Alpha's Second Chance

The soft hum of the kettle filled the small kitchen as Adriana leaned against the counter, staring out the window. The late afternoon sun bathed her tiny cottage in a golden hue, casting long shadows over the wooden floor. She had always loved this time of day, quiet and peaceful. But today, something felt different. There was an energy in the air she couldn't quite place-a tension that had her nerves on edge.

A sudden knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. Frowning, she straightened and wiped her hands on her apron. She wasn't expecting anyone.

"Hold on," she called, her voice steady but cautious. She untied the apron and tossed it over a chair before walking toward the door.

When she opened it, her breath caught in her throat. Standing there, leaning casually against the doorframe, was Ryan.

Ryan.

The tall, broad-shouldered werewolf who had somehow managed to make her heart race and her stomach twist into knots every time he was near. His sharp jawline, unruly dark hair, and piercing gray eyes were enough to make anyone weak in the knees. But it wasn't just his looks-it was his presence. He exuded confidence, a natural charisma that pulled people in, whether they wanted to be or not.

Adriana blinked, trying to recover from her initial shock. "Ryan," she said, her tone wary. "What are you doing here?"

He smirked, the kind of smirk that made her want to simultaneously slap him and kiss him. "I needed to see you."

She crossed her arms, leaning slightly against the doorframe. "Why?"

His gaze softened, and for a moment, the smirk faded, replaced by something she couldn't quite read. "Because you're my mate, Adriana."

Her heart stopped. Or at least, it felt like it did. For a moment, the world tilted, and she had to grip the doorframe to steady herself. "What?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Ryan stepped closer, his expression serious now. "You heard me. You're my mate. My Luna."

Adriana stared at him, her brain scrambling to process the words. This had to be a joke. A cruel, ridiculous joke. "Ryan, you can't be serious," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "You're... you're with Kesha. Everyone knows that."

"Kesha and I were never real," he said, his tone firm. "It was just... a distraction. Something to keep people off my back. But you-" He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're the one, Adriana. You've always been the one."

Her breath hitched at the softness in his voice, the way his eyes seemed to see straight through her. It was overwhelming, intoxicating. And yet, it didn't make sense. None of it did.

"Ryan..." She shook her head, taking a step back. "This is insane. We barely know each other."

He laughed softly, a sound that sent shivers down her spine. "Don't we? I've been watching you, Adriana. For months. I've seen the way you carry yourself, the way you care for others, the way you try to hide your strength. You're everything a Luna should be. Everything I need."

Her cheeks flushed, a mix of anger and embarrassment. "You've been watching me? That's not exactly comforting, Ryan."

"I wasn't stalking you," he said quickly, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I was... observing. Trying to understand what it is about you that draws me in. And now I know. It's because we're meant to be."

Adriana stared at him, her mind racing. Part of her wanted to slam the door in his face, to tell him he was crazy and to leave her alone. But another part-a small, treacherous part-wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe that someone like Ryan could see her, really see her, and choose her.

"I don't know what you expect me to say," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is... a lot to take in."

"I know," he said, his voice gentle. "And I don't expect you to make a decision right now. But I need you to know how I feel. And I need you to think about what this could mean for both of us."

She looked away, unable to meet his intense gaze. "Ryan, I-"

"Just think about it," he interrupted, his tone pleading. "That's all I'm asking."

Before she could respond, he reached out and took her hand, his touch warm and grounding. "I'll see you tonight," he said softly. "At the ceremony."

Adriana frowned. "What ceremony?"

Ryan's lips curved into a small smile, but he didn't answer. Instead, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze before turning and walking away, leaving her standing in the doorway, her mind spinning.

The evening came too quickly. Adriana spent the hours leading up to it in a whirlwind of confusion and anxiety. Ryan's words echoed in her mind, refusing to be ignored. She didn't know what to believe, what to feel. All she knew was that tonight, something was going to change.

She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the straps of her dress for what felt like the hundredth time. The deep emerald green fabric clung to her curves, the color bringing out the rich hazel of her eyes. It was the most beautiful dress she owned, one she had bought on a whim but never had the courage to wear-until now.

"You look stunning," she whispered to herself, trying to summon the confidence she so desperately needed. But even as she said the words, her reflection betrayed her. She didn't feel stunning. She felt... lost.

A knock at the door startled her. She turned, her heart racing. "Come in," she called, her voice shaking.

It was Ryan.

Of course, it was Ryan.

He stepped inside, his presence filling the small room. He was dressed in a sharp black suit, the kind that made him look both dangerous and impossibly handsome. His gray eyes swept over her, and for a moment, he didn't say anything.

"You're beautiful," he said finally, his voice low and sincere.

Adriana's cheeks flushed. "Thank you," she murmured, looking down.

He stepped closer, closing the distance between them. "Are you ready?" he asked, his tone gentle but firm.

"For what?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You'll see," he said, a small smile playing at his lips. "Trust me."

And for reasons she couldn't quite explain, she did.

The forest was alive with the sounds of the night. Crickets chirped, leaves rustled in the gentle breeze, and the faint glow of the moon filtered through the canopy above. Adriana followed Ryan through the trees, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Ryan, where are we going?" she asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and apprehension.

"You'll see," he said again, glancing back at her with that infuriatingly charming smile.

She huffed, crossing her arms as she walked. "You're not very good at giving answers, you know that?"

He chuckled, the sound warm and rich. "Patience, Adriana. We're almost there."

And then they were.

The clearing opened up before them, bathed in silver moonlight. At the center stood a circle of stones, ancient and weathered, their surfaces etched with runes that seemed to pulse faintly with energy. Adriana's breath caught as she took it all in.

"What is this place?" she whispered, stepping closer to the stones.

"It's where it all begins," Ryan said, his voice serious now. "Where we begin."

She turned to him, her brows furrowed. "Ryan, I don't understand. What are you talking about?"

He stepped closer, his gaze locking onto hers. "This is more than a ceremony, Adriana. It's a bond. A promise. Once we step into that circle, there's no going back."

Her stomach twisted, a mix of fear and anticipation swirling inside her. "I... I don't know if I can do this."

"You can," he said firmly, taking her hands in his. "Because you're meant to. Because we're meant to."

Adriana looked into his eyes, searching for answers, for reassurance. And what she saw there took her breath away. It was certainty. Devotion. Love.

Before she could speak, a low growl rumbled through the clearing, sending a shiver down her spine. Ryan stiffened, his grip on her hands tightening.

"We're not alone," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Adriana's heart pounded as she looked around, the shadows of the forest suddenly seeming darker, more menacing.

"What's happening?" she whispered.

Ryan stepped in front of her, his body tense, his eyes scanning the trees. "Stay behind me," he said, his voice a commanding growl.

And then, from the darkness, a figure emerged. A woman, tall and strikingly beautiful, with fiery red hair and eyes that glowed like molten gold.

"Kesha," Ryan said, his voice cold.

The woman smiled, her lips curving into something sharp and cruel. "Hello, Ryan. Miss me?"

Adriana's blood ran cold as the woman's gaze shifted to her, the smile never reaching her eyes.

"So," Kesha said.