An Unwanted Second Chance (JB Tirado) novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Riley wasted no time in ignoring Kent’s order as soon as he left. Patrick didn’t even attempt to discourage her, telling her he was glad for the company. They reached the ravine quickly, heading straight there after they shifted. Once they were both shifted back to human and dressed, they walked down into the dry river bed, examining the sides and structure as Patrick explained his idea.

“I want to draw the rogues into a trap,” he said, running his fingers along the edge of the ravine. “If we can lure them here, there’s a spot not too far ahead where the ravine narrows before curving and opening up again. We could stack debris at the narrowing and cause some sort of explosion, capturing a large part of their force in a narrow, inescapable area. We hide a bulk of our warriors outside the ravine. They jump in right

after the explosion.”

Riley nodded. “It would be a slaughter.”

Patrick stopped, pointing to an area ahead of them. “That’s the narrowing right there. See how the right side is taller than the left. We rig the explosion on that side, forcing the right side to case in.”

She looked around. “It really could work,” she admitted. “I see what you’re saying. But how do we lure the

rogues here?”

“With something they want.”

Riley looked sharply at Patrick. “What they want is a child? You’re not suggesting we use him, are you?”

Patrick rolled his eyes. “Of course not. We’ve risked our whole pack to protect that child, I’m not throwing him

into danger now. We just need to make the rogues think he’s with us. Clothes with his scent or something like

that.”

She nodded. “Ok. That makes sense.” She looked at the space again for a moment. “You need to time the

explosion right though. Too soon and the rogues can still escape on this side. Too late and they can escape

on the other side with minimal injuries.”

Patrick considered this for a moment. “You have a good mind for battle. You’d be a good luna here.”

She frowned, kicking a rock on the ground.

“You don’t like that idea?” She looked up to see Patick watching her. “Being a luna?”

“I have nothing against being a luna,” she said. “Luna’s are vital to the running of a pack. It’s a really

important role. It’s just…” She shrugged, sighing. “I really like my job. I’m having a hard time with the idea of

giving it up.”

“Well, I’d be proud to have you as my luna. And you’re good for Kent. I know you’re hesitant after whatever happened with your last mate, but he’s a good guy.”

“I know that,” she muttered, her head starting to hurt. “Kent isn’t Paul.”

“Paul?” Patrick raised an eyebrow. “Was that his name?”

She nodded, her chest aching. “Yes.”

“Do you ever go back to your old pack?” Patrick wasn’t looking at her as he took a few steps forward. “Do you

ever have to see him?”

Chapter 68

She rubbed her temples. “Um… no. I can’t go back to my old pack. I was banished.”

Patrick whipped around. “Banished? Why?”

Riley felt a sharp tearing sensation in her chest and nearly doubled over. It suddenly felt impossible to breathe, her lungs burning. The world seemed to tilt sideways and she was suddenly pulled tightly against

Patrick’s chest.

“Damn,” he muttered against the top of her head, “Kent was right. I shouldn’t have let you come out here.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, leaning against Patrick as she tried to take a deep breath.

“I need Kent.”

“Can you shift?”

She shook her head against his chest.

“Ok.” He shifted her so he could see her face. “I’ll shift and carry you. There’s a house not too far from here

that we can go to. I’ll mindlink Kent to meet us there.”

After Patrick shifted, Riley carefully climbed onto his wolf’s back and wrapped her arms around his neck. He ran as fast as he could without her sliding off, breaking through the tree line fairly quickly. He ran towards a house that Riley had seen a couple times. It was a small brown cottage with white shutters set not too far

from the trees. The wolf howled as he approached and by the time they got there, an older woman was

standing at the door.

“Oh, dear,” she said. “Gamma, what have you brought me?”

Riley slid off his back, recognizing the woman as one of the Elders, Alma.

Alma nodded at the wolf before he turned to run off, clearly having had a conversation via mindlink. She

helped Riley to her feet and guided her into her cottage. It was small, but neat. The front room had one side

that was a living room and the other was a kitchen/dining area. She led Riley over to her couch and helped

her sit. She went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water.

“Thanks,” Riley said, accepting the water as Alma sat down next to her.

