Rejected To Be Your Second Chance novel Chapter 123

　　　~Kade~

　　I stood in the door frame. My eyes scanned over her broken body, and I listened in on her heartbeat. I couldn't step over the threshold. Anna's words were running amok in my head, and I was contemplating turning around and walking away. When did this become so hard? The idea of truth and lie, fable or reality—it was like I no longer knew what I wanted. The walls were turning bleak, the sounds were closing out, and everything around her was growing dark until she was the only light in the tunnel I could see, leading me down the darkest road I'd taken, alone and honestly a little afraid. The thought of fear never coincided with me; it was an emotion I knew others would occasionally have, and they would be vocal about it, but I could never put myself in their shoes. Fear wasn't very common for an Alpha, not in my family at least, and now, suddenly, the blood in my veins was turning cold, and my muscles were in constant tension. The idea of Nathaniel coming into my pack with his men, fighting my warriors or attacking my people; I was afraid. In a moment where I should be solid as a rock, I felt like the kid who hid in the conference room and listened in on my father meeting with the other Alphas.

　　I was so excited to take over. Then, I met Danielle, and it was as though everything fell perfectly into place. I had a mate, I led my pack, and I felt like the king of the world.

　　Only after she left did I realize my mistake in thinking too highly of myself because it turned out that I had nothing except a title. I had no respect from the other packs, my people saw me as a friend and not a leader, and my family worried about any upcoming fight because of my cocky behavior.

　　When Danielle left, everything became apparent. I hated everything at the time, and I was mad, but I began earning respect and trust from those around me, including the Alphas. I grew as a leader; I found my place, and then Layla came into my life. That first night at the Meeting Of Alphas, when her scent sifted through the air and up my nose, I swear I was ready to grab her and leave.

　　Danielle's lips were pressed together softly. She no longer needed the tube to help her breathe.

　　Her heart sounded strong.

　　I took a deep breath and stepped into the room.

　　Everything was so quiet, yet my memories played loudly in my mind.

　　Layla had the power to break my heart, my second chance mate, so I made sure that I couldn't be hurt. Instead, I cost myself my entire future.

　　I grabbed her hand; it was warm, and her skin was as soft as always.

　　I circled my thumb on the back of her hand and drew a deep breath. The sounds of the doctors and nurses in the hall returned, the beeping of the machines started filling the room, and the walls turned white as her color returned.

　　"I know you're awake. I know what you did," I said and watched as her eyes opened smoothly. She drew a breath.