The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate Chapter 85

The workday dragged on longer than usual, and I found myself checking the clock every few minutes. My mind kept wandering to the flowers sitting in my apartment, to the note that had made me smile despite myself, and to the man who had sent them.

I'd stayed at my office throughout, avoiding both Tristan and Orion at once.

At exactly five o'clock, I heard a familiar knock on my office door. I looked up to see Tristan standing there, looking perfectly put together despite the long day.

"Ready to go?" he asked, but there was something in his tone that suggested this wasn't just a casual offer to drive me home.

"Go where?" I asked, though I had a sinking feeling I already knew the answer.

"You know where, Ath. You need to tell Orion about your racing."

I did know. I'd been avoiding it all day, but I couldn't put it off forever. Orion deserved to hear it from me rather than finding out some other way.

"I know," I said quietly, gathering my things. "I just hoped maybe I could wait a little longer."

"The longer you wait, the harder it's going to be," Tristan said gently. "And the more hurt he's going to be that you kept it from him."

He was right, of course. The fact that I'd been racing for weeks without telling him was probably going to sting more than the racing itself.

The ride to Orion's house was quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts. I could feel the tension in Tristan's shoulders where my arms wrapped around his waist, and I wondered if he was as nervous about this conversation as I was.

When we pulled up to Orion's house, I could see warm light spilling from the windows and hear the faint sound of children's laughter.

It was such a peaceful, domestic scene that I almost felt guilty about disrupting it with my news.

Sarah answered the door with Lily on her hip, both of them smiling when they saw us.

"Well, it's nice seeing you two together" Sarah said, stepping aside to let us in.

I smiled but said nothing about her comment. "Where is he?"

"He's in the living room with Liam. They're building some elaborate castle with blocks." She looked between Tristan and me, her expression growing more serious. "This looks like it might be an important conversation."

"It is," I said. "I need to tell him something."

Sarah nodded understanding. "I'll take the kids upstairs and give you some privacy. Babe!" she called toward the living room. "Athena and Tristan are here to see you."

I heard Orion's footsteps before I saw him, and when he appeared in the doorway, his face lit up with genuine pleasure at seeing us.

"Welcome love" he said, pulling me into one of his bear hugs.

" I need to talk to you about something," I said, my stomach churning with nerves.

Orion's expression immediately grew more serious. "Okay. Let's sit down."

We settled in the living room, Sarah having efficiently herded the children upstairs with promises of stories and snacks. The sudden quiet felt heavy.

"What's on your mind?" Orion asked, leaning forward with his full attention focused on me.

I took a deep breath and dove in. "I've been racing motorcycles."

The silence that followed was deafening. Orion stared at me for several long seconds, his expression cycling through confusion, surprise, and then something that looked like anger.

"You've been what?" His voice was dangerously quiet.

"Racing. At the track downtown. I've been learning for about a month now, and I've won seven races."

"Seven races." He repeated the words like he couldn't quite process them. "Athena, do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"

"Of course I do. But Orion..."

"No." He stood up abruptly, running his hands through his hair in a gesture that reminded me painfully of Tristan. "Do you know how many people get seriously injured or killed racing? Do you know what could happen to you out there?"

I felt tears prick at my eyes, but I forced them back. I'd known this would be his reaction, but it still hurt to see him so upset.

"She's good at it, Orion."

Both Orion and I turned to look at Tristan in surprise. I hadn't expected him to jump to my defense, especially not when he'd been so concerned about my safety himself.

"She's really good," Tristan continued, his voice steady and calm. "I've seen her race. She's careful, she's skilled, and she has natural instincts that can't be taught."

"You've seen her race?" Orion's voice rose slightly. "And you didn't think to mention this to me?" I can't imagine how he'd react if he found out Serah was aware too, but that's if he finds out.

"That wasn't my place," Tristan replied firmly. "This is Athena's choice to make and her news to share."

I looked at him gratefully, touched that he was standing up for me even when it meant facing Orion's anger.

"But," Tristan continued, "I do think there are ways to make it safer. I could train her more, teach her advanced techniques, make sure she has the best protective gear."

