Page 128 of Second Chance Mates

Ava’s chest quivers, and I look at her. Okay, maybe I’ve been too harsh on the poor kid. Maybe he deserves a new start. He’s only seventeen—he’s got his whole life ahead of him.

“I’ll take away the guards,” I blurt. “You can have more freedom within the house, but I’ll assign someone to watch over you.”

“Who?” Ava asks.

I chew on my lip for a moment. “Sam. Sam can look after you. He owes me.”

Evan blinks and a tear rolls down his cheek before he wipes it away. “Thank you,” he mumbles. “I will do whatever I can to help out. Anything you need. I will be here. Thank you again, Alpha.”

I nod at him and point to his half-eaten sandwich. “Finish your lunch. You need nourishment.”

He immediately digs in, and Ava beams at me from across the counter. Thank you, she mindlinks me. He needs us.

One slip up and he’s gone.

I know. He deserves a chance to change his life.

My eyes cut back to Evan as he munches on his sandwich with a relieved smile on his face. I exhale a quiet sigh. I never thought I’d be taking in a homeless rogue, but it’s Ava who is making me softer by the day. This is one of the reasons I need her by my side. She balances me out. But at the same time, I hope nothing happens that will make me regret this.

42

AVA

I’ve been in desperate need of a girly day out with Lucy for weeks—anything to get out of the pack house for a breather. A little retail therapy and some overpriced smoothies. I adore Lucy’s company. Even when she’s bossy with our itinerary.

Everything is going perfect, until Jaxon’s panicked voice floods my mind urging us to come home. Apparently his guards are on the way to meet us. He doesn’t explain what’s going on, he says he’ll tell me when we get back. An unsettling feeling swirls in my stomach.

Now I’m filled with dread.

“Lucy!” I yell across the packed market.

Her blonde hair flips over her shoulder with a beaming smile. “We’re going to miss it,” she murmurs. “Come on.”

This place is heaving. I never knew there would be hundreds of stalls and even more people coming down to buy all sorts of arts, crafts, and different animals strung up by their feet.

“Lucy, wait.” I push through the crowd. “Jaxon.”

“What about Jaxon?”

“He said we need to go home. I don’t know why. Something isn’t right.”

Lucy flashes me a puzzled look. “He probably just misses you, Ava. Insufferable asshole. How dare he ruin our girl time. I knew he’d pull something like this.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I could hear the worry in his voice. Please. He said he’s sending the guards to get us home. I don’t think we should be here.”

Her lips press into a flat line. “Fine, but–”

The crowd in front of us erupts into deafening screams. We flinch and turn to the sound before people start running, pushing, and shoving. An elbow collides into my back, and I hiss as I fall into a table full of fresh produce.

“Ava!” Lucy yells as we’re split up between the sea of people running.

The hairs on the back of my neck begin to stand, and panic rushes through my veins. What is happening? I twist around to find Lucy, but she’s gone, and I’m being pushed. My feet rise from the floor.

A distressed shriek escapes my lips as I’m directed towards a narrow path and then pressed up against a brick wall. My arm is scratched as I’m squished between a bunch of strangers and someone’s house.

The stampede only gets worse, and I slip down an alleyway before I’m crushed to death. I swallow down the bile in my throat and press a hand to my chest.

I glance down the dark and gloomy alley. “Crap,” I murmur to myself.

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