Choose Me Instead, Alpha

The Alpha's Estate

I could see the tall, majestic black gates of the estate standing before me. I still couldn't believe I was actually going to stay here.

Just as I was about to reach the gate, a voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Alyssa, wait up!"

I turned around to see stella and Grace walking toward me with bright smiles on their faces.

Seeing them smile, I couldn't help but smile too.

"Oh, Alyssa, were you really going to leave without us?" Stella asked, placing a dramatic hand over her chest.

Of course not. I laughed.

We said we'd wait for each other. How could I leave you guys behind?"

"Come on then," Grace said, slipping her hands into mine and Stella's.

I looked down at our joined hands, and warmth spread through my chest. At least now I knew that in this place, I wouldn't be alone.

"Come on now," Stella grinned. "Time to enter the wolf's den."

The three of us burst into laughter as we walked through the grand gates of the Alpha's estate.

I could never get used to how breathtaking the estate was.

The chandelier, God the chandelier was majestic.

" Hey! You girls, stop looking around and come here."

Claudia's irritated voice echoed through the hall.

Must her face always look like the Grinch? I thought, holding back a laugh.

Claudia the Grinch.

"You girls, go to your quarters, settle in, take a bath, then go to the dining hall for dinner," she barked, her eyes moving between us. "After dinner, return straight to your room. No wandering around the halls at night. once you're inside your room, don't come outside again until morning. "Understood?"

"Yes, Head Maid," we all answered.

"Lorraine will show you where the dining hall is when you're ready. Your duties begin tomorrow. You may leave."

The moment we were dismissed, we practically ran away from there.

"Geez," Stella said dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "That woman makes it difficult for me to breathe. Will it ever get easier with her?"

Grace and I burst into laughter.

We finally reached our quarters, and opened the door.

"Alyssa, do you want to bathe first?" Grace asked.

uh... no. I'll arrange my things first. I smiled

Ermmm... can I take the bed beside the window?

"Of course," they answered together.

"Thank you, guys."

I couldn't hide my excitement.

I have always loved fresh air. Closed spaces made me feel trapped, like I couldn't breathe.

"Okay then, I'll take my bath first," Grace said before disappearing into the bathroom.

I turned towards my bed and began unpacking my few belongings into the space available.

My clothes...

My worn out slippers...

Everything I owned fit inside one small bag.

As I hurried to arrange everything, the emerald stone slipped from my bag and landed on the floor.

"Wow," Stella gasped, picking it up carefully.

"Alyssa, where did you get this? It's beautiful... and it looks expensive."

I gently took it from her hand.

Someone special gave this to me when I was ten, I said softly. I've kept it ever since.

"Someone special, huh?" she said, nudging my shoulder. "I didn't know you had a partner."

"You haven't found your mate yet, have you?"

No. I shook my head. I just turned eighteen. It will be my first umber ceremony. And... no, I don't have a partner. I said shyly.

"So who's this someone special?" she asked with a grin.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

He was just... someone I've always liked for as long as I can remember.

"Oh!" Stella shouted. "So it's a crush!"

She leaned closer.

"Does he know you like him?"

No. I answered immediately.

He doesn't need to know.

"why not?"

Because... I forced a smile. He could never like me back. We're worlds apart.

"Oh whatever," Stella rolled her eyes. "That's his loss. One day he'll realize exactly what he's missing."

I smiled sadly.

If only you knew who you were talking about.

Then you'd understand why that could never happen.

He was the Alpha's son. And I was nothing more than a lowly omega with nothing to my name.

But there had once been a time...

A short, time...

When none of that mattered.

It was just simply..

Sebastian and Alyssa.

But things change, and people move on.

The bathroom door suddenly opened, pulling me from my thoughts.

Grace stepped out of the bathroom, hair wet.

She really was beautiful.

She had silky brunette hair flowing from her back, she had freckles on her face that I couldn't help but admire, her big brown eyes which were very warm, she had perfectly shaped brows and her legs. She had really long legs that I couldn't help but admire. She really was beautiful.

"Okay, Alyssa," Grace smiled. "Your turn."

" How about you, Stella? I asked.

" I still have a few things to arrange," she replied. "Go ahead."

Yes ma'am, I saluted dramatically before grabbing my towel.

Their laughter following me all the way into the bathroom.

Once we had all finished bathing, we stepped outside and found Lorraine waiting patiently by our door.

"Oh, Lorraine! Have you been standing here long?" Grace asked.

She shook her head with a smile.

"Nope, I just got here and decided to wait for you girls. Come on, I'll show you where the dining hall is."

We followed her through the hallways until we finally reached the dining hall.

Everything here looked grand.

Before I could properly admire it—

"Don't just stand there!" Claudia snapped. "Get a plate and come eat."

The three of us exchanged amused looks before hurrying to obey.

The food there was like anything I'd ever eaten.

There was roasted meats, chicken, warm bread, vegetables, soup, stew, and desserts I had only heard about.

Every bite tasted heavenly.

After dinner, we made our way back to our room.

"Damn," sighed happily, rubbing her stomach. " I have never eaten such a wholesome meal before. So this is what it's like staying on Alpha's estate." She said with such drama, grace, and I couldn't help but laugh.

The moment we entered our room, Grace flopped onto her bed.

"I can't believe we're finally here," she yawned.

"Tomorrow a new life begins. We need plenty of sleep."

She pulled the blanket over herself.

"Goodnight guys."

"Gosh!" Stella said. "You're seriously sleeping already? Fine. Aly and I will keep all the gossip to ourselves."

I laughed softly.

Actually... I should sleep too.

She stared at me in disbelief.

"Seriously?"

I'm sorry. I said

"Fine, Fine." she waved me away dramatically. "Goodnight, Aly."

"Goodnight."

I climbed onto the bed, but a few hours and I still wasn't asleep. I just kept turning.

With a sigh, I slipped out of bed and quietly walked toward the window.

The cool night breeze brushed against my face, instantly calming me.

I closed my eyes for a moment, breathing deeply before opening them again.

And froze.

Across the courtyard, standing beneath the silver glow of the moon, was a man

A pair of icy gray eyes locked onto mine.

Eyes I could recognize anywhere.

Eyes I could never forget.

Sebastian...