The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate Chapter 35

"What's wrong with asking why Mrs. Henderson didn't have kids if she was barren?" Tristan and Orion burst into laughter while Sarah looked shocked.

Yes, I'd asked her that. Right to her face. Mom had made sure I apologized for weeks afterward.

I'd been grounded for days, had my allowance taken away, and had to write fifty pages of apology letters to poor Mrs. Henderson. Mom and Dad had been mortified, saying they'd never raised a child who didn't know how to speak properly.

Since then, I'd learned that not all questions should be asked out loud, not because we don't see things, but because we shouldn't hurt other people's feelings.

I lunged toward Tristan, and he looked genuinely surprised by my speed. This was the second time I'd surprised both of us today- first with my strength, now with my speed. And it always seemed to happen around him.

He caught me before I could tackle him and lifted me up like I weighed nothing.

"Put me down right now!" I screamed through my laughter, but it only made him laugh harder.

Orion and Sarah sat there watching him torment me, doing nothing but laughing along.

"Aunt Athena, come down!" Lily screamed. Apparently, she was the only one trying to help me.

"Uncle T, bring her down right now!" she commanded with all the authority a four-year-old could muster.

Instead of listening, Tristan bent down and scooped Lily up too, placing her on top of me so he was carrying both of us.

"Daddy, look!" Lily giggled instead of protesting. "Uncle T is really, really strong!"

"Betrayer," I muttered.

Tristan laughed. "Did you just call a four-year-old a betrayer?"

I raised my eyebrow, confused. Had I said that out loud?

*Did he just read your mind?* I heard Ciara's voice for the first time in days.

*Welcome back, bitch.*

*I'm serious, Athena. Did Tristan just read your thoughts?*

*I'm not sure. Maybe I said it out loud.* She went quiet again, but the thought stayed with me. It wasn't possible... was it?

Tristan put Lily down first, then slowly lowered me. In the process, I lost my balance and nearly fell, but his strong arms caught me instantly.

I lifted my head and realized our faces were only inches apart. This close, I could see the flecks of gold in his gray-blue eyes, could count his eyelashes if I wanted to. He was even more handsome up close, if that was possible.

My eyes drifted down to his lips as his tongue darted out to wet them. I swallowed hard and ended up choking on my own saliva, which sent me into a coughing fit.

Only then did he set me fully on my feet, asking if I was okay. I quickly turned my face away so I wouldn't keep staring at him.

I shouldn't be having these thoughts about him. It was wrong on so many levels.

The coughing got worse, and before I knew what was happening, Tristan was beside me with a glass of water, rubbing my back and making soothing sounds like I was a child.

I looked at him again, then immediately turned away.

"Hmm," I cleared my throat awkwardly. After drinking the water, I glanced up and caught Sarah staring at me with knowing eyes, like she could see right through me.

Then she smiled, which made me sigh with relief. For a moment, I'd thought she could read my inappropriate thoughts.

"Aunt Athena, are you okay?" Lily asked, her little face scrunched up with worry.

"Yes, darling. I'm fine," I said, picking her up and giving her a squeeze.

...Later, when it was time for Tristan and me to leave, we all gathered outside. The kids were both sleeping - Liam had been dozing on and off all day, still recovering from his fever, while Lily had finally crashed after running around like a tiny tornado.

Liam had barely been awake since we'd arrived, only stirring to eat before falling back asleep. Lily was his complete opposite - full of life and energy, reminding me so much of myself at that age. Tristan had been right; she was just like me.

A fierce protectiveness rose up in me. I wanted to make sure she never went through what I had, that she'd always feel safe and loved and protected.

Both Orion and Sarah had wanted me to stay the night, but I'd told them I needed to go back with Tristan. Even though they looked disappointed, they understood my reasons and didn't push.

I promised I'd visit as often as I could, and I meant it. I was done running away. It was time to spend time with my family again.

Sarah and I had clicked immediately, like we'd been friends for years instead of meeting for the first time. Now I understood why Orion had chosen her. They complemented each other perfectly.

She was the Luna, so of course she had that natural wisdom and leadership quality, but it felt effortless. Not forced or artificial, just like Orion's leadership style.

We kissed each other goodbye before I climbed onto the back of Tristan's motorcycle.

We'd been driving for a while, longer than it should have taken to get back to his place, but I didn't ask where we were going because I trusted him completely.

When he finally pulled over and I removed my helmet, I stood there in shock at the sight before me.

We were at the cemetery.

The same cemetery where our parents were buried. Where I hadn't been since the day we'd laid them to rest five years ago.

"Tristan," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the evening wind. "What are we doing here?"

He turned off the engine and removed his own helmet, his expression gentle but serious. "I thought maybe it was time you said goodbye properly. And maybe... maybe it's time I introduced you to someone."

My heart started racing as the pieces clicked into place. Jess. He was taking me to meet Jess.

The woman he'd loved. The woman he'd lost.

The woman whose grave he'd probably been visiting every night at ten o'clock for days.

I wasn't sure I was ready for this, but as I looked at his face, I realized this wasn't just about me. This was about him too. About us finally being honest with each other.

About facing the ghosts that had been haunting us both.