Page 22 of Second Chance Mates

One day at a time.

9

AVA

Tonight, I couldn’t sleep. I’ve barely managed a couple of hours each night for the past four weeks. Most start off with nightmares that torment my mind until the dream changes, and instead of being terrified, I am comforted. It’s an odd sensation that I don’t understand.

I hear the calmness of the waves and the gentle breeze over a mountaintop.

Every night, it’s something different. A new place. A new safe haven. I don’t fight them. I submerge in the images, and I’m grateful when I finally settle into a dreamless sleep.

But tonight, I toss and turn in the sheets until they make my legs itch. I have no idea what I’m still doing here. I should have left as soon as my injuries healed and attempted to find my home. Why can’t I remember my home?

The thought makes my brows pinch together painfully. A deep ache makes me question the last few years. I huff out a dissatisfied breath and bury my head into the pillow.

Tears threaten my eyes once again. I don’t belong here. Yet, I don’t belong anywhere if I can’t remember. My lips tremble at not knowing, not remembering. Are there people out there looking for me? No. How could I be so stupid? If they were, they would have found me. Instead, I endured years of abuse for a reason I’ll never understand.

By the time I turn around and glance at the clock beside my bed, I sniffle. The fabric of the pillow beneath me is wet from my endless tears. I silently whimper as the numbers of the early morning stare back at me.

I throw the covers off my body before I overthink my next actions. My mind wanders endlessly. I need a distraction. The house is silent at this time—everyone’s in bed. It gives me the perfect opportunity to explore when no one should cross me.

My hands close around my elbows as I step into the dark hall. The floorboards creak beneath my feet, and I cringe at the sound but carry on. I find myself walking further down the house until I pause outside a room with the door wide open.

I step in the doorway. This room smells like Jaxon—freshly cut wood and a hint of something spicy. My nose tingles, and I blink. How are my senses so strong? He’s not even here.

Curiosity builds in my chest as I creep inside. My hand slides to the wall, and I flick the switch, lighting up the room. I’m met with what looks like Jaxon’s office.

I know he’s the Alpha of this pack. At first, I thought all Alphas were brutal beings who only wanted to cause pain and misery to others. But now, I’m starting to believe that might not be the case. Jaxon seems…different.

Every piece of furniture is built of dark wood with a large display of maps and ancient books on the walls and shelves. There is a circular rug in the middle that resembles a symbol I don’t recognise. I nibble on my lip as my eyes sweep over his desk. I know better than to snoop, but it’s already distracting my crowded mind. I can’t stop myself. I’m being dragged in before I can think of the consequences.

I notice stacks of papers, a pen pot, and a closed laptop. But my eyes dart to a gold picture frame facing away from me. For a second, I hesitate, but then I pick it up and twist it towards me. As soon as I see the picture, I realise I shouldn’t have started snooping.

It’s a picture of Jaxon and a woman I don’t recognise. She has dark blonde hair with piercing blue eyes, olive skin, and a killer smile. Jax is kissing her cheek as she beams at the camera, flashing off her pearly white teeth.

Who is she? I’ve never seen her around the house.

Jaxon never mentioned he had a girlfriend. But why would he? We haven’t spent much time together in the last few weeks. Not that it’s any of my business.

My head pounds with a thousand new thoughts. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea at all. I study the picture for another long minute because I can’t tear my eyes away, no matter how hard I try.

“Ava…what are you doing in here?”

A voice behind me snaps me back into reality. My entire body jolts at the same time my fingers loosen around the picture frame. It takes seconds for it to smash against the floor by my bare feet.

Panic chokes my throat. I’m in so much trouble. Crap. I attempt to catch my breath, but I’ve destroyed something of the Alpha’s. A picture of him and his…lover? Bile rises in my throat.

My eyes widen when I find Kayden, Jaxon’s Beta, at the door, watching me with a stunned gaze. Oh, God. Oh, God.

“I-I–” I stutter before lowering down onto the floor and frantically picking up pieces of glass that scattered across Jaxon’s office.

I grab as much as I can, as quickly as possible. I’m not thinking clearly because the tiny shards pierce my skin, and blood begins to rise to the surface.

Kayden inches closer, and I don’t dare look at him. My stomach churns inside me at the thought of being alone with a Beta. I have no idea if they’re all the same or if my emotions are playing tricks on me—I don’t want to experience that pain again.

“What do you want with me?” I blurt out of nowhere.

Kayden twists his head. “Nothing. I’m on night duty.”

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