Second Chance (Enduring Kiss) (2 page)

A shudder ran through me thinking about Jessica having to go through with the Kiss. At least she
was unconscious for it. I knew was only swapping a little blood, but I cringed whenever I thought about tasting vamp blood. I had no desire ever to experience such a thing. Luckily, I was a wolf and didn't have to worry about being intimate with a vampire.

I glanced around the room and through the massive bod
ies looking for Sean. When I spotted him, I couldn't help but sigh a little in disappointment and with desire. He was so good looking, in that surfer boy kind of way. His gleaming tan skin covered a leaned yet hard body and with his highlighted dirty blond hair, he looked like he belong laying on some beach watching the waves and catching the girls.

My goodness
, what it would be like to have all of him to oneself? That wouldn't happen, I reminded myself. As much as I found him attractive, in many more ways than just physically and as much as he felt the same, we were not mates.

As if he could hear my thoughts
, he turned those molten golden eyes on me. Yes, he desired me. I could see it when his gaze burned into mine with promises that would never be fulfilled.

Again
, as if he knew my thoughts had turned towards 'what can't happen' he gave me his most charming grin followed by a wink then turned his attention to our leaders. He was right I should pay attention. This was important. No matter my thoughts on vampires, our pack as well as some surrounding pack's wolves would be helping Lucas.

"I thank you for your service
, friends and hope we will be successful in defending our home. I will have to meet with this Master to discuss these issues. I hope that he will leave in peace when he hears the truth, but if not, we will have to fight. I am sure he will bring many guards."

He paused a moment and looked at Dane. They grabbed each other in one of those manly hugs where they pat each other's backs loudly. When they broke
apart, Lucas again addressed us.

"Thank you again."

He bowed slightly and turned to leave. He came toward us and even knowing he was just coming to get Jessica, I backed up a little. He nodded to me and Susan then lightly took Jessica's arm. She blew us each a kiss and exited with her vamp. I swallowed and tuned in to Pack Master Dane dismissing everyone.

"Thank you again for coming. We will meet again in smaller groups once we know more specifics. Please stay close by; we may need you in as little as a couple of days or as long as a couple of weeks. Those of you from out of town, I have already seen to your accommodations. If you have any problems or questions
, do not hesitate to come by my office. Good night."

After Dane left
, everyone kind of stood around and talked for a while. Some questions were answered while more were asked. It seemed that we had a threat that we didn't know much about. Who was this Master and where was he from, and how did Gretchen convince him to turn her?

Susan had turned toward me to talk
, but were interrupted by a looming shadow. We both turned to glare, but it was of no use. Paul was ready to take his mate home.

"Hello Rebecca. I'm sorry to interrupt
, but it's time for me and my mate to head home."

I looked down to hide my blush. Paul may have been talking to me
, but he only had eyes for Susan. They were gazing at each other with so much heat, I was afraid the drapes would catch fire any minute.

Susan didn't say a word; she just grabbed Paul's hand as they practically ran for the exit. It seemed they couldn't get enough of each other. H
ow Susan was not pregnant by now, who knew? I was positive it would not be long with the way they went missing at the oddest times, or like how they would run out of rooms without notice. They had only been back a couple of months from their extended honeymoon, so I knew it was only a matter of time before a baby was on the way.

I was about to head to
my room when Sean walked up.

"Hey Becky, you got a minute?"

My eyes narrowed at the nickname. "What, now you've decided to call me that too?"

Well at least he had t
he decency to look embarrassed.

"Sorry, I'm just so used t
o hearing Susan call you that."

He added his famous grin complete with dimples to the apology. It was impossible to be angry with the man.

"It's all right, I guess," I said a little breathlessly. That grin always got to me.

Sean's golden gaze heated for a fraction of a second before he cleared his throat, sufficient
ly bringing me out of the haze.

"So, I was wondering if you would be going to any of your classes this week."

"Yes, my usual days, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Why?”

I took classes at the local community college. Accounting was the degree I was going after and thank
goodness, I only had a couple months left.

"Well
, I think you ought to think about taking a break for awhile. You know, just until things become safer around here."

"Sean
no, I have worked too hard to take a break now. I graduate in only a couple of months. I can't just stop for awhile and come back; I'll be too far behind." I was practically whining, but I didn't care.

He reach
ed out and clasped both my hands in his, startling me.

"Please, Rebecca. Please just until its safe."

I couldn't speak with him touching me, even if it was just our hands. I stiffened my spine. He was not going to get what he wanted just because he was charming. I pulled my hands out of his and shook my head.

"No
."

He sighed loudly and narrowed his eyes. "Fine, I'll just have to go with you."

I gasped. "No Sean.”

W
hen he grinned at me, I snapped.

"No! I am not
a child and you are not my mate," I hissed.

Sean visibly flinched as if I slapped him and I immediately regretted my choice of words. He
did not deserve me snapping at him, but I was tired of everyone trying to rule my life. These were my choices, no one else's.

Unusual anger darkened his gaze and I had to force myself not to take a st
ep back.

"You're right Rebecca.
I am not your mate. Thanks for the reminder."

I tried to reach out to him; tell him how sorry I was, but he abruptly turned and walked away.

