THE ALPHA'S FORBIDDEN VOWS

THE Choice HE NEVER EXPECTED

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE CHOICE HE NEVER EXPECTED

Aria read the sentence again.

Then again.

And again.

The words refused to make sense.

"If Adrian has finally chosen you, then the vow must be broken."

Her mother's handwriting.

Her mother's words.

And somehow, they were connected to Adrian.

Aria slowly lowered the paper.

"What vow was she talking about?"

Adrian didn't answer.

She looked up at him.

"Adrian."

He was staring at the message as though it had transported him years into the past.

"I don't know."

"You said that already."

"I know I said that already,but I really don't know,if it was the vow I took or another one"

"Then tell me what you do know."

Adrian took a breath.

"I know your mother was afraid of something."

"Something?"

"more like Someone."

Aria's stomach tightened.

"Who?"

"I don't know."

"You knew her."

"Yes."

"You were there when she died."

"Yes."

"And she trusted you enough to ask you to protect me."

"Yes she did "

"Then how can you know nothing?"

Her voice broke.

Adrian stepped closer.

"Because she never told me everything."

"Why not?"

"She said there were things I couldn't know until you were ready."

Aria stared at him.

"Ready for what?"

Adrian shook his head.

"I don't know."

She looked down at the note.

"Maybe she expected you to figure it out."

"Maybe she did"

"Or maybe she expected me to."

Adrian looked at her.

"My mother knew this day would come."

She folded the note carefully.

"She knew I would meet my mate."

Adrian's expression tightened.

"And she knew you would make your vow."

"Apparently."

Aria looked at him.

"Why?"

He didn't answer.

She stepped closer.

"Why did you make that vow in the first place?"

Adrian's eyes dropped.

"My father."

Aria waited.

"He was a powerful Alpha," Adrian said quietly. "But he loved my mother more than anything."

Aria remained silent.

"When she died, he changed."

"How?"

"He became obsessed with finding the people responsible."

Adrian's voice grew quieter.

"He stopped thinking like an Alpha. He stopped eating properly. He barely slept. He trusted no one and then things really changed"

"He nearly started a war."

Aria's expression softened.

"So you were afraid you'd become like him."

"Yes."

Adrian looked toward the window.

"I watched love destroy him."

He turned back to her.

"I decided it would never destroy me."

Aria took a slow breath.

"But love didn't destroy him."

Adrian frowned.

"What?"

"Your mother's death did."

He looked at her and said nothing.

"Maybe you blamed love because it was easier than accepting that losing someone hurts."

His expression changed.

Aria continued.

"You didn't make that vow because you don't believe in love."

She stepped closer.

"You made it because you're afraid of what you'll become if you lose someone you love."

Adrian stared at her.

For several seconds, he couldn't speak.

Because she was right.

And somehow, hearing it from her made the truth impossible to avoid.

"I hate that you're right."

Aria smiled faintly.

"I know."

He almost smiled.

Almost.

Then the smile disappeared.

"Aria."

"What?"

"If I choose you..."

He hesitated.

"You need to understand that being my mate won't be easy."

"I never expected it to be."

"People will judge you."

"I can handle that."

"The council may challenge you."

"I can handle that too."

"My enemies may use you against me."

Aria looked directly into his eyes.

"Then protect me."

Adrian's jaw tightened.

"I will."

"No."

She shook her head.

"Not like before."

He frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't protect me by pushing me away."

He looked at her.

"Then how?"

"Stand beside me."

The words settled between them.

Adrian stared at her.

Then slowly nodded.

"Okay."

Aria's heart warmed.

"Okay?"

"Okay."

It was the first promise he had made to her that didn't sound like a warning.

---

That evening, the pack held its monthly gathering.

Normally, Aria enjoyed these events.

Music.

Food.

Laughter.

People talking beneath strings of lights.

Tonight was different.

Everyone knew something had happened.

Rumors traveled through Silvermoon faster than wildfire.

The Alpha had found his mate.

The council wasn't happy.

Someone had breached the territory.

And now a strange message from Aria's dead mother had appeared.

Aria tried to ignore the whispers.

Lila stood beside her.

"Everyone is staring."

"I know."

"Do you want to leave?"

"No."

Lila looked at her.

"Are you sure?"

Aria nodded.

"I can't spend my life hiding."

Lila smiled.

"That's my girl."

Across the courtyard, Adrian stood with several members of the council.

He looked serious.

But his eyes kept finding Aria.

Every time they did, something in his expression softened.

Lila noticed.

"Oh."

Aria looked at her.

"What?"

"He is completely gone."

"Stop."

"I'm serious."

Adrian's gaze remained on Aria.

Lila grinned.

"He hasn't looked away for almost a minute."

Aria glanced at him.

Their eyes met.

Adrian smiled.

A real smile.

Aria's heart fluttered.

Then someone stepped between them.

A tall young man.

"Aria."

She looked up.

"Daniel."

Daniel smiled.

