An Unwanted Second Chance (JB Tirado) novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Kent and Riley were enjoying breakfast in the dining hall when Penny approached.

“The alphas of New Dawn and Opal Lake arrived this morning,” she said to Kent. “I set them up with breakfast

in your office. They wanted to see you first thing. I told them you were already at breakfast, and they said they’d wait.”

Kent nodded. “I’ll head up when we’re done.”

“Why are they here?” Riley asked, sipping her coffee.

“They lost warriors in the battle,” Kent explained. “Opal Lake lost two, New Dawn lost three. They’ve come to

escort the bodies home.”

“How many did we lose in total?”

Kent frowned. “Too many.”

Penny answered gently, “During the last two battles, we lost six warriors from allied packs, seven council

warriors, and five of our own. There were far more injuries. The hospital was overrun. Even Lana left the baby

with Patrick’s mother to help. Luckily, everyone seems to be healing well. New Sky has already collected their

fallen, and the council commander will handle the rest.”

Riley nodded, noticing how Kent stared at the table, his mouth a hard line.

“Speaking of the commander,” Penny continued, “he requested a meeting, but I told him the visiting alphas

had priority. He plans to meet with everyone afterwards.”

Kent sighed. “I shouldn’t keep them waiting.” He stood, but Riley reached out and touched his arm.

“Can I come?”

He smiled at her. “Please do.” He offered his hand, and together they headed to the elevator.

They were still holding hands when they entered the office. Alpha Dawson from Opal Lake sat on the couch,

sipping coffee. He was mid–thirties, with reddish–blond hair and sharp brown eyes. Alpha Jake lounged in an

armchair, his sandy brown hair falling over his forehead.

Both alphas rose as they entered.

“Good morning, Alphas,” Kent said, releasing Riley’s hand to shake theirs. “Please meet my mate and Luna,

Riley.”

Alpha Dawson smiled warmly as he shook her hand. “I’m glad to see Alpha Kent has found a new mate. I

know it was hard when Luna Lily passed.”

Kent smiled at Riley. “The moon goddess blessed me with a second chance.”

Alpha Dawson’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “A second chance? Truly a blessing. It’s a pleasure to meet you,

Luna.”

Riley returned his smile, feeling the genuine warmth he projected. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, too. I look forward to learning more about Red Moon’s allies.”

“I dare say the best warrior advisor the werewolf council has already knows quite a bit about us,” Jake said,

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leaning forward with a firmer handshake than Riley expected, his green eyes dark.

“A warrior advisor?” Dawson asked. “Is that how you two met?”

Kent nodded as he moved behind his desk. “Riley was sent to assist with the rogue issue. She’s an exceptional warrior and highly knowledgeable.”

“She is,” Jake added. “She came to New Dawn last year to help settle a border dispute.”

“Well,” Dawson said, “it sounds like you have found an exceptional mate, Alpha Kent. And it’s good to know our allies have such a talented member. Perhaps next time we’ll ask for your help before involving the

council.”

Riley smiled as she sat near Kent’s desk. “As long as things are calm here, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

“I agree,” Kent said. “Her skills shouldn’t go to waste.” He took a breath. “Now, let’s address the real reason for your visit. I want to personally thank you for your sacrifices. Red Moon owes a debt.”

He expressed condolences for the fallen, and they discussed the battle, skimming over the more sensitive

details involving Evan.

After a while, Alpha Jake rose. “I should get to my warriors. It’s a long drive home, and one of them is about

to become a father.”

They all rose. Handshakes were exchanged, and as Jake turned to Riley, he said, “Luna, would you mind showing me to the barracks?”

Out of the corner of her eye, Riley saw Kent stiffen.

She smiled at Jake without glancing at Kent. “Of course. Follow me.”

They waited in silence for the elevator. When the doors closed, Jake spoke.

“So… you’re mated now?”

“I am,” Riley said evenly. “Kent is my second chance mate.”

Jake raised his brows, looking genuinely surprised. “Didn’t realize you’d had a mate before. Guess you’re

blessed, too.”

They exited the elevator and headed for the back doors.

Jake kept his voice low. “I have a question.”

“What’s that?”

“You met Alpha Kent before his trip to my pack, right?”

“Yes.”

“So you knew you were mates?”

“Yes.”

