Page 84 of Second Chance Mates

“Jax,” I call.

He stops and turns around. “What’s the matter?”

“Can I–” I swallow the lump in my throat.

I hear footsteps until he’s directly in front of me again. “Tell me, Ava.”

“The bed you sleep in,” I roll back my shoulders, “is it one you shared with Julia?”

Jaxon blinks at my question, and suddenly, I want the ground to swallow me whole. “No.” He shakes his head. “I had it replaced around six months ago. I had to do it for my own sanity.”

“Oh.”

Why does that flood me with relief?

“What did you want to ask, Ava?”

I flick my eyes between his and decide to grab this moment with both hands. “Can I sleep in your bed tonight?” I ask quickly. “As a one-off only.”

Jaxon’s smile is instant. “You can sleep in my bed whenever you want.”

“W-with you?”

His soft laughter wraps around my sternum. “Yes, with me.”

He takes my hand and leads me down the hall to his bedroom. For a moment, I become apprehensive of my decision. He squeezes my hand, and I know he feels my nerves. “If you want to go back to your room,” he says before pushing his door open. “You can. I’m not going to hold you hostage in my bed. Although, it’s very comfortable.”

I merely nod as we enter his bedroom. It’s huge with black and grey interior. and very well organised. The best part is that it smells like him, the scent so strong it almost knocks me off my feet. It’s deep and musky and earthy.

When I inhale, I close my eyes, the feeling of safety clinging to my chest. Jaxon tugs on my fingers, and I walk towards his large bed. He pulls back the covers for me, and I slip beneath the silky sheets.

A sigh escapes my lips when he joins me from the other side. I rest my head on his pillow and stare back at him—he does the exact same. I chew on my lip gently before I reach out my hand and brush my fingertips across his bare chest. Oh, he’s so warm and velvety.

Jax’s eyes close in satisfaction when I touch him, his arm slipping around my waist to pull me closer. I lean my face into his neck and smile against his skin. My lips graze his collarbone, and I allow myself to be in this moment.

There’s not an ounce of fear in my head or in my body. I am truly at peace.

I’m safe in his arms, yet he’s practically a killing machine.

“Can I ask you a question?” I whisper into the darkness.

Jaxon hums softly. “Anything.”

“Have you killed people?”

“Wolves,” he states. “I’ve killed wolves before.”

I shift my head as he drags his hand across my shoulder blades. “Who deserved it?”

“I’ve killed wolves that have become a threat to my family and pack. I will never hesitate to kill someone if they’re going to try and take anyone special away from me. I’d never kill innocent people. I’m not a monster. I care about everyone here, and I’d do anything for them—like an Alpha should,” he says firmly.

“Are packs under threat a lot?”

He clears his throat gently. “It depends. But yes. You never know what’s going to happen in our world. Some wolves are power hungry, others are seeking revenge, and others are determined to make people’s lives miserable.”

“Would I be in danger?”

Jaxon holds me tighter. “No. I’ll protect you with my life. But please, never leave the house alone. Even on our territory, you never know who might be out there, and I’m not running the risk of you getting hurt. If you want to leave the house, tell someone first, then a guard or I will escort you safely.”

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