The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate Chapter 71

Athena's POV

There, parked right in front of the main entrance in a spot I couldn't possibly miss, was a motorcycle that sat like a goddess herself.

A pink bike.

My heart leaped with pure joy as I stared at the pink and purple machine that I'd always dreamed of owning. The colors swirled together like cotton candy and sunset, with chrome details that caught the light and made the whole thing sparkle.

How did he know I loved pink and purple? My mouth opened and closed like a fish as I searched for words that could possibly express what I was feeling.

"Oh my God. This is..." I couldn't finish the sentence. There weren't words big enough.

Derek stood nearby with a proud smile spreading across his face, clearly pleased with my reaction. He knew he'd gotten me good.

"You like it?" he asked, though my expression probably made the question unnecessary.

"Like it?" I said in a slow, wondering tone. "I love it. I absolutely love it."

"How? When? I thought you said you wanted to lend me yours?" I turned to face him fully, still in shock.

Derek's smile got even brighter as he moved closer to me. "I figured mine would be too uncomfortable for you. Plus, what if I decided to race with you someday? I'd really love to kick your ass on the track."

That made me laugh, breaking through some of the overwhelming emotion. "In your dreams, maybe."

"What I'm saying is, Tristan mentioned about a bike for sale." Yeah, I was aware too, I saw this bike at the garage and I'd always stared at it with longing.

But I couldn't say I wanted to get it, they'd start suspecting.

" So after you left yesterday, I called him and asked if it was still available. He said yes. I told him I wanted to teach my girlfriend how to ride." Derek's expression got a little sheepish. "I didn't pay for it though. He just gave it to me. So really, it's yours."

Gratitude washed over me so intensely I felt tears prick at my eyes. I wanted to give Derek the biggest hug of his life.

"Not all men are like Daxon," Ciara said suddenly in my mind, her voice warm with approval.

"Yeah, that's true," I replied internally. "Not all men are like Daxon, and I'm glad I'm finally meeting the good ones."

"Should we give him a chance?" she asked hopefully.

I raised an eyebrow at my wolf. "What are you saying? I should date him because he got us a bike?"

"And he's giving us the opportunity to fly," she pointed out.

"I thought you wanted Tristan just days ago. Is this how loyal you are?"

"Tristan has always rejected us, but Derek made us smile and I'm sure he really likes us," she said, practically squealing like a child.

I had to hold back laughter. "We're focusing on ourselves for now. No boys, no mates."

"Got it," Ciara agreed, though I could feel her amusement.

Ciara was a whole other level of character, but I loved her for it.

I moved toward the bike like I was approaching something sacred. The moment my hands touched the smooth surface, something electric shot through me. It was like the bike and I recognized each other, like we'd been waiting our whole lives to meet.

I ran my hands slowly over the curves of the seat, the handlebars, the engine housing. A smile spread across my face that felt bigger than my entire head.

"It's perfect," I whispered. "Perfectly mine."

"You and Tristan actually act exactly the same," Derek said with a bright smile.

I turned to face him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"That was the exact same way Tristan reacted the day he first touched Shirley."

I raised my eyebrow. "Who's Shirley?"

"His bike," Derek explained with a grin. "His beast."

"Oh!" I nodded with understanding, letting out a small laugh. I completely got how Tristan had felt, because right now I felt like this bike and I were meant to be together.

"Ciara," I said suddenly.

Derek looked confused. "What?"

"Yes, I'm here," I heard Ciara say in my mind, her voice full of excitement.

"Her name is Ciara," I told Derek, patting the bike gently.

I could feel Ciara's joy flowing through me. She was happy and emotional about having the bike named after her.

"You named her after me?" she asked, touched.

I'd named her after Ciara because I felt connected to both of them most deeply. They were both parts of me that had been suppressed for too long.

"That's a beautiful name," Derek said approvingly.

I nodded, answering both Derek's comment and Ciara's question at the same time.

Derek walked over and handed me a helmet. I held it up and smelled it before placing it on my head, it fit perfectly. After a minute, I pulled it off and turned to Derek.

