All Chapters of The Professor's Second Chance Mate: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Chapter 1Life is hard when you don’t quite know where you fit. Something had been off about me for a long time, though I couldn’t quite figure out what it was. Or maybe there was nothing off with me, maybe it was just the world I lived in that didn’t fit me.Lately, my determination to forge my own path, free of the opinions that restricted me, had me planning. I had been thinking about the future for years now, but more so recently. My birthday rapidly approached. Each birthday I reassessed my life. Each year I chose to suck it up for another year. This year was different. This year I will be 18. I will officially be an adult. That was my personal deadline.Mentally checking the list, I reviewed my packed items for what was probably the hundredth time. Phone, charger, favorite books, favorite clothes, essential toiletries, a few photos…. Then my mind floated to the past and lingered there just a bit too long. Everything started well for me, but somewhere along the way something chan

*** Lara ***I hadn’t told my dad exactly when I was leaving. I didn’t want to cause anymore pack or family drama than was necessary. I was glad we’d said our goodbye’s in the garden that day.Instead, after a quiet, almost normal family dinner the day our guests left, I headed to the garden one more time. Dad was right. This was probably what I’d miss the most about my pack, besides him. I had a gift for growing things. Over the years, in my free time, I’d created a gorgeous garden oasis. Almost like a maze of little garden rooms. Complete with a bountiful edible garden and cutting flowers. One day I would buy myself a little cottage in the country and start my garden over. It’s sad that I’d miss my plants more than I’d miss the people here. People are unreliable. Plants never judge. The thought briefly crossed my mind that I should have given my brother a letter too. I’d always hoped that one day he’d see sense. After all, he was just a kid too when everything went sideways with us

His touch felt truly magical. I’d heard that before of course, but I’d thought the descriptions were exaggerated. His soft, warm touch was both electric and addictive. This feeling was something on a level akin to heaven. Something I never thought I’d personally experience. Without realizing it, I hummed happily and leaned my head back against his hard, broad chest. It felt perfect. A sense of safety flooded my being, it felt like home. He felt like home. Goddess, it felt unbelievable. No wonder people lose their minds when the mate bond kicks in. How was I ever going to fight this feeling? How would I know which of my feelings were due to the mate bond and which weren’t? Maybe I should give this mate thing a chance? Goddess, I hadn’t even seen him or met him yet and I was putty.I rolled in his arms, unable to escape his hold, not that I tried too hard. I was hooked. In a split second his eyes closed, and he smashed his lips into mine.What the fuck! Maya, growled in my head. She had

***Lara***As I stepped out into the cooler night air, I took a deep calming breath. I’d stashed my Jeep in the alley. The upside to having a tiny 4x4 is that I could pretty much park it anywhere. The internet steered me to this sneaky secret park. But before I reached my car, a big warm hand snagged my upper arm from behind. I spun, ready to fight.“Whoa. I mean no harm. I just wanted to talk to you.” I found myself face to face with the Beta guy. He’d instantly let go of my arm and raised his hands in surrender as he took a step back. I appreciated the gesture. My anxiety level was already at its peak before he grabbed at me, but now I could feel it ebbing a tad. He’s cute. We should do him and teach that Alpha pup a lesson, Maya practically purred in my head. We should do him? I didn’t get it, that wasn’t a phrase I was familiar with. Until Maya projected a few choice pornographic suggestions into my head to expand my vernacular. Right, thanks for that. I quickly caught on to ex

Suddenly, I didn’t think I could handle a second rejection. I knew that Maya hoped I wouldn’t rashly reject this one. Second chance mates were rare, but third chance mates were impossible. I could take a chosen mate, but people say it’s not the same as that fated mate connection blessed by the moon goddess. Maya spent the last hour and a half begging me to give him a chance. So, for now, I’d agreed not to reject him immediately, yet that didn’t settle my nerves that he would want to get rid of me.He’s probably planning how best to murder me and get away with it right now. Just talk to him. You’re spiraling, Maya huffed. Instead, I chose to do the super mature thing: I ran away. As I strode to the door, a hand struck out and grabbed my arm. Dropping my bag in surprise, I turned to glare at the jerk who grabbed me, ready to give him a piece of my mind. It wasn’t him. My mate. This was some other guy. I took note of his hoodie with the school logo, an athlete of some kind probably. H