Page 31 of Second Chance Mates

She grins in my direction. “It was. I’m so excited to marry him.”

“He’s your mate?”

“Yes.” She continues beaming. “Soulmate. Fated mate. My absolute everything.”

My heart pounds for her. “How long ago did you meet?”

“Around five years ago.”

“How long did it take for you to fall in love with him?” I ask before I can truly think it through.

Lucy’s eyes glimmer in my direction. “Not long. Obviously, our wolves were inseparable, but we had an instant connection neither of us could deny. But I know it’s about getting to know them as a person.”

Her outburst of confessions makes my chest twinge. Is that how mates are truly meant to be? The kind of love you read about in books and see in movies—the kind where you genuinely cannot live without the other.

“I’m pleased for you,” I say quietly. “I’m glad you’re happy.”

“And you, too, Ava. You will find your happiness soon.”

12

JAXON

Isit in my office, staring down at my dark wooden desk. The picture inside the frame Ava smashed rests on the corner. I haven’t had time to replace it. I lean over to take the photo between my fingers.

My heart thumps at Julia’s face. The pair of us. All the grief I’ve endured over the past year. I notice that my face falls into a soft frown when I can’t take my eyes off her. I despise myself for being in this situation, especially now I’ve been given a second mate who needs all the love one could possibly give her.

When my mind twitches to Ava, my wolf howls at the thought of her. I could never forget Julia, but he's got other ideas. Right now, Ava is the centre of his focus. I miss Julia more than anything, but Ava’s presence has spun my world entirely.

There’s a knock at my office door, and I lower the photo. “Come in.”

Kayden emerges and offers me a nod. “Jaxon.” He bows his head slowly. “Busy working?”

“All of the stuff I missed? Yeah. I’m trying to get everything back under control. I can’t believe I left everything for this long. The pack would have fallen apart without you.”

“Don’t overwork yourself. You’ve been up here for hours.”

I shrug. “It’s not overworking when there’s a pile-up.”

“Then, let me help.”

“No, you’ve done more than enough.”

Kayden raises his brows, calling bullshit.

“What?” I slump back into my chair.

“I can see where this is going.” He holds up his hands in defence. “I know you’re a perfectionist, but not everything needs to get done within seconds. You’re going to end up burning yourself out or messing up. That’s the last thing we need from you.”

My eyes roll. “Did you need something, Kayden? Other than bothering me.”

“It’s my job to bother you.” He flashes me a lazy smile.

“Don’t I know it,” I mutter under my breath.

“Just checking how you are. How are things going with Ava? You seem like you’re getting your spark back again.”

My brows raise. “I do?”

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