The Second Mate | Spin-Off ✗

chapter 15

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previously on the second mate:

Opal continued to admire the flowers, her wolf sighing inside of her, proud that their mate had given them flowers. It was the small gestures that made them squeal on the inside, they knew they were lucky enough to have such a caring, gentle mate such as James. It just took a lot to trust him, the irrational fear that there was a hidden motive was rooted deep inside of them and they couldn't help it. It was in their nature, their past, their instinct to feel this way, it was what kept them alive for so many years.

"Are you going to invite him in or not?" a voice had startled her out of her thoughts, she looked back up and notice a crease in between James' eyes, but she looked away, behind her and noticed Trent waved at them.

"Oh, uhm, would you like to come inside for breakfast, then we can go out?" she suggested, feeling stupid at her lack of communication as she had been deep in thought. James smiled.

"Of course,"

-

  "Your pack is very peaceful," Opal blushed staring at the beautifully rugged houses and greenery which surrounded her. She smelt the fresh air as she laid down on the grass, her hair sprawled around her as James stayed a short distance away from her, sitting with his legs crossed he observed her from a safe distance.

    "Thank you, we strive for peace, we are one of the packs that refuse to partake in wars that do not concern us, but rather provide aid for those running away from it," he told her, a sense of pride in his voice. 

     "I see," she spoke softly, eyebrows knitted together as she looked up towards the sky.

     "What was your pack like?" she heard him ask with the same amount of softness in his voice. She bit her lip.

     "They, well-" she began for a moment.

     "They treated me well, even if I was an omega, I was welcomed with open arms. I guess that means they're good," she finished and her mind flitted back to her old pack, missing the familiar atmosphere, but enjoyed the serenity of this one.

     "Yes, your Alpha is a remarkable alpha, a strong one," James informed her and continued to watch his beautiful mate lay peacefully on the grass, a small smile rested on her lips.

      "I guess, I was never involved in political matters, but I can see what you mean," she responded back, her fingers curled around the grass beneath her and she closed her eyes.

     "Tell me more about your pack, I'd like to hear more," she asked him, genuinely curious about the pack that had become her safe haven, or a place that was safe for her child. 

  Before coming to the spot they were sitting in, James had mentioned little details about his pack, barely scratching the surface of the history which resided in its tiny confinements. She had known the existence of many other packs but rarely heard about the one she currently resided in and curiosity got the best of her the more James talked.

      "Oh, well, we're not one of the most well-known packs, as I mentioned before, we do not participate in violent political matters unless needed to. We have been credited for our defensive system, if there was an intruder coming from afar, an alarm is set and a masking perfume is sprayed out for my pack members to conceal their scent before running into the basement for more protection. Also, my warriors are highly trained in battle, we more or less teach defensive positions and manoeuvres, but we practice the more offensive and aggressive tactics," James had begun, his soft voice echoing into Opal's ears, soothing her as she buried herself more and more into the grass, feeling the slight breeze brush through her hair.

      "We are a relatively small pack, the majority of them are veterans, or transfers, seeking refuge from their unfortunate circumstances, possibly from their pack, or for some other reason, we don't usually ask for specific reasons unless needed to," he continued. Opal's ears peaked at his sentence and couldn't help but realise the similarities between the pack members and her, she was running away from something too. 

   "Like me, in a sense," she decided to say and opened her eyes to see the bright blue sky, remembering the haunting eyes that plagued her. What a coincidence her mate was the Alpha of this pack, one that brings refuge to unfortunate wolves. James looked at her troubled face and bit his lips, preventing him from saying something he may regret later on.  

   "I mean, I did go to Harrington Pack first for refuge, but in a sense, I came here for refuge too," she clarified before she turned her head around to see James with his eyebrows furrowed together, hands clasped underneath his chin, appearing to be in deep thought.

    "Is everything okay?" Opal asked quietly and James' eyes landed on hers, her stomached twist as she stared into his light blue eyes which seemed troubled.

       "I'm just thinking, don't worry, it's none of your concern, thank you though," he responded honestly and managed to give her one his signature smiles, Opal couldn't help but give him a soft smile back.

      "Now, where were we- oh yes, like I said, we give a place of refuge for almost anyone, we rarely have any attacks, except for that one event where an Alpha's mate came here and, of course, we offered her help. She was running away from her mate who forcefully marked her as his wolf side was much stronger than his human side, I believe it was due to his blindness which his wolf perceived as weak, therefore, taking control over the majority of him when he believed he needed to," James recalled, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. 

      "The alpha, in his wolf form, stormed into our borders and began attacking my warriors in search for his mate, luckily she was kept hidden and we managed to take him down. As you probably know, forcefully marking your mate is against the law, therefore he went to court and I was for sure he was going to go to jail. But, his mate, who is a good friend of mine, realised that there is more to him that meets the eye, and decided to give him a second chance," he continued.

    "But, he marked her forcefully, forcing her run away and he came here and attacked this pack, how could she just give him a second chance?" Opal exclaimed, thinking how stupid the she-wolf was to forgive someone like that.

     "That's what I thought, but, I guess, she took a step back from all the horrible things he has done and realised that his past was the reason became the person he was. We don't choose how our childhoods were shaped, we're too young to understand what's going around us, too weak to fight against the influences, the primal nature of our wolf without help. He didn't get that help which resulted in his angry nature. Sometimes we're too weak, too scared to go against what we're told, and that in turn shapes us for the future. But, as we grow older and we realise our mistakes, and genuinely believe we can change, then we seek redemption and often, just like the alpha, get a second chance. I believe that if one recognises their mistakes and want to re-correct them, they deserve another chance. 

     My friend realised that, and giving someone a second chance after everything that person has done to them, I believe is one of the most courageous and strongest things someone can do," James declared ever so confidently. Opal noticed how fond he was of his friend, and smiled softly, letting his words sink in. 

   Somehow, part of that story resonated with her. A second chance, after all the hardships one endures, a second chance is what can save them.

     "So what happened to them?" 

   "They worked things out, of course, it was rocky at first. But, soon enough, they fell to the bond and I believe they are very, very happy," he concluded.

    "Wow, it must've been a journey," she commented.

     "Yeah, and I was glad to be apart of it," he smiled.

         A second chance

    a.n. wow, i really put some meaning into this chapter...

and i'm back bishes, welcome me back thanks, just joking