Her Heartbroken Second Chance Mate

CHAPTER 5 - KARLA REYES

Five years later -Brownsville, Texas

Karla's P.O.V.

"Karla, honey, wake up. Breakfast is ready, and you will be late for school," my mum's voice woke me up.

I opened my eyes and yawned, stretching my arms. I'd had a very exhausting night since my job as a waitress kept me up late. I was in my final year at school, but since my mother and I lived alone, I had to work to make up for our expenses.

When I was born in Matamoros Tamaulipas, Mexico, my grandparents told my mother that she was an embarrassment and that they would not support her financially. My sperm donor of a father had abandoned my mother before she told him she was pregnant. I never met him, and I never wanted to, to be honest.

So, yes, I was half Mexican, and as for the other half, I had no idea. Every time I tried to lure my mother into that conversation, she avoided answering my questions.

My mother and I left our hometown, ending up in Texas. She wandered a lot and got rejected by many companies for jobs she had applied for. Desperate as she was, she decided to ask for help from a werewolf pack because the Luna of this pack was well known for her kindness. The Midnight Fall pack accommodated us, and my mother started working for the Luna as her private maid. It was not usual for us humans to do business with werewolves as they stayed away from humans. There were packs, though, friendly to people. Such an occasion was the Midnight Fall pack.

The only problem in that pack was Luna's son and current Alpha of the pack, Jade Alexander, who was three years older than me. Although he used to be a good friend of mine while we were kids, he started mistreating me after his eighteenth birthday for an unknown reason. He insulted me on every occasion and avoided contact with me. I didn't know what happened to make him treat me like that. I tried to talk to him a couple of times, but he always walked away.

So, I decided to accept that he had alienated himself from me and pretended that I didn't care. I closed my eyes and yawned once more, clearing my head of all negative thoughts, and left my bed.

I entered the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. A brunette with long wavy black hair, dark red plum lips, and dark green almond eyes, probably my only father's inheritance, stared back at me. I was tall, with a curvy figure, accentuated hips and a flat abdomen.

I knew that I attracted many guys at school, but I always kept my distance from everyone. Affected by my mother's story, I was afraid of getting involved with anyone.

I smiled at myself, and after brushing my teeth, I rushed downstairs to the kitchen to have breakfast with my mother. It was a special day-it was my eighteenth birthday, and my mother had prepared my favourite Mexican breakfast, Chilaquiles, crispy tortilla chips covered in red sauce and topped with crumbled cheese and Mexican creme.

“Buenos Dias mi niña. Feliz cumpleaños.” (Good morning sweetie. Happy birthday.)

"Good morning, mama. Thank you." I hugged my mother and kissed her on the cheeks happily.

My mother, Rosa Reyes, was a sweet woman with bright black eyes. A typical Mexican lady, with all her graciousness and pride. She was often surprised by my hot-tempered character, especially towards injustice. She knew, though, that I got my temperament from her. She used to be like that at my age. My father saw that in her; she'd told me the first time I asked her how they had met. She had slapped him without hesitation when he tried to approach her.

We sat at the table and started eating. I didn't have much time as I had to catch the bus to school.

"Have you got any plans for today, baby?" my mum asked me, filling my plate with Chilaquiles.

"The usual stuff, Mum. Alexa and I are going dancing downtown, and we will meet with some of the guys from school. Nothing special. Oh, the bus is here. Got to go, Mum, see you later."

"Take care, baby," my mum kissed me one last time, and I rushed outside.

The bus ride was pleasant as Alexa had kept our favourite spots and waited for me impatiently. Alexa was a werewolf and the previous Gamma's daughter. We talked happily about various topics, especially what we would wear that evening.

My friends were waiting for me at the school gate with a birthday cake. I was overjoyed and knew right away that it was Alexa's idea. She has been my dearest friend since the start of high school.

The day passed without any trouble, and soon, it was time for me and Alexa to go back to the Midnight Fall pack.

We agreed to meet at my place around eight and start preparing for our night out. The minute I got off the bus, I came face to face with Jade and his Beta Tim. They were standing in the middle of the road opposite my house, talking about something. Jade locked eyes with me, and his blue eyes turned black instantly. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, they were back to their natural colour.

"Happy birthday, kiddo," Tim told me, and I smiled at him. Jade said nothing and kept staring. I pretended not to notice, and after thanking Tim, I entered my house.

My mum was still at work, and I decided to shower and lie down for a while. I needed to rest if I was going to enjoy myself that evening. It didn't take long for me to fall asleep.

I woke up to the sound of my phone; Alexa was calling to confirm the time of her arrival. I asked her to come sooner so that we could spend some time watching one of our favourite movies.

