Page 62 of A Second Chance for the Beta

She and Charlie eye each other in approval and nod.

“Thank you for entrusting your niece to me, Beta Ella,” Livia says. There is a glint of pride in her eyes, something I can understand too well. She has worked hard to become a warrior at such a young age, channeling all her humiliation and anger into it.

I leave Charlie with the three teens and head towards Liam’s office. Liam and Aryanna are already expecting me, both with gloomy expressions although Aryanna’s is more worried and Liam’s towards pissed.

“I apologize for the change of plans,” I say when I enter.

“I can’t believe the bitch called him,” Aryanna grumbles. “What does she even want?”

“I don’t know,” I say honestly.

“I talked to Eric briefly,” Liam says. “Dante’s mother is staying in Paris at the moment with one of the packs there.”

“And?” Aryanna pushes.

Liam narrows his eyes to a dark glare, something in his eyes flashing angrily. “Seems like she wants to reconnect.”

Frankly, while I wasn’t sure why she called—Dante hung up before she could say anymore—this is what my gut feeling was telling me. I feel angry for my mate at having to go through all this emotional shit again. Losing his mate, his father, and his unborn baby in one day during one event was deeply traumatizing for him, and instead of having his mother at his side, she blamed him for everything.

Dante was finally able to move forward, and now this!

Aryanna just stares at Liam. I only know her as laid-back and nice, but now she looks furious. “Is this a joke?” she asks.

Liam looks similarly pissed. “Do I look like I’m joking?”

“How did she even get his number!?” I ask.

“Dante hasn’t changed his phone number,” Liam explains. “He has always had the same.”

I don’t even know what to make out of all this. This is so fucked up. If Dante wants to reconnect with his mother, too, then I will support him, but I doubt he is mentally anywhere close to that yet. His emotions are in turmoil; I can feel them all too well through the bond.

“Let us hurry up and work on the schedule for the warriors,” Liam says; he looks worried now. “Then Ella can go back to check on Dante.”

Aryanna and I instantly oblige, both of us just wanting to get it done with so that Dante won’t be alone for too long. We are almost finished when the door flies open, and Felix unceremoniously storms in. “Liam!” he blurts out.

Liam is up on his feet instantly. “What happened!?”

“I’m not sure, Charlie… her nose is bleeding. But it’s not stopping!”

At hearing Charlie’s name, my blood freezes in my veins. I jump to my feet instantly, hurrying out of the room. Charlie and the others have spent the time talking in one of the adjacent rooms. There is a comfortable meeting room, and Livia has gotten some snacks from the kitchen. The plan was for them to get to know each other better.

When I burst into the room, there are tissues lying around covered in blood, and Dario is pressing one against Charlie’s nose while Livia is gathering more supplies from the first-aid kit.

Nose bleeding is nothing I’d deem dangerous, but it takes me one gaze to know that something just isn’t right.

“It doesn’t stop,” Livia exclaims. “I already linked the pack doctor.”

“Charlie,” I blurt out, running towards her. Charlie looks at me, her eyes wide open. She looks terrified. For a split second, I swear something in her eyes flickers; it’s almost like they flash purple. A dark purple, the hint of color almost not detectable, but I’m sure I saw it.

I take the tissue from Dario’s hand and press it against Charlie’s nose, making her tilt her head back. “Don’t worry, sweetie,” I mutter. “We will get you to the infirmary instantly.”

“Let me take her,” Liam offers. He and Ari have followed me and look equally worried now. “I will carry her.”

I nod, about to make space, when a heavenly scent fills my nostrils. I know this scent more than anything else. It makes my heart beat faster every time I smell it, but at the same time calms me down as well.

It smells like home.

“I’m here,” Dante says, hurrying towards me. “I can take her.”