The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate Chapter 147

Athena

"We're going to stay at Orion's for a few days," Tristan explained to Derek. "Just until we can get this place properly fixed up."

"Good idea," Derek said. "I'll keep working on securing it while you're gone, get that window replaced, clean everything up.""

"Thank you," Tristan said. "I appreciate it."

We went to the bedroom and Tristan pulled out a bag, starting to pack clothes for both of us, I moved slowly around the room, gathering my toiletries from the bathroom, a few personal items I wanted with me.

Everything hurt and I was moving carefully, trying not to aggravate my bruised ribs or sore throat.

"You okay?" Tristan asked, watching me with concern.

"Just sore," I said. "I'll be fine once I can lie down properly."

He finished packing quickly and we headed back out, Derek promised to call if he needed anything and we drove toward Orion's house, which was about twenty minutes away in a quieter part of the territory.

When we pulled up to Orion's house, I felt some of the tension in my chest ease slightly.

This place held good and bad memories, the days I'd spent here learning to control my abilities.

But I decided to focus on the good memories, to think of the quiet mornings with Sarah drinking coffee while the kids played, the feeling of being surrounded by family who loved and protected me.

Sarah opened the front door before we'd even gotten out of the car, her arm in a sling but her smile warm and welcoming.

"You're here," she said as Tristan helped me out of the car. "I'm so glad you decided to come."

"Thanks for having us," I said, letting her hug me carefully with her good arm.

"Don't be silly," she said. "This is your home too, you know that."

Orion appeared behind her with Liam on his hip and Lily peeking around his legs.

"Aunt Athena!" Lily squealed, running over to hug my legs gently, apparently someone had told her to be careful with me.

"Hi sweetheart," I said, running my hand over her hair. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay," she said, though her voice was quieter than usual. "How's my baby cousin doing?"

"Your baby cousin is doing fine." I confirmed.

She nodded seriously and then grabbed my hand. "Come see my new coloring book, I did a whole page this morning."

"Let her get inside first," Sarah said with a gentle laugh. "She can see your coloring book after she rests a bit."

We all moved inside and the familiar warmth of the house wrapped around me, the smell of something cooking in the kitchen, the sense of safety that came from being with people who would do anything to protect you.

"Your room is ready for you," Sarah said to me. "And Tristan, you still have your room from last time too, unless you two want to share?"

She raised an eyebrow and I felt my cheeks heat slightly.

"We'll figure it out," Tristan said diplomatically, though his hand on my lower back told me exactly which option he preferred.

"Alright," Sarah said with a knowing smile. "Well, both rooms are ready regardless, fresh sheets, towels in the bathrooms, everything you should need."

"Thank you," I said sincerely. "For everything, for taking your time to prepare our rooms after everything that happened."

"You're family," Orion said simply, coming over to hug me. "You don't thank family for being there when you need them."

I felt tears prick my eyes and I blinked them back, the exhaustion and stress of the past day making me more emotional than usual.

"Why don't you go lie down for a bit?" Sarah suggested gently. "You look exhausted and I know you're probably in pain."

"I am pretty tired," I admitted.

Tristan took my hand and led me upstairs to the room that had been mine during my previous stay, Sarah had put fresh flowers on the nightstand and opened the curtains to let in natural light, making the space feel bright and welcoming.

"You need anything?" He asked as I sat down carefully on the bed.

"Just some rest," I said. "Will you stay with me?"

"Of course," he said without hesitation.

He helped me out of my shoes and I lay back against the pillows while he stretched out beside me, his hand immediately finding its place on my stomach.

"We're safe here," he said quietly. "You can actually rest without worrying."

"I know," I said, letting my eyes close. "It feels good to be here."

Within minutes I was asleep, exhausted from everything my body had been through in the past twenty four hours.

I woke a few hours later to the sound of children laughing downstairs and the smell of something delicious cooking, for a moment I was disoriented, forgetting where I was, but then I felt Tristan's arm around me and remembered.

Orion's house, safe with family.

"Hey," Tristan said softly, clearly having felt me stir. "How do you feel now babe?"

"Better," I said, and I meant it, the sleep had helped and while I was still sore, the sharp edge of pain had dulled to a manageable ache.

"Sarah made dinner," he said. "She sent me to wake you about twenty minutes ago but you looked so peaceful I didn't want to disturb you."

"I'm glad you let me sleep," I said, sitting up slowly. "What time is it?"

"Almost six," he said.

We went downstairs together and found everyone gathered in the living room, Sarah was on the couch with Liam curled up beside her watching a cartoon, Orion was on the floor with Lily building something with blocks, and the whole scene was so domestic and normal that I felt something in my chest loosen.

This was what life should be like, peaceful moments with family, not fighting for survival.

"There you are," Sarah said when she saw us. "Feeling better?"

"Much better," I said, settling into one of the armchairs while Tristan sat on the arm beside me.

"Dinner's ready whenever you are," Sarah said. "I made lasagna, figured we could all use some comfort food."

