My Second Chance

Bonus Chapter 4

"How is Jessica?" I ask softly. Emma bites her bottom lip and I feel dread settle within my stomach.

"Jessica is fine. She's just not here right now."

"Where is she? Why isn't she here?" Emma looks away from me and I notice the sad expression on her face.

"She's at home resting."

"What do you mean? What happened to her?"

"Nothing has happened to her. Well at least not physically." I growl in frustration and grab her by her shoulders.

"Stop speaking in riddles and tell me what's happened!" Emma winces before she answers my question.

"After you left, Jessica slipped into a depression. Everyone tried to help her, but nothing worked. As more and more time slipped by, she became more and more withdrawn. Recently, she's been doing a little better, but there are days when she doesn't want to get out of bed." I feel like such a terrible mate. All of this is my fault. I know that I did what I had to do, but I should've tried harder to find ways to communicate with everyone.

I let go of Emma and turn away from her so she won't see the pain on my face.

"Don't worry, Carter, she's in good hands. We have all been watching her. She loves playing with the kids and she still loves baking things. She's probably surrounded right now by everyone."

"If everyone is with her, then why are you here?" Jessica and Emma have always been inseparable. It was always weird seeing one without the other. It used to annoy me because all I wanted to do was spend some time alone with my mate, but I got over it because I knew that they had been through a lot together.

"You remember Alpha Tyler's younger brother, Ben, right?" I nod my head and she grins.

"He is my mate. Ben is here and he didn't want me to stay home while he was here," she replies with a happy sigh.

"I will be going back with you when you leave," I say without thinking. I know I have duties to this pack, but I also have duties to my mate. My mate has to come first, and I'm sure Ryder and Elizabeth will understand that. If Jessica wants to move here then I will come back, but if she wants to stay there, then I will stay with her.

"I figured you would be. I already asked my mate if we could leave as soon as possible since I know that you want to get back to Jessica."

"Thank you." I can't even describe the relief that I feel, knowing that I have one less thing to worry about.

"Don't even mention it. So what have you been up to recently? I've heard some stories, but now I want to hear the facts."

"You might want to sit down for this. It will take a while," I say while pointing to a nearby bench. Emma nods her head and walks over to the bench before sitting down. I start pacing back and forth as my memories from the last few months come rushing into my head.

"The first thing that happened when I left was....."

*

*

*

"Are you sure you're ok with me leaving? I'm tied to this pack, and it's not right for me to leave." Elizabeth rolls her eyes and gives me an amused smile.

"You're leaving so you can go get your mate back. If you happen to come back, great. If you don't come back, that's still ok. I feel like a broken record saying this, but I'll say it one more time; you've done so much for this pack, me specifically, and you deserve to be happy. Go find your mate! All I'm asking is for you to stay in touch and let me know how things are going, ok?" I nod my head and give her a brief hug.

"Thank you, Elizabeth. I will make sure to keep in touch."

"You finally called me by my first name! Next time, just call me Liz." She grins and walks away from me just as Emma, her mate and Alpha Tyler appear.

"Are you ready?" Emma asks while examining my face. I nod my head and we all pile into one car while the rest of the pack members get into several.

I lean back into my seat and let out a sigh.

Only a few more hours until I see my mate.

~~~~~~~~

"This is her room. Go on in," Emma states with an encouraging smile. I take in a deep breath and I can feel my wolf stirring as we inhale our mate's scent.

I waste no time before opening the door. I look around the slightly messy room before my eyes fall on the bed. I see a figure laying on the bed and my heartbeat speeds up.

Our eyes lock, and it feels like the time we spend apart was merely minutes instead of years. We rush towards each other and when she reaches me, she collapses in my arms.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and I fall to my knees in front of her bed. She sobs into my chest and I run my hands through her soft hair.

"Everything's going to be alright now. I've got you, don't worry. I'll never leave you again."

A/N: I only have one more bonus chapter that I had planned for! It should be up within the next few weeks.