The Omegas Second Chance

Chapter 14

Shayna

"I wish both of you would just stay with me" My grandmother's voice was soft, frail, and pleading. I wanted to be around her, but I knew my situation would be too much for her. I had a teenage son, I had my job and my baggage. I also wanted to do this on my own. I had been relying on Dereks' wealth and protection for so long that I needed to do this on my own. What a lot of good his protection gave me though. Protection from everything but him.

"You know I can't do that" I mumbled, but it was clear that she heard me. She may be an old wolf, but her hearing was as sharp as ever.

"Oh, nonsense! I have plenty of space, more money than I know what to do with. Speaking of money, when will you be stopping by so we can finish sorting out the change of beneficiaries for my will and the inheritance? My lawyer has been asking for a date and time to finalize the paperwork. I am not getting any younger dear and I don't want your parents or that snake of a sister of yours to get a dime. Why don't we get together this weekend? I'll host a brunch. Miles can bring some of his new friends over to the pool before we close it down for the season and you and I can catch up and go over the documents. Two birds with one stone. It's been so long since I've seen you, doll." She was making fair points.

"Fine. Well come by this weekend. But I can't live with you. It's not you, or the fact that I'm not grateful. Truly, I am. But its just.."

"You need to stand on your own two feet. I understand. I just hate how hard you're working yourself and how hard you've had it. Your parents were never good to you and your sister. Don't even get me started on that she-wolf" she growled. The relationship between my grandmother and my parents and sister was nonexistent. After my designation, she cut them off when she saw the way she treated me. My parents threatened to cut off contact with me to her if they didn't at least keep the cash flow coming and the insurance and inheritances the way they were. Now that I'm older, I'm on my own and have nothing tying me to them, she feels empowered to make the changes she's always wanted to. I tried to get her to put it all in Miles's name, but she wasn't having it. She wanted to split it 50/50 with us both. "It's settled. I wont bring it up again, but I do want you to come see me more. We are on the same side of the country now. Hell, we're in the same zip code now. No excuses to miss Sunday brunches anymore"

I said goodbye to my grandmother and hung up the phone as I pulled my car into the parking lot of Saunders and Jones and leaned my head against the headrest collecting my thoughts. I had printed out every screenshot that I took of Dereks' message to Miles. I told Christina I wanted to meet with her before work to go over the programs she mentioned and she agreed. She has been pushing me to take action more and more since I told her my story, my truth. There were only a few cars in the parking lot, but it wasn't unexpected. I was here an hour before the office was technically even open.

I swiped my badge against the scanner at the employee entrance and clutched the printouts close to my chest. I was nervous. I had never stood up for myself, but I was starting to now. I was taking action to get what I deserved, and I was protecting Miles the way I should have from the start. I passed by photos of all the lawyers practicing here at the firm and at other locations. There were other branches in bigger cities, but according to Christina, their family wanted to keep the small-town vibe for their main office. So many photos and every single one of them was of a smiling and capable person. What did people here see me as? Was I just as capable?

I got to my desk and sat down my bags and the print-outs and turned on my computer. Levis' office door was shut, and the light was off, indicating he wasn't in yet, so I started on my tasks for the morning before searching out Christina. I opened his office, turned on his lights and computer and opened the blinds. I arranged the files he needed to focus on this morning on his desk and then made my way to the lounge to brew us both a cup of coffee. I had stockpiled a few of my favorite breakfast meal preps in the freezer here and started to prepare one for me and, feeling generous, I took an extra one out for Levi. I don't know why, but I wanted him to be taken care of. I wanted to please him.

Yes, he was a jerk growing up, but this week has proved that while he may be an asshole he truly cared about people and took pride in the work he does. I was still working through all of my past, but to be fair, if I could forgive Patrick, perhaps I could work on forgiving Levi and everyone else from that time in my life. Forgiving is the first step in healing, right? His standoffish personality and his aloof nature honestly suited him. It helped him win cases in court. It got work done and i wont lie. Hearing it come out a few times while he was on the phone sent a shiver up my spine and not in a bad way. It was confusing being scared of most alphas and their tempers, but hearing the control and the ability to take charge from him? It had me clenching my thighs and heat creeping up my cheeks to the tips of my ears every time I heard it this week.

The coffee machine beeped, signaling the brew was done and the aroma of the coffee grounds was like a balm for my soul. I could feel myself perking up just from smelling it. I added everything I noticed Levi liked in his coffee before getting started on my own. I was quite different. I liked a little bit of coffee with my sweetness. I liked to blame it on my omega side, but truthfully, I was just a wimp who couldn't handle extremely strong brews.

I sat for a moment in the lounge, taking in the peace and quiet moment. My hands surrounded my mug, warming from the heat of it. Steam drifted off the liquid and I wanted to fan it towards my face. Free steam facial? Hell yes! My blissfully happy and serene moment was shattered by a loud roar of sorts and slamming and crashing sounds. I jolted hearing the sharp and loud noises, wondering what was going on before loud and thunderous footsteps echoed in the hallway by the lounge. The door was thrown open and standing in the archway was the very alpha I had been thinking about all morning.

His eyes were dark, his brow was furrowed, and he looked pissed beyond belief. His eyes locked on mine and my mouth dropped open at the zap of connection I felt between us. I backed up a step as he stormed towards me until my hips hit the countertop. He had papers clutched tight in his grasp and when I took a closer look I saw the screenshots I had printed out. Oh no...

"What the f**k is this?" he shouted as he held up the papers for me to see. "You better explain what the f**k I'm looking at and tell me who and where this mother fucker is, or I swear to god..." Mad. He was mad, but as I took a moment to feel his emotions and his aura, I could tell for certain he was not a threat to me. He wasn't mad at me. He was mad for me.

"Shayna!" He barked, and his loud tone broke me out of my thoughts. He threw the papers down onto the counter next to me and caged me in against the counter top. Close. He was so close. I could see the flecks of blue in his gray eyes. I could see the sharp line of his jaw covered in thick stubble. His hair, which was cropped close on the sides and just long enough on the stop that I could run my fingers through it was falling onto his forehead in a slight wave pattern. The fullness of his lips, the tan of his skin. Everything was noticeable. I could feel his breath hitting my face and, for once, I wasn't opposed to having someone this close to me. I wasn't immediately turned off by the proximity of another alpha. In fact, I wanted him closer. Stop it Shayna! "Tell me who sent you those messages. Tell me and I will make sure to bury them in the ground to rot where they belong. Tell me who said things so despicable it makes my stomach turn and ive done and said some pretty awful things. Tell me who tried to dim your light and I will ensure that they never even think of doing it again."