Page 99 of A Second Chance for the Beta

No, it’s not,she huffs.

Okay, you are right. I don’t know if I can help him. The alpha said he grew up with an abusive mom.

And?My wolf demands to know.We grew up bullied. And look at us now.

Deep inside, there is a small part of me, a reminder of my past when I was still bullied. I’m hiding this part of me, burying it deep in my mind, but it’s there. It feeds my insecurities. It makes me distrust everyone around me aside from a few chosen people.

This part never healed.

My wolf looks ready to fight me if I chicken out of this. I still don’t know what to do or how to go about this, but I know I don’t want to let the scared girl in me win.

“Don’t you want to know my name?” I ask. “Before you force me to be your model.”

Richard turns deep red at my comment. “You are right, I’m sorry. I don’t even know…” he pauses. “Let me introduce myself. I’m Richard. And you are?”

“Livia,” I say. “Or Livi.”

He smiles shyly. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” I pause. “I have to go back to work,” I tell him reluctantly. “My alpha and beta are expecting me.”

“Oh,” he says, looking sad. “Will you come back?”

Fuck, what am I even doing here?

“I will be working until late at night, but we can meet tomorrow for lunch,” I say.

He smiles. “I’m looking forward to it.”

thirty-two

Potential Allies

*DANTE*

Wemanagedtodoeverything in time, and at 11:00 p.m., Aryanna is waiting to be picked up by Atticus. We decided to test Aloysius’s so-called goodwill and equipped her with a notebook for Ella, with her phone, some clothes, a small camera, and a tracking device.

Dave will watch their movement, and shockingly, Liam decided to ask Richie to help him. He probably wants to test his loyalty now that we know he is Livia’s mate. I feel for her. She is a tough young warrior, but she was severely hurt as a kid and never quite got over what happened.

Maybe that’s why the goddess paired her to Richard. She is going to be able to help him, giving him hope and a purpose again, while she will find her own purpose too. But Richie was hurt badly too. He was groomed, and he is only eighteen. He already carries such a huge package. I would have wished for Livia to find someone who could protect her.

Maybe she doesn’t want or need protection?Sylvan intervenes.Perhaps she wants to protect.

You are right. I’m being pretty judgmental.

Nah,he mutters.We worry about our pack members, and the human kid is still an unknown constant.

Let’s hope he won’t hurt her,I say.But if she wants to give him a chance, and he doesn’t give us any reason to deny them this opportunity, then l will support her.

I should stop thinking that he is broken or not worth being a mate because, quite frankly, I was broken too when I met Ella, and yet she accepted me.

This reminds me that I still haven’t dealt with the issue concerning my mom.

How do you feel about her?I ask my wolf.

He grumbles.I don’t know. I’m still mad at her. Life was just getting good, and then she had to pop up again.

Don’t you want to know what she has to say?