Chapter 14

OAKLEY

I ran off to the dining hall to find Melissa. I needed to get out of there. This was all to much. Derek trying to force himself on me, a second chance mate. I was so confused. I spotted Melissa.

“What’s wrong Oakley?” She asked as soon as she saw me.

“I was in the hall and Derek approached me. He claimed he made a mistake and he wanted me back. He tried to force himself on me. If it wasn’t for Alpha Mark he probably would have succeeded.“ I told her. I had blocked Haven out after running off from my second chance mate. She wanted me to go back to him and I just wasn’t sure I could handle it.

“Oh no! I’m sorry. what a jerk.” She replied, hugging me. I hugged her back while scanning the room. I could feel eyes on me and I knew it was him. I needed to get out of there.

“Why do I feel like there’s something else?” Melissa questioned, pulling back.

“Apparently I have a second chance mate.” I sighed.

“That’s great!” She exclaimed. “Who is it?”

I hesitated. I wasn’t sure if I should tell her Just yet. But I didn’t feel like she would say anything to anyone else.

“Alpha Mark.” I told her, whispering it despite knowing werewolves had excellent hearing. I could only hope that no one was listening to our conversation.

“That’s fantastic! Oh my goddess! That means you will be our Luna!” She was all excited. When she saw I wasn’t excited or smiling she got serious.

“What’s wrong Oakley? Alpha mark is a good man. He has waited years to find his mate. He has turned down every female who has made advances at him. He takes the mate bond very seriously. He won’t hurt you like your last one. I know if will be hard but you should give him a chance.” She said, trying to console me. I was confused. I didn't know what to think. Haven seemed to be happy about it. More so than she was with Derek. She had her doubts about him. It was kind of weird but now i understand why. Before I could say anything else my father approached.

”Oakley, can we please talk?” He asked. I knew he wanted to know what happened and why I left the way i did. I also knew he was going to try and convince me to come home. I did not like the idea of hurting him but I was not going back.

“Sure dad.” I said. I followed him out to the balcony where we could talk without the listening ears of others. He turned and pulled me into a hug. I felt so guilty.

“What happened Oakley. Why did you leave?” He asked. I didn’t know how to respond without telling him the truth and I also didn’t want to lie to him.

“Oakley, you need to tell him the truth.” Came my grams voice. We both looked to see her standing in the doorway. She approached us, greeting my dad. I could see my grandfather lingering in the doorway. I knew it was to keep people out so we could talk in private. I could see Amber glaring at me from across the way.

“Okay.” I nodded, turning back to them.

“Not just why you left dear. You need to tell him everything. If you do not then I will.” Grams looked at me sternly. I was dreading this more than anything. We all sat down at a round table that was out on the balcony. Then I started from the beginning. I told my dad all about the way they treated me when he wasn’t around, the things they said and did and then I told him all about Amber and Derek and why I left. After I pulled out my phone and showed him the messages from both Amber and Bailey. The ones with the proof of the cheating and the ones with them threatening me. I could see his expressions changing as I was talking. Angry, to sad and back to angry. He was silent at first when I was done talking.

“Say something dad.” I pleaded with him. He looked at me and I could see his eyes glisten with shed tears. He pulled me into a tight hug.

“I am so sorry Oakley. I am so sorry this has all happened. It never should have happened. I wish you had told me sooner but I understand why you didn’t.” He said. I patted his back and hugged him back.

“It’s okay dad. It’s not your fault. I just wanted you to be happy.” I told him.

“I should have known.” He said, pulling back.

“The only ones at fault are the ones who hurt Oakley. What’s done is done and we need to move on. “ grams said gently. Dad nodded. He looked like he was contemplating something but I knew him well enough to know he would tell us when he was ready, whatever it was.

“Oakleys wolf is very special and so is Oakley. Many generations of her type have been protected within this pack. She will receive the training she needs here as well.” Grams said.

“What? She can come home. I will make Bailey and Amber move out. I will let the alpha know what his beta did. I just want her home.” Dad said with conviction.

“She is wanted by many, including vampires. Can your pack protect her from that? According to her your alpha wouldn’t even let her shift!” Grams exclaimed.

“Theres something else.” I said. I needed to tell them. They would probably find out eventually, even if I had no idea what I was going to do yet. They both turned to look at me.

“I have a second chance mate.” I told them.

“Oakley, that’s great! The moon goddess knows what she is doing. Don’t be afraid dear.” My grams said. She knew my apprehension of what happened before and having another mate. My dad just looked surprised.

“Who is it?” He asked. I knew he wasn’t going to like the answer. It meant I would be staying in this pack and not returning with him. Of course I had already planned on staying here but he didn’t know that.

“Oh yes! Who is it?” My grams looked excited.

“Alpha mark.” I whispered, knowing they could hear me with their exceptional werewolf hearing. Looking at their faces I could tell how they were feeling. Dad was surprised, sad but also happy for me. Grams was excited and very happy.

“He will be a great mate dear! He will treat you like a queen.” She told me. I just sighed.

“I know you have been hurt before but he is not like your last mate. What does your wolf say?” Grams asked me.

“The same thing everyone else has been saying. That he won’t hurt me, he’s different and I should give him a chance.” I sighed. I was getting tired and overwhelmed. I didn’t want to think about any of this anymore. I just wanted to go back to grams and sleep. i didnt know what my dad was going to do from here with the information he now had and I felt awful for telling him everything because his happiness meant the world to me.

“I am tired. I think I am just going to go home and sleep.” I told them both. They both nodded in understanding, hugging me and walking me towards the door.