The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate Chapter 176

Tristan

She was silent for so long I thought she wasn't going to respond, thought she was going to turn around and walk away and that would be the end of us.

Then she spoke and her voice was so quiet I had to strain to hear it.

"You really hurt me," she said.

"I know," I said immediately. "I know I did and I'm so sorry."

"I was so scared when you were unconscious," she continued, and I could see tears gathering in her eyes again. "I was terrified that you wouldn't wake up, that I'd lose you before we even got a chance to be a real family."

A tear slipped down her cheek.

"And when I remembered I could heal you, when I felt that power inside me and knew I could save you, I didn't even think about the risks, I just knew I had to try."

Another tear followed the first.

"I would have done anything to save you Tristan, anything at all, because I love you that much."

Her voice broke.

"And you made me feel like that was wrong, like loving you enough to take that risk made me stupid or reckless or careless with our children."

"It wasn't wrong," I said, moving closer and not caring if she stepped away. "It wasn't stupid or reckless, it was brave and selfless and more than I deserved."

I reached out slowly and when she didn't pull away I gently touched her face, wiping away her tears with my thumb.

"You're the bravest person I know," I said. "And I'm an idiot for making you feel like that was a bad thing."

She closed her eyes and leaned into my touch just slightly and I felt hope bloom in my chest.

"I'm sorry," I said again. "I'm so sorry baby, please forgive me, please give me another chance."

She opened her eyes and looked at me and I could see she was wavering, could see the war playing out behind her eyes between her anger and her love for me.

"I don't know if I can do this," she said quietly. "I don't know if I can keep putting myself out there just to have you push me away every time you get scared."

The words felt like a knife to my heart.

"I won't push you away again," I promised. "I swear I won't, I'll work on controlling my fear, on trusting that you know what you're doing, on being grateful instead of angry."

I cupped her face with both hands now.

"Please," I said. "Please don't give up on us, don't give up on me, I know I don't deserve another chance but I'm begging you for one anyway."

She looked at me for a long moment and I held my breath, waiting for her decision, waiting to see if she'd forgive me or if this was really the end.

Finally she spoke.

"If you ever talk to me like that again," she said slowly, her voice steady despite the tears, "if you ever make me feel that small or that worthless, I'm done, no more chances, no more apologies, just done."

"I understand," I said immediately.

"I mean it Tristan," she said. "I love you but I won't let you treat me like that, I won't let you disrespect me or make me feel like I'm not good enough."

"You're more than good enough," I said. "You're everything."

She studied my face and I let her see everything I was feeling, all the love and regret and desperation and hope.

"Okay," she finally said. "Okay we can try again."

Relief flooded through me so intense it made me dizzy.

"Thank you," I said, pulling her into my arms and holding her close. "Thank you baby, I promise I'll do better, I promise I'll be better."

She wrapped her arms around me and I felt her relax slightly against my chest.

"You better keep that promise," she mumbled into my shirt.

"I will," I said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I swear I will."

We stood there holding each other and I felt the pieces of my broken heart starting to come back together, felt hope replacing the fear that had been consuming me.

I'd almost lost her.

I'd almost thrown away the best thing that ever happened to me because I couldn't control my fear.

But she'd given me another chance and I wasn't going to waste it, I was going to spend every day proving to her that her faith in me wasn't misplaced, that I could be the man she deserved.

"I love you," I whispered against her hair.

"I love you too," she said. "Even when you're being an idiot."

I laughed and it felt good, felt like maybe everything was going to be okay after all.

"Especially when I'm being an idiot apparently," I said.

She pulled back slightly to look up at me and I saw a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

"Don't push your luck," she said.

"Wouldn't dream of it," I said, and then I kissed her because I couldn't not kiss her anymore, couldn't stand another second without my lips on hers.

She kissed me back and I tasted salt from her tears but also something sweeter, something that felt like forgiveness and new beginnings and second chances.

When we finally pulled apart we were both breathing hard and I rested my forehead against hers.

"I really am sorry," I said one more time.

"I know," she said. "And I really do forgive you, but Tristan, you have to work on this, you have to find a way to deal with your fear that doesn't involve taking it out on me."

"I will," I promised. "I'll talk to someone if I need to, I'll do whatever it takes."

She nodded and I could see she believed me, could see that she was willing to trust me again even though I'd given her every reason not to.

"Now can you please eat something?" I asked. "You haven't had anything all day and I'm worried about you and the babies."

She smiled then, a real genuine smile that made her whole face light up.

"I could eat," she admitted.

I took her hand and led her toward the kitchen, grateful beyond words that she was giving me another chance, determined not to screw it up this time.

As we walked past the living room I saw Orion and Sarah watching us with matching expressions of relief.

"Thank you," I mouthed to them.

Sarah nodded but her expression was still stern, still warning me that she'd be watching to make sure I kept my promises.

Orion just raised his coffee cup in a small salute.

I squeezed Athena's hand and she squeezed back and I made a promise to be better.

To chase her and show her how much she means to me.

Promise to not compare Jess to her, because she was Athena and she could hold her ground.

She'd proved it countless times and I'm proud and grateful that I got to love for the rest of my life.