Page 33 of Second Chance Mates

“I’ve been isolating myself.”

“I do that, too. It doesn’t help anything,” she admits, wrapping her hands around her elbows.

My head moves in agreement. “You’re right; it doesn’t.”

Ava’s mouth opens and then shuts. I frown as she reserves herself and steps away, turning her back on me to leave the kitchen.

“Did you want to ask me something?”

Her shoulders tense for a moment before she glances at me. “I have a thousand questions,” she whispers. “But I’m not sure I’m ready for the answers.”

My forehead pinches at her statement. “I don’t want you worrying about being here. If you have concerns or questions, I want you to be able to ask them.”

Ava glances over my body. “I guess you should shower first.”

“Sorry, do I smell?” I say playfully.

Her nose twitches. “A little. Yeah.”

A deep laugh rumbles from my chest, catching both of us by surprise. Her eyes widen slightly, but she doesn’t look frightened. “I’ll go shower, and then I’ll meet you in the living room?”

“Sure.”

I’m gone for no longer than fifteen minutes. Ava is sitting on the sofa in my segregated lounge. Here, we have all the peace and quiet she needs to ask her questions.

I perch on the other end of the sofa, reminding myself to give her space.

“Okay,” I say, taking her in. “What did you want to ask?”

Ava twiddles with her fingers for a long moment before her lips part. “Are we on land where there are only wolves?”

“Yes.” I nod. “For miles, this is werewolf territory. This area is called Wildemount, and that’s the name of our pack. The human district is further north.”

“Wildemount Pack?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re the Alpha?”

“Yes.”

She hums softly, and I study her lips as she presses them together. “I don’t understand much about the bond and what it means. Why us? Why me?”

“The Moon Goddess makes these choices for us. She pairs us with people she thinks are compatible,” I explain.

Ava’s face morphs into disgust. “So she mated me with Lucien because she thought we’d be a good match?”

I wince. “That's something I can’t explain, and I’m sorry. I’m only grateful that she’s led you into my path where you’re safe. She’s granted us both a second chance, which is unheard of in our realm.”

She’s startled. “Oh.”

The room falls silent for a moment, and I let her digest my words.

“The woman in the picture,” she blurts suddenly.

“Yeah.”

“Who is she?”

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