Page 35 of Second Chance Luna

Brent's POV:

"Maci," my mate whispered.

"What are you talking about?" I was completely confused, but turned my eyes toward where she had her's glued, and sure enough. With Anderson already next to me, I linked Ryan. I pushed Alyssa behind me and Anderson came to stand in front of her as well. Ryan and Caitlin arrived shortly after, and stood behind her so that she and Tenley were covered from the back. I wasn't taking any chances.

The woman, the very presence of evil, now stood in front of me, smiling as if I should be happy to see her, "what the fuck are you doing here?" I growled lowly at her.

She playfully swatted my arm, "oh please, is that anyway to speak to the woman you love?"

Before I could answer Alyssa shoved her way through myself and Anderson and now stood face to face with Maci, I attempted to pull her back but she shrugged me off, "I don't know who you think you're talking to, but the only woman he loves is me, and I think you need to leave," Alyssa spat out with as much venom as she did grace. She was extremely tactful when she told someone to fuck off. An attribute that was a serious turn on for some reason.

Maci smirked, "aw, you're so cute. Like a little doll.... I see you're still trying to pass that..thing..off as Brent's child, just like you're doing with that girl."

Alyssa's eyebrows shot up, "this child is biologically mine and Brent’s, hate to break that to you, and everyone knows of our situation. We have been honest from day one that Tenley is not biologically Brent's, but they know well enough not to question it."

Maci laughed, her tone dripping with poison, "you are too funny, what everyone also knows is that Brent and I were mated for five years and never could have a child. I am sure everyone sees right through this," her finger pointing at Alyssa's belly, causing Alyssa's eyes to darken with her wolf coming forward at the mention of our baby.

Alyssa opened her mouth to speak, but I could see and feel her body beginning to vibrate with a shift. I needed to stop this, I quickly looked at Alyssa, "enough," my deliverance more forceful than I meant for it to be, causing Alyssa and everyone else to be stunned at my outburst toward her. Her entire body language changed. She even took a step back from me, and Anderson let out a, "what the fuck?" Under his breath.

Maci spoke to Alyssa, clueing me in further to what I had just inadvertently done, "oh, don't be upset sweetheart, of course he's going to protect me. I am his first love after all," her words the very definition of patronizing.

"No," I growled, getting frustrated with the selfish bitch in front of me.

"I have to use the bathroom, I'm gonna, um, I'm gonna go..." Alyssa rushed out, angry tears gathering in her eyes as she grabbed Tenley's hand and turned to walk away. I stood there stunned, trying to figure out how that had gone so horribly wrong. After a moment of being dumbfounded, I walked after her, Anderson flanking me, "what the fuck, Alpha? Why in the world would you tell Alyssa to stop? Maci was so fucking far out of line, tell me it's not true what she said about you being in love with her?"

My mom, who I didn't realize was close by, spun around, "you better not still be in love with Maci! Alyssa is perfect for you!"

I pinched the bridge of my nose, I was starting to get pissed but calmed myself enough to tell my mom what happened, my Beta all too eager to point out the rather large mistake I made.

"YOU DID WHAT?" She all but screamed, and popped me on my shoulder, "Mom, please keep it down. That is not even close to what I meant," shifting my glare at Anderson and then bringing my attention back to my mother, "all I was trying to do was chill the situation. Alyssa was near shift, which I am sure was Maci's goal, knowing it could kill the baby.." my own wolf ready to shift at the disrespect for Alyssa and our children, "I should've pointed that at Maci, but instead I looked at Alyssa when I said it, I didn't mean for it to come off how it did. I just wanted to protect my mate and unborn son, but if you two would stop berating me, I have a mate to find." I pushed through the two of them and went towards the bathroom, Anderson still following me. His wolf was heated over his Luna being disrespected.

I saw Alyssa emerge with Tenley, her glare darkened as I came near. I really hated being on the receiving end of her wrath, "Alyssa, please let me explain," I begged.

Anderson cleared his throat, "Tenley, let's go find Jess and get to our seats, dinner will be starting soon and daddy needs to grovel."

He shot daggers with his eyes as he walked past me. Fuck, I had really pissed everyone off with this... but Alyssa was who I cared about fixing things with, everyone else could kiss my ass. Before they got too far I heard Tenley ask, "what does grovel mean?" Shaking my head I focused back on my brooding mate.

I turned back to her, noticing she had crossed her arms and was defensively staring at me, "so you and Maci are allowed to speak to me however and whenever you want, but I'm the one that needs to shut up?"

