Second Chance (Enduring Kiss)

by Black, C. E.

  Second Chance

  C.E. Black

  Second Chance

  C.E. Black

  Published by C.E. Black at Kindle KDP

  Copyright 2012 C.E. Black

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations are entirely coincidental.

  Other Titles by C.E. Black

  Enduring Kiss Series:

  Enduring Kiss

  The Perfect Mate

  Second Chance

  Shifted Temptations

  (Excerpt in the back of the book)

  For Christy and Kim, thank you for all your support and friendship. This book would never have been without your ideas, editing, or late night coffee runs. Love you girls!

  Chapter 1

  Standing on the balcony overlooking the foyer, I watched as more and more guards showed up for the emergency call. The sound was deafening as their boots stomped and squeaked across the polished wood floors. Their boisterous voices boomed throughout the mansion. Questions asked, speculations made, all wondering why they had been summoned.

  I was one of the curious, though I was not part of the guard. I lived here at the mansion and I couldn't help but be thrown into the excitement.

  Some would ask how could an emergency call to some of the most dangerous men and women in the world be considered exciting. Some would ask how I could stand so calmly amongst almost a hundred werewolves, but feel no fear. They were my pack, my family and I could take care of myself. I had to before. The only fear I felt was of the unknown. Why were we armoring ourselves? With all that muscle down there, that was exactly what we were doing.

  "Becky!"

  I didn't have to turn around to know who was approaching. Not only could I smell her unique scent, only my best friend Susan called me Becky.

  "Hey Suzy Q," I said with a grin as she reached my side.

  I laughed aloud at her scowl. She hated it when I changed around her nickname.

  "Stop that, Becks! You know I hate it when you call me that one!" Susan nearly growled, echoing my thoughts.

  "You started it," I reminded her, which got me a raspberry blown in my face.

  I turned back to look across the mass of bodies. Everyone was beginning to become a bit agitated. I hoped that Pack Master Dane would explain soon.

  "What do you know Susan?"

  Susan's mate Paul was one of the head guards and I knew he would have told her something. It was almost impossible to keep things from your mate. They can't read each other's minds, but there's supposedly an overwhelming need to share everything once they were bonded.

  "Not much. Either Paul is keeping surprisingly quiet or Dane is. Paul just said there was a threat we needed to prepare for."

  Susan became suddenly quiet. I faced her, eyebrows raised.

  "That's it?" I asked suspiciously. There was tension building on her face, tightening her lips and pulling at her brow. "What aren't you telling me?" I demanded.

  Susan let out a loud sigh, but kept her eyes on mine. I knew it was going to be something I would not like. The way she was looking at me, with worry and compassion, I knew it wasn't good at all. I could feel the blood draining from my face before she even said the words.

  "Vampires, Becky." I gasped slightly even though I knew she was going to say it. Susan let out another small sigh and continued. "Master Christensen received a..."

  "You mean Lucas," I interrupted rudely.

  "Yes Lucas," Susan hissed. "But we should speak of him with respect Becky." I held back my snort along with the eye roll and turned away with gritted teeth.

  "As I was saying, Master received notice of another Master planning to arrive shortly. And it doesn't look like he's coming for a cocktail party either."

  I couldn't help but snort and looked back at Susan. "So? What's that got to do with us?"

  "Becky, this other Master is pissed about something and plans to overthrow Lucas. Don't you think that's worth an emergency call?"

  "No. Obviously this is Lucas' problem not ours. Why should we risk our guard for some... some...you know...vampire?" I stuttered out angrily.

  I still had a problem with cursing even with extreme emotions. My cheeks heated in embarrassment.

  Susan's eyes widened and then narrowed. "What's gotten into you Becky? I've never seen you like this. You're usually much kinder with your words."

  I shrugged and looked away again until I heard her growl. My head snapped back in surprise at the angry sound. Susan's eyes were bright green almost glowing with emotion. I could see the tension in her shoulders and her hands clinched tight at her sides. I swallowed hard and took a step back, which plastered me to the railing. My eyes automatically looked down slightly in submission.

  "How can you act as if this is no big deal? Yes, Master Christensen is a vampire, but he is also a good man. He not only helps the pack, but also the community of humans. He physically helped rebuild houses after hurricane Charlotte and handed out food and water when the electricity was still out.”

  “Oh, and did you forget how he let us use his house when some of the pack were homeless after that wildfire last month? Not to mention the money he's shelled out over the years!" Susan was breathing hard and getting worked up so I just nodded and continued to keep my eyes on her chin.

  "Have you forgotten Jessica, Becky?" I looked up at that. Her eyes were still bright, but she seemed to have cooled off after she let loose with her rant. She nodded and said "Yeah, what happens to our friend if this other hot shot vamp decides to take out Lucas?"

  I lowered my head in shame. Susan was right, at least when it came to Jessica. She was my friend, our friend and Lucas' death would kill her. I looked up with an apology in my eyes.

