014

Elysia's pov.

The room went still after Alpha Adrian made the announcement.

I could feel My heart beating fast in my chest, I hadn't expected it at all.

Right now, the music has stopped, the air felt heavy, everyone was staring at us, alpha Adrian and I.

“This is not a decision made lightly,” Adrian said. “And though she has not yet given me her final answer, I will wait, for as long as she needs.”

His eyes met mine. “I’ll wait,” he repeated, softer this time.

I looked out at the crowd, there were so many faces, so many eyes. But then my eyes landed on Tyler.

His face was full of confusion, anger... and something else. Regret, maybe.

Alicia on the other hand looked like she had swallowed something bitter.

I stood taller, my shoulders raised high, this was what I wanted, for them to see that I was no longer the same person they knew.

“Thank you,” I said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Thank you for believing in me.”

The applause began again, louder this time. The music picked back up, and the celebration continued, though now all eyes kept darting back to me.

Then I heard a sharp voice, one I had hoped never to hear again.

“Wait just a damn minute!”

My head turned sharply, the voice was coming from none other than Tyler.

I could see his shoulders were tense and His jaw was locked. Alicia still stood beside him, her face pale now and her eyes wide.

The crowd parted around them as if making space for something dangerous.

“You can’t just announce her as your queen like that,” Tyler growled, stepping closer. “Elysia is my fiance!”

A low gasp moved through the room like a wave and my stomach tightened.

What did he just say? Did Tyler just say I am his fiance? He must be mad.

Adrian didn’t move, His hand tightened around mine, but his face stayed calm. “She was your fiance. Learn how to use the past tense,” he said, voice low but clear.

“Elysia belongs to no one. She is free to choose, and she chose to stand by me tonight.”

“I never broke off our engagement!” Tyler snapped.

“And you never treated me like someone you truly loved, you never treated me like i was a person” I said softly but firmly, stepping forward now, away from Adrian’s side.

“You made my life a living hell, you made me feel small, unworthy. you even tried to get me killed, and you have the guts to call me your fiance?”

Tyler blinked as if he was slapped. “That’s not—” He looked around at the watching crowd, then back at me and opened his mouth but nothing came out.

Adrian remained still. Watching, probably waiting.

Tyler’s eyes burned now. “You’re still mine. I won’t let anyone else have you.”

Then, without warning, he lunged toward me, however, Adrian stepped in instantly.

Their bodies slammed together with a loud thud. The crowd backed away as the two Alphas fought. Fists flying, growls tearing from their throats.

My heart began to pound in my chest, Tyler was strong, but Adrian was faster, cleaner. He dodged a punch and spun behind Tyler, grabbing him and slamming him down onto the platform.

Everyone frozen, including

Adrian didn’t hit him again however, he just stood over him, calm and dangerous. “I could end this here,” Adrian said, his voice cold.

Tyler groaned beneath him. “Do it then,” he spat. “You took everything else.”

Adrian stared at him for a long moment… then stepped back and let him go.

Tyler slowly stood, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. His eyes found mine again, They were full of emotion—anger, sadness, and something else. Something softer I wasn't expecting that.

He walked up to me, close. I didn’t move, I just stared at him.

“Elysia,” he said quietly. “I messed up, I know that. I was foolish, I was selfish but I never stopped thinking about you. Not once.”

I stayed silent.

“I loved you,” he whispered. “I still do.”

He reached into his coat pocket and pulled something out. A thin silver chain hanging from it was a small medallion, a circle with a symbol of our old pack. My medallion.

“I kept this,” he said, holding it out. “I couldn’t bring myself to throw it away.”

I looked at it. So many memories flashed through my mind.

He took a step closer. “Come back to me, Elysia. I will fix everything. I’ll make it right. You and I… we were meant to be.”

My heart was pounding again, not from love, but from pain, From everything he had done to me.

Is he really serious right now? Thinking u will accept him back? He must be joking.

I looked down at the medallion… then shook my head.

“No.”

His face dropped immediately “What?”

I took a deep breath. “I’m not the same girl you left behind. You gave up on me when I needed you most. You made me feel like I had to hide, like I wasn’t good enough to stand by your side, you tried to kill me, how can you try to kill a person you are claiming you love..”

“I made a mistake!” Tyler’s voice cracked. “People make mistakes.”

“You made a choice,” I replied. “Again and again.”

I stepped back. “You don’t get to choose for me anymore.”

The room was completely quiet now. Tyler stood there, frozen, the medallion still in his hand.

“Give me that” I snatched the medallion from his hands “that doesn't belong to you”

His lips parted like he wanted to say something more, but nothing came out.

Alicia walked up to him then, gently touching his arm. “Let’s go,” she whispered.

He pulled away from her touch but didn’t fight when she turned to leave.

He looked back at me once more, this time with eyes full of fury. “You’ll regret this,” he said, voice low and trembling.

“No,” I replied calmly, standing tall. “For once, I won’t.”

He stormed off, Alicia following him.

As they left the hall, whispers filled the space again. I could feel hundreds of eyes on me, judging, wondering, gossiping.

But I didn’t care right now, I had spoken my truth, everything I had said was the truth.

Adrian stepped beside me again, his presence steady and warm. “Are you alright?” he asked gently.

I nodded, “yes”

He smiled. “Good. Because the world should see who you really are, not the version others tried to bury.”

I turned to him, searching his eyes. “Thank you. For standing beside me. For letting me fight my own battle.”

He tilted his head. “You didn’t need me to fight it. You won that on your own.”

A small laugh escaped my lips. I felt lighter, stronger. I fancied around the crowd and could see Sarah standing not too far away, it was clear she had witnessed all that happened, she had a wide smile on her face.

I nodded at her and she did the same.

The music began again, soft and elegant. People returned to dancing, to talking, though the buzz of what had just happened still filled the air.