Her choice.

“What the hell is going on?”

“Hey, is it me, or did Alpha Maverick just claim that Aurora belongs to him?”

“Damn it! The daughter of a traitor is definitely going to create a scene on the day of our Alpha’s birthday.”

Murmurs filled the air as the eyes of those present stared at the scene before them in bafflement, but despite that, Aurora couldn’t help but scan her surroundings, wondering if this was some kind of dream or a cruel joke.

Besides, why would Alpha Maverick be one of my mates? Aurora questioned herself.

After all he had done to her and her family, the last thing she wanted was to be mated to him. “Besides, I wished for a mate and now I have three… no, four mates when all I wanted was just one,” Aurora whispered, biting her lower lip.

Matheus, noticing the movement of her lips, arched his brows in concern as he grabbed her other wrist. “Hey, are you alright?” he inquired, his voice warm, momentarily soothing Aurora’s tense nerves.

“I’m… I’m confused,” Aurora replied, her voice unsteady as she swallowed hard and tried to free herself from Maverick’s grip, but he didn’t let go. Instead, his hold on her tightened.

“This is a birthday party. Can we all just… discuss this somewhere else? Or better still, dismiss those present?” Dorian suggested, tilting his head slightly as he glared at Maverick.

“Umm… I think that’s best we…”

Aurora was unable to complete her sentence when Maverick’s voice cut through once more.

“She’s mine!” he declared, yanking her sharply until she fell against his chest. “She belongs to me!” he added with full authority, his voice sending a chill through everyone present, leaving no room for argument.

Matheus scoffed, a faint smile playing on his lips. “She belongs to you?” he repeated, amused. “That’s quite a claim for someone who just realized it.”

“She belongs to me, and that’s all that matters,” Maverick seethed before lowering his gaze to Aurora, who was frozen in place, overwhelmed by everything happening around her.

‘Alpha Maverick has always hated me, so why is he being possessive about having me as his mate? Could it be because he wants to continue punishing me for my parents’ so-called crimes?’ Aurora thought, and with each passing second, she began to dwell more on the possibility that she might indeed be right.

Then suddenly, Dorian stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “Alpha Maverick, like I said earlier, we all need to decide. This lady here is the mate of us all.”

A flicker of irritation crossed Maverick’s face. “Then you should know better than to stand in my way. I don’t share what belongs to me, and I certainly won’t be sharing her,” he added before turning to walk away, his grip on Aurora still firm.

Swiftly, Matheus lunged forward and grabbed Aurora’s arm, pulling her back.

Aurora gasped, her body jerking from the sudden force.

Before she could react, Dorian stepped in, gripping her other arm to steady her.

“Come with us,” he said firmly.

That single moment was all it took.

The warriors of the Silver Crest Pack moved instantly, drawing their swords and pointing them toward the three brothers.

The sharp sound of metal filled the hall.

Aurora’s breath hitched as her eyes widened in shock, stunned by the sudden turn of events and by how three powerful men were all determined to claim her as their mate.

Only then did the crowd react.

Gasps spread through the hall like wildfire.

“This is going to end badly,” a lady whispered.

“Indeed, a fight, or perhaps a war, might break out. We need to be prepared,” a man added.

“Gosh! Wherever that wolf-less girl goes, there’s always trouble…”

Meanwhile, Alpha Maverick’s lips curved into a cold smirk as he released his hold on Aurora and slid his hands into his trouser pockets, his gaze fixed on the three brothers. The two holding her quickly let go.

“You were invited into my pack,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Yet you dare threaten me in my own territory.”

A pause followed.

“That is treason… and I don’t take treason lightly.”

Dorian exhaled slowly, raising his hands in the air in a calming gesture. “We are not here for war,” he said evenly.

Alpha Orion, who had been silent for a while, nodded in agreement and let out a low scoff. “Relax, Alpha Maverick. I don’t want your mate.” His gaze briefly swept over Aurora before turning away. “She’s not worth the trouble… and clearly not of my class.”

Aurora’s chest tightened at his words, but she said nothing.

“Alpha Maverick, it’s best we…”

“Brother, why don’t we allow Aurora to choose who she wants as a mate?” Dorian suddenly chipped in, cutting Matheus mid-sentence as he kept his gaze on Aurora, hoping she would choose him.

Matheus frowned. Allowing Aurora to choose between them was too much of a risk, and he wasn’t ready for that.

Meanwhile, a scoff rolled off Orion’s lips as he turned away. He knew that rejecting Aurora might seem harsh, but he preferred that over being bound to a mere servant.

“This conversation is over. Aurora leaves with me. That is not up for discussion.” Alpha Maverick stated before turning to walk away once more, pulling Aurora with a firm grip.

Matheus’s smile faded slightly as he glanced at Orion, then back at Maverick. “Alpha Maverick, whether you like it or not, Aurora still has a choice.”

Maverick’s eyes darkened. “She doesn’t.”

Those words finally pushed Aurora to react. She swiftly yanked her hand free from his grip and stopped in her tracks, having had enough.

“Stop speaking as if I’m not here,” she seethed through clenched teeth, not caring that the entire pack was watching. “I have the right to decide who I choose as my mate, so you can’t force me to be yours.”

Maverick smirked. He had expected her to speak up sooner. Aurora had always been bold enough to talk back without fear.

With a slight nod, he signaled his warriors to retreat their weapons.

For a brief moment, silence fell over the hall as everyone stood stunned by Aurora’s boldness.

Dorian’s gaze softened as he looked at her. “Aurora,” he called gently, already having learned her name earlier. “Why don’t you say it… what do you want? I mean, who do you want?”

Aurora hesitated, her heart pounding as all eyes fell on her.

“Choose carefully,” Matheus muttered.

Maverick let out a quiet chuckle. “Or don’t choose at all. You’ll still end up being mine.”

Orion rolled his eyes. “Do whatever you want. Just don’t involve me.”

Aurora swallowed hard, her mind spinning.

This wasn’t what she had imagined.

Not like this.

Not in front of everyone.

Then, with a soft sigh, she drew in a deep breath, opened her mouth, and began to speak.