  "I'm sorry Susan. I just...," I trailed off not knowing what to say.

  Susan wrapped me in her arms and squeezed me tightly. "I know, Becky. I know," She said softly.

  We hugged for several minutes as I digested our conversation. I never had a good view of vampires and with good reason. I was once a feeder for a Master Vamp many years ago and let's just say life sucked then. Susan knew a little about my past, but I had not been able to tell her everything. Part of me knew not all vampires were the same. The saying goes for humans and werewolves, but something always snaps inside me with the mention of vampires.

  I took a deep breath and pulled away from Susan giving her a wan smile. "You're right. Jessica means a lot to me, us. I don't want to see her hurt. She deserves all the happiness in the world, even if it means living happily ever after with a vampire. I will try to keep the edge off my prejudices. Thanks, Zuzu," I said with a grin.

  Susan's eyes narrowed into slits. "If I didn't love you so much I would slap you for calling me that."

  I continued to grin at her until she finally gave in and laughed loud enough for all the muscle down stairs to look up at us curiously. Some looked almost afraid.

  Susan looked out over the crowd and waved. "You'd think by now they'd realize if we were going to do something they wouldn't have seen us first."

  I smiled at the memory of all our childish pranks. "Yeah the condoms never get old, but that time with the m
olasses and chicken feathers, that was awesome. I saw Barrett still plucking feathers out of his hair a week later."

  Our laughter died as a hush came over the crowd. Susan and I made our way down the stairs and into the living room where Pack Master Dane and Lucas had already arrived.

  I caught sight of Jessica only a handful of wolves away. Susan must have spotted her also. She grabbed my hand and pulled me with her. When we reached Jessica, she pulled us both into a tight hug. We didn't speak, just held each other for a few silent moments then all three of us broke off to pay attention to our leaders.

  As soon as I saw Jess, I felt guilty. I loved her to death, but it was just so hard to except she was married to a vampire. The only reason we had been able to have a close friendship was because Lucas didn't hang out with us and I kept my mouth shut about my opinions in front of her. It seemed I needed to keep those opinions secret from my best friend too.

  Why did it have to be so hard? I thought. If it weren't for the friends and family I found with this pack, I would have left long ago. Although, that would not have made much of a difference, I never heard of a pack that was not closely tied to a vampire. For some reason they went hand in hand. Werewolves were good for muscle, I supposed.

  Pack Master Dane's voice thundered through the room. "Brothers and sisters, I know you all are wondering why I have summoned you. I have called you all here because of a threat to our peaceful existence. Master Christensen has received notice that another Master is heading this way to challenge him for killing one of his children."

  Murmurs broke out through the crowd. Pack Master Dane was not talking about a child as in a baby. He was referring to when a vampire turns a human.

  Dane raised his hand, gaining everyone's attention, but Lucas spoke next.

  "Greetings."

  He bowed slightly then stood tall again, piercing everyone with is intense blue eyes. I had to admit, for a vampire, he was beautiful. He was built tall and hard, but his silky black hair added softness to his features. It fell in waves to his shoulders, just asking someone to touch.

  I shook my head and glanced at Jessica. She was looking at Lucas with concern, but I could also see the dreamy look she could not hide. I pushed all thoughts of dreamy looks and soft hair away. I hated vampires, I reminded myself, no matter how nice they seemed or how beautiful.

  "I'm sure you all remember the incident we had awhile ago with Cord and Gretchen." A few nods and growls filled the room before Lucas continued. "Well it seems we now know who turned Gretchen and now this Master wants revenge." More whispers and growls followed his statement.

  I could not believe a woman could be so enamored with a man to do such things as Gretchen did. Gretchen was one of Lucas' feeders and tried hard to be his One, but that role was only for Jessica. When Gretchen realized that, she did everything in her power to keep them apart.

  First, she attacked Jess where it hurt most, emotionally, using Jessica's past and self-esteem against her. When that failed, she convinced Cord to help. Cord was a new member of our pack and one of Lucas' guards. After Gretchen was kicked out of Lucas' house, she mysteriously became a vampire and had Cord kidnap Jess. Jessica came close to dying, but thankfully, the guards found her in time, although Lucas had to perform the Enduring Kiss to keep her alive.

  A shudder ran through me thinking about Jessica having to go through with the Kiss. At least she was unconscious for it. I knew was only swapping a little blood, but I cringed whenever I thought about tasting vamp blood. I had no desire ever to experience such a thing. Luckily, I was a wolf and didn't have to worry about being intimate with a vampire.

  I glanced around the room and through the massive bodies looking for Sean. When I spotted him, I couldn't help but sigh a little in disappointment and with desire. He was so good looking, in that surfer boy kind of way. His gleaming tan skin covered a leaned yet hard body and with his highlighted dirty blond hair, he looked like he belong laying on some beach watching the waves and catching the girls.

