My Second Chance Mate: A Shifter Romance Page 3

  “No, she's mine.” Trevor glares menacingly at my cousin. Jared must’ve understood what he means, because his eyes widen in shock.

  “That's not possible. She already has one douche bag of a mate. She doesn't need another,” he blurts out.

  Shock ripples through our little group and I cringe, embarrassed by it. Trevor's wolf must’ve sensed this, because he brings me close to his side as if to comfort me. These mixed signals he is sending are totally messing with my already messed up mind.

  “Sorry, Harm. Just let her go so I can take her home. Look at her. This has obviously been a long day, and she's had enough.” Jared tries to reason.

  “No, she's coming with me. We have unfinished business to deal with first. I'll personally bring her home if your dad will allow me onto your territory to do so,” Trevor growls.

  This causes the boys to tense, and I know a battle is coming. We are already starting to attract more attention. Trying to avoid disaster, I say, “It's alright, guys. I'll go with him and get this settled. He'll bring me back later. Isn't that right, Trevor?”

  “I said I would,” he hisses through his teeth. Was he angry? What did he have to be pissed about? I'm the one being forced to do something I don’t want to. What an irritating man!

  Jared starts to object, so I give him my most serious look and tell him, “It will be ok, cousin. Just ask your dad to allow him onto our territory to drop me off.”

  “Yeah, okay. But if he does anything and I mean ANYTHING you don't like or want, don't hesitate to mind link us, and we'll come get you. Boundaries or no boundaries at that point won't matter,” he tells me with so much conviction, I know he means it. “Hurt her, Trevor, and I swear I will make you pay,” he adds.

  “Whatever, pup.” Trevor smirks before grabbing my hand. He pulls me to the exit, big and bulky right behind us.

  He leads me to a big black four door Chevy Silverado and picks me up, placing me in the passenger seat. His friend walks further into the parking lot, most likely heading to his own car. I start to grumble as he buckles my seat belt, but he cuts me off again which I was getting sick and tired of. “Don't give me a hard time. I can smell him all over you, and it's taking all my control not to pin you down and mark you right here and now.”

  That shut me up. I so didn't want that happening. What was he smelling? I discretely sniff myself, but all I smell is the Hawaiian Ginger lotion that I used this morning. There’s no way I smell like a he. As if reading my thoughts or maybe he caught me sniffing, he grumbles, “Nate. I can smell him on you. He was holding you when I yanked him off, was he not?” I can see how much this angers him. His body is starting to shake.

  “He wasn't holding me, you dummy. He was stopping me from hitting him a second time. In fact, I was just about to knee his man berries before you interrupted me. I'm still gonna follow through with it as soon as I see him. It'll be even sweeter because he won't be expecting it.” I smile, getting lost in thoughts of all the possible ways to make Nate pay for his little remark.

  I feel Trevor relax next to me, and I’m so lost in my thoughts that I almost miss the smile playing on his lips while he listened to my plans for Nate. Trevor is hot with his constant scowl on his face but that smile, be it a tiny one, is devastating. I can only imagine what a full blown grin will do. It will probably stop my heart. Seeing him smile does funny things to my insides. Almost as if my wolf knows happiness is a rare occurrence for him, and it's our job to fill his life with it.

  Yeah, right. As if I have the power to do that. He's rejecting me. That's all he wants out of this meeting. I was about to face another heart breaking conversation. I didn't want to go through this a second time, but the sooner I get it over with, the sooner I can move on with my sad excuse of a life. I glance at his face again and the remnants of the smile he had still lingers there. I feel my heart warm at the sight then shake myself. I can't let this happen. He's about to formally reject me, and I can't forget that. I reinforce the walls I built around my heart after Aiden, and make sure there is no chance of it crumbling. I have a suspicious feeling that if I were to let myself fall for Trevor, the resulting pain will be much worse than what Aiden caused. Not only will it put the finishing touches to my already broken heart, but it will kill me in the process. I refuse to let that happen. I may not believe in happy ever after, but that didn't mean I wanted my life to end. So my mission now was to let him say what he had to, get out of his territory as fast as I can, and stay the heck away from him. A niggling feeling had me guessing that it was going to be easier said than done.

