Page 11 of A Second Chance for the Beta

“I… It would be a lie if I said that I’m not terrified of a worst-case outcome,” I admit. “But there is also the possibility of your nephew being out there on his own, and he might need us.”

“We are going to do this together?” Ella asks, and I can feel the joy and relief from the mate bond.

I feel a flash of hurt. “Did you really think I’d leave you alone in this?”

She tilts her head. “Not really. It’s just… I’m used to doing things on my own.”

“I love that about you,” I say. “I don’t want you to change. I just hope you can let me in sometimes and allow me to help.”

“I trust you, Dante,” she says. “If it sometimes seems like I might not, I’m sorry. It’s just me falling back into old patterns. But I trust you, and if you want to help me, I will happily accept it.”

“Awesome, let’s do it.” I smile. “What’s the plan?”

“Annie said she will tell Alpha Liam to make his connections work. I have all the papers that prove who I am. We are now looking for Candy’s papers that will prove our relationship and then track her last steps. Alpha Liam is hopefully going to research with the Council’s help.”

So that’s why Liam told us he has things to research on. The moment he heard about what happened, he was already ready to help me. He truly is a great friend.

Ella eyes the bag in my hands and sniffs the air slightly. “Wait, is that pizza?”

“Yes.”

“You are the best!” She smiles. “Annie and I missed lunch because we were at Emmet’s. That’s why I was hovering above the ice cream pot. So, what did you bring along?”

“Your favorite pizza with less cheese but extra ham.” I make a dramatic pause. “And anchovies.”

“Don’t bully my food choices.” She grins.

“Little cheese but an extra of anchovies?” I raise my brows.

“You eat olives,” she retorts before changing the topic by pointing at the second bag. “Please tell me it’s tiramisu.”

“Strawberry tiramisu,” I say proudly.

Ella smiles brightly and pulls me into a kiss. “You are the best.”

five

Progress

*ELLA*

I’mequippedwithallthe necessary documents, every certificate about me and my parents. Emmet actually managed to retrieve one document that proved Dad’s first mate gave birth to a child. However, there is no real birth certificate for Candy, and I hope the Council can help.

I’m not sure how Liam did it, but it only took a week for them to contact me and invite me to a meeting. As I’m not a member of the Council or a royal lycan either, I can’t just enter. I can only enter the council building when accompanied by an actual member. Annie or Liam could do it because they are both working for the Council due to their rank. Furthermore, Liam’s dad is the future king, making Liam the future crown prince.

However, we all decided it would be best if I came with Dave. Dave is unorthodox in his methods, and some people there actually fear his unusual way of handling Council issues. He has no filter and doesn’t care for rank as he is human. He is the only human to work for the Council and to ever set foot in it.

“I’m still amazed you are an actual member of the Council,” I tell him when he leads me inside the building. It’s completely new, as the base here is newly founded. The Council’s main base is still in France.

“I can’t quite believe it either.” Dave chuckles. “One day I’m a normal human, friends with a bunch of wolves, then the next day I’m suddenly mated to one, part of a pack and invited into the Council.”

“Thanks for helping me,” I say. “I know you have a lot on your plate with your work at university and then here, plus your work for the pack.”

“El.” He jumps me out of the blue to squeeze me. “You and Annie are my best friends and my chosen family; of course I’d help you anytime! That’s what friends are for. Stop being so dramatic.”

“Me? Dramatic!?” I breathe out. “This coming from you of all people. Are you trying to insult me?”

He grins. “Feisty suits you better than overly modest.”