  My goodness, what it would be like to have all of him to oneself? That wouldn't happen, I reminded myself. As much as I found him attractive, in many more ways than just physically and as much as he felt the same, we were not mates.

  As if he could hear my thoughts, he turned those molten golden eyes on me. Yes, he desired me. I could see it when his gaze burned into mine with promises that would never be fulfilled.

  Again, as if he knew my thoughts had turned towards 'what can't happen' he gave me his most charming grin followed by a wink then turned his attention to our leaders. He was right I should pay attention. This was important. No matter my thoughts on vampires, our pack as well as some surrounding pack's wolves would be helping Lucas.

  "I thank you for your service, friends and hope we will be successful in defending our home. I will have to meet with this Master to discuss these issues. I hope that he will leave in peace when he hears the truth, but if not, we will have to fight. I am sure he will bring many guards."

  He paused a moment and looked at Dane. They grabbed each other in one of those manly hugs where they pat each other's backs loudly. When they broke apart, Lucas again addressed us.

  "Thank you again."

  He bowed slightly and turned to leave. He came toward us and even knowing he was just coming to get Jessica, I backed up a little. He nodded to me and Susan then lightly took Jessica's arm. She blew us each a kiss and exited with her vamp. I swallowed and tuned in to Pack Master Dane dismissing everyone.

  "Thank you again for coming. We will meet again in smaller groups once we know more specifics. Please stay close by; we may need you in as little as a couple of days or as long as a couple of weeks. Those of you from out of town, I have already seen to your accommodations. If you have any problems or questions, do not hesitate to come by my office. Good night."

  After Dane left, everyone kind of stood around and talked for a while. Some questions were answered while more were asked. It seemed that we had a threat that we didn't know much about. Who was this Master and where was he from, and how did Gretchen convince him to turn her?

  Susan had turned toward me to talk, but were interrupted by a looming shadow. We both turned to glare, but it was of no use. Paul was ready to take his mate home.

  "Hello Rebecca. I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's time for me and my mate to head home."

  I looked down to hide my blush. Paul may have been talking to me, but he only had eyes for Susan. They were gazing at each other with so much heat, I was afraid the drapes would catch fire any minute.

  Susan didn't say a word; she just grabbed Paul's hand as they practically ran for the exit. It seemed they couldn't get enough of each other. How Susan was not pregnant by now, who knew? I was positive it would not be long with the way they went missing at the oddest times, or like how they would run out of rooms without notice. They had only been back a couple of months from their extended honeymoon, so I knew it was only a matter of time before a baby was on the way.

  I was about to head to my room when Sean walked up.

  "Hey Becky, you got a minute?"

  My eyes narrowed at the nickname. "What, now you've decided to call me that too?"

  Well at least he had the decency to look embarrassed.

  "Sorry, I'm just so used to hearing Susan call you that."

  He added his famous grin complete with dimples to the apology. It was impossible to be angry with the man.

  "It's all right, I guess," I said a little breathlessly. That grin always got to me.

  Sean's golden gaze heated for a fraction of a second before he cleared his throat, sufficiently bringing me out of the haze.

  "So, I was wondering if you would be going to any of your classes this week."

  "Yes, my usual days, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Why?”

  I took classes at the local community college. Accounting was the degree I was going after and thank goodness, I only had a couple months left.

  "Well, I think you ought to
think about taking a break for awhile. You know, just until things become safer around here."

  "Sean no, I have worked too hard to take a break now. I graduate in only a couple of months. I can't just stop for awhile and come back; I'll be too far behind." I was practically whining, but I didn't care.

  He reached out and clasped both my hands in his, startling me.

  "Please, Rebecca. Please just until its safe."

  I couldn't speak with him touching me, even if it was just our hands. I stiffened my spine. He was not going to get what he wanted just because he was charming. I pulled my hands out of his and shook my head.

  "No."

  He sighed loudly and narrowed his eyes. "Fine, I'll just have to go with you."

  I gasped. "No Sean.”

  When he grinned at me, I snapped.

  "No! I am not a child and you are not my mate," I hissed.

  Sean visibly flinched as if I slapped him and I immediately regretted my choice of words. He did not deserve me snapping at him, but I was tired of everyone trying to rule my life. These were my choices, no one else's.

  Unusual anger darkened his gaze and I had to force myself not to take a step back.

  "You're right Rebecca. I am not your mate. Thanks for the reminder."

  I tried to reach out to him; tell him how sorry I was, but he abruptly turned and walked away.

  Chapter 2

  The week passed quickly and without incident. Everyone was on high alert, but there had been no sign of the Master vampire. As I walked from campus to the parking lot, I thought about how the Pack Master told us not to stray too far from home and not go out alone. I couldn't count how many times someone suggested I not attend classes.

  It was crazy. I knew they all cared for me and wanted to keep me safe, but it was getting on my nerves. I had to go to class. Finals were right around the corner and missing any class time would be a death sentence for my degree. I did not need all the extra stress.