《Her Second Chance Mate》全部章節：第 21 章 - 第 30 章

I blamed Kira. It was her fault I was in that mess. I hadn’t wanted to know what would’ve been worth the risk if that peck on my lips hadn’t been. Yet, my wolf wouldn’t let it go. She wanted to push the mate bond to break me. Alex needed to understand that I wasn’t the right woman for him. He said all the right things, acknowledging my love for Nigel and that he couldn’t replace him. He wanted a chance to earn my trust and love, but it felt like asking for the moon to me. I wanted to explain why I was not suitable for him. I could never give him children, which might matter to him eventually. Nigel had been exceptional, standing by me through my fertility issues and always insisting that his life was complete with me. I wasn’t sure if Alex would feel the same. He needed to know all the facts. I didn’t get a chance to tell him before I was pulled tight against him, and his lips found mine. Yesterday’s kiss barely counted by anyone’s standards, but this kiss was a kiss. Alex hadn’t t

Kira had howled her displeasure the further we got from the ranch or, more importantly, from Alex. She was a wolf. Kira didn’t get it. She couldn’t seem to understand how I felt. The selfish bitch had only thought about herself and how she wanted a new mate. I know ‘pot calling the kettle black.’ I was also selfish because I had refused to think about what having a second chance mate could mean to anyone beyond myself. It would have offered Kira comfort and renewed strength, which had diminished when Nigel and Leo died. Then there’s Samuel and Tristan to think of. Both boys have been raised missing a parent, and if I were to accept Alex, we’d be giving the boys the parent they are missing. Even if Alex says he doesn’t want to replace Nigel, I’m terrified of him replacing Nigel with Samuel. Samuel only knows Nigel through stories. It broke my heart to think of a future where Samuel would forget Nigel was his father and refer to Alex as his dad, which brings me back to being a selfish

I had always worried about my son Samuel’s health and safety. He was my miracle baby, a bright light after the darkness of loss and grief in my past. With every breath, I feared losing him, haunted by memories of my previous pregnancies that ended too soon. Though Samuel had been healthy since birth, that didn’t ease my fear of something happening to him. Given my history, you can imagine the whirlwind of panic that erupted within me when David said Samuel had been hurt. My mind flickered to Alex, but I quickly pushed those thoughts aside; delving into that worry felt too much. Instead, I fixated on the dread of my child suffering, my heart racing with every thought. Rationally, I knew he would be okay. Mikali was there. Even if he hadn’t been a healer by gift, he was a doctor. If I had proved anything in the last twenty-four hours, it was that I was an emotional train wreck. Rational thought hadn’t gotten through. I tried reaching out to Samuel through our family link, but I wasn’t

Our conversation flowed so easily. It only hurt a little when I thought about Nigel. I could look back at how he got jealous when Finn wrapped me up in a big hug without a care in the world the day I brought Nigel to meet everyone with humor and nostalgia instead of heartache and longing. It was adorable when Nigel got all growly and demanded Finn stop manhandling his mate. He felt stupid for getting jealous, especially after I put Finn in his place. Then Alex had to go and focus the conversation on what I was avoiding… us. Even Kira found his question difficult to answer. Obviously, we knew he was weaker, but it was not his fault. He was human, while I was a werewolf. We’re naturally on different strength levels. He’s stronger than he was when I left. I didn’t need to spare to know that. I’m a combat instructor. I can tell by looking at someone and if they’ve improved. Being weaker than me doesn’t make him unattractive. But how to word that? ‘If you ask me…’ Kira began, her voice ca

I sat at my vanity, applying the final touches to my makeup, fully aware of Nigel leaning in the doorway, watching me. His gaze was warm, reverent even, and I could feel his love like a physical thing in the air between us. He’s always looked at me that way, like I’m the most beautiful woman alive, even though I’ve never seen myself that way. Growing up as a tomboy running wild through the Adirondack mountains with the Ironfur heirs didn’t leave much room for vanity. Nigel knew that. He tells me I’m beautiful every chance he gets and insists that I’m sexy, too. I always call him a liar, but I know the blush on my cheeks and the soft smile I can’t suppress each time gives me away. He’s stayed by my side through everything, even when I told him he didn’t have to. Eight years of trying and failing to bring a pup to term. I told him once I’d understand if he wanted to leave me, to find someone who could give him what I couldn’t. He refused. “I don’t care if we ever have a pup. You’re al