Page 70 of Second Chance Mates

Kayden scoffs. “Why not?”

“Because it’s distracting us from what’s really important. Remember?”

“Ahh.” He tilts back his head and shoves his sleeves up to his elbows. “Yes. I remember.”

“Anyway,” I rasp. “We’ve had eyes on them for weeks now. Once the wedding is over and done with, we take our strongest wolves, and we get that fucker Lucien and everyone else and make them pay.”

“What are the guards around his territory saying?”

“Mostly under the radar. But he’s been making some suspicious moves.”

Kayden’s brows raise. “Suspicious how?”

“I’ve noticed he’s been taking his wolves out in groups, like some kind of search party. I don’t want to think they’re looking for Ava, but they could be.”

“Shit, really?”

I nod slowly. “But he hasn’t come close to our territory. The second he takes a step closer, I’m launching the attack without hesitation. I’m getting hourly updates of his moves. And I’m not mentioning any of this to Ava. I don’t want her to worry.”

Kayden nods in understanding. “What are you going to do to him?”

My eyes flare at his question. What won’t I do to him?

“I guess that’s up to my imagination at the time,” I say with a focused stare. “Ava will never fret over them again. She deserves her justice. She deserves a lot more, but this is a step in the right direction.”

“Agreed. Let’s make him wish he was never fucking born.”

I’d rather torture him so badly he’ll beg me for death.

“Let’s go over the duties I’ve assigned everyone and what specific tasks I need them to carry out,” I clear my throat and shuffle through the notes I made earlier. “I want all of my wolves to know the plan like the back of their hand before it’s executed.”

Kayden flashes me a knowing smile. “You got it, Alpha.”

24

AVA

“Ava! Ava! Ava!”

The girls chant my name as I throw back a rather sweet cocktail. It’s been years since I’ve drunk alcohol, but tonight is the first night I’ve wanted to let my hair down and have some fun. It’s Lucy’s night, and I’m not going to let anything ruin it.

I wipe at my mouth when I finish the fruity drink, and the girls cheer. Lucy wraps an arm around me with the world’s biggest grin. “Ah, Ava. That was the slowest chug I’ve ever seen.”

“I haven’t had alcohol in a really long time,” I shout over the loud music.

She releases a laugh. “I know. I’m only teasing. Are you having fun? How are you feeling?”

My eyes pulse from the wave of that cocktail. “Yeah.” I nod. “So much. It’s good to get out of the house and spend time with you girls.”

“I’m so glad you can be here.” She gives my shoulder a squeeze. “How are you with karaoke?”

“Awful!”

We both laugh. “Me, too,” she agrees. “But we leave no woman behind. Come on!”

She latches onto my hand and drags me away from the booth we’ve been perching in for the last hour. I step onto my heel and sway a little. I don’t remember being this much of a lightweight.

“I’m not sure if I remember any of the songs,” I admit with a slur.

---