Another Chance for the Beta

Chapter 1

HAYLEY

I can't believe I agreed to come home for Christmas.

My mother and her famous Christmas parties are the talks of the pack and being a werewolf at Christmas is the time of year when everyone drinks, eats loads of food, plays games, sings Christmas carols, and also who cannot forget jello shots of every shot known to man. Most parties go through the day and into the night but not my mother's, no they go on for two nights and two days, which means everyone who is everyone can come.

I haven't been back home since my father's funeral about five months ago. I only went to the service to see my mother and brothers, Harry and Harrison. But my mother roped me into coming for Christmas just as I was leaving, laying the guilt trip on that I haven't been home in ages. It would be lovely for the family and friends to see me. I didn't agree until she rang me out of the blue three weeks ago.

I sit in the back of the cab as we drive along the road, heading to my mother's.

I told her I would come a day early but my flight was delayed so I had to wait for the next flight, which was okay with her. She was meant to pick me up, but she forgot.

The sign for hope meadows comes up and we pass it. I know there are many eyes watching this cab. It won't be long till the whole town knows I'm home.

Merry Christmas everybody comes on the radio and the driver starts to sing along to it.

I can hear my wolf, Raina, humming to the tune on the radio.

We haven't found out mate yet, which is all that my mother has been on about since I agreed to come back home. Mates, I have no problem with it, but when I think about love, there is one person that creeps up on me, Theo Saunders.

He was the hottest boy alive back in school. We were an item throughout our senior year. We wanted everything together but we knew we had mates.

Theo was a few months older than me; the night it all changed was at prom. We were supposed to meet each other by the clearing in the forest, our secret place to go. I was running late due to a malfunction in my dress, but when I got there Theo was kissing Carly Reed under the stars. I remember running home crying.

I ignored him for days; Harrison was leaving for college so I asked if I could join him for a few days, which he was happy to accept. But I ended up staying there and working in a small store just to make some cash.

"We are nearly here, miss," says the cab driver pulling me out of my own thoughts. He looks at me through the mirror with a smile.

As we turn the corner, my mother's house stands out with all the lights and Christmas decorations. She must have gone overboard this year, as I think I have spotted four new Santas outside.

The cab driver pulls up at the bottom of the driveway and comes to a complete stop. He stares at the house. "You guys like to celebrate Christmas, don't you?" he says, staring back at the gigantic house that looks like a fairy sprayed lights everywhere.

"Yep," I say, which all I can muster is. I open the door and get out of the cab.

The driver was standing by the side with my suitcase. I look at him and smile. "Thank you for the lift, here, and keep the change. Merry Christmas," I said, handing him money for the fare.

He smiles back. "Thank you miss, here is your suitcase and have a merry Christmas too," he says. He takes one last look at the house and goes around the cab and opens the door, climbs in, and drives away.

I stand rooted to the spot for some reason.

I look back at our family home; it is the first Christmas without Dad, which is going to be weird.

My phone vibrates in my back pocket; I grab it and look to see who it is, but I can't stop the smile that forms on my face with the name that it reads, Summer.

Summer and I have been best friends ever since high school. She recently found out that she is mated to Jacob Woods, the new alpha. I can remember all four of us being friends. Summer and Jacob never hooked up, but you could see the chemistry between them.

I swipe my phone to read her message:

"Have you arrived yet? We are just getting ready, and have some pack business to take care of first. I can't wait to see you, babe. I've missed you so much, xoxo."

I smile and type back my reply:

"I just pulled up now, just about to walk into the house. Wonder what Aunt Jackie will be doing, or is it too early to guess right now? Lol, See you soon, I can't wait to see you, xoxo."

I send the message and stick my phone back in my pocket and start to walk up the driveway, but I don't get too far when the door flies open to Harrison and Mum running towards me.

Mum wraps her arms around me before I can even react, but her scent is home. I can't help but sniff at her scent and wrap my arms around her.

"You made it," she says as she pulls away. "I thought you were getting a later flight. You should have called. One of us would have picked you up."

I smiled at her. "I did try but I couldn't get through, but it's okay I had a cab drop me off," I say and turn to my six foot nine brother, he bends down and picks me up, swinging me around like he did when we were kids. "Hayls, I'm so happy you are here, I want you to meet someone," he says as he puts me down.

I look up at him. His smile is huge, and I know what that smile means. "You found your mate, haven't you?" I ask him, but he turns to my mum and glares at her. "You told her," he says, but I can't help but giggle. "No, she didn't. You are smiling like a big goof. That's why you never smile," I say, which makes my mother bust out laughing.

His face is a picture. "I do smile," he says with a whine, but pulls his face back into a big grin. "Her name is Emma. You will meet her later. She is at the pack house with Jacob, Summer and..." but he stopped, my mum shakes her head "She is just with them two, Summer and Jacob" she says glaring at him.

What the hell was that about?

"Okay, I can't wait to meet her. Can we go inside as it's cold out here and also I want to freshen up since I was on that flight," I said and my mother nodded. "Your old room has been changed into a new bathroom and your brothers have their old rooms. You are staying in the guest house," she says.

I look at her. "Ok, why am I out there?" I ask but she turns around. "You are more than welcome to share with Aunt Jackie if you want"

Hell no.

"Nope, the guest house is fine," I say.

Harrison grabs my suitcase, and we all walk into the house.

Let the fun commence!