(Cassie POV)After everyone left to go and freshen up, it took a while for Aaron and I to let each other go.“I’m so, so, so sorry, Cassie,” Aaron whispered to me.I looked up at him, taking in his piercing blue eyes. “This isn’t your fault, Aaron. I don’t know what got into Jason. I know that wasn’t the ideal way for him to find out about us, but our rejection was mutual. Our wolves barely recognized us as mates even before the rejection. I never anticipated him trying to attack you like that.”"By the way, what were you doing trying to shield me from him? I could have taken his punch. There was no reason for you to get yourself hurt.""Sorry; it was instinct. I know you could have taken him but you shouldn't have to. You didn't do anything wrong and he shouldn't act out like that. I didn't want the two of you fighting over me."Aaron sighed. “Jason hasn’t been himself for months. He acts first and thinks later. At first, I gave him a pass because I know mate bonds can r
(Cassie POV)When Aaron and I walked into the small conference room hand-in-hand, Jason growled. Aaron was immediately possessive and protective, pulling me onto his lap and kissing me on the temple.I loved Aaron’s attention, but I was confused and bothered by Jason’s behavior. Our rejection was mutual, wasn’t it? Yes, I had to convince Jason to see reality, but he clearly saw me as a sister or friend and not as a mate… otherwise my little stunt would not have worked. So why is he acting like this now?“Cassie’s family is about 20 minutes away, so let’s get this meeting started,” Alpha Blake announced.One of the elders stood up. “Alpha, I’m sure you will tell us what this meeting is for momentarily, but I have to ask why the she-wolf that was previously introduced to us as Beta Jason’s mate is currently sitting in the lap of your son.”“Yes, Elder Nicholas. That is actually what the meeting is about. It seems that there have been some recent developments, and I am not totally
(Aaron POV) I have heard friends and pack members talk about meeting their future in-laws many times over the years. During those conversations, I have never heard anyone describe it as being a fun or stress-free experience. However, I’ve also not heard anyone describe those initial meetings as resembling anything like what Cassie and I experienced. Of course, Cassie was already loved by my father and Josephine before she became my mate. That definitely made it easier on her, but even so… I don’t think any of us will ever forget the look in their eyes when they first saw her standing next to me in my room, freshly f---d, with my mark on her neck. And even then, the awkwardness of that moment cannot begin to compare to what it was like for me when we sat down with Cassie’s family to talk about the events that led up to the breaking of Cassie’s pack link with White Howlers. I had only been half-joking about wanting to buy tickets to Europe to avoid the whole d—n thing. Cassie’s f
(Nine Months Later) (Cassie POV) I sat next to Aaron in the front row of chairs, as we eagerly waited for the bride to make her entrance. The wedding ceremony had been set up outside, against a beautiful backdrop of trees, lilies, and roses. As we waited for the wedding to start, Aaron rubbed his thumb lovingly across the sapphire wedding ring on my left hand, while his other hand rubbed my lower thigh. When the wind blew my hair out of place, Aaron gently tucked one of the strands behind my ear and kissed me ever so sweetly. Aaron and I have now been married for six months. We made good on (almost) all of the promises that we made to each other that first night – I planned our first date and he planned both a formal proposal and our wedding. For our first date, I decided to take him to an amusement park in human territory. I have never had so much fun or laughed so hard. We rode roller coasters; we ate hot dogs and cotton candy; we made funny faces at each other in the fun house;
**** Author Note…… I was originally going to end the book at the Josephine’s Wedding chapter, but I decided I wasn’t ready to let Cassie and Aaron go just yet. Plus, I can’t leave Jason hanging. Get ready for part 2 of this very bumpy ride. Part 2 will focus a lot more on Jason, but we are far from done with Cassie and Aaron.**** (Jason POV) Does the Moon Goddess hate me? I am definitely starting to think so. I am currently standing at Alpha Blake and Josephine’s wedding reception, staring at my beautiful second-chance mate. Unfortunately, I can tell from the look on her face that my mate is shocked, scared, and slightly offended by our pairing. And I can’t honestly blame her. As my wolf continues to go crazy in my head –-begging and pleading with me to not to mess up another mating— I can’t help but think of all of the events that led us here. Just to recap: I met my first mate at a wedding dress boutique while she was trying on wedding dresses. When I met her, I wrong
(Aaron POV)Well, isn’t this interesting. Jason has a second chance mate.Cassie and I had been talking to some of the other couples by the bar when Josephine tossed her bouquet and Jason shouted “mate.” What a fascinating scene it soon became.“Oh no! Aaron, do you think it is Candy or Maggie? Can you tell?” Cassie whispered to me.I thought for a moment, taking in the scene. “I’m not sure. Both Candy and Maggie look pretty freaked out.” Then I started to laugh. I couldn’t help it.Cassie gave me a side-eye look. “Why are you laughing?” she asked.“Because whether his mate is Candy or Maggie, it could not have happened to a better wolf,” I replied, taking a sip of my champagne. “Karma really is a b---ch, and the Moon Goddess clearly has a sense of humor.”“Candy and Maggie are my friends, Aaron,” Cassie gently chastised me.“Yes, and when we get a chance, we can send our condolences. But I don’t think you need to worry; it’s going to be next to impossible for Jason to win
(Candy POV) The Moon Goddess either has a cruel sense of humor, or she has a blind spot when it comes to Jason Baxter. Either way, her near-perfect batting average for pairing mates seems to be slipping. To be fair, had you told me a year ago that Jason Baxter was my mate, I would have been thrilled. I might have even gotten on a table and performed a happy dance. After all, I had had a secret crush on Jason since I first moved to this part of the country. I knew he was a womanizer, but in every picture I saw of him, there was something in his eyes that spoke to me and my wolf. Because of some of the things that happened to me at my original pack –and at some of the other places I’ve lived since leaving there-- I learned early on how important it is to do your research before moving somewhere. In my case, I found that it was especially important to know the names of all the packs within a 4-hour radius, as well as the names of their alphas, betas, gammas, and heirs. I also nee
(Jason POV)The dance floor is filling with happy couples, but Candy and I continue to be frozen in place, staring at one another. Even from here, I can see the wheels in her brain spinning. I can only pray to the Moon Goddess that at least a few of Candy’s thoughts are positive ones.Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Aaron and Cassie head to the floor and begin to dance. For a moment, my wolf urges me to take my eyes off of Candy and watch the two of them.“What they have, Jason, is what we can and should have with Candy,” my wolf tells me.“Is it too late? Will she forgive me?” I ask my wolf.“It is never too late when it comes to love,” he replies.Wow. Who knew my wolf was such a romantic. Heck, who knew my wolf could say more than two sentences to me without calling me a moron.As I continue to watch Aaron twirl Cassie around, my heart fills with longing, but also hope. Maybe, even with all the mistakes that I have made in the past, I can finally get this one right.