One month

“What do you mean, love?” Levi stepped forward, gently grabbing my hand. His voice was soft, tender—but his grip was trembling.

“Look into my eyes and tell me that,” he said, searching my face, hoping to find the Darren he once knew.

I couldn’t.

I turned my gaze away. Because if I looked into his eyes-those beautiful, soft eyes.I would crash. I would break. And I couldn’t afford to.

I steadied myself, took a breath, and pushed his hand away.

I needed to play this perfectly, or they’d see through me. They’d realize I wasn’t their Darren. They’d know something had changed.

“I… I need to ask something important,” I said, trying to sound fragile but firm. “How do I know all three of you are not here because of what I am? Because of what my blood can do for your packs?”

I touched my chest—Darren’s chest—and felt it beat wildly.

“How do I know you're not just here for power?” My voice cracked, just enough to sell it. “I’m sorry, but I can’t risk it. Not like this.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “Darren…”

And then Caden broke in, voice like a whip. “Darling, what are you saying? You’re talking about our future. Your future. With me.”

I was surprised they hadn't started fighting yet—but I could feel the energy shift. Ryan turned to glare at Caden, teeth clenched.

“This isn’t you,” Caden growled again. “Darren would never say that. He would’ve chosen me without hesitation.”

And he was right.

Caden was the one who’d won Darren’s heart in the original story. But this wasn’t his story anymore. This was mine.

“I want all three of you,” I said again, louder this time. “I don’t want to choose. I want all of you.”

Silence fell like thunder.

Ryan staggered a step back, like I'd struck him. “That’s not possible,” he hissed. “What are you saying, Darren? We’re all Alphas. Three Alphas in one relationship? You want to marry all three of us?”

Caden’s jaw clenched as his nostrils flared. Ryan tried to make sense of it, holding back his rising temper. I could see it, feel it—the tension, the jealousy, the possessiveness. and weird enough I'm loving it.. Author's doesn't describe these feelings enough

Then the idea sparked.

“Okay, fine,” I said, lifting my chin. “If choosing now is too sudden… give me one month.”

They all blinked.

“In one month, you’ll each show me how much I mean to you. Show me love. Show me real love. Not just power plays. Not just fate.”

My voice rose, full of conviction. “And at the end of that month, I’ll choose.”

Then

Caden snapped.

He roared and flung a table across the room. It crashed against the wall, splintering into pieces. His wolf was there—in his eyes, in his shaking hands, in his aura. Barely held back.

“What the fuck are you saying?” he growled. “You think this is a game, Darren?”

Ryan looked like he wanted to join him. His own Alpha instincts bubbling beneath the surface but he reined himself in with effort. Barely.

Levi… Levi was calm.

Surprised, yes. But calm.

And then he said the words that made my heart flutter:

“I’m in.”

All heads turned to him.

“I’m ready to show you how much I love you,” he said softly, stepping toward me. “And if they’re not, that’s their loss. I’ll be here every day—every damn day—proving that it’s you who drives me crazy.”

I swallowed. Hard.

Then Cayden stepped forward again, eyes still blazing with fury but beneath it, there was something desperate. Something… real. I can feel it.

“No,” he growled. “I’m in too.”

His voice echoed through the hall, firm and dangerous.

“I’ve already shown you how much I love you, Darren. I don’t know what the hell got into your goddamn head, but if I have to prove it again I will. I’ll make you remember. I’ll make you feel it.”

I could barely breathe.

And then Ryan, who had stood in silence, finally spoke.

Just two words.

“I’m in.”

Simple. Steady. So Ryan.

He didn’t need to say more. His confidence was quiet, but it was cutting. He believed—no, he knew that I would choose him.

And maybe in another life, I would’ve.

But this wasn’t that life anymore.

I lifted my chin, heart thundering. “It’s done.”

“Elena!” I called out, and she burst through the doors like she'd been holding her breath the whole time. Her eyes searched mine wildly, the question already in them.

“Which one?” she asked breathlessly.

I smirked.

She blinked. “Which one, my Lord?”

And I smiled, sharp and slow.

“All three.”

She looked at me like I had just unleashed a curse. Her eyes darted to the alphas, who stood stunned tension thick in the room.

Levi was the one who stepped in.

“She’s given us one month,” he explained" A chance to prove our love to her.”

Elena’s hand grabbed mine. She dragged me out of the room, closing the doors behind us.

“I thought you were going to pick Alpha Cayden,” she hissed. “You said”

“I was,” I lied smoothly. “But now… I’m not sure. I need to know who really loves me. Who’s here for me not just the title, not just my blood.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure about this, Darren? One month? Do you know the pressure you’re under? The people”

“Let them wait,” I interrupted coldly. “I need time.”

“You’re not just a lover anymore, Darren,” she whispered. “You’re the Moon Chosen. You belong to the nation. one of the three packs. They expect you to pick a pack you'll bless today. "

I looked her dead in the eyes.

“I’ll pick. Just… not yet.”

I turned, stepped back into the hall, and raised my voice to the three Alphas.

“Cayden,” I said, locking eyes with him. “You’ll be first. I’ll spend a week in your pack, by your side.”

He exhaled sharply, jaw clenched.

“After that, Ryan,” I continued, “I’ll spend a week with you.”

Ryan didn’t even flinch he only nodded.

“And then, Levi. You’ll have the third week.”

Levi gave me a soft, proud smile.

“And the final week?” Caden asked, folding his arms.

“I’ll use the last week alone,” I said. “To think. To choose.”

Silence fell.

And then Cayden smirked, stepping forward and towering over the other two.

“One week with me?” he said, his voice low and dark. “You promised me forever. I’m not giving up just because the game got harder.”

He glanced at Ryan and Levi, a warning in his eyes.

“And I will win you back.”