Chapter 17: Her Own Choice
(Alexander’s POV)
The ceremonial choker around Scarlett’s neck caught the sunlight again, the silver and moonstone gleaming as she turned toward the terrace doors.
Something inside me recoiled and surged at the same time. Mason stirred deep within, and I could feel the pull between duty and instinct clawing at me
from both sides
Mason growled low, his irritation matching my own. It belongs on her, he snarled
gher throat like it
I ignored him, even as his possessiveness seeped deeper into my thoughts. My eyes flickered to Scarlett again, the choker hugging
was forged for her alone. She wore it as though it were armor, not as a symbol of submission. That’s what made it unsettling.
I could feel Mother’s sharp gaze on me, cutting through the fog of my thoughts. I looked away from Scarlett just in time to see her lips press into a
thin line
“Scarlett,” Mother said sweetly, but her tone was steely underneath. “Do enjoy the garden terrace for a while. I’d like to speak with Alexander in
private.”
Scarlett’s emerald eyes flashed briefly as if she already knew what was coming. Without a word, she turned and left. She didn’t glance back, didn’t grace me with even a flicker of acknowledgment.
The soft click of the terrace doors closing was barely audible before Mother’s vice grip clamped around my arm. Her nails dug into my skin as she
yanked me toward Father’s study.
The moment the door closed behind us, she rounded on me, her usual composed expression shattered by fury. “Have you completely lost your
Her voice was sharper than I’d heard in years, cutting through the suffocating air between us.
“What now?” I bit back, though my voice was far less firm than hers. I knew where this was going.
Mother’s
‘s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Do not take that tone with me, Alexander, I saw it–how you looked at the choker, And don’t you dare tell me
you weren’t picturing it on that omega.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but Mason bristled inside me, the guilt swelling between us.
“She’s not just some omega” I growled, though the words felt weak even as I said them.
“Not just some omega?” Mother’s sharp laugh filled the room, cold and cutting. “Then what would you call her? Because I certainly wouldn’t call her a
Luna.
Her words hit like shards of silver, and I clenched my fists at my sides. “Grace is my mate,” I said stiffly. “You can’t erase that bond, no matter how hard you try
Mother’s laughter stopped abruptly. The silence that followed was heavier than her words. She took a step closer, her eyes boring into mine with cy
resolve
“A true mate who can’t shift,” she bit out, her voice trembling with restrained fury. “A Luna whose wolf is poisoned and dying. Do you think the Council will stand for this weakness? They’ve already made their stance clear Scarlett is the one they want. Scarlett is the one they respect.”
I said nothing, teeth grinding as her words echoed too close to the truth I was trying to avoid.
Mother began to pace, her sharp heels striking the floor with rhythmic authority. “Do you have any idea what I’ve done to secure this alliance?” she demanded. Her voice rose with every word. “The negotiations, the concessions, the promises? You complain about your responsibilities, but you have no idea what true leadership requires.”
“know my responsibilities,” I shot back, my voice rising now to match hers. “But you’ve never cared about Grace! You see Scarlett as a prize–a perfect Luna to parade in front of the Council. This isn’t about what’s right. It’s about politics!”
“And why shouldn’t it be? Mother snapped, stopping mid–step to glare at me. “The Northern territories don’t care about your personal feelings. Alexander. They care about strength Unity. Legacy. Do you think they’ll accept a Luna who’s too weak to shit? A mate bond doesn’t matter if it weakens the entire pack!”
Katunded agan his frustration
Her words cut deeper that went to admit. The web of them pressed healy on my sleddere, ducting stopped for a responsa
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madeus what could bear, it had to be her the only one skilled roough to treat Grecar’s condition
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My stomach dropped Mason’s protectie instincts surged violently, Ide rage barely contained
And that’s not all fatal control, guilt and despair creeping into her form. The silver is compting her wolf at a faster rate now if we dont find
The bok shattered as titulis anguish wldand her. My fiets clenched no tulaly my reads but to my pets. The cold realization of what shed
Hazel was just any leler tile replaceable that more than that Herel was that’s ally
It my hul, stalking back toward catlett with tunsin radiating from every step Muller started to say something, but I silenced her with a
“What did you do? I demanded, my voice low and sharp
carlett finally looked up her emerald eyes meeting mine with calculated calm. “Do what?” she asked lightly, as though entirely unaware of the storm Inewing around he
“Don’t play game, I snapped, stepping closer “Did you convince Hazel to abandon Grace’s treatment?”
Hei expression slides fulter–not even for a moment Instead, her lips curved into the slightest smuk
Hamada her owns clotees” she said smoothly, setting the herbs down on the chair next to her. If she decided in attend an important medical
