My Second Chance
#35 Jealousy

Ryder's P.O.V

"I can't believe she said that." I frowned when Clover told me whatSapphire said.

"Hell are we staying out of this. She's our soon to be Luna.” Alecsnorted. "I'm gonna kill the people who touched her." Cole grumbled."I'm going to make a call to her friend. I'll see you guys later.” Cloverignored what we said and left the little shop where we were eating ourdinner. "I can't believe I let you guys talk me into having dinner and notdestroying their pack.” I mumbled and stuffed a piece of chicken intomy mouth. Cole rolled his eyes at me. "What's the plan then?" Alecraised a brow. "We'll go back to the pack house and train the guards.Then we'll attack when the time comes.” I summarised, leaning into myseat.

"Okay, done. I spoke to Sapph's friend, Bella. She said that Sapphsomehow managed to make a deal on staying in a guest room andaway from Graysen for the next 4 days-" I cut her off. "She stayed inGraysen's room?" I roared, anger overwhelming me. People in the cafestared at me like I was nuts. I could feel Jay trying to break the wall Iput up. He had been fighting for control from this morning and Imanaged to block him out. I had just managed to calm down that mymate was abducted and now Clover just had to send me news that shestayed in another man's room, let alone sleep in another man's bed?!What the fuck woman?

Clover rolled her eyes as if she knew what I was thinking. "Shut up. Doyou want to get her back or not?" She growled and I pouted like a 3year old, slumping into my seat.

My Alpha title won't get me the respect I deserve with this girl.

"They are going to try to sneak her out tomorrow morning whenGraysen goes off for pack business.” Clover explained and I interruptedbefore she could continue. "They?" I asked, straightening in my seat."Yeah, her two friends, Bella and Willow, and her first mate, Leonard.”Clover explained. I opened my mouth to complain but she beat me toit. "Ryder Black, I swear, if you complain about her being close toanother guy when she has bigger problems to worry about, I will cut offyour ball sacks with a chainsaw, dry them under the sun, smash them,and force feed it to you, do you fucking hear me?!" She snarled and Iwidened my eyes.

"Good." She said when I shut my mouth in fear.

"So, they'll try to sneak her out and we attack at the same time wheneverybody is panicking on her disappearance.” Cole summarised and Inodded, agreeing to the plan.

"That's all then. We just have to wait till dawn.” Alec sighed.

Sapphire's P.O.V

Wait- didn't Graysen said his mate died at childbirth? Gwen frowned. Isat up from the fluffy pillows. She's right.

Graysen said that his mate was my mother. Then said that his mate diedat childbirth. And Jennifer has no similarities with me or my mother.That's why he wants to make my life a living hell! It's not all about mymother. It's because he failed to live a life with his second chance mate!He wants me to suffer like him. It all makes sense, I gasped. So yourmother was a part of his anger, not all. He's... jealous.” Gwen murmured.It doesn't matter if he is jealous or just angry, we need to get outbefore the Changing. It's already affecting me, Drew growled.

The changing was affecting me too. I could feel heat slowly boiling inme. I literally feel evil stirring in me.

Sapph? Clover's voice invaded my mind. Clover? Did you call her? Iasked eagerly. Yes, they'll try to sneak you out at dawn and we'll attackby then, Clover answered. Good, the Changing is slowly affecting me, Imumbled. Don't worry, we'll be there in time, hang on Sapph, Shesoothed. Thanks Clover, I... I need to rest, I said and quickly blocked herout before she could feel my emotions.

Tears started pricking at the corner of my eyes.

What if we don't get out? What if we danger Ryder and the pack bytelling them to save us? I babbled.

Nothing like that will happen, Gwen tried to comfort me. No ifs Sapph.Everything will be fine, well, if we get out before blowing the wholeplace down with my demonic powers, Drew shrugged and I couldn'thelp but roll my eyes at her.

Things will get better, I promise, Gwen soothed. But I couldn't help butfeel something would go really wrong.

"Sapph, Sapph. Wake up, quickly... We gotta go..." A familiar voicejolted me out of sleep. I sat up groggy and rubbed my eyes. "Will?Bell?" I murmured. "You didn't tell us your mate is the scary Alpha ofDark Moon Pack.” Bella whisper-squealed. "This isn't the time for that!"Willow grumbled. "W.. what are you guys doing here? Where are theguards who are guarding me?" I mumbled, my voice thick with sleep."We're busting you out of here. Ryder and your pack fighters are here.Well... out of smelling range...but here.” Bell said, shaking my shouldersto wake me up completely.

With that, I jolted up, completely awaken. "Wait what?!"

“Let's hurry. Me and Bell are following you to your pack.” Will walkedtowards the door. "What about Leonard?" I jumped out of bed. "He'snot coming. It'll be too... painful for him." Bell hesitated beforespeaking. Guilt tugged at my heart. "Oh." I murmured.

"Come on." Bell whispered yelled and tugged me out of my little comfyprison.

