Page 120 of The Alpha's Second Chance Mate

Langston and his friends would be here the next morning, which made me feel better. It wasn’t that I didn’t think Cole and Trent could figure out a plan, it was just that I wanted everyone possible working to get my son back. If we couldn’t go to the police, then these men were the next best option. If I could, I’d have called in the Marines.

When I’d told Cole about Langston, I’d seen the tension in his shoulders and face. I was sure he’d wondered whether there was something between the two of us. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. I met Langston when Ashton was four. He’d been walking his dog in the park and noticed me pushing Ash on a swing. When he’d sensed Ash was a shifter, he approached me and struck up a conversation.

To tell the truth, I’d been so desperate for help that I probably came off as a bit high-strung. Langston had been able to see that Ash was an alpha, and when I explained our situation, he offered to introduce us to the main pack in Des Moines and said they’d welcome Ashton as a temporary member.

It was one of the best things to ever happen to us. Not just because it gave Ash the experience of being around other shifterchildren, but because it gave me a little insight into pack life. Even though I’d grown up in Harbor Mills, I’d never really taken much interest in it. Dating Cole was the closest I’d gotten, and his strained relationship with his father had kept him, and by association me, away from most pack things.

Throughout my and Langston’s friendship, nothing romantic had ever happened between us. In fact, the mere thought of it made my skin crawl. It was like imagining kissing your brother. If Cole was worried about that, he was completely off-base. Hell, I’d been hesitant to call Langston because I was worried it would somehow make Cole feel emasculated, but that worry had vanished within seconds. There was something more important at stake than a man’s ego. My son’s life.

“He’s flying in tomorrow with his friends,” I said. “Maybe once everyone is together, we can come up with a better plan to get Ashton back.”

“What did he have to say about the situation?” Stormy asked.

I chuckled ruefully. “Langston was pissed. Ashton’s like a nephew to him. He wanted names, places, timelines—the whole nine yards. Told me not to worry, and he’d be here in no time.” I shrugged. “I guess we’ll see. We were never fully part of the pack, but they’ve helped us a lot over the years, so this is no surprise. They’ll move heaven and earth to help Ashton if they can.”

Stormy reached out and took my hands, squeezing it gently. “HowisCole doing?”

“Not good.” I glanced at Stormy. “He’s not acting like himself. I’m worried about him. This has all been so much. It’s not only the dangerous plan he came up with, but it’s the way he’s carrying himself. Like some of his confidence has evaporated. IfI had to guess, everything is weighing on him. I mean, he comes home to find his pack in disarray, his dad dead, and then he finds out he’s got a kid.God.” I put a hand to my face. “All that would be too much for me, and then add this psycho Kyle to the mix. I’m surprised Cole hasn’t lost his mind. I know I’m on the verge.”

Chewing on my lower lip, I let the silence between us stretch out. Stormy sat beside me, letting me process. When I looked at her, my vision was slightly blurry from my tears.

“I wonder if all this is going to create a rift so big, we’ll never mend it,” I said, then groaned. “Am I a bad mother for thinking about stuff like that when my son is in danger?”

“Oh, sweetie. No,” Stormy said, reaching out and putting an arm around my shoulders. “I have every faith in the world that you’ll get Ashton back safe. Don’t eventhinkthat won’t happen. And if your son is safe, the next thing you should worry about is your life after he’s back. I think it’s totally normal to worry.”

Wiping at my eyes, I shook my head. “Cole and I aren’t being very nice to each other at the moment. Not overtly mean, but sort of cold and distant, you know? Maybe it’s the kidnapping, but it felt that way before, too. It’s part of why Ashton and I decided to leave in the first place. Yes, we wanted to get to safety, but I also needed time to figure out how I felt about Cole.

“If—” I stopped myself, mentally chastising myself for using the word. “Sorry,whenwe get Ashton back, I’d like it if things went back to how they were. I don’t know if that will happen.”

Stormy patted my shoulder. “Get Ash back first. After that, everything that’s supposed to happen, will happen.”

“I wish I had your confidence.”

“You were there for me when I lost Marcus. I can be here for you for this.”

“Thanks,” I said, my voice cracking. I rested my head on her shoulder. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Same, girl.” Stormy squeezed my shoulder. “You’d fall apart without me.”

Stormy kept me company for a few hours and helped me take my mind off everything. She only left when her mom called, saying Shiloh was having a fit because she missed her mommy.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Stormy asked on her way out. “I can go grab Shiloh and come back. Spend the night.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said, though I wasn’t sure that was the truth. “You go. Seriously, I’m okay.”

Stormy looked at me, unsure, but eventually headed to her car. I watched her go, then my gaze settled on the SUV parked across the street. Inside, twomembers of Cole’s pack sat, keeping watch on my house. The one in the driver’s seat smiled at me and waved. I waved back. Nausea surged through me at the memory of the last person who had been kept watch over my family. The blood, those sightless, open eyes…

Shivering, I slammed the door shut and pushed the images from my mind.

To keep my mind occupied, I started making dinner. It was only five o’clock, and I wasn’t really hungry. I hadn’t eaten anything in over twenty-four hours, and I had no appetite, but I couldn’t just sit and let my mind wander—it would eventually drift to something awful. I pulled out some chicken and vegetables, then set about makingsomething.

While I was chopping potatoes, my phone chimed with a text.

Cole:Can I come over? Just wanted to talk.

I stared at the message for several seconds, debating. I actuallydidwant to see him. Even with us butting heads and me feeling bitter about how everything had gone down, I still craved being around him. Beingnearhim. Part of me was ashamed of that. The other part didn’t give a damn.

Avery:Sure. Do you like fried chicken and mashed potatoes? That’s what’s for dinner.

---