All Chapters of Choosing Myself After He Changed the Venue: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

Kael Arnett and I had agreed long ago to hold our mating ceremony on the frozen plains of Beloria.The place held a special meaning for both of us. However, compared to Lilith Foster, even that seemed to mean nothing to him.Lilith's pack lived by the ocean, so Kael changed the venue to the beach.Pain pulsed through my chest, but I didn't dare make a sound. Even Kael's Beta, Serrick Levine, seemed hesitant about the decision."No matter how you look at it, the mating ceremony is supposed to be about both of you. You should at least tell Akalia so she has time to prepare," he said.Kael was focused on choosing an outfit that matched the blue-striped tie Lilith had given him.Without looking back, he said, "What's there to prepare for? The frozen plains are freezing, and the beach will be much more comfortable. Akalia's health has never been great, so I'm doing this for her."Serrick was unconvinced."This is one of the most important days of her life. Don't you think changing t

Chapter 2

I didn't know how I made it home.I curled up on the edge of the bed, unable to stop the tears from streaming down my face.Seven years.For seven whole years, I had been naive enough to believe Kael understood me.When I first told him I wanted to hold our mating ceremony on the frozen plains of Beloria, I had been so excited. He pulled me into his arms with an affectionate smile and agreed.I was deeply moved because I thought he remembered what that place meant to us.It was where we had first met, where a blizzard had separated us from the rest of our tour group and forced us to depend on each other to survive.I had nearly fallen into a frozen lake while saving him. Then, when hypothermia left him unable to walk, I carried him on my back and fought my way out of the storm one step at a time.But after all this time, it turned out he didn't remember any of it, or maybe he had simply never cared enough to remember.It felt as if my heart were being crushed inside my chest.

Chapter 3

Kael didn't come home until early the next morning.On the way to the florist, he seemed distracted. He stole several glances at me, but I pretended not to notice."I heard Beloria's been getting some terrible snowstorms lately," he said.When I kept my eyes closed, he cleared his throat and raised his voice."Beach ceremonies have become really popular recently. Apparently, watching the sun rise and set over the ocean symbolizes a lifetime of happiness together."I still didn't open my eyes. Instead, I merely hummed in acknowledgment.Irritation finally crept into Kael's voice."Akalia, are you even listening to me? I canceled everything else to go flower shopping with you. Can't you at least try to be happy?"I opened my eyes and turned toward him."I'm catching up on sleep. The thunder kept me awake last night," I said.Kael immediately fell silent, and the car grew quiet again.Cool air streamed through the partially open window, making me feel more alert. I straightened

Chapter 4

The night before our mating ceremony, Kael finally couldn't keep his concerns to himself.He tossed and turned for a while before pulling me into his arms from behind. With his chin resting on top of my head, he spoke gently, though I could hear the uncertainty in his voice."Akalia… Have you confirmed the venue and gone over the ceremony schedule? I can't believe we're officially becoming mates tomorrow. I'm too nervous to sleep."I hummed quietly in response.Kael had no idea that a packed suitcase was already waiting inside our bedroom closet.He let out a long breath of relief and kissed the top of my head."Then I'll see you tomorrow, Akalia."…When I woke the next morning, Kael was already gone.I no longer cared where he had gone. Instead, I put on my wedding dress and fastened a white moonstone necklace around my neck.I had chosen both of them myself to replace the original set.A car horn sounded outside just as Kael called."Akalia, Lilith drank too much last ni

Chapter 5

Inside the chapel, the first notes of the mating ceremony processional began to play, signaling that it was almost time for me to walk down the aisle.Kael sounded utterly bewildered. "You're already here? Then why don't I see you?""Didn't you see my latest post?" I asked.The other end of the line fell silent, and I knew he had seen the photo.Under the northern lights on the frozen plains of Beloria, I stood in the wedding dress I had chosen for myself and held the bouquet I had custom-made.When Kael finally spoke again, his voice trembled."A-Are you in Beloria? Akalia, didn't you know we moved the ceremony to the beach? Don't worry. I'll come get you right now."I laughed softly. "I knew."For a brief moment, the line went completely silent. When Kael spoke again, he sounded so anxious that he could barely string his words together."You knew? Then why did you still go to Beloria? Akalia, our mating ceremony is one of the most important moments of our lives! Why didn't y