We navigated through the pack house easily. Cold wind whipped at mydirty blonde hair as I felt Ryder's presence close.

"You're so stupid.” Willow shook her head as we continued to runtowards the border line. "What did I do?" I panted, since the wolf banehadn't completely wore off and it was still affecting Gwen. My bodystarted heating even more and I knew the Changing was getting closer.Drew fidgeted, worrying about what would happen to her.

"We know the whole story. Clover told us." Will shot me a glare."Again... What did I do?" I raised an eyebrow, my breathing growingheavier by each second. "How could you just ditch him like that? Doyou know how many people would die to just get a mate that sexy andhot?" Bell huffed. "And again... what the hell did I do?" I mumbled. "Youlove him. He loves you. Are you actually asking me what you did? Whatthe hell girl?" Will said, frustration lacing her tone. "Well I'm sorry if mybrain isn't still completely awake.” I muttered. "You could've just toldhim. But noooo.... you just had to break his heart in the process.” Bellcut in, making me wince at the thought. "He's still alive, isn't he?" Isnapped.

"Shit." Will cursed, stopping in her tracks, making me and Bell do thesame.

"What?" Bell asked, worry in her tone.

"One of the guards awoken. He's sent a warning through the pack link."Will said with frustration. Bell's face paled and the colour drained fromher rosy cheeks.

Suddenly, shouts from the pack house were audible. I felt real fearshoot through my body. I was never going to make it out of here. Ignawed my bottom lip, looking at Will.

"Let's keep going. We're almost there. Ignore them. We'll get there intime.” Will began running again. But I caught the uncertainty in herblue grey eyes.

We crossed the border line and kept on running for a mile or twobefore stopping, puffing and huffing in a small clearing.

"We did it!" I said excitedly. I suddenly heard footsteps run towards usand I froze when an intoxicating yet familiar scent became stronger.The footsteps stopped a few metres away from us, still hidden in thetrees.

"You did, love.” My eyes welled up when I heard the voice I missed somuch. I spun to see a ragged and tired looking Ryder.

"R..Ryder?” I said uncertainly, trying hard to keep my emotions incheck. "It's me." He smiled and opened his arms. I didn't need to betold twice. I ran and jumped into his arms. I felt his chest vibrate againstmine when he chuckled.

"I'm so so sorry." I whispered, burying my head deeper into hisshoulders. "It's okay... I would have done the same if I were in yourshoes... But baby, you don't have to be afraid to trust me. It kinda hurtsthat I wasn't the first to know about it." His masculine voice whisperedat the crook of my shoulders. "I'm sorry. I'm so so very sorry. I didn'tmean to hurt you. I just want to keep you safe.” I sobbed. "Shh... itsokay now. I got you. I won't ever let you go anymore. I'm not goinganywhere." He soothed, stroking my hair. I lifted my bloodshot eyes tolook into his grey orbs.

"I love you." I whispered. His face lit up to the extend that it would puta brightly lit Christmas's tree to shame. "I love you too Sapph. So somuch. I didn't mean anything I said in the dream. I was too hurt thattime." He mumbled. I smiled and pecked his lips. He pulled me in closerand it turned into a hot make out session.

I missed his lips. I missed his touch. I missed... him

"I lied." He muttered against my lips. "Huh?" "When I told you Iwouldn't miss your kisses in the dream, I lied." He smiled and I beamed.A throat cleared which burst the little bubble me and Ryder was in.

"So you don't miss us?" Clover pouted. My feet touched the groundonce again as I spun to the direction the voice came from. I saw Clover,Alec and Cole standing there. "Oh my god! I missed you guys!" Isquealed and tackled Clover, making her laugh and stumble.

"Great. My personal annoyer is back.” Alec sighed, although I did catcha hint of relieve in his voice. "Is that even a word?" I tutted. "If I wantedmy vocabulary to be always perfect, I would've bought a dictionary.”Alec muttered and I gave him a sweet innocent smile. "Don't tell meyou forgotten about ol Cole here.” Cole pouted and I smiled. "Never." Ismiled and gave him a hug. I heard a small growl and was surprised tosee it was Bella.

"Bell? You didn't tell me you found your mate?" I gasped. "You didn'ttell me either. I guess we're even.” Bell retorted and I smiled. "Touche." Iwinked and continued, "so I still own Will something."

"Actually... No.” Will smirked and walked over to Alec, who happilywrapped an arm around her waist. "I knew waiting for my mate wouldpay off." Alec beamed at Will's words, no doubt very smug.

"Are you serious?" I squealed. "Yes, they're serious. Now let's go beforesomething else happens.” Ryder sighed and wrapped an arm aroundmy waist and pulled me to the direction he came from. I happily clungonto his arm. Hell am I ever letting go of him. I can replace a solution formy Changing.

