The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate Chapter 50

I sat on the cold sand watching the waves crash against the shore, each one carrying away a little more of my composure.

The salty breeze whipped my hair around my face, but I barely noticed. All I could think about was the fight with Tristan and how everything between us had shattered so completely.

Why was he doing this to me? Why throw my worst mistakes back in my face when I was already falling apart? The cruel things Seraphine had said were bad enough, but having Tristan dismiss my pain and call me childish felt like a betrayal that cut straight to my bones.

I couldn't believe he'd taken her side, that exactly how I feel right now. I knew I didn't tell him what had transpired but still.

After everything that venomous woman had accused me of - celebrating the deaths of his mate and child - he'd been more worried about my reaction than what she'd actually done to me.

Like my hurt didn't matter as much as keeping the peace with his precious victim. He'd would have let be go when I said he should let me be, but no. He had to say those painful words.

Even when he'd tried to apologize, I could hear the truth underneath his words. He still saw me as a child who couldn't handle adult situations. Still thought of me as the broken girl who needed managing instead of the woman I was trying so hard to become.

Maybe that was for the best. Maybe it was better to know what he really thought of me before I let myself fall completely in love with him again.

The sound of footsteps on sand made me tense, but I didn't turn around. Probably some late-night jogger or dog walker. This beach was usually deserted at this hour, which was exactly why I'd come here. I needed somewhere I could fall apart in private without worrying about anyone seeing me cry.

Then I heard a voice that made my blood turn to ice water.

"Athena."

No. No, no, no. This couldn't be happening.

I smelled him before I fully processed what was happening - that familiar cologne mixed with something darker, something that had always made my skin crawl even when I'd been too broken to understand why. My body recognized the threat even before my mind caught up, every muscle tensing with the urge to run.

But I'd promised myself I wouldn't let him or even the memory of him break me anymore. I was stronger now. I'd learned to fight. I wouldn't cower like I used to.

I fisted my hands and started to turn around slowly, forcing myself to breathe steadily despite the panic clawing at my chest.

How had he found me? How did he even know I was here? I'd been so stupid to come out alone, but I'd needed space to think, needed somewhere I could process the disaster my life had become without anyone hovering over me.

But before I could complete the turn to face him, I felt another presence approaching fast - impossibly fast, with the fluid grace that could only belong to one person.

Suddenly strong arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me back against a solid chest. I knew instantly who it was, even though I couldn't smell or sense him the way I could other wolves. Tristan had always been different that way, like my senses went haywire around him.

He held me so tightly I could barely breathe, like he was terrified I'd disappear if he loosened his grip even slightly.

Despite everything that had happened between us tonight, despite the harsh words and mutual hurt, my body responded to his touch like it always did. I couldn't help but savor the feeling of being this close to him again, of feeling protected and wanted and safe.

But then reality crashed back in. Daxon was here, somewhere behind me, and Tristan was holding me instead of going after him. Why wasn't he protecting me by eliminating the threat?

Unless someone else was handling that.

I forced myself to focus, to extend my senses beyond the intoxicating warmth of Tristan's embrace. I tried not to let his cologne mess with my ability to read our surroundings, even though having him this close made my head spin.

That's when I caught another familiar scent on the ocean breeze. Stronger than Tristan, more commanding, carrying the unmistakable authority that came with leadership.

My brother. My protector. The man who'd become my parents after our parents died.

"Orion," I gasped.

How had they known to find me here? How had they known Daxon was around? Had they been tracking him, or had they simply come looking for me after our fight and stumbled into this nightmare?

The questions raced through my mind as I tried to turn in Tristan's arms. I needed to see what was happening, needed to know that my brother was safe.

"Don't," Tristan said, his breath fanning across my neck and sending an unwelcome shiver down my spine.

Why was my body still reacting to him like this? Even in the middle of a crisis, even when the man who'd tormented me for years was somewhere nearby, I couldn't stop responding to Tristan's touch like he was the answer to every wish I'd made.

The sound of snarling and impact reached my ears - the unmistakable sounds of a brutal fight happening somewhere behind me. My blood ran cold as I realized Orion and Daxon were going at each other, probably in their wolf forms if the volume of destruction was any indication.

Chills ran down my spine at the thought of anything happening to Orion. But then logic kicked in.

Daxon would never be able to win a fight against Tristan, much less against Orion, who was bigger, faster, stronger, and infinitely smarter in combat. If anyone was going to leave this beach hurt, it would definitely be Daxon.

Still, I needed to see for myself. I needed to know my brother was okay.

I looked up at Tristan with what I hoped were convincing pleading eyes. He'd never been able to say no when I looked at him like that, not since we were kids.

He let out a defeated breath that made me smirk inwardly despite the seriousness of the situation.

"Are you sure?" he asked softly.

"I'm not a child anymore, Tristan," I said, and immediately regretted the words when I saw his face fall. His mouth opened like he wanted to say something - probably to address the fight we'd had earlier - but he seemed to think better of it.

Instead, he loosened his grip just enough to let me turn around while keeping his arms around me. I was acutely aware of how my back pressed against his chest now, of how his hands rested on my shoulders like he was ready to hold me in place if I tried to do something reckless.

"The fight is up there, Ath," he said, and I realized I'd been staring in completely the wrong direction, too distracted by his proximity to focus properly.

"You should enjoy the show," he continued, his voice carrying a satisfaction that was almost predatory. "See how he's nothing but talk when he's facing someone who can actually fight back. He only has strength to hit women, but he picked the wrong one this time."

He said the last part loudly enough that I knew it was meant for Daxon to hear, wherever he was.

I finally looked in the right direction and let my eyes take in the scene unfolding on the sand dunes about fifty yards away.

My breath caught in my throat.

Orion was in his human form but moved with inhuman speed and strength. He had Daxon pinned beneath him, his fingers elongated into claws, his canine teeth extended into fangs that gleamed silver in the moonlight. Daxon was struggling underneath him, but it was pathetic compared to Orion's controlled fury.

My brother looked like an avenging angel, beautiful and terrible in his rage. Every movement was precise, calculated to cause maximum pain without ending the fight too quickly. He wanted Daxon to suffer, wanted him to understand exactly what happened to men who hurt his family.

But as I watched, Orion's fangs extended further, positioning directly over Daxon's throat. The intent was clear - he was going to end this permanently.

I couldn't let it happen. Not because I cared what happened to Daxon - the world would be a better place without him in it. But I couldn't let Orion carry the weight of killing someone, even someone who deserved it.

My brother had spent his whole life protecting people, building things, creating rather than destroying. I wouldn't let him stain his hands with blood because of me.

I started to struggle against Tristan's hold, but his arms tightened around me.

"Athena, don't," he said firmly. "Orion knows what he's doing."

"He's going to kill him," I said, panic rising in my voice. "I can't let him do that. Not for me. Not because of my mistakes."

"It's not your fault that bastard followed you here," Tristan said, his voice hard. "And it's not your fault that he spent years hurting you. Orion is doing what any alpha would do to protect his pack, his family."

But I could see the moment Orion made his decision. Could see him positioning for the killing blow, his whole body coiled with lethal intent.

I opened my mouth to scream, to stop him before he did something that would change him forever, but Tristan's hand covered my lips before I could make a sound.