Second Chance (Enduring Kiss) (9 page)

"Did you know?" I choked on the words. My throat felt tight with emotion.

Stephen stopped whatever he was saying and asked, "Know what?"

"Did you know she was forced to feed Logan?"

Stephen's silence made me look at him. His guilt showed and I narrowed my eyes.

"Yes, I knew. If the guards that were locked up had mates or lovers
, he took them. He threatened them into feeding them. You knew that"

"Why didn't you stop him?" I shouted.

"Drake that time was so hard to get through. We were all just trying to survive. Yes, I feel guilty for not doing something, but at the time there was nothing I could do."

He pleaded
with me to understand. I did not want to understand right then. I wanted to be angry with someone. Logan was dead so Stephen would have to do.

"Why didn't you tell me? All this time, I thought she left me on purpose. Why didn't you tell me she thought I was dead?"

"I honestly did not know she thought that. There was a time we all thought you were dead. I wasn't one of the guards that were chosen to stay with the Master. We didn't really know much of what was going on until Logan was dead and they released you. By then she was gone." He shook his head. "I'm sorry."

"I thought she was saf
e Stephen. Logan promised me he would leave her alone if I agreed to be turned," I said in agony of what she had been through. "Now she's afraid of me because of what I am."

Stephen walked toward
s me and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "She'll show Drake. I saw how she reacted to seeing you alive. She loves you."

"No,
" I said looking away. "I dream walked with her today. She was too afraid. She'll never accept what I am now."

"Give it time Drake. You never know, she might show up at the last minute." I began to disagree
, but he stopped me. "No man, listen. Even if she doesn't show up tonight, we live only a few hours away. You will see her again. You can change her mind."

He left me to my packing shortly after. I felt like I was moving in slow motion getting my things together. I had so hoped I wouldn't be leaving here without her. I
did not really believe what Stephen said about me changing her mind later. I felt like if she didn't take this step now, she would never be ready.

I grabbed my bag and headed out. Stephen was
waiting for me outside my room.

"You ready?" He asked.

"Not really, but let's go."

We walked out of the hotel in silence. My bags were put away and we began climbing into the limo. I could feel the depression already setting in. The doors shut and it
was not long before we pulled away from the curb. I closed my eyes and laid my head back. This was going to be a long ride, I thought.

~~*~~

"Sean!"

I shouted trying to get the man's attention. I had spent the last few hours looking for him. When I could
n't find him I went to my room for awhile to get some things and change my clothes. I immediately went out searching for him again. I finally just saw him walking out of the woods putting his shirt on. He must have just come back from a run.

He lifted his head up at my shout and jogged to meet me. He had a wary smile on his face and he looked tired. Even with bags under his eyes
, he was gorgeous. His muscles stretched as he ran towards me and I couldn't help the appreciative look I gave him. That was a mistake. He noticed my look and his dimples began to make an appearance.

"Sean, I have to talk to you,
" I said when we reached each other.

He nodded and led me to a gazebo that sat at the edge of the woods. I sat on one of the benches while Sean sat on the one across from me.

"Before you say anything, I just want to apologize for lying to you. I knew it was wrong, but I was afraid of losing you. I tried to rationalize it by thinking that now that he was a vampire you couldn't be together. I'm sorry I tried to force your decision," he said regretfully.

I nodded. "You
’re right, it was wrong. But I think I understand."

"You forgive me?" He asked. His face brightened with his smile.

"Yes, I forgive you. You've always been a good friend to me Sean and I'm hoping you always will be."

His smile faded
. "Friends," he said dully.

I swallowed ha
rd and nodded. "Yes, friends."

He looked away and I knew he got my meaning. I didn't have to spell it out for him. I felt like the worst pe
rson in the world for doing it, but it had to be said.

"I wanted to tell
you in person that I'm leaving."

He looked back at me with such sad eyes. It was my turn to look away. I watched as wolves came and went from their runs. I saw some children playing on the playground off in the distance, their mom's talking off to the side while they watch their kids. I wondered absently if that was ano
ther distant dream that would never come true.

"Are you sure?" Sean asked.

My attention focused back on him and I nodded my head solemnly.

"I have to try with Drake. He i
s my mate and the least I can do is try."

"
Yeah."

He got up slowly and came toward
s me. I watched, as he got on his knees in front of me, so that we were facing each other eye to eye.

I would miss him. I would miss his teasing and constant laughter. I would miss those golden eyes and sexy dimples.
I had not realized how hard it was going to be to leave him.

I felt wetness on my cheek and reached up to wipe the tears away
, but Sean got to them first. He kissed away each tear and then softly kissed my lips.

"
I love you," I said as he pulled away.

The admission startled me
, but the words were true. I did love him. It just wasn't enough. I loved Drake more.

"I love you too,
" he whispered.

I couldn't take anymore and I knew I'd be late if I lingered here any longer so I scooted out from in front of him and got up.

"Goodbye Sean. I hope to see you again soon."

"Goodbye Rebecca,
" he said and gifted me one last time with one of his famous grins.