Chapter 2

The week passed quickly and without incident. Everyone was on high alert, but there had been no sign of the Master vampire. As I walked from campus to the parking lot, I thought about how the Pack Master told us not to stray too far from home and not go out alone. I couldn't count how many times someone suggested I not attend classes.

It was crazy. I kne
w they all cared for me and wanted to keep me safe, but it was getting on my nerves. I had to go to class. Finals were right around the corner and missing any class time would be a death sentence for my degree. I did not need all the extra stress.

I was already frazzled about the
argument with Sean. I should not have been so hurtful. It was quite difficult to like someone so much and not be able to act on it. I tried to find him and apologize, but I hadn't seen him all week.

He must have been avoiding me. Usually we saw each other if not daily then every other day. Maybe that was the problem. We spent too much time together. Proxi
mity probably had heightened the draw to each other.

I waved to a girl from my auditing class as she got in
to her car. As I continued down the rows of cars towards mine, I could not get that last thought out of my head. Maybe Sean and I needed to separate ourselves a little. I would miss his friendship, but something had to change. 

I knew I wasn't in love with Sean because I had been in
love once before. It had been completely different. The love Drake and I had, was all-consuming. I loved him with everything I was.

What Sean
did not know was that I would never have a mate, because I had already found him and he was dead. Werewolves only had one mate and if we never found them or if they passed away, we did not get another. It was sad, but also romantic in a sense that you had only one person to love and love you in a lifetime. A love that was intense, passionate, fervent, and strong.

I would never again experience those feelings. Yes, I could take a lover or a boyfriend. I could even marry. Many wolves do when they lose a mate or spend too many years without one
, but it would never be the same as having a true mate. If Sean were to know my loss, he would feel unnecessary guilt for the things he could not change.

Then if others knew,
the piteous looks would start. They would set me up with other single wolves that have lost mates and I wasn't ready for that. I still felt the aching hole of loss in my heart. It had been five years since Drake's death, but I felt his absences just as strongly as I did then. No, best to keep quiet until the time was right, maybe after Sean found his mate. Whoever she was, she was one lucky girl.

I reached my little blue Toyota and unlocked the door. After opening
it, I threw my book-laden backpack in then suddenly swirled around looking in every direction. I couldn't believe I was so distracted with my thoughts that my nose hadn't picked up on the scent. I could smell him now though. The scent was wolf, male, and not of my pack.

I sniffed again and wrinkled my brow in confusion. It was familiar though. I looked around again. He was gone
, but I had just missed him. Now the question was who was checking up on me and why? I could not afford to stand around thinking about it. It wasn't safe. I had to get home and talk to Pack Master Dane.

I jump
ed in the car and headed out of the parking lot and onto the main street. As I drove toward the mansion, I kept glancing in the rear view mirror. I saw nothing unusual, but the hairs on the back of my neck prickled and I knew I was being followed.

This had to be about that Master that
was supposed to come to town, or more probable, was already in town. Why follow me? I thought. I did not have anything to do with Lucas, except I was friends with his wife. Maybe they were looking into our pack because we were associated with Lucas, I mused.

I gave up on my questions as I pulled up to the house. I got out and after grabbing my bag
, headed to the front entrance. I saw Barrett standing out front. He was looking good in his guarding duds. Even with his straight short brown hair and plain brown eyes, the man was extremely handsome. He had a strong jaw, straight nose, and his build was lean and muscular. His tight black t-shirt showed off his six-pack.

It always amazed me how good looking the male werew
olves were. It must be genetics, I thought. That was one misconception humans had. Werewolves were born, never turned.

I waved to Barrett on my way in
, but did not stop to talk. It was better to see Dane first thing. I went straight to his office and knocked firmly.

"Come in,
" he called.

I went in shutting the door behind me. Dane was leaning on the front of his desk with his legs and arms crossed. He looked casual and confident in his
well-worn jeans and tight, white tee. He had shoulder length blonde hair and very tan skin. If it weren't for his crystal blue eyes, I'd say he was the spitting image of Sean.

He was actually Sean's uncle,
his father's brother. They made some delectable specimens in that family. They both always looked like they had just strolled of a beach photo shoot. Dane was even barefoot.

I inclined my head in respect.

"Hey Rebecca, you're doing okay today?"

He looked me up and down with concern. I had rarely sought him out for anything.

I shifted back and forth nervously. I really shouldn't have gone out alone after all.

"I was, uh, followed today."

He uncrossed his legs and stood up straight, looking more serious.

"When was this?" He asked.

"After school," I said

He arched one perfect eyebrow. "I thought you were asked not to attend classes for awhile?"

I blushed and looked down shuffling my feet. Darn it, his authority made me so uneasy.

"Well I, uh, said no."

"Okay, so tell me what happened?"

I looked up at
him startled. All he said was okay? I could not believe I wasn't going to get the third degree on my safety. At my bewildered look, he smiled gently.

"Hey, you've worked hard. You deserve that degree and it was completely your decision about taking a break. Now, tell me what happened."

"When I got to my car, I smelled a wolf. His scent was all around my car and it was fresh, but I didn't see anyone, nor did I recognize the scent."