GIVING HIM A SECOND CHANCE

(Cole’s POV) School was my turf, and I owned it. It was Ella's eighteenth birthday, some big deal for the pack, and the halls were already buzzing with it, kids yelling, shoes squeaking, all that morning chaos. I strutted through, head high, boots hitting the floor loud enough to say I was in charge. Because I was. Sasha was glued to my side, her arm hooked in mine, blonde hair flipping as she laughed at something I said. We were the pack's top dogs, popular, tough, untouchable. At nineteen, I'm Cole, the alpha's son, the guy nobody dared cross. Sasha's my girl, fierce and hot, and together we ran this place like it was ours from day one.Up ahead, I clocked this scrawny kid from the pack, some fifteen-year-old twig lugging a pile of books that looked ready to crush him. His eyes bugged out when he saw me coming, like a rabbit staring down a truck. I smirked, slowed my roll just enough to lean in, voice loud so my crew could hear. "Hey, runt, drop that shit, and I'll shove it down y

(Cole’s POV) The clubhouse was a damn zoo, loud as hell, sweaty, and I was over it. I had been parked against the back wall all night, arms crossed, watching the pack lose their minds like this party was some big deal. Ella's eighteenth. Sasha dragged me here, said we couldn't ditch, but now she was off somewhere, probably giggling with her crew. I didn't give a shit. My head was humming, and it wasn't the beer in my hand. That weird tug from last night, staring at the moon like an idiot, was back, gnawing at me, and I couldn't shake it.I took a swig, cold beer sliding down, but it didn't do jack. My eyes kept sliding to the dance floor. Ella was out there, twirling with Mia and Jasper, blue dress catching the lights. She was grinning, curly hair bouncing all over, and it pissed me off, stuck in my craw. She's just some human Marcus pities, a nobody. So why the hell couldn't I stop looking? My chest got tight, and I hated it. I turned to bolt, ready to ditch this circus, when I rea

Sasha PovThe heavy oak doors of the council chamber creaked open, spilling light and murmurs into the dim corridor. Sasha lingered in the shadows, her spine pressed against the cold stone wall, her ears straining to hear every word spoken. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, at least, that’s what she told to convince herself but when she saw Cole storm in after his father’s summons and hovering protectively around Ella was her father Marcus, she knew instantly that something monumental was about to happen.Her breath came shallow as Victor’s voice thundered within: “Speak out, Cole. There is no need trying to evade the question. Who is she in relations to you?”Sasha’s skin prickled but the silence that followed. She pressed a hand against the wall for support, willing herself closer, feeling desperate to get answers. And then Cole’s voice rang out, it was as sharp as a broken glass.“She’s my mate.”With the force of a blow, those words slammed into Sasha’s chest. Her mouth instantly wen

ELLA POVThe pack-house had been transformed into a hive of frantic energy. Bolts of fabric lay draped over chairs, seamstresses darted from room to room with pins between their teeth, and the head cook barked orders at the apprentices in the kitchen below, through every corridor the scent of roasted meat and honeyed bread drifted all across.At the center of it all, stood Ella, she stood like a mannequin draped in lace. A seamstress circled all around her, while tugging at the hem of her gown, she clucked her tongue talking about adjustments. The was no denying the fact that the dress was beautiful, it was a white silk with threads of silver that shimmered in the light, the kind of garment she had only ever seen or heard in fairy tales.But Ella felt nothing of such.Every tug of fabric felt like another stitch in the cage which was closing around her. Every whispered compliment from the women at her side was another reminder that this wasn’t her choice. This was all about duty. This

Dawn came too soon.Ella woke to the sound of bells ringing through the pack-house courtyard, the bright chime meant to signal celebration. But to her, it felt like a funeral toll. The room smelled faintly of pressed flowers and silk—Mara’s doing, no doubt, for the Luna-to-be should wake to beauty on her wedding day.But Ella felt none of it.As she tried to push herself upright, her stomach churned. She stared at the gown which was draped over the wooden stand near her bed. Overnight, the seamstresses had finally returned it, it was pressed and perfect. The silver threading glimmered in the early light, and for a moment, she thought it almost mocked her.A knock sounded, it was brisk but not unkind. Before she could answer, Mara swept in. The Luna carried a tray filled with steaming tea and slices of honey bread, her face glowing with excitement.“It’s time to rise, dear,” Mara said, setting the tray by the bed. “Today is your D-day.”Ella managed a small smile, but as she reached fo