Page 136 of The Alpha's Second Chance Mate

“Where’s Cole?” I asked. “Langston and I have been trying to get hold of him. There’s something important he needs to see.”

Trent sighed tiredly. “He doesn’t have his phone. When we got back to his place, he jumped out of his truck and shifted. He’s been out on a run for the last couple hours. Trying to blow off steam and think about things, I guess. I hope.”

“Do you know where he might be?”

“I was about to head out and find him, actually. Glad you called when you did. Thirty seconds more, and I’d have been out the door on four paws. I wanted to give him some time, but he’s been gone for a couple of hours. He’s not dealing with any of this very well.”

Langston snorted in disgust and shook his head. “Tell Trent to find his buddy and get his ass here. We can’t sit on this for too long. If Cole can’t get his head out of his ass, we’re gonna move, and he’ll miss his chance to take Kyle down and save his son.”

“Did you hear that?” I said into the phone.

“Yeah, fuck,” Trent hissed. “I’ll find him. I’ll let you know when I do. Keep them there as long as you can, Avery. If someone else saves Ashton… Jesus, it might break him completely. You saw what he was like when I was with him for his first shift. Can you imagine?”

I could, and my heart broke at the thought. Trent was right. It would end Cole.

“Hurry, Trent,” I said, and hung up.

My son was in danger, and if Langston and the others had figured out a way to save Ashton, then I wouldn’t want them to wait—no matter how bad I felt for Cole and what he was going through. If Cole missed out on this, that would be his own fault, and I’d have no sympathy for him. In fact, it would probably sever things between us once and for all.

33

COLE

Stupid, stupid, stupid, I cursed myself as I ran. Grass flattened beneath my paws as I careened through the forest.

I’d been running for hours, trying to let the wind tear away the gross feelings, but it wasn’t helping. Shame, embarrassment, and anger continued to wage war inside me. Why was I acting like this? And why couldn’t I stop?

My whole life, I’d seen myself as the alpha I was—always prepared, ready, and assured. Even though I’d never craved the power and recognition that came with being the leader of a pack, each day I looked in the mirror, I knew what I was. The confidence that came with that had never been overt, just a subtle and constant presence in my mind. For some reason, the appearance of this Langston guy had shattered that, and I didn’t understand why.

Trent was a badass. His training alone would have made him formidable, and if I was honest, he could probably beat my ass in our human forms. The only chance I’d have would be whenwe were wolves, since mine was much larger and more powerful than his.

Deep down, I knew it wasn’t any one thing about Langston, but everything all at once. He was confident, handsome. He carried himself like a warrior, just like Trent did. He’d also managed to step in and get things moving in a way I hadn’t been able to, almost effortlessly making plans. The guy was no-nonsense and quick to make decisions. The epitome of an alpha. Not only that, but he’d known my mate and my own son for a long time. Hell, he’d spent more time with them over the last ten years than I had. In all honesty, he was closer to family than I was. That was the part that really nailed me. He was like a neon billboard of all the mistakes I’d made and everything I’d missed.

Even in the short time I’d known him, a dark realization had oozed up from my mind. Langston and I were both alphas, yes, but Langston was stronger. His aura was more pronounced, his power more evident, his life more put-together. I’d never met an alpha stronger than me. Sure, I knew there were stronger alphas out there, but I’d never run across one. If someone had told me I’d meet one at some point, I’d have assumed I’d simply acknowledge them and move on. Now, I knew that wasn’t the case. My pride was more fragile than I’d ever imagined.

Skidding to a halt, I padded up to an outcropping of rock and looked out over the wilderness. The impact of man was still evident out here. I could see the highway winding through the foothills in the distance, and a few houses sat nestled in the forest. Still, it was a relaxing place. Throughout my entire time in the woods, I kept having the same thought, and no amount of running could dispel it. What if Langston could be a better mate to Avery than I could be?

Throwing my head back, I let out a deep, mournful howl that echoed across the forest.

No! I shouted at myself, the word booming deep in my mind. Avery loved me, and I loved her. These were just stupid thoughts born from my insecurities. I was being an idiot. Even after the dumb mistakes I’d made in the past, fate had brought us back together. It was a one-in-a-million chance, and I was squandering that by being a childish dumbass. Not only that, but there were bigger things at stake here than my own ego. Slapping my paw down on the dirt in anger, I thought of Ashton. Alone, scared, in danger. My son was missing, held captive by some psycho, and all I could think of was myself.

No more. I had to get my head right and work withanyoneto save my son. I’d work with Langston and figure it out. Hell, I’d work with thefuckingEaster Bunny if it meant getting Ashton back safe and alive. I needed to focus.

The wind turned, and I caught a familiar scent. I spun around, waiting for Trent. He came padding out of the underbrush, his eyes wary and worried as he approached. Those were the eyes of a pack mate who’s afraid his alpha was going to snap and lash out in anger.

More shame. Even my best friend thought I might do something dumb.

Trent shifted and put his hands on his hips.

“I got a message from Langston. He’s found something you need to see.If,” he added with an irritated tone to his voice, “you can handle being around the guy long enough to hear him out.”

I shifted and stepped forward, eager to hear what Trent knew.

“What’s going on? What did they find?”

“No clue,” Trent said. “Langston said it was something you needed to see in person. He didn’t want to say anything on the phone. It sounded urgent, though.”

“Well, let’s go,” I said, and went to move past him, ready to shift and run back home.

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