Page 199 of The Alpha's Second Chance Mate

“It’ll be there if he wants it,” I said.

I’d put together the healthiest meal I could for a wolf based on what was in the kitchen. A few slices of sandwich meat, a hot dog, a can of tuna, and some carrots and sliced tomatoes. He looked at me with doleful eyes as I stepped into the garage and put the plate down along with a bowl of water.

“Hey, Gabe. I brought you some dinner,” I said, reaching out to pet him, but he flinched away.

Pulling my hand back, I nodded at him. “I get it. No worries. Eat up, though. You’ve got to keep your strength.”

His nose twitched as he smelled the food, and I hoped that meant he’d eat something while we were gone.

“You ready?” Cole called from the driveway.

“Coming.”

The parking lot was nearly full when we arrived. Not surprising, given the situation. Everyonewanted answers. I stepped out of the truck and went to join Trent and Porter in the audience, but Cole waved me over.

“Come up on stage with me. They’ll want to see you up there with me,” he said.

“They will?”I asked incredulously.

“Of course,” he said. “You’re the mate of the next pack alpha.” He took my hand and led me on stage.

Once we were up on stage, Cole lifted his hands for quiet. The steady rumble of conversation slowly died out.

“Good evening, everyone,” Cole said. “I guess you’re wondering what happened today.”

“We heard some pretty crazy shit,” a man called from the back of the auditorium, and a low titter of laughter rippled through the room.

“I’m sure you did,” Cole said. “Let me go ahead and lay things out for you.”

He proceeded to tell them what happened to Gabe, and how it was believed to be one of Kyle’s men who did it. Shocked gasps shot through the auditorium.

“I know there will be people who are afraid. I’ve already been told some of the humans think a shifter bit Gabe and transformed him. We all know that’s not possible, and that Kyle is at the root of this. The problem is, we can’t reveal that to the humans yet. If they are panicked at the thought of a bite transforming them, how terrified will they be if they think an injection can do it?”

One of the men in the front row raised his hand, and Cole called on him. “Oliver? Go ahead.”

Oliver fiddled with his baseball cap as he stood up. “Yessir, I was wondering how Avery there was handling all this? Is she okay?”

Surprise shot through me, and it only deepened when others murmured in agreement to his question. Heads nodded, andmore voices called out, asking after me. Did they truly care that much? It was honestly heartwarming.

“If there’s anything you need,” a woman called out, “we’ll do it. I can’t imagine losing my boy like you have. Anything. You say the word.”

More of the residents agreed, and a lump formed in my throat. Tears welled in my eyes. Cole was right. This town cared about me. About my son. I hadn’t expected that at all.

Wiping my eyes, I took a step forward and cleared my throat. “Thank you. Thank you, everyone. I’m doing as well as can be expected. The only thing I need from you is your support for Cole and his team. I have a good feeling that this will all be over soon.”

I quickly stepped back. I snatched Cole’s hand, and he squeezed it. The crowd gave some mild applause, then Cole continued answering their questions until everything that needed to be said was covered. The people began to file out, looking much less stressed and anxious than when we arrived.

Cole led me behind the curtain on the stage and cupped my cheeks in his hands. “You did good. I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d have to talk.”

I shrugged in answer, not trusting myself to talk. I was afraid that if I opened my mouth, all my emotions would tumble out and I’d become a blubbering mess. Cole’s face softened as if he could see what was going on inside my mind. Leaning forward, he kissed me long and deep.

When he pulled away, he looked into my eyes. “I promise, when this is all over, I’m going to prove to you how happy I can makeyou and Ashton. I’m nevereverletting you two out of my sight again.”

“I’d really like that.” My voice came out in a thick croak.

Cole licked his lips, looking nervous. When he spoke, his voice trembled with emotion.

“I’d really love it for you guys to move in with me. We can live under one roof as a family. Would you be okay with that? I never want to be apart from you again.”

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