An Unwanted Second Chance (JB Tirado) novel Chapter 90

Chapter 90

It had been four weeks since Alpha Ty and Commander Whey had left. Leo and Wesley had left as well, taking Wesley’s new mate with them as well.

Kent had insisted that they take the last week to visit Riley’s old apartment to pack up her belongings. He could tell that Leo’s departure had hit Riley hard and he wanted her to visit with her friends. Plus, he wanted to see where she had been living, to take in what her life had been like before they met.

He had gotten to meet Leo’s mate Leah and their daughter, Abby. Leah had been overjoyed that Riley had a mate, but Kent could tell both women were upset that Riley would be moving so far away.

Kent had helped her pack up the belongings in her tiny apartment. Most of her furniture, she had chosen to donate, pointing out that she had most everything she needed at Red Moon.

Riley had grown tired during the trip. At first Kent assumed she was just feeling down about leaving behind the life she had worked so hard to create for himself. But as the days continued and she began to sleep more, complaining about a sour stomach, Kent began to worry.

Barely six weeks before, she had been battling a debilitating illness. Both of them had assumed that she was cured after they completed the mate bond, but now Kent wasn’t so sure. He tried to appear calm for her, but he was a nervous wreck, anxious to get her back to the pack and have Lana take a look at her.

When Max had picked them up from the airport, Riley had curled up in the backseat, sleeping soundly for the whole drive. Kent sat in the back with her, her head tucked under his arm as he talked to Max about different pack issues.

Eventually the subject turned to their trip and Kent told Max about visiting the council compound and his fears about Riley’s recent illness.

“I don’t know, Kent,” Max commented as the trees thinned and they reached the outskirts of Red Moon’s town. “Like two months ago she was this single, bad–ass advisor for the council and now she has literally had to give all that up. On top of that, she got seriously sick, had to accept a mate she wasn’t sure she wanted, got held hostage by a crazy rogue woman and almost died. Now she’s trying to adjust to giving up her old life, planning for the luna ceremony and starting a new business. Maybe she just needs to rest for a little bit.”

“I want to believe that,” Kent murmured, stroking her hair. “But then the last time she insisted it was just

stress, she nearly died.”

“Talk to Lana if you’re that worried.” Max shrugged, winding his way through town. “But I’m probably going to

take her side on this one.”

Kent rolled his eyes. “You always take her side.”

“What can I say?” Max chuckled. “She’s grown on me.”

Kent shook Riley awake as they rolled to a stop in front of the pack house. Her eyes were bleary as she

blinked away the sleep.

“How did we get here so fast?” she murmured.

“Time flies when you’re sound asleep,” Max quipped, climbing out.

“So we got the final DNA results back,” Max said as he unloaded the suitcases from the trunk. “Evan is the

Chapter 90

missing alpha pup, but no shocker there.”

“How do you feel about that?” Riley asked, stretching her arms.

He shrugged. “It’s not like we didn’t already know. It’s just strange, you know. Everyone likes to think that they’re kid is special, but mine really is. I’ve been reading about true alphas. He’s going to be way stronger and faster than any of us. But it’s more than that. True alphas have terrible tempers and can be violent if they don’t know how to control their emotions. They can actually be pretty dangerous”

“He’ll be fine,” Kent said, sounding more sure than he felt. “We will get him anything he needs as he gets older. Right now, he’s five. So I think we have a few years to figure things out.”

Max smiled. “Well, right now we’ll just use Riley. He’ll listen to anything she says.” He grinned at her. “You’re his hero. All he ever talks about is watching you fight the wolf without shifting. He thinks it was the coolest thing he’s ever seen.”

“Glad my near–death experience impressed your kid.” Riley rolled her eyes.

“You’re back!”

They turned to see Patrick walking down the steps, smiling.

“I was just headed out to see about a minor rogue situation. But Riley was the one they actually requested.”

Kent frowned. “What’s going on?”

“Patrols found a rogue on the western border requesting an audience with the luna. Jaxon has him and

Jaxon insists that Riley needs to talk to him. He says Riley will understand.”

“I can go out and see what it’s about,” Riley said.

“No,” Kent said, his tone sharper than he intended. “You’ll stay here.”

“He’s requesting my presence,” she countered, “not yours.”

“I don’t care,” Kent growled, clenching his teeth. “You’re not going.”

Kent knew his tone was a mistake the moment the words left his mouth. If he had learned one thing about Riley, it was that she did not like to be told what to do.

Before he could say anything else, she turned on her heel and began walking away.

“Where are you going?” Kent yelled after her.

“Wherever the hell I want,” she called over her shoulder.

Kent groaned, tilting his head back to look at the sky.

“Just go with her.” Max sounded annoyed. “Stop telling her what to do.”

“The rogue asked for her anyway,” Patrick pointed out.

“No one in this pack takes my side anymore,” Kent grumbled, following after Riley.

They shifted once they reached the woods, reaching the Jaxon and the rogue in a matter of minutes.

Once they had shifted back to human form and dressed, Kent and Riley approached the rogue.

“Maddox.” Riley beamed at the rogue with a mess of dirty red hair and thick, curly beard. “Glad to see you’re alright.”

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Chapter de

“I could say the same for you,” the rogue replied.

“I remember you.” Kent’s eyes widened, remembering the rogue that crouched over Jaxon’s body, pointing Pax in the direction that Riley and Evan had gone.

“Nice to meet you, Alpha,” said the man. “You seem much friendlier than the wolf that wanted to rip my throat out. I’m Maddox Newell.”

“Maddox saved my life,” Jaxon said, leaning against a tree. “I recognized him right away”

Maddox smirked. “I’ll admit, I was waiting for you in particular before I approached a patrol. I figured with everything that has happened, I might be killed on sight.”

Kent shrugged. “Possible, though we do discourage it if the rogue isn’t a threat.”

“How’s the boy?” Maddox looked at Riley.

“He’s doing well,” Riley replied. “Back with his parents.”

“Good.” Maddox nodded. “I’ve been worried about him. He didn’t deserve any of that. Is his arm healing well?”

She nodded. “Maddox is a doctor,” Riley told Kent. “He helped treat me in the camp. He also devised the plan to help Evan and I escape. I wouldn’t have gotten out without him.”

Kent stared at her for a moment, digesting that information.

Finally he turned to the rogue. “I owe you a debt I can never repay then.”

“Well, that works in my favor.” Maddox’s smile faded as he drummed his fingers nervously on his leg. “I have a request.”

“Anything,” Kent said firmly.

Maddox swallowed hard. “I would like a place in your pack. Rogue life has been tough and I just want a place that is permanent and… and safe.”

“Done.” Kent turned to Jaxon. “Bring Maddox to the pack house. Ask Penny to find temporary living arrangements for him. I’ll speak to the hospital director. We can always use good doctors.”

“Really?” Maddox’s eyes widened.

“Of course.” Kent smiled. “You saved my mate and my beta’s son and protected one of my warriors. I would gladly do more if you want.”

“No.” Maddox shook his head quickly. “That’s more than enough.”

“Good.” Kent nodded at Jaxon. “Follow my warrior and we will get you taken care of.”

“That was very good of you,” Riley murmured as they headed back to the pack house.

He glanced at her. “I like to think I’m not always an asshole.”

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