"Long time no see."

"It's been a while."

"I heard you were working at the archives now."

"Yes."

"Still reading those old books?"

"Someone has to."

Daniel laughed.

"I always liked that about you."

Aria smiled politely.

"Thank you."

Daniel continued talking.

Aria listened.

She didn't notice Adrian watching them from across the courtyard.

But Marcus did.

"Oh, this is going to be interesting."

Adrian looked at him.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Marcus."

Marcus glanced toward Daniel.

"Your mate has company."

Adrian's expression darkened.

"He's talking to her."

"Yes."

"I can see that."

"You're jealous."

"I'm not."

Marcus smiled.

"You absolutely are."

Adrian looked away.

"She can talk to whoever she wants."

"Of course."

"I trust her."

"I didn't say you didn't."

Adrian's eyes returned to Aria.

Daniel made her laugh.

Something tightened in Adrian's chest.

His wolf growled.

**Mate.**

Adrian clenched his jaw.

"Ridiculous."

Marcus laughed.

"You can admit it."

"I'm not jealous."

"You are."

Adrian finally looked at him.

"Do you enjoy irritating me?"

"Very much."

Adrian shook his head.

But his eyes remained on Aria.

---

Daniel eventually walked away.

Aria exhaled.

Lila immediately leaned toward her.

"He likes you."

Aria groaned.

"Please don't start."

"I'm serious."

"He was just being friendly."

"Maybe."

Aria glanced toward Adrian.

He was still watching her.

Their eyes met.

He walked toward her.

Lila smiled.

"I'll leave you two."

"You'enjoy walking always now?"

"Very much."

She walked away.

Adrian stopped in front of Aria.

"Who was he?"

Aria raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

"The man you were talking to."

She smiled.

"Daniel."

"I know his name."

"Then why did you ask if you already know his name?"

Adrian looked away.

Aria smiled.

"Are you jealous?"

"No."

"You're lying."

He sighed.

"Maybe."

She laughed.

Adrian looked at her.

"I don't like the way he looks at you."

Aria's smile widened.

"Why?"

"Because I know what he's thinking."

"And what is he thinking?"

Adrian looked at her .

"That you're unmated and attractive."

Aria's cheeks warmed.

"And?"

"And that he wants you."

She looked up at him.

"Does that bother you?"

"Yes."

The honesty surprised her.

"Why?"

Adrian's voice dropped.

"Because you are my mate."

Aria's heart raced.

He turned to face her properly.

This time, he didn't care who was watching.

people were watching like they always do .

But Adrian didn't allow that to bother him.

He looked at her.

"I knew what I said earlier."

"What?"

"I will protect you, without the help of another wolf who just wants you ."

Aria smiled.

"that's encouraging though"

He lifted her hand.

His thumb brushed gently across her fingers.

"I don't know what this will become."

"Neither do I."

"But I want to find out."

Aria's smile grew.

"Then let's find out."

For the first time, Adrian looked completely at peace.

Until a sudden howl echoed from the forest.

The music stopped.

Everyone turned.

Another howl followed.

Then another.

The pack warriors immediately moved into formation.

Adrian's expression changed.

He released Aria's hand only long enough to step in front of her.

"Stay behind me."

Aria nodded.

The entire courtyard fell silent.

A figure emerged from the darkness beyond the trees.

A woman.

She walked slowly toward the pack.

Everyone stared.

Adrian stepped forward.

"Who are you?"

The woman smiled.

"Someone who knew your father enough to still exist "

Adrian's face hardened.

"Name."

The woman looked past him.

Her eyes settled on Aria.

"Tell her."

Aria frowned.

"Tell me what?"

The woman's smile disappeared.

"Your mother didn't die because she was unlucky."

Adrian stepped forward.

"Enough."

The woman laughed softly.

"She died because she knew the truth ."

Aria's heart began pounding.

"What truth?"

The woman looked directly at her.

"The truth about why you were born."

Adrian immediately moved between them.

"You will not speak to her."

The woman smiled.

"Still protecting her."

She turned away.

"How noble."

Then she disappeared into the forest.

Aria stared after her.

Adrian turned toward her.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded slowly.

But her mind was racing.

Why had the woman said that?

Why had she mentioned her birth?

And why did Adrian look like he already knew the answer?

Aria grabbed his arm.

"Adrian."

He looked at her.

"What?"

"You know something."

His expression tightened.

"I promise you, I'll tell you."

"When?"

"When I know the truth."

Aria looked at the forest then back at him .

Then she nodded.

"Okay."

Adrian gently turned her to face him

"I won't lie to you."

She believed him.

Or at least, she wanted to.

Because for the first time, she understood that whatever happened next, they would be answers .

But neither of them knew that the woman in the forest had left one final message behind.

A message that would soon force Adrian to make the most difficult choice of his life.

Not between his vow and his mate.

But between the truth...

and the woman he loved.

This is where he'll have to break the promises he was never meant to keep.