4

~Iris~

"Iris."

"PSssttt Iris!"

"IRIS!"

"WHAT!?" I snapped, sitting up in my bed.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, exhuasted from the events that yesterday held. I opened my eyes to see Achilles looking at me. I almost screamed and slapped him.

"What are you doing in my room!?" I shrieked.

"Waking you up. Sadie told me to." he answered calmly, as if this is completely normal.

I wouldn't have a problem with it, except I sleep in a sports bra and my underwear. I narrowed my eyes and sighed. "Well, I'm up, so you can leave now. I need to get dressed." I yawned.

Achilles' eyes traveled from my eyes to my chest and then to my hands, that were currently holding the blanket over the rest of my body. He does not need to see that. He pursed his lips, a twinkle of amusement dancing in his eyes. He then smirked and sat on my floor.

"What are you doing?" I asked, crawling to the end of my bed.

He looked up, "Nothing."

"Achilles, get out."

"Nope."

I let out a frusterated sigh, "Are you always like this?"

"Yes."

I rolled my eyes and got up, I tried to run to the bathroom before he saw me, but a growl of approval stopped me. I turned to see his eyes black as he watched me, I swallowed and slammed the bathroom door shut. I let out a gasp, why is he acting like this? Why am I so...nervous around him? It's not the bad kind of nervous, but the nervous you get when you're around your crush. I had butterflies in my stomach whenever I'm around him and I feel drawn to him.

Not only that, but one slight touch and those sparks course through my body. The sparks I only felt with my first mate. I ran my hand through my hair, shaking these thoughts from my mind. I'm just being weird, there...there is nothing between us.

I quickly showered then got dressed, poking my head out of the bathroom. I was expecting him to be downstairs, but nope, he was laying on my bed as if he owned the damn thing. I scowled at him as I walked out, snatching a book from his hands. He looked up and grinned.

"Finally! Goddess, women take such long showers." he complained like an impatient child.

I rolled my eyes for the hundreth time this morning and placed the book on my nightstand. I then grabbed his wrist, ignoring the sparks, and dragged him downstairs. I knew he was letting me pull him, because I cannot force an Alpha like him downstairs. I walked into see Sadie cooking eggs, the scent making my stomach growl.

Achilles and I took our seats as we waited for my sister to serve the food. Even though I did attempt to help her, but she quickly told me to sit down. Achilles studied the kitchen before his eyes landed on the fork in front of him. I furrowed my eyebrows as he started twirling it, okay, he has to have ADHD.

"Bored?" I questioned, smirking a little.

He snapped his head and shoved the fork aside, a small blush forming on his cheeks. "No."

"Right." I chuckled.

"So, Iris, what are you doing later?" Sadie asked, placing our plates down.

I grabbed my fork, "A lot...pack stuff. I have four members joining, there were reported rogue attacks on the west side, and I have to deal with you know who's parents today." I sighed.

"Why are his parents bothering you?"

"They want to rejoin the pack."

"Why did they leave in the first place?"

"His older brother became Alpha of the Golden Wolf pack."

"Who is he?" Achilles suddenly asked.

"Oh, he's Alpha Xander."

"No, the guy who's parents are coming. Who's the younger the brother."

I bit my lip, "No one important."

"Clearly if you refuse to say his name." he retorted.

"Achilles, could you please just let it drop? I don't like talking about him." I pleaded, looking at him.

His eyes softened, "Alright, sorry."

"It's fine."

Sadie looked between us, that knowing look on her face again. I sighed, taking another bite of my egg. After breakfast was over I walked to my office, with Achilles beside me. He insisted on staying with me today, since he didn't know anyone in the pack. That and he just wanted to be near me. I actually felt comfortable with him and gladly allowed him to. He even helped me fill out some paperwork for the new pack members.

"So, now we have that guy's parents to deal with." he said, stretching.

I nodded quietly, "Sadly."

"He really hurt you, huh?"

"You have no idea."

We both looked up when the doors opened, revealing his parents. Margret glanced at Achilles, a sneer forming on her face. She then looked at me, disgust written on her face as she sat down. Her mate, Herold, took a seat. His face was void of any emotion, but there was a flicker of hatred when he looked at me. Probably because I rejected their son, they begged me to give him a second chance too. I only scoffed at them, they're fools for thinking I wanted him back.

"Alpha Iris, you've grown. You look stunning!" Margret said, a fake smile plastered on her powdered face.

I forced a smile, "Thank you, so on with the-

"No, we have someone coming. They're just taking a bit." she quickly cut me off.

I clenched my jaw, my wolf and I a little ticked off that she showed disrespect. I should have expected this though, they've never shown me respect. Thinking their son was meant to be the Alpha while I should be some quiet and obedient Luna. Again, they're fools.

"Sorry, for the wait. Catherine was taking a bit."

I froze, knowing that voice. I looked up to see Jason walking in, holding hands with a she-wolf. He had a knowing smile on his face, he knew this would hurt me. Even after all these months, it still hurts to see him with someone else. I swallowed the cry that was trying to force its way up my throat.

The she-wolf is from my pack and she's a bitch. I've hated her ever since middle school, and she's always had a crush on Jason. She was always trying to bully me, but I never allowed her to get to me. I felt someone take my hand, sparks flowing through me. I looked at Achilles, a smile on his face.

