An Unwanted Second Chance (JB Tirado) novel Chapter 75

Riley packed up her belongings while she waited on the commander to call her back. She didn’t have a lot,

the majority of her things were still at her apartment near the council compound. She would have to make a

trip there after everything at Red Moon was resolved.

Kent had shown her the space in his closet – now their closet to hang up her clothes and what drawers were empty before he had gone back to his office. It didn’t take longer than an hour to get everything moved and situated. She was folding the last of her clothes when the cell phone buzzed,

“Riley,” Whey greeted her when she answered. “I was hoping to hear from you soon. What’s the update?”

Riley ran through what had happened when Max went to see the rogue woman and his wish to keep Evan away from her.

“That’s unfortunate,” Whey sighed. “I guess it was too much to hope that this case could be easily resolved. I do understand why the beta and his mate don’t want the child to go with this woman, and I agree with them. She hasn’t shown herself to be exactly stable.”

“Exactly,” Riley replied. “I don’t think it’s wise to pursue reunifying Evan with her, even if she is his mother.”

There was a long beat of silence. “I think the safest option is for this boy to come to the council compound until we figure out where he belongs.”

Riley cringed. “His parents won’t want to part with him.”

“They’re not really his parents though, are they?” Whey sighed again. “I’m sure they care for the boy, but he

isn’t safe in their pack right now. Not with this mad woman trying to get to him. We need to move him to

safety while we figure things out.”

Riley knew he was right, but she didn’t want to be the one to tell Max and Penny that their son – or whatever –

was being taken away sooner than expected.

“I’ll need you to bring the boy here,” Whey continued.

“Me?”

“Yes, you. You are still the lead advisor on the case. Is that an issue?”

Riley chewed her lip for a moment, looking around the empty bedroom.

“I accepted the alpha,” she admitted.

There was a long pause. “That’s wonderful, Riley.” Whey sounded genuinely happy for her. “So I assume that’s why you don’t want to come here. You don’t want to leave him?”

She sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Well, yeah. We only just marked each other.”

Another long pause. “I understand, Riley. I really do, and if I could think of a different plan, I would. But I need you to be the one to explain things to the Elders. You are still technically an advisor with the council, but you can make your resignation final while you are here.”

Riley pinched the bridge of her nose. “How soon do we have to be there?”

“The sooner the better,” Whey replied. “I can give you three days‘ time. Is that doable?”

1/3

‘hapter

“Yes, sir. I’ll make it work.”

Kent leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling of his office. He had been going over the winter prep lists, making note of what still needed done. The papers were still on the coffee table in front of him, but he found himself wondering what winter would be like this year. It would be his first with Riley.

The door opened and he turned his head to see Riley stepping in. He felt a warmth bloom through his chest as he smiled at her. She was finally his and there were no words to describe the joy he felt knowing that.

She stood at the door, giving him a hesitant smile and he knew instantly that something was wrong. He sat up, leaning forward to rest his forearms on his thighs.

“How was your phone call?” he asked, already knowing he wasn’t going to like the answer.

Riley sighed, walking across the room to sit next to him on the couch. She rubbed her hands on her knees for a moment before telling him about what the commander wanted. As she spoke, he felt the blood draining out of his face.

“Did you tell him about us?” he demanded, turning to face her fully.

She nodded.

“And he still wants you to leave? Knowing that we just fully mated?” Pax was howling in his head, causing pain to erupt behind Kent’s eyes.

“I explained it,” she said with a sigh. “He said I had to be the one to talk to the elders. He said I could fully

resign while I’m back there.”

He saw the slight tremble in her bottom lip and pulled her tightly against his side. He couldn’t let her just go.

Not now that she was finally his.

“What about your illness?” Kent asked, an idea forming. “Did you tell him about that?”

She sighed, pushing away from him slightly. “Kent, the illness is gone.”

He blinked at her.

She shook her head. “I’ve been away from you for well over an hour and I haven’t felt remotely sick.

Remember what Alma said? Completing the bond would end the illness. She was right.”

Kent cursed under his breath, looking away across the room. He clenched his jaw, trying not to think about

what her leaving might mean.

“I’ll come back,” she said, as though she could read his mind. “I’ll come back as soon as they let me. I swear

I’ll come back.”

He turned back towards her. “I know you will,” he whispered. “I just don’t want you to go to begin with.”

She leaned forward and kissed him softly.

“I’m worried about Max and Penny,” she said as she sat back.

Kent nodded, looking at his hands. “Me too. They won’t want him to go, even though I agree with the

commander. It would be safer to take him away right now.” He looked back at Riley. “At least that’s the silver lining. You’ll be with Evan. They’ll trust you with him. You are their luna now.”

2/3

Chapter 75

+8 Points >

Riley nodded. “I guess there’s that, but I doubt it will make things easier for them. We’ll need to tell them.”

He scrubbed his hands over his face. “Yes, I suppose we do.”

Comments