“What happened, Riley?” Alma said.

“I’ve been sick,” Riley murmured, sipping the water. “I’m not feeling well.”

“Is this the same illness that put you in the hospital a week or so ago?”

Riley nodded.

“Perhaps I can help,” Alma offered. “I was a doctor at the hospital for a long time. What’s causing this illness?

”

“It’s a long story.” Riley frowned into the cup of water.

Suddenly the door burst open and Kent rushed in, wearing only a pair of jeans and no shirt. He also no longer had bandages or a sling, but she could see the lines on his skin from where the stitches had been. He rushed to her side, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, waiting for the pain to subside.

“Thank you, Alma,” Kent said over Riley’s head, “for taking care of her.”

Chapter 68

Pounts

“So it’s true then?” Alma asked. “I’ve been hearing a rumor about you and this new advisor. Is she your second chance mate?”

“Yes,” he said softly.

“How wonderful,” Alma said, clapping her hands. “Our alpha is blessed by the Moon Goddess. Did you know that Gamma?” Riley looked up to see Patrick standing just inside the door, also shirtless.

“I did,” he replied. “So is his mate.”

Alma turned back to Riley. “The alpha is your second chance as well?”

“Yes.” She nodded, turning her face back into Kent’s shoulder as he rubbed her back.

“Doubly blessed,” Alma said with a sigh. “The Moon Goddess is smiling on you both.” She smiled pleasantly for a moment before shaking her head. “I have been wondering though, why haven’t you announced this to the Elders? And I can see that Alpha is clearly unmarked, which is very unusual for the amount of time you

two have known each other.”

“It’s complicated,” Kent said as Riley lifted her head from his shoulder.

“It’s only complicated if you’re complicating it,” Alma replied, waving a hand at them.

Kent sighed. “Maybe it’s a story for another time, Alma. Right now I just want to make sure Riley is ok.” He

looked at her sternly. “I do recall telling you not to go with Patrick for this very reason. I knew you would get

sick. Luckily I was already coming this way to find you when Patrick mindlinked me.”

“Pardon my interruption,” Alma said, “but why is the new luna sick?”

Kent frowned at the woman. “Patrick’s mate thinks it has something to do with the mate bond. She only gets

sick when she isn’t around me.”

Alma nodded. “Souls are sensitive, you know. Damage to a soul can result in physical symptoms if severe

enough. Loss of a mate, by death or rejection, is one of the worst injuries a soul can endure. That’s why so

many die from losing a mate. I’m sure the two of you know that better than anyone.”

She tapped her chin for a moment. “What doesn’t make sense though is that you both have been given a second chance. A second chance is the only way to heal the damage that has been done to your soul. Having

a second chance should actually make Riley better, not sicker.”

Kent considered Riley for a moment, his brow furrowing. “So why is she sick?”

“I guess,” Alma replied, “it would have something to do with why you are both unmarked weeks after meeting.

“Could we not do this now?” Riley muttered, turning her head back into Kent’s shoulder in order to avoid

looking at anyone.

Kent rubbed her back. “You’re the one who doesn’t want to be glued to my side for the rest of your life. Maybe Alma knows. She was a doctor and is probably one of the smartest people I know.”

Riley glanced up at him, nodding.

“Riley hasn’t wanted to accept me,” Kent explained. “There have been… issues. Riley’s last mate wasn’t exactly

… ideal.”

“Can you tell me more about the mate?” Alma asked.

3 Chapter 68

“I can’t,” Kent muttered. “I don’t know a lot. Only that he was abusive.”

“Is that why you got so sick so quickly?” Patrick asked from the door, drawing everyone’s gaze. “We were talking about him. I had asked about you going back to your pack. You said you couldn’t, you were banished and then you could barely stand up.”

“Why were you banished?” Alma’s face creased in confusion.

“I don’t want to talk about this.” Riley felt the tears in her eyes and turned again into Kent’s shoulder.

“Riley, please,” Kent murmured against her head. “We need answers. Please just tell me what happened. All of

it.”

Just tell them, Rose pleaded. It won’t change anything. Kent’s not going anywhere. Please.

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