Page 110 of A Second Chance for the Beta

“I don’t know about that,” Aryanna says. “My mate is part witch, and she is a kickass wolf. She just has these extra gifts on top of that.”

“Or Finn’s mate, Freya,” I say. “Our friend is mated to a siren hybrid. She is amazing.”

“Or Alpha Celine—”

“Oh, I’ve heard about her,” he says. “I didn’t know she was a hybrid.”

“Part witch,” I say. “I think the issue is that you see it all from a vampire’s perspective. You see your gifts and your talents, and maybe it’s true, and a hybrid won’t have all that, but they will have new talents, different gifts, and a whole new perspective.”

“I have never thought about it that way,” he says. “Well, now with your niece we have a hybrid around. We could learn a lot about her, I assume.”

It’s interesting that he says that. I thought they were out to kill Charlie in case she was Aloysius’s child. Either he is just a great actor or completely oblivious to his master’s cruelty or ignorant.

“Julianus,” I say earnestly. “What’s Aloysius going to do if Charlie is his child?” Julianus winces at my question, his face all serious again. He wants to get up, but I grab his arm. I make sure not to grab him forcefully; instead, I just hold his hand. “This child is everything I have,” I say. “She is the last one of my family who is alive. Why is it so important to find out if he is her father?”

Julianus balls his hand into a fist. “I don’t know,” he says. “I… I don’t know what he truly plans to do.”

“I have heard rumors that he wants to clean his bloodline,” Aryanna pushes.

“But that doesn’t mean he is going to harm her,” Julianus blurts out.

“Julianus,” I say with emphasis. “Someone who murders an innocent child… what kind of person does that make them?”

He rubs over his face with his free hand. “I don’t know,” he mutters. “I don’t know.”

“You don’twantto know,” Aryanna says. “But just because you look away doesn’t mean it won’t still be happening. Isn’t that the reason why your other lord left?”

“Lord Silas?” he turns to look at us, his eyes wide. “Is he… Do you know something about him? Is he still alive? Is he well?”

His question surprises me. “Why don’t you sit down again,” I offer. “Let’s talk a bit more.”

A noise from my notebook momentarily distracts me, and while Aryanna makes sure that Julianus sits down, I hurry to the notebook. A message from Dalila appears.

Charlie found a letter from her mom. She sent it to me. I will forward it to you in a minute.

thirty-five

My Brave Charlotte

*CHARLIE*

MydearbraveCharlotte,

When you open this music box, it means you are almost sixteen and your powers are appearing. By now you should know who you are, as I made sure to instruct our friend Lorenzo to tell you right before your birthday, just in case.

Against all odds and fears, you arrived in this world safely. I’m so sorry I can’t see you grow up and watch how you turn into the amazing young woman you are destined to be. Holding you in my arms was the biggest gift I could have received, and I don’t regret my decisions even for one second.

I cannot predict the future, but I hope when you find this letter, you will be surrounded by people you love. I hope my family will have found you and saved you and brought you home.

I just had you for a few days, my brave Charlotte, but I love you so much. You were my little miracle.

I’m sure you have many questions, and I will try to answer some of them. I was on the run from my cruel alpha back then. Your grandpa tried everything to help me get away. He did the same for my little sister, Ella. If his plan worked, she should still be alive. If you haven’t already found her, make sure you do. Her name is Ella Hargrove, and I am sure just like you, she is a bright and brave star, shining brightly in the sky. Lorenzo will help you find her if you haven’t already.

When your grandpa smuggled me out of the pack, I was on the run for a while, always hiding, always trying to make sure not to leave any traces. That’s when I met the vampire lord, Aloysius. He was charming and intelligent, and I’m ashamed to admit I fell for him. He helped me get away and hid me in his castle.

But I soon realized he wasn’t the man I thought he’d be. He was cunning, dangerous, narcissistic. He lacked empathy, unlike his brother, who was so much kinder and more understanding. I spent a year with the vampires… because it was during these days, I met my mate. He was a young vampire lieutenant named Ambrosius, and he was everything. We always met secretly and made sure not to alert his master and lord.

It was then that you were created. I loved your father very much. He was fun, brave, and a bit reckless at times. But he made sure to protect you and me. He was the one who built the music box and who put the spell on it. Your blood is made out of mine and his DNA; only you can open the lid. He made sure to get me out of the country and to the safety of Italy. He gave me potions to hide my scent and erased all traces I left.