The Professor's Second Chance Mate

Chapter 11b

Throughout the day, my mind was swirling with thoughts of a certain handsome professor. It made concentrating on my economics, and marketing classes difficult.

When I was done with the day's classes, I headed back to my room to get ready for my first ever date. It wasn’t until after I’d showered and agonized over an outfit for way too long, that I realized I hadn’t checked my phone since yesterday afternoon. I had no idea where or when exactly this dinner was supposed to take place.

Eight missed calls and several texts from an unknown number that I soon learned was my mate. That sounds so weird: my mate. My mate didn't reject me. He’d tried to contact me several times before breaking into my room. I should be furious that he broke into my room. I’m not.

I swore out loud when I realized I’d also missed more than a dozen calls and a dozen texts from my dad. He was worried about me. I called him immediately.

“Lara! Thank the Goddess! I was so worried about you. When Gileston called me about you, I thought he thought you were a rogue. I assured him you weren’t, you were my daughter. I threatened to kill him and absorb his pack if he hurt you.

“You did what?” I couldn’t believe he did that for me. Gileston's reputation.

Our mate! Maya cut through my thoughts.

Our mate's reputation was ruthless. My dad is strong and fast, and has built a reputation as a formidable alpha too but no one with any sense would challenge our mate.

“Of course I did, sweetheart. Listen, I know I’ve not been a perfect father. But I love you more than anything. More than anyone. I always have. That’s why I have to be careful with you. Your mother gets jealous.”

“Of her daughter?” I questioned. That made exactly zero sense.

“I can’t explain over the phone, but one day sweetie, I will explain everything.”

“What exactly did you two talk about? He said you told him everything. What is everything? Did you tell him things you won't tell me?” That irked me.

“You called him, before you called your dad?”

“It’s not like that, dad. I bumped into him this morning.”

“In your bed? He said he’s your mate. Is he?”

“Damn, I wasn’t sure if he told you that.” I ignore the comment about him being in my bed. That was a topic I would never discuss with my dad. Then I realized he’d avoided my question about how much he’d told Professor Gileston… my mate - I wasn’t quite sure what to call him. That still felt weird.

“Well, I threatened to kill him and everyone he loves if he hurt you. Is it true? Is he your mate?”

“Yes.”

“And how do you feel about that? As far as I know, you’ve never had a boyfriend. And your mate is a lot older and more experienced than you.”

My mate was about the same age as my father. Oh, goddess! So weird. I chose never to think of that again.

“I was going to ask you how you felt about it,” I said, deftly avoiding his question. Two can play that game.

“He’s a good guy. He’s been through a lot. He’ll do anything for the people he loves. I just want you to be happy. Are you happy?”

“I don’t know. I’m shocked and confused. I met my first mate less than two weeks ago. That ended in a swift rejection and now this. It’s a lot of change in a short period of time. I don’t really know what to think or feel.”

I slumped back in my armchair, the one with a faint trace of my mate’s scent.

“Wait! You got rejected! Who fu>king rejected you? Was it someone in my pack? Did Kiren tell them to do it! That little prick. Or was it your mother? They should both know that the mate bond is sacred and should never be messed with! I’ll f*****g kill them.”

I wasn’t sure if he was threatening to kill Kiren or my mother, or whoever rejected me. Honestly, it sounded like both. I hadn’t heard my father this angry in a long time. No, never. I’d never heard him defend me to them with so much anger. Usually he played peacemaker by turning a blind eye.

“Daddy, please calm down. The jerk wasn’t from your pack. He was just some i***t boy barely worth mentioning. I’m better off without him in my life and I’m sure I’ll never see him again. Besides, it was a mutual thing. But yes, Kiren ordered everyone at school to reject me if they turned out to be my mate. Just like he ordered that all my friends cut me out of their lives when I was ten.”

That was one of the primary reasons I started working harder at school. When I skipped seventh grade and was still ace-ing classes, my teachers started giving me harder work. Eventually, that led to college credit, which led to online college classes. As soon as I realized I could practically homeschool myself, I didn’t have to attend my physical high school anymore. My best friend, the internet, could teach me everything I needed to know about anything I wanted. Just before my 16th birthday, I'd officially graduated from high school. It wasn’t that I was super into school and desperate to learn. For me, education was a tool I needed to master if I wanted to escape my peers and one day be independent from the pack.

“He what?”

“I thought you knew that.”

“I knew he’d been a prick to you on occasion but I didn’t know he’d done that. I’m so sorry baby girl I just.. I didn’t think it was that bad. I’ll talk to him. I’ll talk to them all.”

“Please, don’t bother, dad. Anyone willing to turn their back on me because some bully told them to, doesn’t deserve any attention. And it’s too late now anyway.” I could not keep the bitterness from my tone.

“You don’t understand, sweetie. Kiren doesn’t understand. She manipulated him.”

“What don’t I understand, dad? Who manipulated him? Why?”

“I’ll come visit you soon, and we’ll talk about it then. In the meantime, I have some changes to make around here.”

“No, dad. Just tell me. Please,”

“I’m glad you're safe. I have to go, sweetheart.” I recognized the dismissal in his tone. He would not be answering any more questions.

“Dad, promise me you won’t tell mom or Kiren that I met my mate. Either one of them. I know it sounds stupid and weak but just thinking about how they’ll laugh at me behind my back for being rejected hurts.”

I whip the phone away from my ear as my dad's growl rumbles through it. “You are not stupid, baby girl. You are sensitive and brilliant, beautiful and kind, compassionate and empathetic. Often, people mistake your ability to forgive for weakness. But it’s not. Those are your strengths and anyone with any sense will love you as you are.”

“I love you too, Dad.” Despite everything, I did love him.

“I love you so much, sweetheart. Hey listen, you’ll be OK. Just remember he’s been through alot too. Give him a chance, ok? Put those traits I just listed to good use.”

I knew I was vacillating, but I’d experienced several massive life changes recently, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I hesitated, chewing my lower lip.

“You’re sure he’s safe? Gileston, I mean ?” I asked. After this morning I thought I was, but I still wanted a second opinion. The mate bond was definitely screwing me up. What if I was missing something? My brain was telling me to be cautious, but my heart and soul were adamant that I was safe with him. At heart, I guess I was still a little girl needing my daddy’s love and approval.

“Yes. He’ll take care of you. I’ve known him for years. Promise me you’ll try. And I’ll promise you that if at any time you feel threatened, I’ll get you out of there.”

“Ok,” I whispered.

“What pack was your first mate from?” My dad suddenly demanded.

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask,” I replied.

“Bullsh!t. You have to give your pack’s name in a formal rejection. So tell me!” His Alpha tone leaked out.

“Dad, I really didn’t ask. I figured technically, since I’m a lone wolf, and packs don’t matter. It worked. I felt the bond break. So did he.”

“That’s not possible, sweetie. You had to get his name at least?”

I sighed, “Dad, I’m not telling you who he was. He doesn’t matter. You don’t need to go all daddysaurus on him or anything. Please let it go. It’s over. I will never have to see him again. I already have a second chance mate. He might too.”

“Fine,” he grumbled.

Thankfully, he accepted that and we said our goodbyes.

Now about that date….