"You want to train her?" Orion looked between us like we'd both lost our minds.

"I want to make sure she doesn't get hurt," Tristan said simply. "And the best way to do that is to make sure she's as prepared as possible." Orion trusted Tristan, even more than he trusted me and am sure he'd give in immediately, and he did.

He remained quiet for a long moment, clearly struggling with the information. But he finally sat back down and looked directly at me.

"Can I talk to you alone for a minute?" I nodded, and Tristan quietly excused himself to the kitchen.

"Why?" Orion asked once we were alone. "Why are you doing this, Ath? This isn't like you."

I thought about how to explain it, how to make him understand something I was still figuring out myself.

"It's the only way I've found that makes me feel like I'm in control of my life," I said finally.

"For so long, other people have been making decisions for me, telling me what I should do, how I should feel, who I should be. Racing is something that's completely mine. When I'm on that bike, I'm making every choice. I'm the one in control, I'm Athena."

Orion's expression softened as he listened.

"I know you love and want to protect me, and I love you both for it. But I need to make my own choices, even if they scare you. I need to prove to myself that I'm strong enough to handle my own life."

"You've always been strong, Athena. You don't need to prove that by risking your life."

"But I need to prove it to myself," I insisted. "Please try to understand."

He was quiet again, studying my face like he was trying to read my thoughts.

"If I agree to this," he said finally, "you have to promise me you'll be careful. And you have to let Tristan train you properly."

Relief flooded through me. "I promise. I'll be as careful as I can be while still actually racing."

"And no more secrets. If something happens, if you get hurt or scared or anything, you call me immediately."

"I promise," I repeated, meaning it completely.

He pulled me into another hug, this one gentler than before. "I love you, you know that? Even when you're giving me gray hair."

"I love you too," I said, squeezing him tightly.

"I need to talk to Tristan now," he said, releasing me. "Why don't you go find Sarah? I'm sure she's dying to know what's going on." Of course she's dieing.

I found Sarah in the kitchen, pretending to organize the already perfectly organized spice rack.

"He didn't take it the way I expected, they're learning and growing" she said the moment I walked in, as she pulled me to herself for a tight hug. "And I'm guessing Tristan finally decided to stop being a coward about his feelings?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Is it that obvious?"

"Honey, I've known that man for years. The fact that he's suddenly taking your side against Orion tells me everything I need to know."

I sank onto one of the kitchen stools, suddenly feeling exhausted. "I'm confused, Sarah."

"About what?"

"About everything. I can feel the bond between us, I've felt it for a while now. But how am I supposed to just forget everything he put me through? How do I just jump into his arms because of a bond he's just letting himself feel, and pretend like he didn't break my heart over and over again?"

"How do you feel about him? Not the bond, not the history, not what you think you should feel. How do you actually feel?" She asked taking my hands with hers.

I thought about it seriously. "I feel drawn to him in ways I can't explain. When he touches me, I feel like I'm whole. When he's not around, I feel like something's missing. But I'm also angry with him for taking so long to figure it out, and scared that he'll change his mind again."

"Those are all valid feelings," Sarah said gently. "And you know what? You don't have to decide anything right now. The bond isn't going anywhere, and neither is Tristan if his feelings are genuine."

"But what if I'm just being stubborn? What if I'm making this harder than it needs to be?"

"Athena, listen to me." Sarah moved closer, her voice becoming more serious. "Your happiness is what's important here. Yes, fighting a mate bond is difficult, but it's not impossible. You have a choice in this, no matter what anyone else says."

She paused, seeming to choose her words carefully.

"That said, I think you should give Tristan the benefit of the doubt. I've seen how miserable he's been without you, and I've seen how determined he is to make this right. I love how he's still giving you the right to choose and not forcing anything on you, I don't think he's going to mess this up again."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because he knows what he's risking now. He knows that if he hurts you again, he'll lose you forever. And more than that, he knows what he wants. It just took him a while to get there."

I hugged her impulsively. "Thank you. I needed to hear that."

"That's what family is for," she said, hugging me back.