Page 86 of A Chance at Love for the Twin Alphas

I’m surprised he trusts me, though. I could have tricked him, telling him I accept him being a werewolf and my mate and instead just run. But I’m here of my own free will. He isn’t keeping me locked in, and my body seeks his whenever he is close. I don’t give a shit about what my friends would say if they saw me latching onto a guy after barely knowing him for two days.

I know what I feel. This is real.

But I wonder where his fear comes from?

“Let’s go for a walk,” I offer him.

He draws back a bit and smiles nervously. “I would love that.” He takes my hand in his and pulls me along. He shows me around the pack, at least the parts we can easily reach by foot. I think my initial thought about them being a nudist camp wasn’t that far off… We literally pass two guys who just stand around naked and chat. Tony tells me they are two warriors and just shifted, but it’s still something I need to get used to. The pack is like a huge residential area. They have an infirmary, a nursery, a small café, and alike, though Tony told me that school, restaurants, shops, and everything else they visit in town just like the humans.

While we walk around, I notice some of the younger girls giggling a bit when they see us. I toss Tony a smirk. “Okay, I don’t care about your past affairs, but please tell me I won’t stumble over your exes here.”

“I never dated a girl from my pack,” he says, sounding sincere. I have no reason not to believe him, so I nod.

“And you?” he asks curiously.

“I had one boyfriend, a fellow software nerd,” I explain. “But he was controlling. He collected his anime waifus, which I didn’t mind… but he got extremely aggressive when I didn’t like a character he was really into. So, I decided the only toxicity I want is against the mosquitos pestering me at night, but definitely not in my personal life.”

“I’m sorry this happened to you,” Tony says. Much to my surprise, he sounds sad. “You deserved better.”

“Tony.” I smile. “I’m over it.” I pause. “But there is something you aren’t over yet, am I right?”

“It’s not that simple,” he says quietly. “There are no open businesses for me, but…”

“But you haven’t healed from it,” I say. “Did a girl break your heart?”

“I never dated seriously,” he admits. “It might sound bad to you… but for us, werewolves and lycans… relationships are all about our mates, and most of us don’t like to get too serious with someone before they meet their mate. The bond is sacred, and I would have hated it had you been stepping on burned ground. My mate deserves better than that.”

I’m in awe at his sincerity, but still… something hurt him. “You can talk to me; I promise I won’t judge.”

He stays silent for a while. “How about I show you?”

I blink. “Show me?”

He nods earnestly. “If we leave now, we’ll be back for lunch. It’s not a long trip.”

Curiosity easily wins me over. I nod. “Please show me.”

31

The First Mate

*ANTHONY*

Myheartisalmostat my throat. I feel my blood rushing through my veins. That’s how high my heartbeat is; all the while, fear eats at me. It’s an irrational fear because Dalila is here with me, and she is safe and healthy. I try to will these feelings down, but the closer I get to Dalila, the more it settles in my mind that I found my second chance mate. And the more I realize this is my new reality, the more terrified I feel.

Dalila hums slightly while I drive us away from the pack grounds and towards the town. Our destination isn’t the town, though, but rather a place close by.

When I park the car, she blinks. “This place…”

“Yes,” I say quietly.

“It’s a cemetery,” she mutters.

I help her out of the car and take her hand, needing to feel her close now. As if she feels my fear, she wraps her fingers tightly around my hand and leans against my body. I’ve been here a lot, mostly at night, not to raise any attention, so I know exactly where to lead her to.

We stop at a particular grave with a beautiful white gravestone. Lots of flowers are gracing it, some wilting, but a lot of them are fresh and new.

Corinne Williams, beloved daughter and friend. Until we meet again.

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