Page 2 of Second Chance By Fate

He looks to the rest of his waiting pack nervously.

“Do the Alphas know you’re back, Violet?” he demands, regaining his composure and drawing back toward the car again, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

His gloved hands close into fists, and my heart drops more. He’s onto me for sure. He signals for another one of the pack members to approach the vehicle, and I sit up straighter as they look inside my fully loaded car.

“It looks like you’re just getting in. Are you moving back?”

His rapid-fire questions annoy me.

“It’s a free country, Bay,” I retort with more sharpness than I intend.

“You’re in Apex territory, Violet,” he fires back.

“Everywhere in Arizona is technically your Apex Alpha’s territory,” I snap, my temper flaring.

“Tell it to the Alphas,” he grunts, and I smother another groan as he reaches for his phone. “I don’t need to tell you how things work around here.”

“Stop!” I beg him, extending my hand in panic. “I… I’ll call them myself.”

He hesitates again, and I can tell he doesn’t want to be the messenger, but he also has a duty to report this, especially with so many witnesses.

“You’re putting me in a really awkward position,” he growls. “You know I can’t go against my orders, against Apex Alpha orders. I have to report that you’re here.”

Beguilingly, I grin at him, even though my heart is racing. “I just wanted to get settled in town first. Give a girl a break, Bay.”

“You’re not supposed tobein town,” he reminds me coldly. “Unless I get authority saying otherwise, I need to see you out of here.”

Biting on my lower lip, I lean over the window. “I’ll call them as soon as I find a place to unpack. But I had to come back now. It’s a matter of life and death.”

His brow furrows, and he waves everyone back. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

I’ve already said more than I should, and I try to lighten the mood by maintaining my smile. “I mean… well, it’s really something I need to talk with the Alphas about. Won’t you let me do that myself?”

“Are you threatening them?” he asks angrily, and I scoff, rolling my eyes.

“Of course not. Do I look like an idiot?”

And if I were threatening them, do you think I’d announce it in front of half the Apex pack? Geez, where do they find these shifters?

That’s a dumb question. The Apexes are the best of the best. Only the best and strongest can hope to be a part of any state Apex pack. But sometimes I wonder…

Baylor hesitates again, and I can see him considering it.

“You’re jamming me up,” he complains again.

“You’re the one who stopped me,” I rib him gently. “You could have let me keep going and been none the wiser.”

Baylor scoffs. “Right. And when the Alphas get wind of that? It would be my ass on the line.”

He brings up a good point.

“What are you so worried about?” I insist. “I’m just a girl going through town.”

“No,” he corrects me. “You’re a powerful witch who’s too close to Dusty Woods for my liking. That town is off limits to you.”

I snort again. “Come on, seriously?”

“You think the Alphas’ security is a joke? You know exactly where their town is.”

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