My Second Chance? (SAMPLE)

Chapter 19

Maddox

I knew where she came from, I had since her interview. I knew that she was likely, well, more than likely, abused. It wasn't even an assumption because the only ones that ever get out are the ones that have finally hit that wall and are sick of that shit. I've worked with Lunarhills for years now, since before meeting Xander and Ari. After my involvement with them and everything Ari went through, I got way deeper into Lunarhills' program. I was though, at least I think, pretty trusted beforehand.

When I offered Mia the job, I knew what I would be potentially getting myself into. Honestly, Ravenwood didn't scare me. They were a bit dangerous and I wouldn't start shit with them intentionally, I mean like head on intentionally, but I wouldn't be afraid to take a pack member in just because that is where they originated from.

I knew Mia enough by now to know that she had to be worried about that fact. Her tells were pretty clear as she told me her little back story. She'd wring her hangs together or wipe them back and forth on her legs. She hadn't ever been very big on looking males in the eye, but when she was really nervous she would look so far down I was worried she was going to curl up into herself. She'd broken the habit of doing that with me long ago, but now, she was back in that space.

I didn't know what her vision of her future, family wise, was. I wouldn't deny that I was pleasantly surprised to find out what she wanted. That was the entire reason I asked the question, after all. I wasn't exactly trying to hide my interest anymore. Mostly because my wolf was making it more and more difficult for me to do so. I think the only reason he was silent right now was because he was watching her with such focused intent, he didn't care about anything else.

Maybe you should pay attention too.

Good point. My silence was probably not comforting her. She was very animated and lively when talking about how she wanted pups and that was what instantly made my wolf stand at attention. Something else too.

"Mia, don't ever worry about your old pack, or think that I need to. So long as you are here, and I'm hoping that it's forever, I will protect you even over my own life."

I doubt she was expecting that, based on the look on her face. At least she was looking at me again.

"I abhor those fuckers and would happily do more to help anyone from or still there, that I could. Our proximity to your old pack makes that a bit difficult, basically it isn't as easy as it is for Lunarhills. But, that same issue makes it easier to protect wolves like you from them. I don't necessarily doubt their insanity, but they would have to go out of their way to come here to try and take you back. Even if they felt that they wanted to do that for a single wolf, I would still stand against it."

Her shocked expression was a bit comical and I went way more in depth with my explanation. Without naming names, I gave her a bit of background on what I had done to help some friends that were caught up with Ravenwood's bullshit. That seemed to interest her a lot. I also went into a little more of why I had so many commitments to safety.

She already knew that I was basically paranoid about that topic, but she really didn't know the why. I really didn't tell a lot of people either.

"Years ago, our and a few other pack's pups were targeted and almost kidnapped. I know that Diani already told you a bit, but what she didn't say was that I'm almost positive that Ravenwood was behind the attempt. I know that I just said that distance was something that helped protect us, so it seems pretty contradictory against my prior statement, but there's a reason for my theory. The pups were all female and young, and there were a lot of them. The wolves we took out during the attempt were also never claimed by any other pack and weren't known to be lone or rogues. There's really no way to know on the rogues part but them having some pretty high-end clothing, as well as a few other details, doesn't really align with rogues."