  Chapter Four

  Sucker Punch to the Gut

  We travel along a gravel road surrounded by trees. They look eerily similar to the kind you see in scary movies right before the killers jump out and stop the car. Is that a premonition of things to come? Am I headed to my doom? I am probably acting a bit dramatic, but with the way things were going, what else should I expect but more craziness?

  After about a twenty minute drive, we finally arrive at a huge house. It has two levels with a wrap around porch, and a pathway lined with flowers of all colors leads the way to the front steps. There are more flowers surrounding the house, but the feature that quickly catches my attention is a little white gazebo set off to the side. It's beautiful, and the last thing I expect to see in a house belonging to Trevor.

  “It was my mother’s dream to surround her home with a garden. When my father set out to find our pack house, he brought this one with her in mind, knowing she would have an endless amount of space to do what she wanted. This is what she came up with,” Trevor says raising his arms to indicate the garden.

  “She did a beautiful job,” I acknowledge.

  He opens his door and gets out, but before he can get to my side, I unbuckle my seat belt and jump out.

  “You could have waited for me to help you,” he complains.

  “I’m not helpless. I like to do things for myself without relying on anyone else. If you remember nothing about me after this day, at least remember that.”

  With that said, I march towards his front door. The sooner we get this awkward moment over with, the better. He follows behind me, and when we reach the steps, the door opens. It reveals three half dressed males. My jaw drops, and I’m pretty sure I have drool dripping down the side of my mouth. Ever buy a male clothing catalogue just to stare at the models? Well, I have. And the three males in front of me could have come straight off the pages of that catalogue. They were obviously related to Trevor because they share the same chocolate brown hair, build, and bone structure. The only difference is their eyes, which were mixed shades of green and hazel. They have great bodies with enough six packs to give me a good buzz and nice, long, muscular, toned legs. I can't see their backsides since they're facing me, but I’m pretty sure it's just as great as the front. Maybe I can find some way to make them turn . . .

  A growl from my left side startles me from my thoughts, and I turn to look at Trevor with a sheepish smile on my face. Did he catch me checking them out? By the glow in his eyes, I can assume so. And if he noticed, that must mean . . . Yep, busted.

  Three sets of eyes are studying me with identical smirks on their faces. I feel myself blush as another growl comes. This causes the guys’ smirks to drop as they face their Alpha. Silent words must be exchanged because they stare at each other for a few seconds. Then their confused looks turn understanding as a fourth male makes his way onto the porch.

  “Well, well, well, if it isn’t big and bulky. So how’s the shin? Did you ice it yet?” I taunt.

  He's about to say something when Trevor stops him. “Austin, are you guys ready to patrol?”

  So that’s his name. He seems more like a Vince or Tony. A rugged name, not something so sweet. His mom obviously got the name wrong. My thoughts must show on my face because Austin shoots me a dirty look before answering Trevor.

  “Yes, we were just on our way, but we had a few things to go over with you first.”

  “Yeah, sure. Harmony, why don’t you wait for me in the family room while I take care of pack matters? It’s straight in and to your right. You can’t miss it,” Trevor directs me.

  Shooting the delicious specimens on the porch one last glance, I nod and do as he suggests. The inside of the house is just as beautiful as the outside. It’s surprisingly clean for a bunch of young guys. Their mama raised them right, that’s for sure. I reach the family room and one word comes to mind. Big. Big couches, coffee table, end tables, matching recliners, and lamps in warm earth tones. I guess it makes sense because they are all huge guys, over 6 ft., and full of muscles. As I scan the room, a picture on one of the tables peaks my interest. It's of a smiling Trevor. I pick it up and am right about a being full blown smile from him is devastating. My breathing hitches just seeing it, but it's the other person in the picture that stops my breath all together. She's a pretty blonde with gray eyes and a happy smile on her face. They are both sitting under a tree with her in between his legs, while he holds her and they smile at the camera. They look so perfect together. Is this why he brought me here? To have me meet the reason why he was rejecting me? Did he, like Aiden, already find someone to love?

