The Second Chance by Victor Eden

Over the quiet hamlet of Silverwood, the moon gleamed silver low in the sky. Emma Matthews had grown up here, her home, where she had also fallen in love and gone through her darkest heartbreak. Walking through the familiar streets brought back both wonderful and awful memories.

The awful night Lucas Blackwood, the future alpha of the Silverwood pack, had publicly rejected her in front of the whole community had been five years ago. Emma had really loved him and had been meant to be with him. But Lucas's father had used shrewd persuasion to quickly crush her dreams.

Emma Matthews had grown beyond the naive young woman who had believed in fairy tales. Mother of triplets, resilience had softened her spirit after she had been misled. She had moved out of Silverwood to start afresh, far from the stories and the terrible memories, and her life now was her children.

Emma had been occupied with her thoughts of the past by her freelance photography business, which had taken her to several towns and places. To raise her children apart from the rigors of pack life, she had relocated to a far-off town near Silverwood.

But tonight, fate had brought her back. Before a last-minute assignment required her to be there, she had avoided Silverwood for years. She had intended to limit her stay to avoid any unwelcome confrontations, but unexpected events often arise.

Walking down Main Street, Emma noticed how much Silverwood had changed. The air smelled of freshly baked pastries from the local bakery, and the few stores along the street looked busier than usual. Delighted by memory, she paused outside the store, but her gaze was drawn to a pack of wolves outside the pack house.

Heart thumping, she saw Lucas Blackwood among them. Tall, with strong shoulders and commanding attention, he looked just like she recalled. Something far away was the focus of his sharp blue eyes, and the wind had blown his dark hair.

Emma's heart pounded, prompting her to swiftly turn away. Not in this way, and not so soon, had she expected to see Lucas. Not after all these years was she prepared to face him.

Someone cried her name as she turned to leave. Ever Emma?

She abruptly stopped, instantly recognizing the voice. Lucas carried on. His voice was deeper now, filled with astonishment and something else she was unable to quite place.

Emma twisted to face him carefully. She said, very quietly, "Lucas."

Leaning forward, he met her eyes. Emma, coming here shocked me.

She gathered herself and swallowed hard. She said, "I'm just here for work," her voice firm now. I'm leaving this place soon.

Lucas gave his agonizing nod. I get that. Still, is it possible to talk? Emma pls. I have things I must express.

Between the need to finally face him and the want to leave, she paused. Did she not deserve closure after all these years?

And at last, she said, "Fine," in a voice laced with resignation. "Talk amongst yourselves."

Lucas took her behind the packhouse to a more private spot where curious spectators couldn't see her. Standing facing each other, they were stiff.

Lucas responded, "I owe you an apology. It was unforgivable what I did to you." I was young, dumb, and influenced by my father. Even so, that is not enough justification. I ought to have battled for you and us."