms across my chest, my eyes hard and unyielding. The intensity in his gaze didnโt scare meโit only fueled the storm that had been brewing inside me for years.โThe least you couldโve done was to treat me like I was a person,โ I said, my voice trembling with both anger and pain, โDo you even remember that you almost stripped me of my right to be Camโs mother?โAxelโs breathing was harsh, his chest rising and falling like a caged beast ready to lash out at my words, and I instantly knew he recalled that day.He had known more than anyone, how horrible Selena had been, but he never tried to defend me once, and now he expected me to let go of everything Iโd been through all because he was my mate?โDonโt bring him up in this, Cassie,โ he said, his voice quieter but sharp as a blade, โyou can make your point without bringing him up.โI let out a bitter laugh, shaki
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-26Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 035.
Cassie.For a moment, my brain refused to process what I was seeing. Standing there, holding a basket of what smelled like baked goods, was Bella. Of all people.โCassie?โ Her voice carried the same sharp tone it always had, but her expression betrayed her surprise. โWhat are you doing here?โI froze, my hand tightening on the edge of the door. She looked the sameโsleek, polished, and exuding the same fake sweetness that had fooled most of the pack. The only difference in her appearance was that she looked older.โIโโ I started, but the words stuck in my throat.I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I realized how disheveled I mustโve looked. My eyes were probably swollen from crying, my braids frizzy and falling loose from the bun Iโd tied them in last night. I quickly adjusted my hair, pulling the strands to either side of my shoulders as if that could somehow restore my dignity. I mustโve looked like an absolute mess.I knew that coming back to Red Hollow would mean running into pe
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-27Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 036.
Cassie.I had to suck up my tears and stop crying. I didnโt have the luxury of remaining in my pain for too long because sitting on the floor, drowning in my own tears, wasnโt going to change anything. Cam deserved more than my silence and despair.Sniffling, I wiped my swollen eyes and tear-streaked cheeks with the back of my palms, then I glanced in the mirror, flinching at my own reflection. It was a reminder of how long Iโd sat there crying. It was way worse than how I looked in the morning.The one thing that had made me determined to visit Camโs grave had been the realization that it was now two weeks to Camโs birthday.Just two weeks, and he wouldโve been four. My boy, a four years old.I inhaled shakily as I let myself imagine what Cam would be like as a four-year-old. There was no doubt he wouldโve been introduced to his wolf, his tiny face wouldโve lightened up with excitement as he discovered a new part of himself. He wouldโve been riding his bike around the yard, laughing
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-28Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 037.
Axel.I stared at the piles of documents stacked on my desk, but I couldnโt concentrate. My vision blurred as the same lines repeated themselves over and over, and yet nothing stuck. The tension in my chest had been growing since dawn, and the weight of my frustration was harder with every second that ticked by, every second I stayed in my study.I sighed heavily, running my fingers through my hair for what felt like the hundredth time today, and leaned back in my chair. My eyes shifted to the large window in my study, where I had a clear view of the dark estate, filled with fluorescent lights from different houses and shops. Pushing my chair back abruptly, I stood and walked over to the window, my mind in complete disarray.โGo to her,โ Ice growled in the back of my mind, his voice carrying an edge of impatience, โWe havenโt seen our mate the whole day. Letโs just go and check on her.โI folded my arms, staring at nothing in particular. โNo,โ I muttered under my breath, my jaw ti
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-29Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 038.
Cassie.โCassie? Itโs really you!โI froze, my heart sinking as Carlyโs mocking laugh filled what was left of the distance between us. She moved forward, leaning forward with a smile that told me she already thought sheโd won whatever this was supposed to be. Bella was right behind her, the gleam in her eyes just as menacing. I just knew that her narrowed glances at me earlier would lead to something like this, but Iโd decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.โI see some things havenโt changed,โ I muttered under my breath, forcing my lips into a smile that didnโt reach my eyes. The last thing I needed was a confrontation with them tonight, not after leaving Camโs grave with my chest already cracked wide open.โWhen Bella told me sheโd seen you, I told her she had to be joking. I mean, youโd have to be stupid to come back here.โ Carly smirked, her words deliberately dripping with malice. โAnd yet here you are.โI laughed softly, feigning nonchalance at the subtle jab. She was bla
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-30Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 039.
Cassie.The pounding headache was the first thing I noticed as my eyes fluttered open. A dull, throbbing ache that made it impossible to think clearly. My vision was blurry at first, but the sterile white walls and faint beeping around me slowly came into focus. I was in a hospital room. My body felt heavy, like Iโd been tied down by invisible weights, and the warm sunlight streaming through the window told me it was morningโor maybe early afternoon.I shifted slightly, wincing as a sharp sting shot through my arms. The faint pull of bandages wrapped around my skin was a reminder of the night before, but the details were hazy. Carly. Bella. Their venomous words, their fists, the crushing feeling of defeat as I let myself slip under. And yet, somehow, I was still here, breathing. The blankets covering me felt too soft, too foreign against my skin, and the silence in the room only made me more confused. How had I ended up in a hospital? My mind raced, trying to piece it together, b
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-12-03Second Chance At Loveย ย ย 040.
Cassie.I blinked at him, my mind scrambling to process the question. He had asked it so softly, so out of character for him, that it caught me completely off guard. I tried to answer, but the words tangled in my throat, coming out as nothing more than a stutter. Before I could form a coherent response, the doctor spoke, thankfully taking the burden off my shoulders.โSheโs lucky you brought her in when you did, Alpha,โ the doctor began, his tone clipped but professional. โHer bodyโs been under a lot of strain. Malnutrition, dehydration, sleep deprivationโall of it is taking a toll on her wolf. If this continues, it could weaken her further. Her wolfโs connection to her is already fragile.โI barely heard the manโs words. My focus was split between Axelโs hand holding mine and his gaze burning into me. His thumb traced absent, repetitive circles over the back of my hand, and every time the doctor mentioned something concerning, Axelโs grip shiftedโtightening, then looseningโlike h
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-12-03
์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