  “She’s pretty, isn’t she?” I'm startled from my thoughts by a tiny voice, almost dropping the picture in the process. I return the picture to its spot and face the source of the voice. It's a boy about the age of five, who looks like a male replica of the woman in the picture.

  “Yes. She’s very pretty,” I reply. “Who is she?” I can't resist asking.

  “My mommy,” he answers.

  Sucker punch to the gut. Not only does Trevor have someone he loves, but he also has a family. I feel as if my feet are kicked from under me, like there's no solid ground to stand on. The world
starts to tilt, and I begin to fall. Two strong arms catch me before I hit the floor, and the last thing I remember is seeing two chocolate eyes looking at me with concern before the blackness takes over.

  ***

  Trevor

  “Trevor, there were some signs of rogues in the northern section of our territory the last time we patrolled, but the scent wasn’t very strong so we’ll start there and work our way back to make sure they haven‘t returned,” Austin informs me.

  “Alright, let me know if you find anything,” I order.

  I sense the question in all of their minds, but they respect me too much to ask. They know what I’ve been through these past five years and didn’t want to bring up any bad memories but they are my best friends and cousins, so they deserve an explanation.

  “She’s my mate or so it seems. The signs are all there. Her intoxicating scent, the sparks when we touch, my need to protect her and make sure no other male touches or even speaks to her,” I share with them.

  “But how is that possible?” My cousin Jeremy asks.

  “I think I may have an idea, but I need to look more into it to know for sure,” I reply.

  “But Sarah . . . “ Everyone stiffens as Greg mentions her name.

  “Harmony doesn’t know about that,” I state firmly. “That’s why I brought her here. To make her understand why I can’t be with her.”

  “You’re going to reject her?” Austin asks incredulously.

  “I already kind of did. I just need her to understand why so she doesn’t fight it. Although according to what she said to me earlier, I don’t think she’s planning to,” I say still confused about her attitude towards this. She mentioned having a mate and being rejected. Her first mate must be an idiot to reject someone as amazing as her. I'm no better, but I have my reasons. Not wanting to waste anymore time on the chance Harmony might change her mind and run off, I remind them to be careful and send them on their way. As they leave, my closest cousin of the three, Craig, pauses. I can tell he's got something to say to me.

  “Have you thought this through completely, Trevor? I mean, you just found out. Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?” He asks, his voice laced with concern.

  “I’m sure. I never want to go through that again. My life is fine the way it is. She’ll just mess that up,” I inform him.

  “Or she may bring back the man you used to be. She’s your second ch—”

  I cut him off before he can finish. I know what he was going to say, and I don't want to hear it.

  “No, I will not accept her. You should hurry and catch up with the rest of the guys,” I order, putting some of my alpha power behind my words. He gives me one last worried look before running off to join the others. None of them understands. They didn’t have to deal with the things I have. Heck, none of them have even found their mates yet. I know I'm doing the right thing no matter how much my wolf is against it. I just can't have a repeat of what happened before. Especially not with Harmony. She's beautiful and warm even though there's a deep sadness within her. Being tied to me will only hurt her more. I’m damaged goods. I won’t be able to give her the love she needs no matter how much I want to.

  Shaking myself of those thoughts, I make my way inside and head towards the family room. I see Cody behind the couch, facing Harmony, just as he says, “My mommy.” And she starts to fall.

  I get to her quick as lighting, thanks to my wolf speed, and catch her before she hits the ground. Her pain filled eyes look into mine for a moment before they shut and she faints.