"Thank you so much," I said, meaning every word. "This means more to me than you could possibly know."

"You're always welcome, Athena. Now come on, let's get to work."

He moved closer to the bike and gestured for me to follow. "First things first. Before you even think about starting her up, you need to understand what you're dealing with."

I nodded eagerly, hanging on every word.

"This is a beginner-friendly bike, but she's still got power. The most important thing is respect. You respect the machine, and she'll take care of you. You get cocky or careless, and she'll put you on the ground faster than you can blink."

"Got it. Respect the bike."

"Good. Now, let's talk about the basics." Derek pointed to different parts as he spoke. "These are your handlebars. Your right hand controls the throttle and the front brake. Your left hand controls the clutch. Your right foot controls the rear brake. Your left foot controls the gear shifter."

I tried to memorize where everything was, my hands moving to touch each part as he named it.

"The most important thing to remember is that everything has to work together. It's not like driving a car where you can focus on one thing at a time. On a bike, your hands and feet are all doing different jobs, and they have to coordinate perfectly."

"That sounds complicated," I admitted.

"It is at first. But once your body learns it, it becomes automatic. Like dancing." Derek smiled encouragingly. "Let's start with just sitting on her and getting a feel for the weight and balance."

I swung my leg over the seat, settling onto Ciara for the first time. The bike was heavier than I'd expected, and I could feel how solid and powerful she was beneath me.

"Good. Now, feet on the ground, hands on the handlebars. Just get used to holding her steady."

I gripped the handlebars and tried to balance the bike's weight. It was challenging at first, but after a few minutes, I started to feel more secure.

"Perfect. You're a natural at this." Derek moved to stand beside me. "Now, before we start the engine, let's talk about what's going to happen. When you turn the key and press the starter, she's going to come alive. You'll feel the engine vibrating through your whole body. The first time can be overwhelming."

My heart was already racing with anticipation. "I'm ready."

"Okay, but remember, keep the clutch pulled in. That disconnects the engine from the wheels, so even though the engine is running, the bike won't move forward."

I nodded, gripping the left handlebar tighter.

"Turn the key."

I turned the key in the ignition and immediately heard a soft whirring sound as the electrical systems came online.

"Now, make sure you're holding the clutch in with your left hand, and press the starter button."

I found the button with my right thumb and pressed it. The engine turned over once, twice, then roared to life with a sound that sent electricity shooting through my entire body.

The vibration was incredible. It was like sitting on top of a controlled explosion, all that power thrumming beneath me, waiting to be unleashed. I could feel it in my bones, in my chest, in my soul.

Yes, I'd sat on Tristan bike. But this, this felt different....magical.

"Oh my God," I breathed, my voice barely audible over the engine noise.

Derek was grinning at my reaction. "Good, right?"

"This is amazing." I could feel tears of pure joy starting to form in my eyes. "I can't believe how it feels."

"And we haven't even moved yet," Derek laughed. "Okay, now comes the fun part. We're going to learn to let the clutch out slowly and give her just a tiny bit of gas."

My hands were shaking slightly with excitement and nerves. "What if I mess up?"

"Then you stall the engine and we start over. Nobody gets it perfect the first time. The important thing is to go slow and listen to what the bike is telling you."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

"Okay, very gently, start letting the clutch out. You'll feel it start to grab when you hit the friction zone."

I began to release the clutch lever slowly, and suddenly I felt the bike start to pull forward slightly. My eyes widened.

"There! You feel that? That's the friction zone. Now give her just the tiniest bit of throttle with your right hand."

I twisted my right wrist slightly, and Ciara started to move forward. Actually move. I was riding a motorcycle.

The feeling was indescribable. Even at barely walking speed, there was something magical about propelling myself forward on two wheels. The world looked different from up here, felt different.

"I'm doing it!" I called out to Derek, who was jogging alongside me. "I'm actually doing it!"

"You're a natural!" he called back. "How does it feel?"

How did it feel? Like flying while staying on the ground. Like freedom in its purest form. Like I'd been missing this my entire life without knowing it.

"It feels like I'd found myself," I said, and I meant every word.

Nothing or no one can make me give this up.