The Alpha Became a Rogue, but I Begged To Stay

Blood seeped from the gash on my shoulder, soaking through half my clothes, but I didn't flinch. I planted myself firmly between him and the rogues.

Even the rogues seemed stunned. They hadn't expected anyone to protect a rogue wolf.

"You were only with me for the money," Adrian said. "I've lost everything now — no wealth, no power. Staying with me will only drag you down."

He pushed me aside and faced the snarling wolves head-on, closing his eyes. His expression was calm, almost peaceful — like he'd already made his peace.

"I've lost my Alpha title. I've been exiled. There's nothing left worth living for. Just go. I won't blame you."

He stood there, unmoving, waiting for the end. But the pain he expected never came. When he opened his eyes, he saw me — shifted into my wolf — tearing into the rogues.

Blood and dust sprayed everywhere, stinging my eyes.

I wasn't just fighting for Adrian. I was fighting for myself.

Everyone in the pack knew that Adrian was fierce in love and grudges alike — cross him, and he'd make you pay tenfold.

If I abandoned him now, there was no telling what he'd do to me once he clawed his way back to the top. And without him, I'd never survive these wastelands alone.

I was dead either way. Might as well take a gamble on these bizarre floating comments.

If they were telling the truth and Adrian really did rise again, he'd remember what I did for him today. Even scraps from his table would be enough for me to live comfortably.

But the comments clearly weren't rooting for me.

[Wait, why did the villainess change her mind? According to the original plot, the heroine is supposed to arrive with her guards and rescue the hero right now — this is their first meeting! If the villainess saves him instead, the whole storyline falls apart!]

[Get off the stage, you wicked villainess! Stop stealing my precious heroine's scenes!]

I ignored them. Alone against the rogues, I lost count of how many claw marks they tore across my body.

I collapsed onto the ground, watching the wolves close in step by step.

At the last possible second, Adrian — the same man who'd been ready to die moments ago — threw himself in front of me. Gone was the broken, defeated look in his eyes. All that remained was fire of revenge.

He shifted and launched himself at the wolves, fangs bared.

Alpha blood ran in his veins, and it showed. He fought them all at once, driving the rogues back until they scattered and fled.

Adrian rushed to my side, checking my wounds. Suspicion still flickered in his gaze, but beneath it was something harder to hide — tenderness.

"Why didn't you leave? You know I have nothing left to give you. All you'll get from staying is suffering."

The taste of iron flooded my throat. The moment I opened my mouth, blood poured out.

Adrian's face went white. I'd never seen him look so panicked.

I gathered every last shred of strength I had. "I... don't want to just be your lover anymore. I want to be your mate."

I didn’t have time to see the look on Adrian’s face before my vision went black.