Speaking about my Changing, I could feel heat bubbling inside me."Well, too bad it's too late then.” A voice spoke and a shiver of fearwent through my spine. Ryder growled and turned around to face thebastard who spoke. I spun slowly and my eyes connected with his."What the fuck do you want?" Ryder growled, his eyes flashing betweenblack and his original eye colour. "I want her to carry my pups.” Graysensmirked and Ryder let out an animalistic snarl. That was when I knewthis wouldn't end without blood shed.

I stepped forward and Ryder's rough hands immediately grabbed myarm. "Don't you dare fucking sacrifice yourself over this." Ryder growleda warning. I smiled comfortingly. "I am never leaving you again.” Ismiled and he smiled back. His erratic breathing immediately calmed."What a touching scene.” Graysen spat. "I know how you feel. I knowwhat you're going through. You're just jealous." I said softly. "What doyou know about jealousy?" Graysen growled and I let out a bitter laugh.So bitter that I myself was surprised. Even Graysen looked taken aback."I used to be a reject at your pack. I kept getting bullied. Words thatwere used to describe me would haunt me forever. I got rejected by myfirst mate. I had only two friends. I don't have parents. I enviedeveryone.” I spat, hatred for people who brought me so much painoverwhelming me.

Crap, the Changing was really affecting me, wasn't it? Of course, it'stomorrow, Drew snapped. I felt relieve flood my body.

Are you guys okay? I asked worriedly. I'm feeling better now that we'reclose to Ryder, so yeah. I'm fine, Gwen grinned and I smiled. I'm so gladto know that they're fine.

"But you're fine now, isn't it? I've envied people my whole life. Thinkabout how that feels.” Graysen growled and took an intimating stepforward. "You think I'm okay now? Dude you are wrong. I envy peoplefor having normal lives. If I had a normal life, none of this would'vehappened. None fucking frustrating thing would've happened.” Isnarled. I felt Ryder's soothing hand on my shoulder and I took a deepbreath, successful in calming myself. Graysen scoffed. "You envypeople? Don't make me laugh.” Graysen snarled at me, showing hiscanines. "Your second mate failed, so what? Get that through your thickskull. She died but she left a piece of her with you. Even if shes a bitch.And now you're using her? What kind of sick bastard are you?" Iscreamed at him. "If your mother had accepted me, there would be noneed for a second mate!" He roared, his face a tomato red. I couldliterally feel Ryder and everyone else's eyes pop out of their sockets."Do you know how rare a second mate is? You don't even think twiceand use her daughter?" I snarled.

"Excuse me. The daughter you are talking about is right here. And myfather is not using me.” Jennifer appeared beside her sick excuse of afather. And again, I could tell that everyone around me renderedspeechless.

"I don't even know why I am talking about this with you and notattacking yet. If I can't have you, no one can.” He snarled and my oldpack's warriors appeared behind him. I heard footsteps and soonenough, most of Ryder best warriors stood behind us, waiting forbattle. "You are using them, not using, risking their lives for this smallmatter? Just because you can't have me? What would your mate sayabout that?" I crossed my arms.

"She's dead!" He screamed at me. "That doesn't mean she isn'twatching over you. That doesn’t mean her love for you have stopped.” Isaid, trying for the last time. I knew that if it didn't work, unlimitedblood would be shed.

"Love isn't all that great. One day, it would snap when it's stretched to acertain limit." Graysen snarled. "Rich coming from a person who havenever experience love before. I on other hand, experienced it firsthanded.” I said smugly and I could feel happiness and pride radiatefrom my sexy mate.

It seemed as if Graysen was frustrated. He snapped his fingers and hispack's fighters charged forward.

"Wait!" Came Ryders rough voice. Everyone halted their actions and weall faced him, waiting for his next words.

"The old one on one. Winner takes all.” Ryder announced and I gasped.Fear making ny heart jump in unhealthy rates. Graysen looked hesitant."What? Scared, Graysen?" Ryder mocked and I gripped his arm. "Ofcourse not. Fine, one of one fight." Graysen cleared his throat. "We allknow the rules.” Ryder clapped his hands. "Please. Don't." I whispered."It'll be okay.” Ryder gave me a small smile before detaching my handfrom his arm. "I'm not worth it." I shook his arm, in hopes of stoppinghim. He looked at me fiercely. "Never say that alright? I would take asilver bullet for you. So stop thinking that you are any worse thanpeople. Cause in all the people I've met, I fell for you. That must meansomething, unless I've bad taste.” He said, determine lining his words."Be careful... and don't die. You have two hearts with you.” I mumbledand he gave me a reassuring smirk. "Die or not. I don't plan in returningit." He pushed my hand off his arm once again. With a sob, my hand fellback to my side.

Everybody cleared to reveal a small clearing. Clover, Bell, Will, Cole andAlec stood beside me, trying to give me comfort with their existence."I'm so scared Bell.” I whispered to her. Her hand gripped my shoulder."It'll be alright Sapph. It will be okay.” She soothed me.

Reality hit me... hard. I couldn't help the tears in my eyes

My mate was risking himself for me.