Home / When Everyone Gave Up on Me, I Chose Myself / Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

All Chapters of When Everyone Gave Up on Me, I Chose Myself: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

1

I'd just walked out of the party when the ceremony coordinator called."Ms. Grey, I need to double-check the measurements for your Luna gown. Should we still let the waist out an inch?""No. My measurements haven't changed."She hesitated."Ms. Morgan said she'd like to borrow your gown for the celebration after the ceremony, but she's worried the waist will be too tight."I stopped walking."Who said she could wear my gown?""Alpha Ashford did. He said you and Ms. Morgan are best friends and share everything."I gripped my phone so tightly that my fingers turned white.Kane and I had designed that gown together. Every detail, from the fabric to the pattern, meant something to us. It was made to match his outfit.And now he wanted it altered to fit Thea.Before I could answer, Kane came out after me and draped his coat over my shoulders.We'd known we were fated mates ever since our coming-of-age ceremony.Every time he came near, I felt that familiar pull.I'd always believed that pul

2

Early the next morning, my mother came to my office with a jewelry box."Chloe, here's the moonstone bracelet your grandmother left you."It was the only keepsake I had from my grandmother.She'd hoped to be there for my mating ceremony.But she didn't live long enough.Before she died, she fastened it around my wrist and said she hoped it would be with me for the most important moments of my life.Later, my mother put it away for me, saying she was afraid I'd lose it.I opened the box, and my smile froze.The clasp had been cut, and the repair was still clearly visible.The moonstone in the center had a hairline crack."What happened to it?"My mother looked away."Thea tried it on yesterday, and it got stuck. She was afraid of hurting her wrist, so she had someone cut the clasp. Then it slipped and fell on the floor."I stared at the break."Who gave her permission to touch my stuff?""I just wanted to see if it suited Thea. I didn't think it would break. Besides, Kane already ordere

3

My father's birthday fell ten days before the mating ceremony.I'd booked the best restaurant in the pack ahead of time and had someone track down a set of hunting knives my father had wanted for ages.That evening, I hurried to the restaurant with his gift, only for the waiter to tell me my family had canceled the reservation."They went somewhere else. They said it was a last-minute change."I called my mother.She picked up right away. In the background, I could hear silverware clinking and people laughing and talking."Mom, you changed restaurants?""Oh, yes," she said breezily. "Thea wanted to try the new seafood place, so I switched."I held the phone in silence for a long moment."Why didn't anyone tell me?""Oh, we probably just got busy and forgot."She didn't sound like she cared at all."Ask Kane. He knows the address. Hurry up and get here. Don't keep your father waiting."After she hung up, I stood alone outside the restaurant.It had started pouring.I didn't have an umbr

4

With seven days left before the mating ceremony, I went to the new house Kane had set up for us.It was where we were going to build our life together.But when I got to the door and punched in the code, an alarm went off.On my third try, the door opened from the inside.Thea stood there wrapped in a bath towel, her wet hair hanging over her shoulders.The moment she saw me, the hand towel she was holding dropped to the floor."Chloe? What are you doing here?"I gave her a blank look, then looked past her into the house.The entryway was full of Thea's shoes. A bouquet of her favorite white roses sat in the living room, and her clothes were hanging out to dry on the balcony.It didn't look like my future home. It looked like Thea's.I walked in, and Thea stepped aside without thinking."Why are you here?""My old place is too far from work. Kane said there was a spare room here and I could stay a few days."Footsteps came from the kitchen.Kane walked out carrying a plate of steak."Y

5

Kane grabbed my wrist."Just because Thea moved in?"I looked down at his hand.He let go right away."No. Because I've waited too long.""Waited for what?"Kane looked lost."For any one of you, even once, to think about how I feel first."I'm done waiting."That night, I accepted my mentor's offer.Before dawn, I'd packed my bags, left the family group chat, and formally notified the pack's council of elders that the mating ceremony was canceled.Three days after I left the Blackstone Pack, Kane found me.I was working with a colleague on training plans for the new class when my assistant, Lilith Vance, knocked and came in."Ms. Grey, there's a Mr. Ashford outside. He says he wants to see you."My pen paused over the page."Tell him I'm working.""He says he can wait.""Then let him wait."I went back to my documents and didn't look at the door again.Half an hour later, someone from the front desk brought a few things in.Some butter cookies and a pot of soup he'd made himself to so

6

After that day, Kane rented an apartment near the Imperial Academy.He cleared his schedule for the next six months and temporarily handed his duties as Alpha over to the council of elders.Every morning when I left for the training grounds, I'd see him standing on the corner, silently looking in my direction.He never came close. He just watched me from a distance.From sunrise to sunset.Once, after training, my stomach hurt so badly I could barely stand by the time I reached the door.Kane rushed over to steady me."I've got medicine for your stomach in the car. Wait here. I'll get it."He helped me sit on a bench by the road, then hurried off to get it.Right then, my phone rang. It was my mother.She didn't ask how I was doing. She launched straight into accusations."How long are you going to keep this up? Kane hasn't been back to the pack in a week because he's off looking for you, and Thea quit her job because of you two. You've turned the whole pack upside down. Are you happy

7

Seasons came and went. The snow melted, only to fall again.Time flew at the Imperial Academy. Six months later, the National Young Wolves Championship began.The team I coached took first place overall.I walked onstage and accepted the crystal trophy from the Alpha King as applause filled the room.The young wolves I'd trained cheered from the audience, their eyes shining with excitement.Then I saw them. My mother, my father, and Thea were there with the Blackstone Pack's delegation.After the awards ceremony, my mother came over carrying a basket of homemade baked goods.She took my hand affectionately, like we'd never had a single fight."Chloe, we came all this way just to see you."My father nodded."You did well."Thea stood behind them, looking a lot more worn down than before."Chloe, I'm sorry. I came to apologize."She kept her head down, her voice quiet."I shouldn't have worn your gown without asking. I shouldn't have touched the bracelet your grandmother left you. And I

8

I took the folder and skimmed it.There were several transfers whose purpose had never been explained to me.Kane didn't make any decisions for me. He didn't ask me to forgive anyone.He just put the evidence in my hands.Thea finally started to cry."Kane, do you really hate me this much?"Kane gave her a weary look."Before, when you messed up, I fixed it for you. Whatever you needed, I fought to get it for you. When you hurt Chloe, I asked her to be understanding."I thought I was just looking out for a friend."His voice dropped."Now I know I was just letting you get away with it."My mother let go of Thea's arm, looking at her as if she'd never seen her before."Thea... Why would you do this..."There were still tears on Thea's face.She looked at my mother, then at me, and suddenly she laughed."Why?"Because I'm jealous of her!"Her voice shot up, and she finally dropped the innocent act."Ever since we were kids, everybody's loved Chloe. Her grades were better than mine. She w

9

During my second year at the Imperial Academy, I received several honors.First came the Outstanding Instructor award, followed by Best Coach at the National Young Wolves Championship.After that, the team I trained took first place in the annual evaluations.When my mentor handed me the medal, she smiled and patted my shoulder."Chloe, I never doubted what you could do. I'm glad you're finally making time for yourself."I looked down at the medal in my hand and suddenly thought about who I used to be.For Kane, I'd turned down my mentor's offer.To keep up the appearance of harmony in my family, I'd swallowed my hurt again and again.So no one would worry, I'd gotten into the habit of always saying I was fine.Now I finally understood. Being dependable doesn't mean you're never allowed to be tired. Being strong doesn't mean you don't need to be loved.I started letting my colleagues help me, and I learned to just say no when I didn't want to do something.Life got busy, but I'd never

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