My Choice

*Annabella's POV*

"Bring him!" My father roared, his command causing Beta John to jump into immediate action. He hands over my fearful, trembling mate and instantly my heart sank.

"So what's it going to be, Annabella?" My father questioned, his stern cold gaze fastened on me as his claws elongated. "Are you going to reject him, or should I just kill him now?"

His sharpened claws dug into my whimpering mate's neck, the tip of one threatening to pierce a pulsing vein. "Quickly Annabella, time is ticking."

"Please Dad....." my sobs sliced the air thick with doom. "I just found him.... please, I don't want to–"

The scream of my mate cut me off and my eyes flicked away from my father's stoic face to see his grip had tightened to the point, blood oozed from my mate's restricted airway.

"Don’t do it..." my mate croaked. "Please don't reject me, let me die knowing I was loved." Tears seeped from his eyes as I stared at him, my heart clenching with bitter grief and pain.

"I promise to always love you.... even in death." I wept, wishing I could just reach out and hold him.

Why did I even return? I should have just run away with him keeping whatever I had and leaving whatever I didn’t. My vision grew blurry with the increasing swell of tears.

Mustering up the last ounce of energy, my teary eyes found my father's cruel gaze again. "I will not reject my fated mate." I fulfilled my mate's last wish. I only hoped that I had made the right choice, even as I watched in grave horror the blood of my beloved mate drained from him.

An ear-piercing scream rippled from deep within me as my heart threatened to combust with the pressure of the excruciating pain. My mate died happy but I was a wreck, clutching my chest as I watched his lifeless body fall before me.

Stella couldn't be comforted even as she wailed in torment. The eternal bond broke and with it, my wolf did too.

I couldn't breathe, my lungs constricted, my chest tightened and I collapsed barely conscious. "Why...." was all I could whisper as my eyes closed.

"Life is about choices and you made yours." My father simply said before I heard his footsteps walking away, leaving me half-dead without the surety of if I'll live. But if I do survive, I know I'll never ever truly be alive.

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*Alpha Ruso's POV*

"Where's the girl you promised to me?" I impatiently asked the Alpha of Plymouth Pack.

From my thorough investigation, I discovered this was a greedy Pack, no doubt a mere reflection of their leader. This Alpha had wanted beyond his share, willing to sacrifice his daughter as an offering to build an alliance with my pack. I thought about refusing but one look at the picture he sent me and my heart was saying yes even when my head said no.

Those golden eyes intrigued me, drawing me in like a moth to the flame. She was smiling, and I lost count of how many times I ran my fingers over her lips. Today was her birthday and I was finally going to meet her in person.

Her innocence would be my prize as I made her mine.

"She's.... she was just over there." He pointed to the corner while his eyes continued to frantically dart around the room. "She couldn’t have gone far." He spun around, thoroughly searching before swearing under his breath.

"I'll kill her when I find her." He grumbled to himself before turning back to me. "It appears she has left. But rest assured, the marriage is still on. She'll be there."

The marriage was set for the end of the week. I had only come today to meet her before wedding her. I was only trying to be a gentleman, but clearly, this girl was a spoiled brat, which surprised my expectations.

I ground my teeth together as fire flared in my eyes. "You've made me waste my time, Mr. Forde." I punctuated dropping the Alpha title to let him know just how pathetically beneath me I now viewed him. "Let it happen again and...." I didn't need to finish, the warning hung overhead, its meaning ringing loud and clear.

He nodded, apologizing profusely as I turned and left with my Beta following close behind.

"Are you really considering raging war on the Plymouth Pack if you don't get the girl?" Keith, my Beta questioned as our car pulled away.

"My father has always wanted to bring this pack under our domain, she'd just be the excuse why we take it by force if the marriage doesn't happen."

She was just a means to an end. I was going to get this pack one way or another. I heard the Alpha here could be ruthless, but everyone knew I could be just as cruel and heartless.

I smiled as I leaned back in my seat thinking about how perfectly my plan was all coming together. My pack could undoubtedly overthrow this pack in the blink of an eye and I was counting on that daughter of his to slip up again.

As we neared the outskirts of their borders, I suddenly became restless and something within me began to stir. An uneasiness settled in my chest and a growing pain lodged itself deep within the channels of my heart. I clutched my chest, groaning as the pain spread throughout my body like wildfire.

"Alpha, what's wrong?" Keith's panicked voice rang out. He reached for me, but instantly recoiled his hand. "Shoot, you're burning up."

I loosened my tie while turning to my chauffeur. "Stop the car."

I immediately got out, trying to stay calm. It was like my body was reliving that day over again. But why?

I gladly welcomed the cool breeze as it instantly lashed against my face like a soothing medicine bringing slight relief to the heat penetrating my bones.

Keith quickly got out and found his way beside me. "Is there anything I can do for you, Alpha?"

I glanced over at him, knowing this part of my life had always been hidden and I intended to keep all knowledge of it at bay. "Do worry, it won't last very long. I'll be OK"

I dared to keep hope burning bright as I casted my eyes upward. When will it end? I silently pleaded to the heavens.

Then almost as if in answer to my silent prayer, I felt Kiro, my wolf, stir for the first time, in almost 2 years and something within me snapped into place. He was back, but my smile quickly fell as fast as it formed when he uttered the most delightfully dreaded word.

"MATE!"