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034.
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2024-11-26 23:18:00
Bab terkait
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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-04
Bab terbaru
Second Chance At Love 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.“I’ve been here before. This is nothing,” 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.“You look like you’re a second away from losing your mind.”The 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.“Nice to know you find this amusing,” I muttered, rolling my eyes as I crossed my arms.“I don’t,” he chuckled, taking a few steps closer. “Kn
Second Chance At Love 130.
Cassie.The ride to school had been suffocating. Axel didn’t say a word to me, didn’t 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?“Do you know what would be crazy?” Violet’s 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. “What?” I asked, raising a brow.“If after everything, your lecturer friend turns out to be a bad person, it would literally break me.”The words hit like a brick, and I stopped walking altogether, my breath catching.“What?” My voice was sharp as she turned to face me fully. “Did something happen?”Violet hesitated, rubbing her neck before finally looking away. “Not entirely,” she admitted. “But a couple of students were whispering about him yesterday. They said they saw him going toward the tall trees behind the school… the big field.”I felt my stomach
Second Chance At Love 129.
Cassie.I woke up slowly, feeling warm—warmer 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 me—woodsy, 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 awake—unguarded, 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 don’t wake him, then I shifted again, attempting to slide out from his grip. His arms onl
Second Chance At Love 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 felt… off. My body ached—more 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 couldn’t 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 Love 127.
Cassie.I leaned back against the vanity, gripping the edge as Axel’s 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.“I need to take this off,” 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 fire—burning, 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.“Wait, Axel,” I gasped, my fingers trembling against his skin.“Like hell I will,” 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 Love 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 didn’t 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 didn’t.I had never spoken to them before yesterday, yet here I was, a part of the planning committee for Jared’s candle walk. I wasn’t 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 didn’t 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 wouldn’t use. The date was still undecided, but they were discussing logistics now—who would handle what, how they would gather candles,
Second Chance At Love 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 room—alphas from different regions, all with their own domains, their own responsibilities, and yet, none of them seemed willing to lift a damn finger.“I think it’s high time we address the elephant in the room,” 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 Love 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 wasn’t even sure what was happening between us anymore. I didn’t 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 Love 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 conclusion—intruders.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.“Good morning to you too,” she said, giving me a knowing look through the mirror’s reflection.I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair as I forced my heart to settle. “Good morning,” my voice was barely above a whisper, my hand pressed against my chest as I tried to slow my breathing.“I’m not going to lie, that scared me. The way you woke up, looking around like you expected to see something—or someone—other than me,” Violet said, her eyes wide as she chuckled, shaking her head as sh
