Page 50 of The Alpha's Second Chance Mate

“He asked me what I’d been doing, and if I’d been out with… what were his words? ‘That damned human.’” He glanced over at me apologetically.

“It’s okay. Go on.”

It hadn’t been a secret that Lance didn’t approve of his son being in a relationship with a human, but we’d been in love and hadn’t cared. This was not new information.

“He picked up the gun and waved it around like a fucking baton or something. He said I shouldn’t tie myself to anyone. Told me it would be better if I never took a mate. Loving someone would make me weak and turn me into someone I wouldn’t want to be. He told me I was destined to be like him. That it was in our blood.

“I got pissed, told him that was bullshit. That I’dneverbe like him. He just smiled back at me. That lopsided, drunk grin. He asked me what I’d do if you died. What would happen if I took you as a mate, claimed you, and you died? How much would that hollow me out? Would it rip out my soul?

“Something about the way he said it scared me. Then he said if I made one single mistake, it could kill you. I think he was talking about cheating on Mom. Even then, I think he regretted it.” He shook his head. “He loved my mother. I know that. I saw how they were together before the affair, and then after. It ruined her and ultimately killed her. That mistake also ruined my father. One bad mistake, one choice, and multiple lives were ruined. And I couldn’t help but wonder if he was right. If the Garrett men were cursed. I worried that I’d ruin your life somehow. I’d say something or do something, and it would be bad enough that you’d waste away like Mom. I’d be left as a shell of myself, half my soul gone.”

The backs of my eyes burned, equal parts anger and sadness warring within me. I held his hand tighter.

“He kept talking, and the more he spoke to me, the more terrified I became. I started picturing it. All the ways I’druin your life, the way he’d ruined Mom’s. I could almostseemyself breaking your heart in some way. The thought of losing you became an overpowering fear, and if I claimed you, that fear would only grow stronger.” Cole pounded his fist on the steering wheel. “I didn’t even realize it, but over the years, he’d brainwashed me. Made me terrified that I’d end up exactly like him. That conversation had nailed those thoughts deep into my mind. The fear became a certainty. Even as we fought and yelled at each other in that office, I kept imagining you broken-hearted or dying, hurt in some way because of me. I couldn’t let that happen.” His breath hitched with emotion. “So, I grabbed my shit and left. I’d hoped that by putting distance between us, I’d give you the chance at a better life. I didn’t call or text, because I knew how weak I was. If I heard your voice, or read a word you’d written, I wouldn’t have been able to stay away. I’d come running right back to you, and then the fear would start again. The knowledge that I’d somehow be the one to ruin your life the way Dad ruined Mom’s.”

He looked at me, unshed tears shimmering in his eyes. My heart pounded as I gritted my teeth together. How could he have made a decision that big without even talkingto me?

“Even then, I couldn’t sever our bond. I never rejected you in my soul, never ended our connection. Even after all these years, you’re still my fated mate. Regardless of what you or I felt, that connection remained strong and alive, binding you to me. I never let go of you in my heart.”

12

COLE

The only sound was the steady hum of the tires as we drove. A massive and crushing weight had been lifted off my chest, only to be replaced by a suffocating dread. Avery pulled her hand away, and my stomach sank.

“You fucking asshole! You can’t be serious, Cole. How could you?”

“I’m sorry. I know it was dumb, and I’ve regretted it for years, and?—”

“Regrettedit? Oh, good. I’m glad you feel bad, you stupid prick.”

Her words stung, but I couldn’t blame her. Leaving, never speaking to her again, yet keeping our mating bond intact? It was a fucking awful thing to do. All these years, I could have severed it, but I never did.

“How does this shit even work, Cole? You never officially claimed me as your mate. We were waiting until I was out of college. How could the connection still be viable?”

I swallowed hard, knowing how the rest of the story would be taken, but forcing myself to tell the truth.

“I never told you all the rules that come from a fated-mate pairing. Hell, I didn’t even know how strong it really was. I thought we still had plenty of time to talk about it before… well, before I claimed you. I’m sorry, Avery. I truly am. Fate chose us for each other, and the bond was stronger than I realized. Even through time and space, it remained as powerful as it was the first day. I know shifter and human fated mates are somewhat rare, and I assumed since you weren’t a shifter, the bond would fade with you. But it didn’t. I can’t apologize enough for that.”

Avery put her face in her hands for a moment, then looked at me again. “You realize what this did to me? Keeping this connection intact? Cole, I spent years and years andyearstrying to find love. Trying to settle down with someone. But no one ever stuck around. I never felt any true connection with them. Even with Perry, my ex-fiancé, it always felt like I’d settled. Now, I know the truth. I couldn’t make any lasting connections to another man because Cole fucking Garrett was still pining away for me, nurturing this goddamned connection like some fucking houseplant.”

“I don’t think it was like that,” I said. “When I asked you to be my mate, when I told you were fated mates, I knew it was forever. But I thought once I left, you’d be able to move on. That you being human would free you from me, while I stayed connected to you. I never thought the connection would hold you back. The only way to truly sever it is to proclaim, with your voice and your heart, that you reject the person you’re paired to, and I couldn’t. I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t. I could say the words, but I wouldn’t have meant them. So, here we are.”

Avery glared at me, rage radiating off her like heat from a fire. I was an alpha, but I had a hard time not quailing under the ferocity of her gaze. Fear and anguish filled me. All I wanted was to fix things with her, and to do that, the truth had to be told. Now, I had to deal with the repercussions. Any moment, she would probably say that she rejected me and end things between us once and for all. I didn’t know how I’d survive that, but I couldn’t continue keeping this hidden from her. For better or worse, it was out, and now the ball was in Avery’s court.

We drove on, the silence like stinging and icy-cold rain pelting my skin. The more time that passed without Avery speaking, the more hopeful I got. My inner wolf perked up, pricking its ears to catch anything, but she remained mute. I told myself it was because she was trying to figure out some sort of punishment for me. Whatever she wanted of me, I’d do it. Walk on broken glass? Done. Squirt lemon juice in my eyes? Twice a day if need be. Any punishment was worth it if it gave me a chance to make things right with her.

I didn’t drive back to her house. Instead, I steered us to an old spot we used to love: the pull-off that overlooked the lake. Avery and I used to come here at least once a week to relax and talk about our future. A future I’d ruined.

Avery glanced up from staring at her lap when I parked. She glanced around, then chuckled ruefully.

“Really?” She raised an eyebrow. “Here?”

I shrugged. “I figure if we’re gonna have an important talk, why not do it where we used to have them.”

“I need some air,” she said, and before I could say anything, she was out of the truck and walking toward the shore.

I wondered if I should follow, but if we were going to talk, then it would be pointless not to be where she was. Joining her at the shoreline, I remained quiet, giving her time to process and make the first move. I’d given up all right to move the conversation along.

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