Page 13 of Second Chance Mates

Lucy appears at the door with a tray of food. “I’m back,” she declares, and I glance over my shoulder to find her looking at me with pinched brows.

She’s okay, I say through the mindlink.

“Are you hungry, Ava?”

Ava nods timidly and eyes the food on the tray.

My wolf howls at knowing she’s being cared for, although I'm a thousand steps away from earning her trust.

6

JAXON

It was a relief to watch Ava eat. Although it took her a while to get through half of the meal, I’m glad she managed to digest something. I know she probably doesn’t have much of an appetite, so starting off small so she doesn’t make herself sick is key.

After her meal, Lucy took her upstairs to one of the spare rooms. She showed her how to use the shower and let her borrow some clean clothes. We said we’d wait downstairs in the living room to give her some breathing space.

“She should see the doctor again,” I say to Lucy as I pace the cream rug in front of the grand fireplace. “To double-check that everything is okay.”

“I agree.”

“I don’t want to push her too far,” I comment, running a hand along the stubble on my jaw. “But at the same time, I want to make sure she’s okay.”

My sister nods. “I don’t think you should be pushing yourself too far either.”

“What does that mean?”

She sighs and chews her bottom lip. “I know you’re not over Julia. You will never be over Julia. She was your first love. But Ava has been through horrific trauma, and she needs care and patience. I don’t think you’re in any frame of mind to give her that right now.”

I flinch at her words. “What are you talking about?”

“You might end up hurting her further.”

“How could you possibly think I’d hurt my own mate?” I shake my head in disbelief.

“Not physically, Jaxon; I mean emotionally. You are not ready for a new relationship. You were in love with Julia. You still love her, but Ava, she nee–”

My fists tighten beside me as I bark over her, “Stop.”

The living room falls to silence.

“I know I’m not entirely ready to move on, Luce. But that doesn’t mean I can’t try and get to know Ava and build trust between us. I will never forget Julia. Do you not think this is hard for me?” I exhale as waves of shame hit my sternum. “The last thing I want is to jump into a relationship with her, but something is telling me to hold on. When we’re both ready, we can have that conversation together—if at all. Right now, it’s about protecting her and nothing else.”

Lucy tilts her head back slowly. “Just–” she cuts herself off. “Be careful. I get she’s your mate, and you’re feeling one hundred and one new emotions, but there is no rush. I want you to be okay. I want her to be okay.”

I nod as her words sink in. “How are you feeling now?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Better,” she admits. “What I saw still haunts me, but I need to remember Ava is the one who experienced it. We need to focus on her now.”

I wrap an arm around her and tug her into my chest. “Thank you, Luce. For all of this.”

“We’ve missed you,” she murmurs into my T-shirt. “So much.”

My chest tightens at the thought of not seeing my family because of how badly I’ve been grieving. Yet, they will still drop everything to help me, even if I don’t deserve it.

Guilt floods my heart intensely. I’ve barely thought about Julia since I left the house yesterday, and it makes me feel rotten.

I scratch my head as I pull away. Lucy must be able to sense what’s on my mind. “It’s okay to feel confused, Jaxon.” She offers me a small smile. “This would be difficult for anyone. Julia will always be special to you.”

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