Page 66 of A Second Chance for the Beta

“You mean a girl whose nose bled before turning sixteen?” I ask, amused. This sounds like a shitty period joke gone wrong.

Annie just furrows her brows. “Yes,” she says. “And her eyes were purple?”

I nod, dumbfounded.

“Let me research a bit on it,” Annie says. “Oh, and do you mind if I visit her in the infirmary? I want to take Jazz along to meet her. She and Livia are friends.”

“I didn’t know that,” I exclaim. “That’s an awesome idea.” Jazz is a wonderful young woman. She is half a witch and is a genuinely kind person with a lot of healthy confidence.

“I know you said you need Jazz’s help later, but I think if I pick her up now and we visit Charlie, she can do both.”

“I will have to get together with Aryanna first anyway and pick a suitable warrior,” I say.

Before Annie and I say our goodbyes to head to do our work, I notice the twins aren’t with her. “Where are the girls?” I ask.

“Oh, they are with their uncles Dave and Raffy,” she says with a laugh.

“Dave’s really turning into a kid person,” I say.

“I think they might be considering an adoption,” Annie tells me. “They haven’t said anything yet, but I think it might be an option they are contemplating.”

I’m immediately on board with Dave adopting. “Dave and Raffy would be great dads. I think a child growing up with them as their parents would be so lucky.”

“Asteria and Aurora love him too,” Annie says. “Aurora in particular. She doesn’t like staying with strangers. Aside from her nanny, Liam and me. But Dave is a huge exception.”

I love that Dave is living the best of his life here. For many years, he probably felt excluded by the fact that Annie and I were werewolves and lived in a different world, but now our worlds finally become one. I’m so happy to be able to live here with my two best friends, with my mate and my niece.

At the front door of the packhouse, Aryanna and Jazz are already waiting. Ari carries a bottle in her hands. “Hair dye,” she says. “I brought one of mine. It’s purple and very similar to the hair color Charlie chose.”

Jazz meanwhile greets us with a bright smile. She is a beautiful woman with auburn skin. She has gone from wearing her hair in braids to carrying it in a natural afro. I sincerely hope that Charlie and her will get along. Jazz is one of the most incredible young women I know, and she is only a few years older than Charlie. I would love for her to have a role model like Jazz.

“How is college going?” I ask her.

“Great, actually,” Jazz says. “It’s a bit stressful sometimes because I’m also having lessons with Stella here, but Dave is a great help.”

“Right, he tutors at your college,” Annie says.

“He is great.” She beams. “It’s a pity he can’t do it full-time. But due to his work with the Council, part-time is the best he can do. Everyone loves him when he teaches.”

“I’m not surprised,” I say. “He is probably a natural.”

“Alright, I hate to cut the chat short,” Annie says. “But my schedule is packed.”

“Same,” I say, gesturing towards Aryanna that I’m ready to get down to business.

“Let’s go, Jazz,” Annie says to the young woman.

Jazz smiles brightly. “Thank you for taking me along, Luna.” I watch the both of them walk off before leaving with Aryanna to choose one of our female warriors. It’s a pretty prestigious task to do such a job, so I’m not surprised by the huge number of warriors volunteering.

twenty-two

Purple Eyes

*CHARLIE*

Byhowshittythewhole day started, it actually turned out not to be a bad one. Dante and Ella carried me to the infirmary like I was a princess. Then Gisela dropped by and argued for an hour with the nurses until they allowed her to stay the night.

Austen’s mom, Nicole, who is a doctor here, allowed him to stay with me until it was bedtime. And to add to the fun, Felix, Dario, and Livia dropped by for a visit. I am shocked beyond words that my friends came, and even people I only just met. It gives me such a warm feeling but also disbelief that people… actually care.