  “Is she okay, Uncle Trevor? Did she have too many of those brown bottles that Uncle Jeremy drinks? Cause the last time he fell down like that, Uncle Greg said he was drunk off his a—”

  “Cody Scott Tanner, if you finish that sentence, you won’t play your Xbox for a whole week,” I warn him while carrying Harmony to the couch and gently laying her down.

  “But that’s what he said,” he argues.

  “And what happened to Uncle Greg after he said that?”

  “Um, you hit the back of his head . . . “

  “And what did I tell you afterwards?”

  “Never to say that word or re-rep-”

  “Repeat.”

  “Yeah, repeat anything that comes out of uncle Greg’s mouth!” he says excitedly.

  “Exactly. Why?” I test him.

  “You said because Uncle Greg’s brain is smaller than a pea. I don’t like peas. They taste nasty, and I’m smarter than him.”

  I cough to hide a laugh and ask, “Right. Remember that. So, what happened?”

  “This lady. She’s really pretty, Uncle Trevor.” Cody points out.

  I smile. “Yes, she is, but you were saying?”

  “Oh yeah,” he takes a big breath then continues, “this lady was looking at the picture of you and mommy and she looked kind of sad so I asked her if mommy was pretty and she said yeah. Then she asked who mommy was so I told her it was my mommy. Then she got a funny look on her face and started to fall before you came in and caught her and now she’s sleeping on the couch.”

  He releases the last of his breath with a dramatic drop of his shoulders, and looks back up at me and smiles, showing his two missing front teeth. I swear. Cody is the funniest little kid and the brightest spot in my messed up past. We both turn to look at Harmony as she starts to stir. I can only imagine what was going through her mind while staring at the picture. She must’ve gotten at least a part of it right. I am going to have a tough job making her stay long enough to hear me out. I plan to make her understand, though. Then I'm going to take her home and never speak to her or see her again, no matter how much it will hurt me to do so.

  Chapter Five

  Reasons Revealed

  Harmony

  I wake up to unfamiliar surroundings. Slowly looking around, I see that I am lying on a couch. There's a coffee table next to me and a little to the side is an end table with a picture on it. Then it comes back to me in a flash of pain. Trevor. The blonde. Their son. I feel the need to get out of here as fast as I can. Bolting upright, I fight the sudden head rush that move causes me. I swing my legs off the couch, coming face to face with a blonde haired, gray eyed, heartbreaker in the making.

  “She’s up! She’s up, Uncle Greg. I guess you don’t have to kiss her to wake her up anymore because she already is!” he shouts, running out of the room towards wherever his Uncle Greg is. An “Ow Trevor, I was just joking around,” is heard, followed by male laughter.

  Deciding that is my cue to get out of here, I stand up ready to run.

  “You can try but I’ll just catch you, and I really don’t feel like chasing you right now.” A familiar deep voice warns.

  “Then don’t,” I say, taking a step towards my get away route.

  “I have no choice. There’s too much I need to tell you so unless you want me to throw you over my shoulder and tie you to a chair to make you listen, I would suggest you sit back down.”

  He wouldn’t. On second thought, the determined look in his eyes tells me he would. Knowing I was fighting a losing battle, I turned around and sit down but not without grumbling. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t give him a hard time. “I don’t see what we have to talk about. I’m pretty smart and can put two and two together. You already have a mate and an adorable son, who by the way thank goodness he takes after his mom, because I don’t think we need anymore little yous running around. And you’re rejecting me because you already have your perfect little family. The end. So there, I’m all filled in. Can I please go home now?”

  “You’re absolutely right,” he says.

  Words every female wants to hear, though it stings in this situation.

  “He does take after his mom,” he continues.

  See that knife in my back, Trevor? Go ahead and twist it some more, why don't you?

  “And he’s nothing like me.”

  Clearly. Cody is a sweetheart. His father far from it.

  “Because he’s not my son.”

  Yeah, yeah, yeah. “What?” I ask, surprise all over my face.

  “Cody is not my son,” he clarifies for me.