Alpha's Second Chance

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 pe

thoughts. Frowning, she straightened and wiped he

cautious. She untied the apron and tossed it

n her throat. Standing there, leaning c

y

as near. His sharp jawline, unruly dark hair, and piercing gray eyes were enough to make anyone weak in the knees. But it wasn't ju

her initial shock. "Ryan," she said, h

de her want to simultaneously slap hi

leaning slightly again

k faded, replaced by something she couldn't q

ent, the world tilted, and she had to grip the doorframe to st

ession serious now. "You hear

be a joke. A cruel, ridiculous joke. "Ryan, you can't be serious," she said, h

. Something to keep people off my back. But you-" He reached out, gently brushing a

eyes seemed to see straight through her. It was overwhelming,

aking a step back. "This is ins

ou, Adriana. For months. I've seen the way you carry yourself, the way you care for others,

embarrassment. "You've been watching me

surrender. "I was... observing. Trying to understand what it is about

him he was crazy and to leave her alone. But another part-a small, treacherous part-wanted to bel

she said finally, her voice barely above

make a decision right now. But I need you to know how I feel. An

ble to meet his inte

nterrupted, his tone pleadi

her hand, his touch warm and grounding. "I'll se

wned. "What

tead, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze before turning and walki

fusion and anxiety. Ryan's words echoed in her mind, refusing to be ignored. She didn't know

he deep emerald green fabric clung to her curves, the color bringing out the rich hazel of her eyes. It was

nfidence she so desperately needed. But even as she said the words, he

he turned, her heart racing. "Come

as R

se, it

harp black suit, the kind that made him look both dangerous and impossibly ha

e said finally, his v

ed. "Thank you," she m

ance between them. "Are you ready?"

ked, her voice bar

a small smile playing a

he couldn't quite

ed in the gentle breeze, and the faint glow of the moon filtered through the cano

asked, her voice tinged with b

glancing back at her with tha

she walked. "You're not very good

m and rich. "Patience, Adr

en the

d a circle of stones, ancient and weathered, their surfaces etched with runes that

she whispered, steppin

" Ryan said, his voice ser

rrowed. "Ryan, I don't understa

more than a ceremony, Adriana. It's a bond. A promise.

nd anticipation swirling inside her.

her hands in his. "Because you're

rs, for reassurance. And what she saw there took

gh the clearing, sending a shiver down her spine.

he said, his voic

around, the shadows of the forest su

pening?" sh

e, his eyes scanning the trees. "Stay behin

woman, tall and strikingly beautiful, with fier

an said, hi

ving into something sharp and

woman's gaze shifted to her, t

Kesh