Raymond's POV
I sat there, watching Caitlyn on the bed, my mind swirling with conflicting thoughts.
From the moment I saw her, I felt a fire burning within me. My body stirred with an intense restlessness.
My wolf stirred within me, almost frantic, whispering one word: "Mate!" That's when I knew for sure—Caitlyn was my Second Chance Mate.
It was almost a miracle, a gift from the Moon Goddess. For rejected werewolves, a second chance at a mate is rare, almost unheard of.
Her scent, a delicate mix of violets and roses, filled the air, and it took everything in me to keep myself under control.
But Caitlyn, of course, had no idea. I'd used perfume to cover my scent. So her wolf couldn't detect it.
I'd been holding back, respecting Caitlyn's space, giving her the choice to stay or leave.
If she had chosen to leave, I would've told her the truth — about us, about the bond — and let her decide if she wanted to reject me.
But she didn't leave. She stayed, making my world feel less cold.
During the wedding, when she leaned over to brush her lips against mine, I barely held myself back. My wolf wanted to take control, to claim her right then and there, but I stopped myself.
The struggle to hold back was unbearable.
Inside, my wolf howled, clawing at me, calling me a coward.
I couldn't deny it—I was scared. Scared of losing my mate again. The pain of that loss was too much to bear.
The pack's doctor said, "Her wolf might be weak, but her self-healing ability is extraordinary. It's a miracle."
And the doctor was right. Caitlyn's shoulder was almost healed.
I had fought against this marriage for so long, still haunted by my past. I had once loved someone with all my heart, only to be betrayed — framed and broken by that betrayal.
She was heartbroken and devastated, and I'll never forget the words she barely whispered as she rejected me.
Since then, I had sworn not to let anyone get close enough to make me feel something again.
But Caitlyn was an unexpected twist.
And today, when I found out she was in danger, my wolf and I were consumed by a rage so intense I could barely control myself. My rage was barely contained as I shot the wolf that had hurt Caitlyn with a silver bullet.
My wolf wanted to tear him apart.
Caitlyn had always been outside of my plans. She's an OMEGA, someone who needs stronger protection, while I'm a disabled Rogue. She should have left and found a safer life away from someone like me.
But she didn't. She stayed. And now I felt I needed to tell her I'm not a good werewolf.
As I watched her lie there in pain, her face twisted in pain, I couldn't help but gently stroke her hair, whispering to myself, "What am I supposed to do with you, little one?"
Caitlyn's POV
I started dreaming again — of my grandma and deceased parents, their faces twisted in pain, tears streaming down my face.
I kept crying and praying to the Moon Goddess to bless them.
My heart was broken.
Then, I felt someone's hands gently settle on my head. Though I couldn't make out his face, the warmth of the touch felt like Raymond.
He smiled gently, and slowly, the pain in my heart began to fade. He sat there, and I gripped his hand tightly, afraid he would leave.
...
I woke up and stared at the ceiling, the memory of everything that had happened slowly coming back to me. I had met John, who was out for revenge, but... why me?
I hadn't done anything to him, had I? I asked my wolf.
She responded with two mournful howls.
It wasn't me who had caused all of this, was it? I asked my wolf.
She responded with two mournful howls.
I glanced at my shoulder and arm. The wounds had completely healed without leaving any marks.
"Looks like my self-healing is still strong," I murmured.
I opened the door and saw Raymond downstairs, talking to a man I didn't know. The man wore gold-rimmed glasses and had a stern, unreadable expression. He didn't smile once.
Of course, I quickly pushed that thought aside.
Until now, apart from the almost-kiss at the wedding, we hadn't had any moments of closeness.
"You save me?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yeah."
"I don't know how many times I should thank you."
"You don't need to thank me," Raymond replied, his voice steady.
"Wait... you're not hurt?" I asked anxiously, looking at him. How could a rogue like him have fought off so many wolves?
"When I got there, the one who hurt you had already left. I'm not sure what happened after that," Raymond explained.
I sighed in relief, not wanting Raymond to get hurt because of me. It also made me realize something—I needed to get stronger. If my wolf stayed this weak, next time, there might not be anyone to save me, not even Raymond.
"I will protect you," I said firmly. "I'll make my wolf stronger, and I'll protect you. Who knows, maybe we can even build our own pack."
Raymond looked surprised, then smiled at me and said, "Alright."