"Let him comfort you, you need it." my wolf suddenly spoke.

I smiled back and looked at Jason and Catherine, not upset watching them. "Take a seat then, this was supposed to start five minutes ago." I said, my voice stern.

His look faltered as he saw Achilles holding my hand, Achilles just glared at him. He quickly took a seat, pulling Catherine onto his lap. I only felt disgust now, he's still the same man whore.

"Who is this...wolf?" Margret asked, disgusted.

Achilles shifted his glare to her and she shrunk back a little. I smirked, "This is Alpha Achilles."

All of them froze, fear evident in their eyes as they now realized who he was. Achilles grinned, "I would say it's nice to meet you...but it's not. I'm completely disgusted by all of you. Margret, for showing disrespect towards your Alpha and another Alpha. Herold for showing disgust towards her. Jason and Catherine for just being slutty in front of her to make her what? Jealous? Pathetic." he spat.

Jason glared at him, "I'm not slutty, that's a name for women."

"Well, you're not exaclty a man. No man would cheat on his mate, his future wife." Achilles retorted. "Especially a beautiful one like Iris. Catherine, you think you're better looking than Iris?"

She nodded, "Of course I am."

"Well, you're not. You remind me of a...hmm...rat."

"Excuse me?"

"You're excused, there's the door."

I could tell she wanted to cry and I was pleased. I was thankful for Achilles, for standing up for me. My heart fluttered as he replayed his words. That I'm beautiful. Catherine swallowed.

"She is beautiful! She's hotter than Iris and I love her more than that worthless whore!" Jason suddenly spat.

My breath hitched as those words echoed in my head, tears pricking my eyes. I glared at him, my anger getting the better of me.

"I'm the whore!? Who was banging my best friend behind my back!? Who couldn't keep his god damn dick in his pants because he was such a horny ass dog!?" I snarled.

Jason clenched his jaw, hurt evident in his eyes. However, he quickly masked it and glared at me. "Not my fault you suck in bed." he barked.

I was now breathing heavy, trying to keep my wolf in. Achilles gently grabbed my waist and pulled me against his chest. Instantly I calmed down and took a deep breath.

"Margret, Herold...you cannot join my pack. You showed nothing but disrespect for your future Alpha and I will not have you running around on my pack grounds. Jason and Catherine you have a warning, if you screw up your second...more like third chance for Jason, then you are banned from my pack."

"Clearly you still have a soft spot for Jason, because you would have kicked us out of the pack as well." Catherine smirked, thinking she won.

I rolled my eyes, "Catherine, it's in the rules. If a pack member disrespects their Alpha three times they are to be kicked out of the pack. Or exiled. Whichever you prefer to say. Now, get your asses out of my office."

All four them glared at me before leaving, slamming my door behind them. I sighed and slumped in my chair, thanking Achilles for keeping me calm. If it wasn't for him pulling me close to him, then I would have probably shifted and killed them. That would have pissed off Xander if I did that to them. That's when it hit me, Achilles' touch calms me down. The only touch that calms a wolf down is their mate's touch.

I swallowed and looked at Achilles, "Do you have a mate?" I quietly asked.

He sat down, "I did, but she died of cancer. She was a human, but she was adopted by werewolves. She was the sweetest woman, she told me to not let her death hold me back. She told me to find someone to...fill the hole."

"Do you believe in second chance mates?"

"Yes, I mean, I'm staring at her right now."

I watched him, "You knew?"

"Yes...I wanted you to realize it by yourself though. I guess I should have-

"No, it's fine..." I trailed off.

I promised myself that I wouldn't fall in love, that I wouldn't put myself through that world of hurt again. Yet, I can't keep myself away from Achilles. Sure, it isn't as strong as my bond with Jason was, but I know a second chance mate is more work. It's rare for a wolf to find their second chance mate, if the Goddess decides they deserve it, then she makes them meet.

I knew I felt something for him when we first met, but it wasn't enough for me to actually think of him as my second chance mate. I didn't have those sparks, maybe because I hadn't faced Jason. I ran my hand through my hair, will Achilles hurt me like Jason did? I have trust issues, I know, but can you really blame me? My first mate, the man who was meant to be with me till the end, cheated on me because he was just horny.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, I then opened them. I studied Achilles, he sure is hot though. He watched me with vulnerable eyes, both of us unsure of what the other is thinking. I pursed my lips, trying to form the question.

"So...do you accept...me?" I asked, afraid of his answer.

He smiled softly and walked over to me, he gently placed his hands on my cheeks. Without another word, only a loving stare, he placed his lips on mine. I was stunned at first, not sure of what to do, but I eventually allowed myself to go with it. Our lips moved together and it felt amazing, those feelings that I've forced down are now returning. Sparks coursed through my body, warmth made its way through. Everything I felt with Jason is now coming back, but with Achilles.

When we parted he looked at me, nothing but love in his eyes. "I accept you." he whispered.

I smiled and laid my head on his chest, "Thank you." I murmured.

Two words that mean nothing to some people, but those two words have a lot of meaning behind them. I was thankful for him accepting me, for not abandoning me like Jason did. For helping me and for being the light in the dark.

"You're welcome."

And he knew that.