Chapter 10
Three years.
That was after I stopped picking his calls. Even with all 1 had done, pushing him away, cutting him off, disappearing without explanation, they thought of me and kept my place for me. They waited for me,
The realization hits me like a truck. I press my hand to my chest, feeling like I can’t breathe. My wolf whimpers softly, overwhelmed by
the love surrounding us.
Hot tears spill down my cheeks. I try to wipe them away, but more keep coming. They never stopped believing in me. Even when I stopped
believing in myself.
The phone is still pressed to my ear, Orion’s voice coming through clearly,
“Athena? Are you there?” His voice is warm, familiar, like coming home after a long journey. “Ath? Baby, are you okay?”
That stupid nickname. I used to roll my eyes every time he said it. Now it makes me cry harder. The way he says it, soft and protective, like I’m still his little sister who needs looking after.
“I’m… I’m okay,” I manage, but my voice cracks on the words.
“Are you sure?” He knows me too well, Can hear the lie in my broken voice. “You don’t sound okay.”
I take a shaky breath. “Orion?”
“Yes, love?” The endearment flows so naturally. Like the past five years never happened. Like I never broke his heart by cutting him out of
my life.
“Thank you.” The words tumble out before I can stop them.
Silence stretches between us. I can practically feel his surprise through the phone.
“Thank you for not leaving me. Thank you for always being there whenever I needed you. Thank you for…” My voice breaks completely. “Thank you for keeping my place.”
“Ath… Ath… Stop! Okay?” His voice gets that gentle but firm tone he used when we were kids and I was spiraling. “You’re my baby sister. You’ll always be. And I’ll always be here for you. No matter what.”
I sob into the phone, ugly and raw. He waits. He always waits.
“You know I love you,” he continues. “The both of us… Me and you. I think I should include Tristan too……. we’re who we have left. I know I’m married, but I’ll always, I repeat, always be here for you. You understand?”
1/3
tting the me to remand he be always does. To be sure I got the message.
20
“Stan’s me prl I cat hear the sole in his voice. Make sure you’re okay. Take care of yourself. Tristan is there. And I trust he’ll take
send care of wens. Tas izov he cares about you, right?”
Something in his tone makes my stomach flutter. There’s weight behind those words, meaning I’m not ready to unpack.
I couch myself, and remind me that’s not what he meant. All three has been for years, though the both of them are closer. They’d always Dword mean their little sister, and I’d always been, until that night.
pushed the thoughts away. I’ve already done enough damage, I shouldn’t add more. Tristan is like a brother to me, that’s all he’ll ever
“es, I know. I’m you guys younger sister. I know.” 1 say the words that I’ve been running away from.
He pauses. A long pause that stretches until I start to worry we’ve lost connection.
“Yes, you are,” he finally says, and I can hear something unspoken in his voice, but I don’t know what.
Talk to you later. I love you.” The line goes dead before I can respond.
I stare at the phone, laughing through my tears. He always does that. Always hangs up before I can say goodbye, like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if the conversation ends properly.
He has changed one bit. God, I miss him so much it hurts.
I wipe my face and look around my office, really look at it this time. The computer is new, top of the line. The files are organized exactly how I would have done it. Someone has been maintaining this space with love, keeping it ready for my return.
I pull up the first spreadsheet Numbers have always made sense to me. Unlike people, they don’t lie or leave or hurt you. They just are,
The aftersom passes in a blur of calculations and reports. I lose myself in the work, finding comfort in the familiar rhythm of data entry
and analysis.
My fingers move across the keyboard with muscle memory, and for the first time in years, I feel capable. Competent. Like the person I word to be is still somewhere inside me, waiting to emerge.
1825 Ft Jan 2
The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate
Chapter 11
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