I shook my head, "Alyssa I never told you to shut up I -"

She laughed sarcastically, "you may not have said the words shut up, but your message was loud and clear," she scoffed, "Maci accused me of pretending another wolf's child was yours, literally insinuating I had cheated. She said you were still in love with her, but the minute I tried to speak up in defense of my family and myself, you looked at me and had the audacity to say enough. Are you kidding me?" She threw her hands up and sighed, "enough of what, Brent? Enough of seeing the woman you love in front of you while your obligation stands next to you?" Tears began to spill over.

I grabbed her and pulled her to me, "Alyssa, you are not merely my obligation. Don't you ever say that again." I kissed the top of her head, breathing in her scent, "you are the woman I love. You are the only woman for me and all that will ever be for me. Maci means nothing to me." I lifted her face to look into my eyes, "I get how all of this seems, I get that I should've handled it differently, but don't you ever refer to yourself as my obligation like it's something disgusting, do you hear me?"

Her stance had softened but the confused hurt was still present in her eyes and through the bond, I sighed, "baby, I know I should've cut it off before it ever got to that. I should've told her to leave, but she was getting to you. You were vibrating with a shift, I couldn't let what Maci was saying affect you to the point you shifted. I am positive that's what Maci wanted. She's not stupid, she knows a shift could kill our child. That's exactly what she wanted." I squeezed her shoulders, "I swear I didn't mean it the way everyone took it. Shit, my mom and Anderson are both ready to disown me, but I swear to you I was only looking out for your safety and I had to stop you from shifting. I should’ve handled it much, much differently. I am so sorry." I put my forehead against hers, "baby, please believe me. Please... believe me," I whispered.

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Alyssa's POV:d

Moments ago I was furious. Doing everything possible to keep from crying in front of my daughter and now my mate was begging me to believe his version of events, but how could I not? I sighed, "I believe you, and you're forgiven, but I want her and whoever else has a problem with me or with this pregnancy out of here, I am sick to death of having to deal with people that disrespect me. I've had plenty of it over the years and I'm over it."

The usual glint in my mate's eyes returned, "you have my word. I will handle it."

We entered back into the ballroom, hand in hand, and walked toward the front. For the most part the pack officials were still mingling, the less inclined already sitting and waiting on food to be served. Each table represented a pack, the officials and the representatives all sat together at one large table, there were 13 total tables of about 20 wolves at each table.

Brent kept walking, not saying a word to anyone as we continued our movements toward our seats, walking so fast he was practically dragging me. Once we arrived he pulled my chair out for me, but instead of sitting he walked to the podium, Anderson and I eyed each other at the fact that he was addressing the crowd alone .

Brent cleared his throat, alerting everyone that the time had come for the dinner to begin. Once they were seated Brent spoke, "good evening everyone," he waited until everyone had echoed him to continue, "my Luna has planned this night for us to unwind and enjoy before the meetings begin tomorrow. She has graciously given her time and precious energy, when she should've been resting, to make this event possible. All for someone in attendance to question the paternity of our child that she is carrying," I looked down the table as the wolves from our pack were growling at the information Brent just shared, the crowd before us gasping in shock.

"She handled herself with grace," he said as he held his outstretched hand toward me, "however, I will not." His hands returned to the podium, I noticed his knuckles were turning white from how hard he was gripping the edge.

"If I hear of someone so much as mentioning a question on the validity of our child ever again, you will be stripped of your title and punished. If you do not have a title, you will still be punished accordingly, do I make myself incredibly clear?" His tone was menacing, I hadn't seen this side of him in awhile.

You could hear a pin drop, and I gulped at the tension in the air. I followed to where his stare was leveled, Maci. I should've known she wouldn't have left, but what Brent shared next placed everyone on edge.

"Now to put this bullshit to rest. My previous mate," he spat and paused for a moment, "could not bare my child due to lack of strength to carry an Alpha heir and that is the only explanation I will give as to how the Luna is with child. You will all do well to remember it, now, let's eat." The crowd sat stunned, unsure of what to say or do, but they eventually turned their focus to the plates being sat in front of them.

The shock on Maci's face was enough to erase all previous anger I had at the encounter earlier. Brent had publicly put her in her place, and all was truly forgiven. I wasn't usually one for punishments and humiliation, but I had learned that when you gave some people an inch, they would take a mile.

He walked over to me and placed his hand on the back of my head as he gripped my hair, tilting me back slightly so he could look down at me. He locked his eyes on my lips and lowered to meet my mouth, kissing me far too passionately for being in public. I knew I was red as a tomato when he let go of me to sit down.

