All Chapters of My Family Chose Her, Until I Walked Away: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Wren"Delete that picture. Wren's blocking Elodie's shoulder."I lowered my graduation certificate, watching as Silas deleted the only photograph that included me."Adrian, that was the only picture we took together."My brother barely glanced at me. "Then you should've paid attention to where you were standing. Elodie looks beautiful today, and we're trying to get some decent photographs."Five years ago, I would've given anything to stand in a family photograph.I'd grown up believing I was an orphan, raised in a small countryside cottage by an elderly man I called Grandpa. We weren't wealthy, but he'd given me everything he could.I still remembered coming home from my afternoon job at the village bakery when I was thirteen and discovering an unfamiliar man sitting beside Grandpa.He was tall, handsome, and dressed in an expensive suit. Everything about him radiated authority.He'd introduced himself as Alpha Adrian Ashford of Hawthorne Pack.And then he'd told me something that ch

WrenAdrian approached me, his eyes fixed on the document in my hands.I folded the application before the last traces of silver light disappeared. "Just some paperwork for my placement.""Then why did I feel something?" His expression hardened, and I recognized the familiar authority settling over his features. "Let me see it, Wren."My heart pounded.I'd expected him to eventually discover what he'd signed, but I'd hoped to be far away when that happened."It's already been approved, Adrian.""I didn't ask whether it was approved." He extended his hand. "Give it to me."Before I could respond, Elodie's voice echoed down the hallway."Adrian!"My brother stopped. "What is it, Ellie?""Can you come here? I need your help!"Adrian glanced toward her voice before turning back to me. "We're not finished discussing this.""Adrian!" Elodie called again. "Please hurry! My dress just arrived, and I need your opinion!"His irritation disappeared. "Coming, sweetheart!"He hurried away, leaving

Adrian"That girl has embarrassed this family for the last time."I watched the ballroom doors swing shut behind Wren, my patience stretched dangerously thin.I'd spent days organizing Elodie's graduation celebration. Every influential family in Hawthorne Pack had received an invitation, and I'd personally ensured that the evening reflected the Ashford family's wealth and status.Now, thanks to Wren's ridiculous outburst, half my guests were whispering about a broken knife instead of celebrating my sister's achievements.Unacceptable."She's certainly becoming difficult to manage," Silas remarked, accepting a glass of whiskey from a passing servant.I adjusted the cuffs of my jacket. "Wren has forgotten her place. I've been far too lenient with her."Silas glanced toward the doors. "She's never spoken to you like that before.""Because she's never had reason to believe I'll tolerate it."As Alpha, I was accustomed to making decisions that others didn't always appreciate. My father had

AdrianFor several seconds, I stood in the doorway, staring at the empty room.Wren's suitcase was gone. The wardrobe stood open, its shelves completely bare, and even the few books I'd seen scattered around yesterday had disappeared.I stepped inside and opened the dresser.Empty."Unbelievable."My sister had actually packed her belongings and left.I almost admired her dedication to this little performance. Almost.Did she genuinely believe disappearing for a night would frighten me into apologizing? I'd been managing Hawthorne Pack for years. I wasn't about to lose my composure because an eighteen-year-old girl decided to throw a tantrum.I pulled out my phone and called her.No answer.I tried again.Still nothing."Very well, Wren. Have it your way."Opening the pack mindlink, I contacted the security captain.Captain Harris, I want every available patrol searching the territory. My sister has decided to disappear without informing anyone.Understood, Alpha. Should we alert the

Wren"Do you think Commander Rourke is married?"I looked up from the military handbook I'd been reading.Liora was stretched across the bed opposite mine, staring thoughtfully at the ceiling."What?""Commander Rourke. Do you think he's married?"I raised an eyebrow. "Why?""Because the man is ridiculously handsome for someone who looks like he spends his free time yelling at people."I laughed. "Liora, he's probably old enough to be your father.""So? I wasn't proposing marriage. I was asking a perfectly reasonable question."I shook my head and returned to the handbook.We'd been assigned the same dormitory room after registration, which meant I'd spent most of the evening listening to Liora discuss everything from the medical division's training exercises to the terrible food served in the dining hall.Apparently, she'd nearly fainted during her first anatomy demonstration."I didn't actually faint," she corrected when I reminded her. "I merely needed to sit down before my body ma