BOUND BY FATE, TORN BY CHOICES

Seven months earlier Dinner had started off like any other—quiet conversation, the clinking of cutlery, and the warm glow of candlelight filling the room. But the atmosphere shifted when my father set his fork down, his tone turning authoritative.“Derek, you’ll lead the patrol tonight,” he said firmly.I nearly choked on my drink. “What? Tonight? I already made plans!”My father’s eyes darkened, a subtle warning in their depths. “This isn’t up for debate. You’re the future Alpha, and leading patrols is a vital responsibility. It’s about ensuring the safety of the pack, maintaining order, and—”“Yeah, yeah, keeping everyone safe,” I interrupted, frustration bubbling up. “But why tonight? You’ve never cared if I skipped before.”“You need to start taking responsibility, Derek,” he replied, his tone unyielding. “When the pack sees the Alpha’s son out there, ensuring our borders are secure, it reassures them. They need to know you’re ready to lead.”I glared at him, ready to argue more,

My wolf had shredded my clothes to ribbons during my shift, leaving me no choice but to sprint home naked through the cool forest.The house was silent when I arrived; the pack was still out on their run. Relief washed over me as I slipped inside, my heart pounding from the night's events. I drew a warm bath, hoping to soothe both my aching body and my frayed nerves. As the water cascaded over me, my emotions spilled over too. Uncontrollable sobs wracked my chest as I replayed the events of the night—the rejection, the disgust in Derek's eyes. The dream of a mate who would cherish me, love me for who I was, shattered like glass underfoot.Tears blurred my vision as I whispered my frustrations to the Moon Goddess. “Why?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Why him? Why not someone else—someone who could see me, accept me for what I am?”Growing up, I’d always fantasized about having a mate who would look past my imperfections, someone who wouldn’t care that I was weak, that I didn’t fit th

AVA“Look at how Andrea’s parents spoke to us,” my mother’s voice cracked like fragile glass as she entered the house, her eyes red from unshed tears. I could hear the weariness in her tone.“When will this embarrassment end?” she sobbed. “Even after giving birth to three strong, healthy sons, all they remember is the mistake I gave birth to first.”The mistake.The word rang like a death knell in my ears. I clung to the walls of the hallway, my breath coming in shallow bursts. They were talking about me. Tears burned at the edges of my vision, blurring everything around me. My mother… my own mother.Blake had told me to stay in my room—to not hi listen. But how could I not? My curiosity had brought me here, and now the weight of her words crushed my chest.“Andrea’s parents rejected Joshua because of me,” I whispered to myself. My condition—my twisted spine, my premature birth—had stained my family’s reputation like a scar that would never fade.Would Blake’s or Paul’s mates hate the

The sparring grounds were quiet except for the sound of fists meeting flesh. Adrian ducked and swung, landing a clean hit to my side. For the fifth time that morning, I barely reacted, letting the blow push me back a step.“What’s gotten into you?” Adrian asked, lowering his fists. “I’ve never been able to land this many hits on you in one day.”I rolled my shoulders, trying to shake off the sluggishness. “Just tired, Adrian. That’s all.”Adrian frowned. “You’ve been tired for weeks. And it’s not just here. You’re distracted during meetings, you’ve been dodging everyone’s questions, and now you can’t even keep up in sparring. Come on, man, talk to me.”I sighed heavily, running a hand through my hair. “I’ve been thinking about bonded mate pairing,” I said flatly.Adrian blinked, taken aback. “Bonded mate pairing? Why? You’re the future Alpha—you have time to find your mate.”I shook my head, my gaze hardening. “Time isn’t a luxury I have, Adrian. The pack needs stability, and traditio

After Derek left the room, shutting the door behind him, I found myself lost in thought. The kiss had left me dazed, a whirlwind of emotions coursing through me. I was torn between the pain of his rejection and the undeniable pull of our bond. Before I could fully process my feelings, there was a knock at the door, and the Alpha—Derek’s father—walked in.The Alpha’s presence was commanding yet kind, his gaze soft as he looked at me . "Ava," he started, his deep voice laced with regret. "I owe you an apology.”I blinked in surprise. "An apology, Alpha?"He nodded, stepping further into the room. "I’ve failed you, and for that, I’m deeply sorry. I didn’t realize the extent of what you’ve been through—how much you’ve endured in silence, hiding for years. As Alpha, my role is to protect every member of this pack, and I failed to do that for you.”I looked down, my voice barely above a whisper. "You have a lot on your shoulders, Alpha. You’re not just the leader of the pack—you’re a fath