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049.

Author: Natashah
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-10 23:59:08

Cassie.

After a little contemplation, Jake and I settled to head to a mall, because I figured if I wanted to make the best of the opportunity and the card Axel gave me, it'd be best to go there.

The mall hadn’t changed one bit. The last time I’d been there was to shop for Cam—every visit before that had been for him too. Never for me. The ache in my chest flared up at the memory, making it harder to breathe.

Beside me, Jake walked calmly, but I could feel his eyes flicking toward me now and then until he finally broke the silence.

“Are you okay?”

I forced a small smile. “I’m fine.”

He nodded, but his eyes lingered a little longer like he didn’t believe me, but thankfully he didn’t say anything more. We walked inside, greeted by the cool air conditioning and the scent of humans. The noise of people chatting and the way it all seemed normal, reminded me how long it had been since I’d done something as simple as shop for myself.

“What do you want to get first?” Jake asked.

“Clothes,” I
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  • Second Chance At Love   056.

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  • Second Chance At Love   055.

    Axel.“Alpha Axel, are you certain you won’t remain for the private meeting? Alpha Victor would like for you to stay,” Victor’s beta said, stepping into my path like he owned the damn runway.I stopped mid-stride, fixing him with a sharp glare. He was a wiry man with platinum-blond hair slicked back like he was trying too hard. His thin-rimmed glasses perched on the edge of his sharp nose, making him look more like a sniveling accountant than a beta.I’d never bothered to learn his name. Never needed to. He was insignificant, like most of the council’s lackeys. But something about his smug expression always rubbed me the wrong way.“I don’t care for a private meeting,” I said coldly. “We’re all part of the council. If everyone isn’t present, I’ll assume it’s nothing important. Tell your Alpha I said that.”His mouth twitched, but he didn’t push further, only nodding stiffly before turning away. Good. He knew better than to challenge me.I headed toward my private jet, eager to leave t

  • Second Chance At Love   054.

    Cassie.My heart pounded in my chest, my breath coming out in ragged gasps as I stared up at the figure standing before me. The moment I saw him, I froze, every muscle locking into place. It couldn’t be—yet there he was, dressed in all black, just like the last time I’d seen him. The Alpha who tried to end my life.Damon.My pulse quickened, and before I could think, a shrill shriek escaped my lips as I jumped to my feet, instinctively backing away. He hadn’t changed, that much was clear. The same cold eyes, the same terrifying presence.“What are you doing here? How did you find me?” I demanded, my voice trembling with fear that I couldn’t hide.Damon studied me for a long moment, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. Then, to my horror, he let out a low, menacing laugh.“You’re not a rogue anymore, are you?” he asked, his voice laced with mock curiosity.I licked my lips, my mind spinning. Was this some sort of game for him? I couldn’t help but wonder how much he knew about me now.

  • Second Chance At Love   053.

    Cassie. The days that followed felt like a blurry haze, stretching endlessly into a week. I kept myself locked away in my apartment, avoiding the outside world like it carried a death sentence. After what happened at Jake’s pub, I couldn’t face anyone—not the curious eyes, not the whispered accusations that still echoed in my mind like a haunting melody. It felt safer within these walls, though being alone didn’t offer much comfort either I even asked Mirabel to cut back on her visits. She still came by in the mornings to drop off food and check in as was requested by Axel I assumed, but I couldn’t stand the idea of someone seeing how fragile I felt. The day I told her was hard. She stood by the kitchen counter, wiping her hands on her apron after setting down a container of stew. I’d just returned my half-filled plate to the kitchen because I didn’t have the appetite to eat much. “You need to eat more, Cassie,” she said softly, her eyes clouded with concern, darting from the p

  • Second Chance At Love   052.

    Cassie.My thumb hovered over the dial button on my phone, my heart pounding harder with every second I hesitated. The unknown number stared back at me, daring me to press the button. Anxiety prickled beneath my skin.I was finally in the comfort of my room, with the multiple shopping bags sprawled on the ground before me.“Just call back,” Cy urged from within me, her tone impatient, “It could be something important. You haven’t done anything illegal, have you?”“I haven’t, but…” I chewed on my thumbnail, my mind spinning with endless possibilities.“Stop overthinking. Just call.”Before I could talk myself out of it, I pressed the button. The phone rang once… twice… and kept ringing. No answer. A shaky breath escaped my lips as relief and disappointment tangled inside me.I hung up and blocked the number, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling lingering in my chest. If it mattered, they’d call back… wouldn’t they?With a heavy sigh, I tossed my phone on the bed and headed to the

  • Second Chance At Love   051.

    Cassie.I gasped as I took Jake’s phone from his hand, pressing it to my ear. “Hello?”“Where the fuck is your phone?” Axel’s voice thundered through the line immediately, making me wince. His tone was sharp, cutting like broken glass. I instinctively glanced around, patting my pockets and rummaging through my romper. My eyes widened as I realized I had no idea where my phone was.“I… I don’t know,” I stammered.“That explains why some dude picked up,” Axel muttered, though it sounded like he was talking more to himself than to me. His anger simmered just beneath the surface, palpable even through the phone.Before I could respond, he launched into a heated rant about my carelessness. “It hasn’t even been a day, Cassie. One day! And you’re already losing your things. Can’t you be responsible for once?”I rolled my eyes, pressing my fingers against my temple as if that could ease the pounding there. “I’ll get it back. Stop acting like I’m a child.”“Then stop acting like one, and I w

  • Second Chance At Love   050.

    Cassie. “Do you know that girl?” I asked Jake as we stepped out of the mall, my gaze lingering on his unreadable expression. His response came a little too quickly, almost robotic. “No.” He followed it up with a shake of his head, but the slight hesitation in his voice was impossible to miss like he remembered to deny it only after processing my question. My eyes narrowed, my mind replaying the strange encounter. The way that girl had kept stealing glances at Jake, her bright brown eyes practically glowing with recognition… and something more. Jake was lying. I could feel it in my bones. I didn’t press him, though. The tension rolling off him was palpable, his shoulders tight as he led us toward the car. It was his business and he most likely had his reasons. When we reached the car, he opened the door for me before sliding into the driver’s seat. He adjusted the rearview mirror, still not meeting my gaze. “Did you need to grab anything else before we head back?” Hi

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