"That sounds amazing," I said, realizing I was actually hungry for the first time since the attack.

We all moved to the dining room and Sarah and Orion brought out the food, it was a feast with lasagna, garlic bread, salad, and Sarah had even made dessert.

"You didn't have to go to all this trouble," I said as we sat down.

"It wasn't trouble," Sarah said. "I needed something to keep me busy today and cooking helped."

We filled our plates and for a while we just ate, the kids chattered about their day and what they'd been playing, providing a welcome distraction from heavier topics.

After dinner, Orion and Sarah got the kids settled in the living room with a movie and the four of us adults gathered around the dining table with coffee for them and herbal tea for me.

We spoke about light topic with Orion and Tristan pulling my legs one at a time, it was peaceful and I loved it.

Eventually Orion glanced at his watch and stood up. "Tristan, I need your help with something real quick."

Tristan looked surprised but stood as well. "Sure, what do you need?"

"Just come with me," Orion said, heading toward his office.

After they left, Sarah and I looked at each other and grinned.

"Finally," Sarah said. "I thought they'd never leave."

"I know right?" I said. "I've been dying to really talk to you about this Kiara and Derek thing."

"Tell me everything," Sarah said, settling back in her chair. "What have you noticed?"

"Well for starters, the way they look at each other," I said. "It's not just dislike, there's this intensity to it like they're seeing something in each other that nobody else sees."

"I've noticed that too," Sarah said. "And the way Derek immediately distrusts her, it feels personal somehow like it's not just about being cautious, it's about her specifically."

"Exactly," I said, glad someone else was seeing what I was seeing. "And Kiara gets so defensive around him, like she has something to prove."

"Do you think they have history?" Sarah asked.

"I don't know," I admitted. "But there's definitely something there, some kind of connection they're both trying to deny."

"I was thinking about doing something for the women, as an appreciation." She said like she remembered something.

"What did you have in mind?" I asked.

"A dinner maybe?" Sarah suggested. "We could host something nice, invite them all over, show them how much we appreciate what they did."

"I think that's a great idea," I said, warming to it immediately. "They deserve to be thanked and celebrated for what they did."

"We could do it here," She said "Once things settle down a bit, maybe next weekend?"

"I think it's a nice idea," I agreed because it was the least we could do. "We'll make a proper meal, we can make it special." I just pray this one doesn't end the way the last one did.

"We should invite Derek too," I said casually, watching Sarah's reaction.

She looked at me with a knowing expression. "Derek specifically?"

"Well he's part of this too," I said, trying to sound innocent. "He was at the border fighting, he's been helping secure the house, it makes sense to include him."

Sarah's eyes narrowed slightly but she was smiling. "Athena, what are you up to?"

"Nothing," I said, but I couldn't help smiling back. "I just think it would be nice to have everyone together."

"Everyone including Kiara and Derek in the same room," Sarah said pointedly.

"Is that a problem?" I asked.

"Why do you think I brought out the idea of a dinner?" My eyes shook.

"Ohh" I smiled.

"Don't you think we reason alike, we should have been sisters" she said giggling.

I couldn't help but feel a warm on my chest. It would have been nice to have her as an elder sister.

It would have been a blessing.

"So how do we do it? Do we put them in a room together and see what happens?" She asked with a mischievous smile.

"We'd make them do same task like it was a coincidence" Serah nodded her head buying the idea with a smile.

"Alright. we'll invite Derek, but if they end up fighting at our dinner table, you're the one explaining it to Orion." We both burst out laughter at her words.

I knew she was joking but I responded anyways.

"Deal," I said, excited about the plan now.

"Well then. It's a good thing we're giving them a little push," She said with a mischievous smile.

I laughed again. "You think we're being too obvious?"

"Probably," Sarah said. "But sometimes people need a little push to deal with what they're avoiding, and besides, we owe them all a proper thank you anyway so this way we're killing two birds with one stone."

"That's what I figured," I said. "Thank them for saving our lives and maybe help two stubborn people figure out whatever it is they need to figure out."

We talked for a while longer about pregnancy and motherhood and fear, Sarah shared stories from when she was expecting Lily and Liam, the worries she'd had, the way Orion had been overprotective to the point of being ridiculous.

"He wouldn't let me lift anything heavier than a pillow," she said with a laugh. "I had to remind him constantly that I was pregnant, not made of glass."

"Tristan is already heading in that direction," I said. "He tried to carry my purse for me the other day."

She laughed. "Get used to it, it only gets worse as you start showing, but honestly, it comes from a good place, they just want to protect us and the babies."

"I know," I said. "And I love him for it even when it drives me crazy."

Tristan and Orion came back about thirty minutes later, both of them looking satisfied about something.

"What were you two doing?" Sarah asked suspiciously.

"Just guy stuff," Orion said vaguely.

"Guy stuff," Sarah repeated, not buying it.

"Don't worry about it," Orion said, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

I looked at Tristan who just shrugged and smiled, clearly they'd been up to something but weren't going to tell us what.