He gruffly spoke, "eat, my love," I sat stunned, had I imagined that?

I leaned forward to whisper, "you kiss me like that and then tell me to eat?"

He nodded his head with a mouth full, answering once he swallowed, "you're going to need that energy for later."

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Brent's POV :

"Where are we going? I'm gonna fall!"

"Oh, hush I'm not gonna let you fall," I responded.

I had blindfolded her after the dinner was over, guiding her to a small after party. We finally reached the door and I pushed it open, leading to the veranda on the 8th floor. We had a large fire going and tons of blankets for her, we other wolves would be perfectly fine, but with her wolf being subdued with pregnancy, she wasn't near as warm.

"Surprise!" Everyone yelled as I pulled the blindfold off .

Her hands covered her mouth as she screamed, "what in the world is this for?!"

Everyone hugged her as we walked past and made it to the center of the lounge to where the blankets were.

Caitlin passed her a hot chocolate and answered her question, "well, you have planned so many amazing events here recently that we wanted to celebrate you. The do-er also needs some doing sometimes, wait, hold on..that's not what I meant..." but it was too late everyone was rolling in laughter, my Gamma choking on his drink. Gosh I was so grateful for a light evening with friends to ease the chaos from earlier.

I leaned in to whisper to Alyssa, "I'm going to go get a drink, I'll be right back."

She nodded and reached up to kiss me, which I happily accepted.

I was at the cart pouring my drink when Maci suddenly appeared through the door. I roared loudly and advanced quickly, Anderson grabbing me by the neck and pulling me back, "hey man, don't make this a blood bath. Don't give her the satisfaction she wants, we'll get her out of here man."

I struggled against him for a moment, but I eventually calmed down and ripped myself from Anderson's grip, "what the fuck are you still doing here, get out of this house and off my fucking land!"

"Oh stop it. I just came to apologize, even though all I was trying to do was protect you from someone who clearly has shady motives. Besides, I am a representative of Alpha Maks. You will have to explain to him why his representative was sent away," she smirked.

What she said stunned me for a moment, Alpha Maks had never said a word about her being a representative for his pack when we'd had our meeting. I would be handling the Alpha tomorrow, but my focus right now was getting this bitch out of here.

"This is my land and my pack, you will leave, and I sure as hell do not want or need any of your protection," I seethed through gritted teeth.

I was so focused on not shifting that I never saw Alyssa come to stand beside me.

"Maci, I get that it is tough for you to see me pregnant after so many years of disappointment, but this is enough. You need to go." The two women stared each other down with Maci just barely looking below eyelevel due to Alyssa's more powerful wolf.

With fake emotion, Maci asked, "have you decided which life you will save?" Completely ignoring Alyssa’s statement.

"Excuse me," Alyssa scoffed.

"You know, because you're so tiny, and he's, well, huge. If what you're saying is true, then delivery inevitably kills at least one of you," she coldly shrugged.

I looked down to see Alyssa's claws had come out and her skin was prickling with fur, "Anderson! Get her the fuck out of here!" I roared as I took Alyssa into my arms, pressing her nose to my chest begging her to breathe in my scent and come back to me before she shifted. Shit I could be killed with such close proximity to a shifting wolf, but I didn't give a shit. There was no life where I lived without Alyssa in it anyway.

"Alyssa, come back to me, she's gone, Maci is gone. Please baby, please come back to me." I kissed her mouth, causing her canines to pierce my lip. Her claws ripping into my shirt as I held her tightly against me.

"Listen to me," I pleaded, "think about our son, think about Tenley. You can fight this shift, I know you can."

I pulled her in tighter, rubbing her back and whispered soothingly to her and slowly she began to come back, little by little. Thank Goddess.

I pulled back slightly to look into her eyes, "hi, my love," I swiped her hair from her face, "you sure scared me."

She shook the fog from her head, "I - I'm so sorry, I just couldn't take it. I don't, I'm so sorry." She buried her face into my chest, sobbing.

"You're okay, it's totally understandable, just breathe. It's okay." I held her for a while longer. No one dared to leave, or make a single move. Even Anderson had come back after disposing of Maci, standing with his arms around Jess.

Once her cries softened I pulled away, "you ready to go lay down?" I quietly asked.

Surprising me she shook her head no and asked if we could still stay and hang out so she could calm down before bed. Of course everyone was completely on board.