I turned away before I broke down and changed my mind. When I reached the house
, I turned back around to look at the gazebo. Sean was still there on his knees with his head bent in defeat. He deserved so much better and I prayed he would find it soon.

~~*~~

I knew the ride home would be lonely and miserable, but I had not realized how fast the ache would spread. We had just pulled away from the curb and already an emptiness was forming inside of me.

My cheek was itching so I reached up to rub at it and my hand came away wet. I looked at the wetness on my fingertips blankly. If Stephen
were not sitting only a few feet away I would have sobbed my heart out.

"Drake!"

My head snapped up at the sound of my name. I looked at Stephen and he too was looking for the voice.

"Drake, wait."

"Stop the car!" I shouted.

The driver slammed on the brakes. I pushed the door open and jump out, ignoring my guard's shouts. I didn't care
, because Rebecca had come.

She was almost a whole block away and I thanked God for my supernatural hearing. She had
a suitcase in her hand, running as fast as she could and she was smiling. God, she was smiling.

"Drake, wait. I'm here,
" she called.

I started toward
s her, but stopped to admire how beautiful she was. Even in simple jeans, white t-shirt, and tennis shoes she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her long blonde hair flew behind her like silk as she ran.

Her smile was radiant, her white teeth pra
ctically glowing in the night, and when she got closer I saw her magnificent eyes. It was as if she held the secrets to the universe in those eyes. Everything that has ever meant anything to me in my life, my whole world was in those eyes.

T
hen she was in front of me panting lightly from her run and smiling.

"They're green today,
" I said to her.

"What?”
She asked breathlessly.

"Your eyes. They're green today,
" I told her.

She smiled at me. I used to tell her
everyday what color they were.

"Can I kiss you?" I asked.

She shook her head. "You don't have to ask."

I kissed her lightly and didn't linger too long or we would have been standing there forever. After I reluctantly pulled away
, I grabbed her bag and led her to the limo.

Her bag was stowed and we were pulling away once again. I pulled her close to my side and said a quick prayer of thanks that she was with me. I leaned over and kissed the top of her head, then her forehead and nose. I couldn't stop touching her. It was just so unbelievable to have her there.

I stopped kissing her, but kept her close and looked over at Stephen. He was smiling as brightly as I was.

"I told h
im you would show," Stephen said. "How are you Rebecca?"

"I'm doing just fine Stephen.
It's so good to see you again."

She sighed and snuggled into my side resting her head against my chest
and I thought I was in heaven.

"Do you guys really want to question me about Logan's death?" Rebecca asked suddenly.

I cleared my throat, but Stephen was the one to answer.

"No sweets, that was lug head over there's idea."

I growled a little and Rebecca elbowed me in the ribs. "Ow!" I said.

"That wasn't a very nice thing to do. Those were my friends you were threatening."

"Sorry," I replied sheepishly.

"They forgive you. I
made sure of it before I left."

She paused
as she was thinking of what to say next. I looked over at her when she pulled out of my arms.

"I know me showing up means that I'm willing to try working things out
, but we need to talk about what that means."

I glanced at Stephen
, but he was looking away.

Rebecca shook her head. "I don't care if Stephen hears."

"Alright," I said

"I don't want to feed you,
" she admitted.

I already knew that
, but I was hoping she would try.

B
efore I could speak, she went on, "at least not for now. I know that at some point I will have to decide for sure. Can you live with that?"

"Yes, for now. I want to make sure you're comfortable with me and I won't force you. But at some point you will have to think about our future and our bond."

"I know." She sighed.

I pulled her close and she snuggled against me again. "Fill me in about what's been happening
with you these past five years," I said.

We sat together talking about our lives. She told me how wonderful the pack she joined was and how they accepted her quickly. She talked a lot about her best friend. I had to laugh when I found out she wa
s the red head from the meeting. Susan was her name.

"What are you laughing at?" She asked.

"I can't believe your best friend is that feisty red head." She gave me a curious look. "She was at the meeting I had with Christensen. She was the mate of one of the guards there."

"Yeah, Paul. I
did not know she was at the meeting. I didn't get to talk to her before I left. There was no time."

I noticed how upset this ma
de her and I promised myself I would find a way for the two of them to visit.

"No worries, you'll see her again soon, I'm sure."

She smiled and continued to tell me about the pranks her and Susan use to do. I was surprised she was a part of that. She used to be so shy, but I noticed she had changed since I last saw her. She was more confident and outspoken than before. I was happy to see she had grown into such a woman.

When Rebecca told me about school
, I became concerned.

"How long did you have left until you graduated?" I asked.

"I only had about a month and half left." She looked away a moment then turned to me with a small smile. "But it'll be okay. Maybe I can finish later. I'll have to retake a lot of the classes, but I'm sure I can work it out."

I was starting to feel guilty for pushing her into coming back with me so soon. She left a lot to be with me. I would have to find a way to make it right. Thinking about the things she was leaving, I remember
ed that guard Sean. He seemed attached to Rebecca and I wanted to know why.