When my mother came home, we were in my room, applying makeup and doing our hair. My mum entered the room and kissed me on the forehead.

"Did you have a nice day, baby?"

"Yes, Mum, everything was perfect. Alexa even arranged a surprise for me with the rest of my schoolmates," I replied happily, making my mother smile ever wider. She knew how much my friends loved me. She felt content with her decision to move us to the Midnight Fall pack. I had made good friends, and I felt happy to be there.

"Who will take you downtown?" my mum asked, and Alexa replied that her father would take us. My mother wished us a good evening and left for her room.

I got dressed in a short black dress that flattered my figure and black stilettos once I had finished my makeup. The dress fit like a second skin and Alexa teased me.

"Are you planning to seduce the whole male population tonight, Karla? Because the way I see it, there will be a lot of fighting for you. Everyone will want to be your dance partner, babe."

I blushed at my friend's comment and looked at myself once more. Indeed, the dress was the right choice. And it didn't cost much either; I always made clever purchases since my budget was low for that kind of thing.

Alexa's father's car horn blared outside, and we rushed out to him.

"Happy birthday Karla," he smiled at me, and I thanked him politely.

Alexa's father was a kind man and a good father. We got into the car and took off to the club. We agreed that we would meet her dad outside the club at three in the morning, and he left.

The doorman looked at me intensely as we approached the club's entrance. He was a very handsome young man-I pretended not to notice and told him that we had a reservation for a birthday party.

"Are you the birthday girl?" he asked, smiling, and I returned his smile politely, replying that I was.

He instructed one of the club's employees to take his place at the club's entrance and led Alexa and me to our table inside.

He whispered, "I hope you will give me one dance later, Princess." He winked at me, smiling and left for his spot.

"Here we go," Alexa teased me, and I blushed.

"By the way, my brother said he and his mate might drop by to wish you a happy birthday. Is that okay with you?" Alexa asked me, and I smiled. Her brother, insert his name here, was like a brother to me, and I loved him very much.

Soon, our schoolmates arrived, and we started dancing and having fun together. The party was successful since we all needed a break from school and reading.

When it was time for my birthday cake, Alexa's brother arrived with his mate, Jade, and his Beta, Tim. I was surprised to see Jade with them-I never expected him to come uninvited.

"Hey, Karla, happy birthday. You look stunning tonight." Alexa's brother, Cane, kissed me on the cheek and hugged me with brotherly love. Everyone in the pack knew how much he loved and protected me; I was his other sister, as he used to say.

Jade. He stood there; his eyes fixated on me. He didn't even wish me. It was the second time we met that day, but nothing came out of his mouth.

I watched as the doorman brought my birthday cake, smiling at me.

"I couldn't resist the temptation, Princess. I wanted to wish you a happy birthday," he said, winking at me. I smiled at him, watching Jade's eyes turn black again.

I blew my candles, and everyone wished me and kissed me. The only one that didn't approach me at all was Jade. The D.J. played slow music, and the doorman politely asked me for a dance. I was hesitant to accept his invitation, but Alexa pushed me towards him, smiling cheekily. He took me by the hand and led me to the dance floor, hugging me by the waist. We started dancing, and suddenly, he pulled me closer to him, hugging me and caressing my back, surprising me unpleasantly. I tried to pull back, but he held me even tighter.

I never expected what would happen next, and neither did anyone else. A thunderous growl overshadowed the sound of the music, and someone pulled me from the doorman's arms with so much strength that my face collided with a broad chest, and my nose started bleeding. At the same time, a punch sent the doorman flying towards the D.J.

I looked up, frightened and watched Jade's angry face changing expression.

"MINE," he growled again. He pulled me by the hand, ignoring my bleeding nose, and led me outside the club.

My mind was in turmoil. What the hell just happened in there? What did Jade mean by the word "MINE?" Why did he punch that guy? Jade was supposed to have a female werewolf as a mate, not me, and I was human. I tried to stop Jade, but he kept pulling me by the hand until we reached the parking lot.

He opened the door of his car and pushed me inside. Before I even had the time to react, he got into the driver's seat and drove off. I tried o say something, but how he looked at me scared me so much that I felt goosebumps all over my body.

We drove in silence, and suddenly, Jade stopped by the side of the road and banged his hand on the steering wheel.

"This cannot go on. I am an Alpha, and I need to have a strong Luna by my side. That is what my pack needs." He turned his face towards me and looked at me with disappointment and pity.

"Jade, what…"

"I, Jade Alexander, reject you, Karla Reyes, as my mate."

"What?"