Sacrifice And Torn Hearts

Linda’s P.O.V

I looked up and saw the alpha's cold, piercing gaze fixed on me. Fear rushed through me, making it hard to breathe. My heart raced, and tears streamed down my face. I couldn't stand to look at him anymore. I turned away and ran, driven by fear, anger, and desperation, desperately trying to create as much distance as I could between myself and the man fate had tied me to.

Gradually, exhaustion crept in, and everything became blurry and dizzy. The world seemed to spin around me, and I couldn't hold on any longer. The weight of my emotions became unbearable, and I collapsed onto the forest floor. Welcoming the darkness that took over.

When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself in my familiar bedroom. Memories of my escape and collapse flooded back, leaving me disoriented and weak. As I tried to sit up, my mother's stern voice cut through the haze in my mind. "Linda Marie Carter, what were you thinking?" she scolded, her disappointment evident. My father looked on with deep concern. "Running off like that, putting yourself in danger. Have you lost all sense?"

My head throbbed as I struggled to piece together the events that led me here. I met my parents' stern gazes. My mother, a strong-willed woman with streaks of gray in her auburn hair, stood with her arms crossed, radiating a mix of worry and anger. Beside her, my father, a tall man with graying hair and a caring expression, seemed torn between reprimanding me and embracing me in relief.

"I... I couldn't," I stammered, barely above a whisper. "I couldn't go through with it. I couldn't accept him as my mate."

My mother's eyes narrowed, disappointment etching across her face. "You know the consequences of defying the Alpha, Linda. The pack's traditions shouldn't be taken lightly."

"But Mom, you don't understand," I pleaded, my voice cracking with emotion. "I love Daniel. I always have. I can't be forced into a loveless union."

"You love Daniel? Are you in a relationship with him, Linda?" My mother asked, surprised.

"No, Mom," I replied nervously, stealing a glance at my worried father. "It's a one-sided love. He doesn't know how I feel."

She studied me, trying to determine if I was lying. Eventually, she seemed to believe me and spoke sternly, "Get rid of those feelings, Linda. I never want to hear of this again."

My father knelt beside me, placing a gentle hand on my trembling shoulder. "Linda, we understand your feelings, but you must realize the consequences of your actions. Bruno Blackwood is not someone to be trifled with. The Alpha's anger shouldn't be taken lightly. You have to accept him, or we all face dire consequences."

The truth in my father's words shattered my heart, and I wailed in agony. "But Dad, I hardly know him. He's ruthless, cold, and never smiles. How can I love him?"

"That's enough, Linda," my mother interrupted firmly. "You'll learn to love and accept him. Now, we're going to go to the Alpha's mansion to explain why you ran away. You don't have to say anything; your father and I will do the talking."

Although I knew I had no other choice, a deep longing to see Daniel lingered within me. Before proceeding, I needed to find a way to reach him. I thought of possible escape routes and a weak excuse formed in my mind. "Mom, I need to take care of something real quick before going to the Alpha's mansion," I told her gently, hoping she would let me go.

Suspicion filled her voice as she asked, "You're not planning to meet that boy, are you? Don't bring any more disgrace upon us."

"No, Mom," I replied nervously, stealing another glance at my worried father. With determination in my heart, I rose from the bed, feeling a deep sigh escape me as I rushed towards the door. I was determined to confront my feelings head-on.

When I reached the training ground, I spotted Daniel standing alone at the edge. Taking a deep breath, my voice quivered as I spoke, "Daniel, we can't deny our true feelings any longer. I love you, and I can't pretend otherwise. I can't go through with marrying that heartless man." I confessed, my voice filled determination and longing.

Daniel's eyes darted around, filled with worry, as he urgently whispered, "Shhhh, Linda, we can't speak ill of our Alpha. Let's leave this place."

Without hesitation, he took hold of my arm and led me into the forest.

"I know you love me, Linda, and I love you deeply too. But I can't betray the Alpha or the pack. It's the will of the moon goddess, and we must honor it," he said, his gaze filled with both love and regret. "I'm sorry."

"What? You would choose the Alpha and the pack over me, over our love?" I yelled, tears pouring down my face. "How could you say that, Daniel? How dare you?"

Daniel's voice cracked as he cried out, "Can't you see how torn I am? I'm dying inside. You've been so focused on yourself, on what you want. Have you considered how I feel? You're the one who got mated to the Alpha, but I'm the one left to understand and deal with the situation. Enough of this, Linda." he said, turning his back and walking away.

"No, no, I couldn't let him leave, I couldn't let him walk away from everything we've shared," I thought desperately. I ran after him and positioned myself in front of him, gently lifting his right hand and placing a tender kiss on it. I felt him shiver. Standing on my tiptoes, I cupped his face in my hands and kissed him passionately. He responded with equal hunger, and we were on the verge of going further when my mother's urgent voice broke through the mind link, demanding my immediate return home.

Reluctantly breaking the kiss, I gazed at Daniel and asked, "Should we run away together? What should we do, Danny?" using the pet name I had always called him.

"You should accept the Alpha. I may be an orphan, but I have a sister I need to protect," he said, his voice filled with love and regret. "I love you very much, Linda, and I want nothing more than to hold you in my arms forever. But I can't risk the lives of our loved ones. I'm sorry."

Tears streamed down my face as I pleaded, "Danny, don't go," but he walked away, leaving me alone in the forest.

"Danny, please don't go, I love you," I cried out desperately, my voice echoing in the forest.