Thankfully we were able to enjoy the night free from any more distractions because tomorrow I would be questioning Alpha Maks and there wouldn't be much time for laughs... I took another sip of whiskey, thinking about crushing the Alpha. After a moment I tuned back into the conversation with my mate and friends. I couldn't help but smirk as I realized I now referred to people as friends. You don't get many friends being a feared Alpha.

Alyssa looked up at me from where her head lay in my lap, she had laid down a little bit ago, saying we could leave soon.

"You ready now, babe, you look sleepy," I wondered as I rubbed her cheek.

"Hey now, don't you dare think I forgot about that kiss, Mr. Alpha," she whispered.

My eyes darkened, "oh, don't you worry, neither have I."

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Alyssa's POV:

Brent and I climbed into his suv, well he pretty much sat me in my seat. This thing was ridiculously huge, and we were finally headed home. Tenley left with my parents a while ago and was probably already asleep by now.

"How are you doing, babe?" Brent asked with concern.

I shook my head at his question, "I don't want to talk or think about any of the drama from tonight."

He nodded, "fair enough," pulling onto the main road to our house.

I truly meant it too, I had one thing, and one thing only on my mind.

I shifted in my seat and leaned over the console to kiss the side of his neck, and up to his ear where I nipped at the soft skin.

He growled, "easy there, Luna."

I whispered into his ear, "hmmmm... I'll try."

I rubbed my hand down his shirt covered chest and abdomen, as I continued to kiss and nip at his neck, until my hand landed on his belt buckle. I slid it free from the notches and unbuttoned them as he tensed at my actions.

I slid the zipper down and buried my hand into his boxers, finding that he was already incredibly hard. I stroked up and down, earning me groveling moans from my handsome mate.

He let out a deep breath, "Luna, you're making driving very difficult right now."

I looked up at the side of his face, my hand coming to a halt, "should I stop?"

He grabbed my wrist as I attempted to remove my hand, "don't you dare," his voice thick with want and need as I picked up the motion once again.

We finally arrived at home, Brent jumping out of the car and rounding to my side at an incredible pace. He ripped my door open and took me into his arms. My legs wrapped around his waist as I freed his hair and took fistfuls into my hands,moaning into his mouth as he kicked the door of the SUV closed.

We entered our home and as soon as the door was closed the familiar beep of the automatic security system chirped.

Brent walked us through the entryway and straight into the kitchen, placing me on the island and spreading my legs so that he could step between them as he continued to kiss me like his life depended on it.

After a moment he raised me slightly with one arm and pulled my panties off my waist with the other, setting me back down and continuing to pull them down my legs as he bent in front of me. All of a sudden, and without warning, his tongue was licking up and down my slick skin .

I arched back, gripping the back of his head as I rolled my hips to the pace he had set. Meeting him lick for tantalizing lick. He finally added his finger, and then another, pushing in and out of me at a heavenly rhythm. It didn't take long before I was screaming his name and coming completely undone around his mouth and hand.

He stood, wiping his arm over his mouth, "can you stand?" His question startled me out of my fog as I nodded, silently answering his question.

"Good, there's something I want to do." He said as he wrapped his arm around my waist to help me down, turning me around to where my palms were flat on the counter, bending me forward until my chest was pressed against the cool marble. I'd been in this position before, but never willingly. My trust and love for Brent however allowed me to relax as I lay there waiting.

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Brent's pov:

I ran my hand down her spine, a position I had been dying to try once I realized how different this mateship was than my last. I wanted to please her in any and every way possible.

I took myself in my hand and placed it at her dripping entrance, slowly sliding in as she adjusted to the position.

"Faster," she whimpered.

I slammed into her, causing her to moan loudly, my favorite sound from my favorite person, making me still inside of her for a moment or I was going to go far too soon.

I gripped one hand around her hip and the other over her shoulder, ramming into her over and over again as I slid in and out easily with the moisture pooling between her legs.

"Fuck, you feel so damn good," I growled out as I slapped her ass, making her arch up off of the island. I was already so close and I could tell she was too with the way she was pulsating around me. I couldn't wait another second.

I gripped her hips tightly, pulling her into me as I pushed into her over and over again until we were both yelling into the quiet, dark house.

Once we came down from our high I leaned over her and kissed her back and shoulders. I noticed the sweat glinting over her back, and the cute little mole on her left shoulder blade. I loved studying her body. I felt like I knew every inch of her.

With one last kiss to her back I helped her stand up straight and scooped her up into my arms for a shower and some much needed sleep.