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2024-11-26 23:18:00Related chapters
Second Chance At Love 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.“Cassie?” Her voice carried the same sharp tone it always had, but her expression betrayed her surprise. “What are you doing here?”I froze, my hand tightening on the edge of the door. She looked the same—sleek, 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.“I—” I started, but the words stuck in my throat.I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I realized how disheveled I must’ve looked. My eyes were probably swollen from crying, my braids frizzy and falling loose from the bun I’d 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 must’ve looked like an absolute mess.I knew that coming back to Red Hollow would mean running into pe
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Second Chance At Love 036.
Cassie.I had to suck up my tears and stop crying. I didn’t have the luxury of remaining in my pain for too long because sitting on the floor, drowning in my own tears, wasn’t 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 I’d sat there crying. It was way worse than how I looked in the morning.The one thing that had made me determined to visit Cam’s grave had been the realization that it was now two weeks to Cam’s birthday.Just two weeks, and he would’ve 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 would’ve been introduced to his wolf, his tiny face would’ve lightened up with excitement as he discovered a new part of himself. He would’ve been riding his bike around the yard, laughing
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Second Chance At Love 037.
Axel.I stared at the piles of documents stacked on my desk, but I couldn’t 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.“Go to her,” Ice growled in the back of my mind, his voice carrying an edge of impatience, “We haven’t seen our mate the whole day. Let’s just go and check on her.”I folded my arms, staring at nothing in particular. “No,” I muttered under my breath, my jaw ti
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Second Chance At Love 038.
Cassie.“Cassie? It’s really you!”I froze, my heart sinking as Carly’s 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 she’d 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 I’d decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.“I see some things haven’t changed,” I muttered under my breath, forcing my lips into a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. The last thing I needed was a confrontation with them tonight, not after leaving Cam’s grave with my chest already cracked wide open.“When Bella told me she’d seen you, I told her she had to be joking. I mean, you’d have to be stupid to come back here.” Carly smirked, her words deliberately dripping with malice. “And yet here you are.”I laughed softly, feigning nonchalance at the subtle jab. She was bla
Last Updated : 2024-11-30Second Chance At Love 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 I’d been tied down by invisible weights, and the warm sunlight streaming through the window told me it was morning—or 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
Last Updated : 2024-12-03Second Chance At Love 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.“She’s lucky you brought her in when you did, Alpha,” the doctor began, his tone clipped but professional. “Her body’s been under a lot of strain. Malnutrition, dehydration, sleep deprivation—all of it is taking a toll on her wolf. If this continues, it could weaken her further. Her wolf’s connection to her is already fragile.”I barely heard the man’s words. My focus was split between Axel’s 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, Axel’s grip shifted—tightening, then loosening—like h
Last Updated : 2024-12-03Second Chance At Love 041.
Cassie.My gaze flickered toward the door as it creaked open, a nurse walked in with a nervous smile and Axel straightened almost immediately. “I have something to take care of,” he said, his tone curt and distant, “I’ll be back.”He didn’t wait for me to respond, he just strode toward the door, his broad shoulders rigid, and disappeared out of the door.The nurse bowed slightly, a sign of respect for her Alpha, before turning to me. “How are you feeling, Cassie?” she asked softly, approaching the side of my bed.“I’m fine,” I muttered, even though I knew it wasn’t true. My body felt heavy, my mind even heavier. The piercing headache from earlier still throbbed faintly behind my eyes, but it wasn’t just physical pain gnawing at me.The nurse started administering some medication, her hands quick and efficient. I barely paid attention to her, my thoughts reverting to the memory of what had just happened.Axel had almost kissed me. And I almost let it happen.I closed my eyes briefly,
Last Updated : 2024-12-04Second Chance At Love 042.
