Choose Me

you aren't my second chance

He let go of me and stepped back, shock written all over his face. I whimpered, bending over, clutching my stomach as the pain came back.

His eyes widened as he quickly embraced me again. As he drew me into his chest, I grabbed his shirt. He numbed the pain... He took it completely away. I breathed out in relief and hid my face in his chest. I could feel eyes on us, it was embarrassing, but I would take embarrassment over pain any day.

"Alpha, take her inside." Dominic, Caleb's mate, whispered. "We'll look after Lila." He added. He went to move his arms, and I whined.

"I'm not letting you go." He whispered, squeezing my waist.

I breathed out in relief. He kept his hand on my waist as he shuffled me backwards towards the house. No one spoke. I could feel eyes on us, though. They'll all have questions just like us.

"Beta Wade, take Mateo and Mila back to the packhouse. I'll be there soon." He ordered.

"Yes, Alpha." The Beta answered. I looked to where he was but couldn't see him. Alpha Leon was moving too quickly; I only managed to catch his back.

"I'm just opening the door." He whispered against my neck as he leaned forward, taking his hand from my waist.

He pushed open the door, he stepped through, guiding me. I glanced around as he shut the door with his foot. We were in a huge kitchen. He continued leading me until we were in a living room.

He led me towards the sofa. He stopped and peered down at me.

"Let go... That's the only way we can know if it's stopped," I whispered. I took a deep breath as he stepped back.

My breath caught in my throat, and I wheezed as tears filled my eyes. Ethan was really going for fucking gold. He grabbed my arm as he sat down, bringing me with him.

He held onto my waist as he wiggled in on the sofa to get comfy. I stiffened, holding my breath. I could feel his length against my centre. I bit back a groan; I'm only sat here because if he lets me go, I'll hunch over in pain.

We've been given a second chance. This doesn't happen; no one gets a second mate. It's different circumstances for us... I don't have my mate for a completely different reason to him not having his. He might not want another mate, and I wouldn't blame him. If he rejects me, I don't think I'd cope. Tears were falling, and I couldn't stop them. I held my hand over my mouth to muffle my cries.

He tugged me into his chest. I buried my face into his shirt as I cried. "Is the pain back?" He whispered as his hand squeezed my hip. I shook my head and dragged a ragged breath in.

"Talk to me, Ayla." He pleaded. I sniffled and pulled away so I can look at him. "You're my mate." I choked. He nodded at me, and I felt his hands tighten on my waist.

I gazed at him... His eyes weren't showing me anything that he was feeling. I hated that I didn't know what he was thinking.

"What are you thinking about?" He whispered as he pushed my hair from my face. I lowered my head slightly, pulling my lip between my teeth. I could feel my cheeks reddening. I definitely couldn't tell him that I could feel him under me, and it was causing all sorts of thoughts.

He moved his hips slightly with a grunt. I sucked in a breath... I was too heavy. I was making him uncomfortable with my weight.

"I'll get off you," I muttered.

He gripped his hands on my waist and held me down on him as I tried to move.

"You're ok... You can stay," He breathed.

"I'm not too heavy?" I whispered, looking down.

He hooked his finger under my chin and lifted my head. "There is absolutely nothing wrong with your body." He declared.

I took a deep breath and nodded. We sat there in awkward silence. Our breathing was synchronized; every time I took a deep breath, he did too. He occasionally moved his hips, and I realised having me sat on his lap was stirring up feelings.

"She died before giving birth to Lila," He whispered. I snapped my eyes to him and held my breath. "She knew it would happen... It's something in her mother's genes. The she-wolves in her family can't survive a pregnancy." I could hear the pain in his voice, and it broke my heart.

I placed my hand on him as he continued. "She didn't tell me until she was close to her due date. I was angry at everything. I didn't understand why she would keep that from me." He took a deep breath, "she said she was scared I would tell her to terminate the pregnancy, and she didn't want that."

"When she died, my wolf went with her. She's consumed all my thoughts for the past three years... Everything I did remind me of her." He muttered.

My heart was breaking for him. I can't imagine how hard the past few years have been for him. But how could I be his mate? How could I live up to her and be everything she was to him. I don't want to live in the shadow of someone that held so much importance to him. I stared at my lap, focusing on my breathing; so I didn't cry.

"My first and last thought of the day was always her..." He hesitated, "until you."

I looked at him as my eyes went wide. He took a deep breath before placing his hand on my face. "You brought my wolf back to life... I didn't think I'd get another shot at love but, you... you make me feel things that I thought I wouldn't ever feel again. My feelings, the bond with you... It's stronger than I've ever felt." He sighed.

"I... You aren't my second chance, Ayla. As far as I'm concerned, you're my only mate." He whispered.

"My feelings and the bond to Amelia... It's... Gone, everything has faded." He sighed, "I'll always have a place in my heart for her because she gave me Lila, but..." He took a deep breath and gazed at me.

"Ayla, I'm yours." He breathed.