My Second Chance

Chapter three: Time passed

Baden
Ten years later

"Baden when are you coming home to visit?" asks my Mother.
"Your Dad and I miss you so much. And Zoë and Micah are about to have their pup soon. You just work so hard dear, your Dad and I are worried about you" she complains.

"Mom, I'm okay. I'm more than okay actually" I say trying to convince her.

"Anyway" I continue before she starts at me again. "I am coming home to visit, that's why I'm calling".

All I hear on the other end of the phone line is a high pitched squeal from my Mother.

"Oh Michael, Michael dear" my Mom is calling to my Dad,

"Baden is coming home to visit".

I can hear the emotion in my Mom's voice and I feel a stab in my heart.

I know I've been away from home for a while, but it was for a good reason. I work hard to help my Parents for being so incredible to me and my sister growing up.

"When will you be home?" my Mom asks.

"I'll be there Friday night Mom" I say.

"oh that's absolutely wonderful love, bring yourself a nice dress because next week is the Annual Alpha's Gala" she reminds me.

"Geez they still do that" I sigh.

"Yes Baden, because it's very important for pack relations" my Mom snaps.

I roll my eyes to myself and mumble an "okay".
"Well I'll see you guys soon Mom, tell Dad and Zoë I love them" I say before hanging up.

With a big sigh, I realise for along time how much I've been avoiding going home. But I'm not getting any younger and I really miss my Family and Friends.

I'm also super excited that I'll be an Aunt soon. A few years ago Zoë met her mate Micah and they fell head over heels in love and now they're expecting their first pup.

My friends Liza and Whitney have also found their mates.

Liza has an adorable little pup named Braxton with her mate Josh and Whitney has three beautiful pups, one boy and two girls with her mate Edmond.

Joelle however hasn't found her mate, but she doesn't seem to be discouraged by it just yet.

Its moments like this where I sit and think about my Friends and their growing families that I wonder about the 'what could have been'.
But I know that sort of thinking doesn't get me anywhere, so I decide to get up and go and do some training.

Before I moved to Boston to attend College, I asked permission from Alpha Andrew to temporarily transfer to another of our ally packs close to my school, so that I can continue training to maintain skill and endurance.

So for the past ten years I've been living amongst the Lycaon Wolf pack.

My Wolf Taylyn loves it, because it keeps her sharp and fit. But every now and then I feel a longing in her and I know that it's my own doing.
Hopefully one day I can make it up to her.

As I head out toward the training field, someone calls to me from behind. As I turn in their direction I realise it's the pack Beta, Nathaniel.

Beta Nathaniel is an attractive man, with smouldering dark features and a tall athletic physique and an amazingly warm smile. I admire Nate's resilience, because three years ago he lost his mate in a rogue attack. He was absolutely devastated, as anyone would be if they just lost their mate. But after much support from the community he is slowly getting himself back.

"Beta Nate" I nod as a sign of respect.

He jogs toward me and then walks along side me.

"I wish you would stop doing that" he says with a smile.

"habit" I smile back, glancing at him with a side eye.

"I hear you're going home to visit your family and pack" he says.

"Yeah, I haven't been home in a while and it'll be good to see everyone again" I reply.

He seems to be lost in thought before asking, "will you be at the Gala next week?".

"Yeah I will" I say. "good" he replies, "I'll see you there" and then he walks off to where the Alpha's personal guard are training.

I however go and train with the pack Warriors. I'm pretty good and have excelled in my training. But my ultimate goal is to return home and work in my packs Hospital.

After a couple hours of training, I'm absolutely exhausted. Returning to my room, I shower and ready myself for bed.

As soon as my head hits the pillow I fall asleep instantly and I find myself dreaming of a man I haven't dreamt of in a long time,

Zane Shepherd.