Cassie.When I stepped into my apartment, I had to do a double take. For a moment, I thought I’d entered the wrong unit because the space didn’t look anything like the one I left behind. Everything had been cleaned, organized, and restored to perfection. The faint smell of lavender hung in the air, a contrast to the faint musky scent I left behind. I didn’t need to guess who was responsible. Axel’s grip on my arm tightened slightly, his presence solid and unyielding beside me.He glanced down at me briefly. “Mirabel’s making dinner,” he said simply, his voice low and controlled, as if this was just another day in his orderly world.I nodded, unsure of what to say. The weight of the last few days still clung to me, leaving me feeling fragile and unsure.Axel guided me to my room, his touch both commanding and oddly gentle. My bed, which had been unmade when I left, was now perfectly arranged, the pillows fluffed and neatly placed. Even the clothes I had left scattered on the floor w
Last Updated : 2024-12-04
Latest chapter
Second Chance At Love 073.
Cassie.It wasn’t until I returned to the lecture room that I remembered Violet had told me she’d be waiting for me in the cafeteria. My stomach churned at the thought of how much time had passed since our earlier conversation. She was probably wondering what had kept me. I stuffed my books into my bag in a hurry and darted out of the room, weaving through the scattered students lingering in the hallways.By the time I reached the cafeteria doors, my breath came in short bursts, and I was beginning to feel the weight of the day pressing down on me. Just as I stepped inside, my eyes caught sight of Violet near the far corner. She wasn’t alone. She was chatting animatedly with a girl and a guy I didn’t recognize.“Violet!” I called out, waving a hand in her direction.She looked up at me, her face lighting up in recognition. She waved me over with a smile, her carefree energy a welcome contrast to my own frayed nerves.I approached cautiously, my steps slowing as I neared the group. Vio
Second Chance At Love 072.
Cassie.The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. My heart raced as I stood in Mr. Pierson’s office, trying to process Axel’s sudden arrival. His presence dominated the room, his piercing gaze darting between me and Mr. Pierson. I could feel the storm brewing behind his eyes, the kind that promised chaos if not contained.Axel’s voice broke through the silence, sharp and cold. “Am I interrupting something?”“No,” Mr. Pierson replied, his brow furrowing in confusion. “But I don’t even know who you are. And frankly, I’d like to know how you think you can barge into my office and throw accusations around.”Axel scoffed, a deep, guttural sound that sent a shiver down my spine. He took three deliberate steps toward Mr. Pierson, his body radiating menace. My instincts kicked in before he could say or do anything reckless. I moved quickly, stepping between them and placing my hand lightly on Axel’s chest.“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly desp
Second Chance At Love 071.
Axel.The morning air was light and cold. It was the kind of weather I usually found soothing, but today, it grated on my nerves. Every breath I took felt heavier than it should, as though the weight of the world pressed against my chest. My knuckles cracked audibly as I clenched and unclenched my fists, the movement both a habit and an outlet for the frustration boiling beneath my skin.I hadn’t slept. How could I? Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Cassie bruised, bandaged, and hiding her pain like it was a secret she couldn’t trust me with. That image had burned itself into my mind, each detail fueling an anger so fierce it kept me pacing my room through the rest of the night.By the time the sun began to rise, I knew I wouldn’t make it through the day without taking action. I summoned Warren and Jake through mind link as the first light pierced through the fog.“We need to figure out what happened to Cassie,” I said sharply, my tone leaving no room for argument.I tasked Warren wi
Second Chance At Love 070.
Axel.The moment Cassie returned home that day, something felt off. I couldn’t quite place it at first, but I knew something was wrong. She walked through the door, limping slightly, and I froze in place. I noticed her clothes were different from the ones she had worn earlier in the day. She was wearing something more casual, and her hair was down, completely covering her face.What bothered me the most, though, was the way she was avoiding me. She wasn’t meeting my gaze—she was just rushing to her room as if she couldn’t get away from me fast enough. My heart sank. I didn’t need to be a genius to figure out that something had happened. She was hiding something from me, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to know what it was.I stood there for a moment, just staring at the door she had disappeared behind. Then the worry set in. What happened to her?That night, I found myself replaying the day in my head over and over again. How did she go from being so excited to go to school in the mo
Second Chance At Love 069.