He stopped, facing her. “Then why didn’t either of you say anything when he visited? I said some things…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Things I wouldn’t have said if I’d known.”

She smiled at his discomfort. “I know what you said. Kent told me. So did Leo, the council’s head warrior. We’re good friends.”

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Jake’s face reddened. “Still… I owe you both an apology. I acted like an ass. But why didn’t you fell me? Was it

a secret or something?”

Riley crossed her arms. “Jake, you probably shouldn’t run your mouth about people you barely know. Mate of

not.”

He had the decency to look sheepish.

She sighed. “It was a secret. I didn’t want to accept Kent at first. It’s a long story, but we agreed not to tell anyone until I decided.”

Jake studied her for a long moment. “For what it’s worth, I think you made the right choice.”

“I thought you said Kent was an ass.”

Jake shrugged. “He is. But when the moon goddess sends you a mate, especially a second chance, you don’t walk away. Even if he is an asshole.”

Riley laughed. “I think you can find your way from here, Jake.”

**

Once Alpha Dawson had left, Kent sent for the others to meet him in his office with Commander Whey.

“We can’t begin to thank the council enough for all the help you’ve sent, especially these past few days,” Kent

said once everyone was seated.

The commander nodded. “We’re always willing to help a pack in need.” He exhaled quietly. “But we don’t need to exchange pleasantries. I’d rather get straight to the point.”

His gaze swept the ranked members of the pack. “The council, and your allies, lend help under the assumption that the pack in need is fully transparent. When you aren’t forthcoming,” his voice sharpened slightly, “people get hurt. That’s exactly what happened to that child… and to all the warriors who lost their lives trying to save him.”

“We’re aware of our mistakes,” Kent said, struggling to keep his voice even. “At the time, we thought we were

doing what was best.”

Whey, shook his head. “No. You were protecting yourselves. Protecting your beta. You thought about your

own consequences, not the cost to others.”

“We know,” Max cut in, his voice rough. “We didn’t disclose having Evan four years ago because we didn’t want Kent to face punishment for the camp incident. But this time? Kent and Patrick wanted to tell the

council. It was me. I begged them not to.”

“It was a decision we made together,” Patrick said quietly, meeting Max’s eyes across the room.

“What’s done is done.” Kent forced the words out, his heart pounding. “I accept full responsibility. At this

point, let’s move on. Let’s talk about what happens now with Evan, and with the pack.”

Whey studied them a moment, then nodded. “First, we’ll need to confirm the boy’s origin. Since we have the remains of the rogue leader, we can compare their DNA. We’ll see if she was truly his mother.”

Riley shifted forward in her seat. “Actually… about that.”

Everyone turned to her.

She explained what Cheree had said in the rogue camp. Everything she’d learned about Evan’s origins.

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When she finished, the room was silent.

“So… he really is the missing alpha pup from Green River?” Wesley asked, voice low.

Penny pressed her hand to her mouth, tears swimming in her eyes. “What does that mean for him?”

“We’ll need DNA to be sure,” Whey replied. “I’ll reach out to the current alpha of Green River. If Evan isn’t related, there should be no issue with the beta family adopting him. But if he is their missing child… what happens next will be up to their alpha.”

“What’s he like?” Leo asked. “The current alpha.”

“He’s reasonable,” Whey said. “But even reasonable men can lose themselves when it comes to family.”

Penny gave a soft, broken sound, and Max wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“First step is the DNA,” Riley said gently, watching them. “We’ll go from there.”

“I’ll reach out to Green River right away,” Whey said. “If he’s told the child might be alive, he’ll come quickly.”

Kent nodded. “He’s welcome here.”

Once everyone left, Kent leaned forward, dropping his head into his hands.

Riley came to his side and rubbed his back in slow circles.

“You can’t keep beating yourself up for this,” she whispered.

“I can,” he said hoarsely. “I should. I killed those rogues that day. I put Max and Penny in this position.”

“You didn’t kill Evan’s parents,” she said softly. “She did. You saved Evan. You saved him from a monster who hurt him. And you gave him to people who love him like their own.”

“I still should’ve come clean,” Kent said, voice cracking.

“That was four years ago,” Riley said gently. “You can’t change the past. All you can do now is keep moving forward.”

He leaned back, looking up at her with tired, aching eyes. “I love you.”

She smiled. “I love you too.”