“You kidnapped me, Jacob,” Autumn reminded him in a calm but firm voice. “How can I trust someone who would take me by force instead of trying to talk to me first?”
Jacob stepped away from the balcony railing, taking a few steps with his hands running through his hair a very human gesture of frustration for a normally controlled alpha.
“I tried, Autumn,” he said, his voice almost desperate. “I tried to contact you for months. Emails, voicemails, even letters. You ignored them all.”
“Because I needed time and space, Jacob. I needed space to think clearly without your influence.”
“And once you left, you never intended to come back, did you?” Jacob asked, his eyes searching Autumn’s face for answers. “Be honest with me.”
Autumn lowered her head, admitting the truth in her heart. “No, I didn’t plan on coming back. I was too scared of what you’d become.”
Jacob nodded slowly, accepting the truth even though it clearly hurt him. “That’s why I took drastic action. I knew you’d never give me another chance if I followed the rules.”
“That doesn’t justify what you did,” Autumn insisted.
“No, it doesn’t,” Jacob admitted. “But I’d do anything to get this second chance. Even if it means you hate me for a while.”
The night air picked up, making Autumn shiver. Jacob quickly took off his jacket and placed it on her shoulders without being asked.
“Thank you,” Autumn murmured, feeling the warmth and familiar scent of Jacob on it cedar, clove, and something pure alpha.
“I’m not asking you to forgive me now,” Jacob continued. “I’m just asking for a chance to show that I can be a better alpha, a better man an alpha worthy of his omega.”
Autumn stared up at the stars, considering Jacob’s words. Despite her anger over the kidnapping, she couldn’t deny that there were still feelings for Jacob that had never quite gone away.
“What’s going to happen tomorrow?” Autumn asked finally, turning the conversation to more practical matters.
Jacob seemed relieved by the change in direction. "Tomorrow is the monthly pack meeting. All alphas, betas, and deltas from the various pack branches will gather to discuss territorial and alliance matters."
"And you want me to attend?" Autumn guessed.
"As Luna's candidate, your presence would send a strong signal that the pack leadership is stable," Jacob replied. He then added quickly, "But this is entirely your choice. If you don't feel ready, I won't force you."
“How can I trust that you’ll still be the Jacob I see now, not the Jacob I ran from?”
Jacob lowered his hand from Autumn’s cheek, but remained close. “I can’t promise perfection, Autumn. I can only promise to keep trying. To listen to you when I start to lose my way.”
He took her hand in his. “And I need you for that. You’ve always been my moral compass, the rational voice that reminds me of the right values.”
Autumn stared at their intertwined hands. There was a truth in Jacob’s words that she couldn’t ignore. And though she hated to admit it, she knew he was right they did complement each other in ways that couldn’t be explained rationally.
“I’m scared, Jacob,” Autumn admitted finally. “Scared of making the same mistake. Scared of giving my heart to you again only to see it shattered once more.”
“Fear is healthy,” Jacob replied softly. “It shows that you care. That what we have is valuable enough to be afraid of losing.”
The night breeze blew again, carrying the scent of pine and dew. The moon shone brighter, as if the Moon Goddess herself were watching over them both.
Autumn took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision on her shoulders. Six months ago, she had run away out of fear. Was she brave enough to try again now?
"I can't promise anything now," Autumn said finally. "But... I'm willing to try, Jacob. To see if we can still mend what's broken between us."
Jacob's smile grew a genuine smile that reached his eyes, not the cold, calculating one he'd been wearing lately. "That's more than enough, Autumn. That's all I ask."
"And about being your omega," Autumn continued, her voice firmer now. "I need some time to consider that. The alpha-omega bond is not something to be taken lightly."
Jacob nodded understandingly. "Of course. No pressure. We'll take it one step at a time."
They stood in silence again, this time more comfortable than before. Autumn sensed a subtle shift in their dynamic there was still tension, still unhealed wounds, but also a new hope beginning to grow.
"It's getting late," Jacob finally said. "You must be tired after a long day."
Autumn nodded, realizing just how tired she was. The kidnapping, the confrontation, and now this emotional conversation it had all drained her.
"I'll walk you back to your room," Jacob offered.
They walked in silence down the halls of the mansion. When they reached Autumn's bedroom door, Jacob stopped and turned to face her.
"Thank you for tonight," he said softly. "And thank you for this second chance."
Autumn nodded, taking off Jacob's jacket and returning it to him. "Don't waste this chance, Jacob. I'm not sure there will be a third."
Jacob took his jacket, his fingers brushing Autumn's. "I know. This time it'll be different, I promise."
They stood facing each other for a few moments, the silence filled with unspoken words and pent-up emotions.
Jacob finally leaned forward, his lips brushing Autumn's forehead in a light, intimate kiss.
"Good night, Autumn," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.
"Good night, Jacob," Autumn replied, trying to calm her racing heart.
Jacob waited until Autumn had entered her room before turning to leave. Autumn closed the door behind her and leaned against it, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
She walked to the window, opening it to let the night air clear her confused mind. From here, she could see the forest and part of the park in the distance.
Several members of the pack in wolf form could be seen patrolling the edge of the property, their shadows moving swiftly in the moonlight.
Autumn sat on the edge of the bed, kicking off her high heels and letting out a sigh of relief. She massaged her tired feet as she tried to sort out her complicated feelings.
How could she still feel something for the man who had kidnapped her? Was this just an omega’s biological reaction to her alpha, or was there something deeper between them?