Cassie.The moment Mr. Pierson’s words left his lips, Violet and I exchanged confused looks, our eyes darting between each other and Mr. Pierson. My heart sank as his gaze settled firmly on me. A lump formed in my throat, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure if I’d heard him correctly.“Me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Mr. Pierson’s smile didn’t waver—it was polite, calm, but somehow intimidating. “Is there another Cassie standing here right now?” he replied, tilting his head slightly.I felt a few students slow their pace as they walked past us, curiosity etched on their faces. Though no one stopped, their glances lingered for far too long, making my skin prickle. I resisted the urge to shrink under the weight of their stares. My cheeks burned with embarrassment.I glanced at Violet, hoping for some reassurance. She shrugged and gave me a small smile. “I’ll wait for you at the cafeteria,” she said casually, though I could see a flicker of concern in her eyes. Her response
Second Chance At Love 068.
Cassie.When I woke up the next morning, something felt… off. It wasn’t like the typical tiredness from a restless night, though that was part of it. It was as if I’d forgotten something important that should have been impossible to overlook.Was it someone’s birthday? An anniversary? I wracked my brain, but nothing came to mind. Still, the unease lingered.Closing my eyes, I saw a hazy vision of Axel sitting on my bed, his hands reaching out to touch me. My heart quickened at the image, but I shook my head. No. That was impossible, I’d barely slept, and when I finally did, I was all alone in my room. It must’ve been a figment of my imagination, surely. The product of exhaustion, or maybe a bizarre dream. I pushed the thought away, forcing myself to focus on the day ahead.I dressed in the pair of jeans that nearly cost me my legs, that day at the mall and a plain black top to match. I rolled my hair into a bun, grabbed a banana on my way out of the kitchen, and headed out the doo
Second Chance At Love 067.
Cassie.Dinner was quieter than I had expected, though the sound of Mirabel cleaning the counters filled the space. She had prepared something simple—grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and sautéed vegetables—and as I sat there eating, I could feel her eyes flicker toward me every now and then, though she said nothing at first.As she continued wiping down the counters, her voice broke the silence. “It seems like no one ever sees you around anymore,” she said, her tone polite but formal, as it always. “You’ve been coming in late and leaving early, so much that when you’re here it feels like you really aren’t.”I glanced up, startled by the observation but masking my reaction quickly. It wasn’t like Mirabel to comment on my comings and goings.“I didn’t realize anyone cared,” I said lightly, trying to keep the conversation from veering into anything too personal.Mirabel shrugged, her expression neutral. “I only mention it because it’s noticeable. Makes things feel different around he
Second Chance At Love 066.
Cassie.By lunch, the rumors had spiraled into full-blown scandal material. More detailed information about the affair surfaced. It sounded absurd but that didn’t stop anyone from entertaining the idea. It was scandalous, and scandals were irresistible. Even though no one had mentioned any names yet, I couldn’t shake the gnawing unease settling in my chest. Every look in my direction felt like it lingered too long, every laugh like it was aimed at me.I sat alone at a corner table in the cafeteria, poking at the pasta on my tray, as snippets of conversation floated toward me.“Do you really think it’s true?” one girl whispered to her friend at the table next to mine.“It has to be,” the other replied, her voice brimming with excitement. “Why else would a lecturer pay that much attention to a freshman?”My stomach churned. I knew better than to listen, but their words clung to me, each one sinking deeper than the last. It was just talk, I told myself. Nothing more than mindless goss
Second Chance At Love 065.
Cassie.I woke up earlier than I had the day before, my body fueled by a restless energy that wouldn’t let me sleep in.The sun was just beginning to settle when I dressed hurriedly, slipping into a red long-sleeved shirt and jeans. My goal was simple: leave before Axel woke up. The idea of running into him again, with his sharp gaze that always seemed to pry secrets from me, made my chest tighten.I needed quiet, enough quiet to make decisions for myself without his intrusion.“No, what you need is to tell him about what happened to you, and have them catch those perpetrators. Those girls deserve hell!” Cy countered, but I couldn’t do that, so I shut her out because I knew it would only be a series of the same talk.By the time I arrived on campus, the morning air carried a strange buzz. Whispers floated around, pulling everyone’s attention toward some unseen source. Students clustered in groups, talking in hushed voices, but their expressions weren’t subtle. There was excitement,
