An Unwanted Second Chance (JB Tirado) novel Chapter 97

Extra Story – Chapter 5

Age 14

Kent found Patrick in his living room, wrestling Oliver while Lily clung to his back. Oliver squealed, kicking and laughing as Patrick tickled him. Lily tightened her small arm around her father’s throat in a mock hold.

Kent paused in the doorway, amused, before clearing his throat.

Patrick looked up, his face splitting into the wide grin he always wore when playing with his kids.

“Hey, man,” he panted, working to untangle Lily’s arm. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“I’ve got a favor to ask,” Kent said, rocking back on his heels and sliding his hands into his pockets. “Didn’t realize I’d be interrupting the spar of the century.”

“I almost got him in a chokehold, Uncle Kent,” Lily beamed up at him.

“I saw,” he replied, grinning down at her. She had blond hair like her mother, but her eyes were the same

shade as her namesake. “You just need to apply more pressure with your forearm.”

She nodded, considering that seriously.

“She’s only ten, Kent, Patrick said with a note of admonishment. “She doesn’t really need to know how to do

a proper chokehold yet.”

Kent rolled his eyes and looked at Lily. “Tell your dad that you’re never too young to learn important life skills.

Lily giggled.

“Lils, take your brother to the other room while I talk to Kent,” Patrick said, shifting into one of the chairs as

Kent moved to sit on the couch. They watched as Lily grabbed Oliver’s hand and tugged him away.

“So what’s up?” Patrick asked once the kids were gone.

Kent sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Riley’s been training with Evan in the mornings.”

“I heard,” Patrick said, frowning. “How’s it going?”

“It’s only been a week, and he’s already stressing her out.”

“No real shock there. That kid is as hardheaded as they come.”

Kent leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. “Riley’s already stretched thin. Her business, Luna duties, the kids… and now she just found out her dad died.”

“Ah, s**t,” Patrick muttered, arms folding tightly across his chest. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah. It’s a lot. I’m sure she’ll tell you when she’s ready. Goddess knows she talks to you more than she talks

to me sometimes.”

It was true. Over the years, Riley’s friendship with Patrick had only grown stronger. But that no longer bothered Kent. He was glad she had someone other than him to lean on.

“So what’s the favor?” Patrick asked after a beat.

“Can you take over training Evan for half the week? I don’t want him to stop. He needs to learn control, and

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< Extra Story – Chapter 5

you’ve got more patience than I do. You’re calmer. I think that’ll work better with him.”

Patrick raised a brow. “That boy could test the patience of the Goddess herself.”

Kent snorted. “Yeah, I know. He’s rough around the edges.”

+ Paints

“Understatement of the year,” Patrick muttered. He shook his head, then sighed. “All right. I’ll take him. I’ll talk to Riley so we can figure out how to split the schedule and what he needs to work on.”

Kent nodded, relief washing through him. “Thanks, Pat. I can always count on you.”

His next stop was the beta wing. Alex sat in the living room with a book open in front of him and a notebook

balanced on his knee.

“Hey, Kent,” Alex said, glancing up.

“Hey, kid. Where’s your dad?”

“Probably yelling at Evan again,” Alex replied, eyes dropping back to his notebook. “He failed his history test

today.”

“What about you? How’d you do?”

Alex grinned. “Aced it. Obviously.”

Kent smiled. “Obviously.”

“Uncle Kent!”

He turned just in time to catch Emma as she threw herself into his arms, her red hair flying around her like a

flame.

“Hey, Emmie.” He kissed her forehead before setting her down.

“I’m going to be in the science fair next week,” she said brightly. “Will you come see my project?”

“The Alpha has better things to do than your stupid science project, Ems,” grumbled a surly voice from

behind them.

Kent’s expression darkened as he turned to see Evan amble into the room, hands shoved deep in his hoodie pockets. Max followed a step behind, eyes narrowed, jaw tight.

“Don’t talk to your sister like that,” Max snapped.

Kent looked down at Emma and saw her eyes drop to the floor, her smile gone. He knelt in front of her and waited until she looked up.

“Just tell me the day, Emmie, and I’ll be there”

Her face lit up again, and she threw her arms around his neck, squeezing tight Kent hugged her back,

catching Evan rolling his eyes as he flopped onto the couch next to Alex.

“Emma,” Max said gently. “Go see what your mom’s doing, okay?”

She beamed and ran out of the room. Kent watched her go, smiling That kid never walked anywhere. She

was always in motion.

“What brings you here, Kent?” Max asked as he sat down.

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Extra Story Chapter 5

“I wanted to talk to you and Evan,” Kent said, settling into a nearby chair.

“Oh great,” Evan muttered. “Another lecture from the Alpha.”

Alex glanced at his brother, lips pressed into a line. Kent could tell he wanted to say something but decided

not to.

“Alex, finish your homework in your room,” Max said without looking up.

They waited as Alex gathered his things and left the room.

“So, what’s up, Uncle Kent?” Evan said, drawing out the title in an exaggerated tone.

Kent took a deep breath, keeping his voice calm. “From now on, Patrick and Riley will be splitting your training schedule. Riley will let you know the exact days.”

Evan scoffed. “So she doesn’t want to work with me now?”

“She still will,” Kent replied evenly. “Patrick will be helping too.”

“Is it because she’s still pissy about today?” Evan bounced his leg, staring at the ceiling.

“No,” Kent said firmly. “Riley has responsibilities. The training is taking time she needs for other things. That’s all.”

“Sorry I’m taking up so much of her precious time,” Evan sneered. “She doesn’t have to train me at all. I’d hate

to be such an inconvenience.”

“Damn it, Evan,” Max snapped. “Stop acting like this.”

“Like what?” Evan shot back. “Like myself? You’d rather I be perfect like Alex or sweet like Emma, right?”

“That’s not what I said,” Max replied, rubbing his forehead.

“But it’s what you think,” Evan said. “Don’t think I haven’t heard you and Mom talking.”

“Evan, stop.”

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