Chapter 6

I stood inside a chapel in Beloria, where the northern lights streamed through the stained-glass windows and spilled across my wedding dress.The priest stood before me, while the members of my pack gathered behind me as witnesses.Everything I had imagined for my "perfect mating ceremony" was there—a star-filled sky, snowcapped mountains, vast frozen plains, the family who loved me most, and the version of myself who had finally learned to love me, too.As soon as I discovered that Kael had changed the venue, I informed everyone from my pack who had planned to attend the ceremony. They all supported my decision."Akalia, do you promise that from this day forward, through good times and bad, you will treat yourself with kindness, remain true to yourself, and never again disregard your own wishes for someone else's sake?""I do."With a smile, I made my vow beneath the chapel's vaulted ceiling.For the rest of my life, I would give myself the love and kindness I deserved.Kael d

Chapter 7

Kael stared at me blankly, but then something seemed to click in his mind, and a glimmer of hope returned to his eyes."Akalia, you're jealous, aren't you? You're only acting this way because you're upset about Lilith, right?"He looked at me expectantly before pulling Lilith in front of me."Lilith, explain everything to Akalia! Tell her that nothing has ever happened between us!"Lilith glanced at Kael with reddened eyes, then turned toward me and spoke in an aggrieved voice."Akalia, you know I've been living alone in Nadoria for years. Kael gives me extra attention because he worries about me. Why can't you understand where he's coming from instead of insisting on assuming the worst?"I shook my head. "I understand perfectly, which is why I've decided to stop putting Kael in a difficult position."Then, I turned to him. "I'm leaving so the two of you can be together."Kael froze."No, that's not what I want. I want—""You want me to try to be more understanding and keep m

Chapter 8

Five years ago, the previous Alpha of the Darklune pack announced that he was stepping down, which meant it was time to hold the Alpha trials.As the strongest werewolf of his generation, Kael entered the trials brimming with confidence.At the time, I warned him that his tendency to show off had probably earned him plenty of enemies within the pack.I urged him not to underestimate the other contenders and to keep his guard up, but Kael dismissed my concerns.What did he have to fear? He was the strongest werewolf there, so nothing could possibly happen to him.He even reminded me that we had survived the snowy mountains together two years earlier. Compared to that, the trials would be nothing.I still couldn't shake my unease, so I entered the trial grounds as a recordkeeper.Near the end of the competition, just as Kael was about to claim victory, one of his opponents caught him off guard. Without stopping to think, I rushed forward and took the attack meant for him.The

Chapter 9

I stayed in Beloria for a few more days.When I returned, Erik suggested that I go back to the clinic for another full examination.To my surprise, Kael was waiting outside. The moment he saw me, he stumbled toward me and grabbed my arm."Akalia, I've been waiting for you…"I yanked my arm free without saying a word.He looked at me desperately. "Just give me five minutes. Please, just hear me out!"I showed no sign of stopping, side-stepping him to enter the clinic.Just then, a dull thud came from behind me, making me turn around.Kael was kneeling at my feet, gazing up at me with tears in his eyes. "Akalia… I made a terrible mistake. I know that now. I really do."With trembling hands, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled, hand-drawn card.It was a forgiveness card that I had made on a whim for our third anniversary. A message was written across it."Unless you've done something truly unforgivable, this card can be redeemed for one pardon from Akalia."I

Chapter 10

That evening, Serrick texted me."Beloria's patrol squad found Kael. His right leg was broken, and he has severe frostbite in his left arm. Akalia, could you come see him? He keeps calling your name in his sleep. Whatever else you may think, he got hurt because of you."I refused without hesitation.Kael had made that choice himself. Everyone had tried to stop him, yet he had stubbornly gone anyway.Besides, he hadn't done it for me. He had done it to convince himself and everyone else that his love for me was somehow noble.My immediate refusal caught Serrick off guard. He paused briefly before ending the call.I later learned that Lilith had visited Kael at the hospital, though she stood in the doorway for a long time before finally going inside."Lilith, you came…" Kael sounded relieved.At the very least, her visit meant that she cared about him.Lilith lowered her head, sounding aggrieved. "Kael, I've never taken care of anyone before. I wouldn't even know what to do…"

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP