His Last Choice

Chapter 3

His last choice

I gasped for air through my slightly open mouth when he grabbed me by both arms, pressing me to his body.

"Shall I claim you now?"

Leon POV

"I hate to admit it but F*ck It!" I've wanted to own this girl since last night.

She has been making noises in my ears without her realizing it.

I could hear her thoughts, and damn it! Her scent has been torturing me all this time.

I have been playing with Celina, her older sister, for a long time, and I was entertained by her. However, I feel differently about Hailey. I have never felt as excited about any woman as I do about this woman in front of me.

She gasped for breath, her eyes wide with desperation as she struggled to pull her hand away from me. But I tightened my grip on her wrist, refusing to let her slip away. Her thigh was pressed against my lap, and I could even feel the air from her breathing.

She looked utterly terrified, her eyes brimming with tears as they locked onto mine.

In the past, she had always averted her gaze, avoiding me as if I were a wild boar. But now, she was trapped in this moment. I refused to let her escape.

I witnessed her journey from a carefree child to a vibrant young adult, leading to the surprising revelation that we were mates. She sparked a thrilling excitement within me, yet our connection felt somewhat surface-level. Nonetheless, this doesn't deter me; I'm still captivated by her, and I have every intention of making her feel my impact, bringing her to her knees before me.

A thick silence enveloped us, charged with unspoken tension. I could feel the rapid thrum of her heartbeat, a siren call that intensified my desire to claim her right then and there. Just as I prepared to act, an unexpected rustle shattered the stillness—someone was drawing near. The crunch of dry leaves underfoot signaled an approaching presence. I frowned, turning my gaze toward the source of the disturbance, my instincts on high alert.

A wave of hot blood surged into my head, fueled by annoyance as I already knew exactly who it was.

"Ah—here you two are," he said, his smile tinged with a hint of concern as he sensed the tension in my reaction. Hailey sprang to her feet, her face flushed crimson with overwhelming embarrassment that pushed her feet to run away from the river.

My gaze trailed after Hailey as she rushed back to camp, urgency in her footsteps. As for my future beta, I'll deal with him later, because in the blink of an eye, he was already sprinting after my mate as if that woman could do good for him.

Everyone was exhausted, and several of our companions bore the wounds of our recent encounter with the rogues, so I decided it was best to spend the entire day and night here to recuperate. Taking advantage of this time, I sank into a deep sleep. When I finally opened my eyes, dusk was creeping in.

The sky was a stunning blend of bluish-gray, tinged with streaks of orange, as I woke. Faint voices floated towards me from the direction where the rest of our group had set up their tents. Turning to my left, I glanced at the spot where Hailey had sat earlier, but she was no longer there. Still, I sensed her presence; her familiar scent lingered in the air, and soon enough, my eyes found her.

Xyril, my future beta, was busy helping her set up a tent for the night while the others prepared the meal. As wolves, hunting was second nature to us; the mouthwatering scent of grilled wild boar wafted through the air, mingling with the rich aroma of soup and the unmistakable hint of garlic bread—probably a thoughtful gesture from my mother.

"Are you feeling recharged? "You slept for quite a while," Alex, Xyril's older brother and also a future beta, asked, his gaze focused on me. They were Hailey's cousins and my lifelong friends.

"Yeah, I think so," I replied, my voice steady but brief. I stood up and turned my attention to the tent housing our wounded comrades. "How are the others faring?"

"Everyone's doing well with no serious injuries," he responded, his eyes scanning the tent with cautious optimism.

"That’s a relief," I said, a deep sigh escaping my lips as I felt the weight lift off my shoulders at his words.

As nightfall enveloped us, we gathered around the crackling fire, sharing the meal that had been prepared. I settled beside Hailey, immediately sensing her discomfort amidst the lively group.

"What's the matter?" "Are you not enjoying the food?" My voice broke through the chatter, drawing the attention of everyone present. I was conscious of not wanting to appear overly attentive to her, simply because she was my mate.

"Or are you feeling unwell?" "You hardly seem hungry." I noticed her scanning the surrounding faces, a flush of embarrassment creeping over her.

"N-no, it's just... this is the first time I've tried this kind of meat." Her voice wavered as she struggled to articulate her thoughts.

"Oh, so it's true! "The youngest daughter of our brave beta is picky about her food," Zainab chimed in, a smirk playing on her lips. She is the daughter of our pack’s head cook, who had accompanied us. Her comment sparked a ripple of laughter among the group, leaving me irritated.

"N-no, that's not it—" Hailey stammered, unable to finish her sentence as her confidence faltered.

Xyril, unable to contain himself, spoke up, his brow wrinkled in thought. "Please try to understand her. She didn't grow up like us, hunting in the woods; she spent her childhood unwell, confined mostly to the garden and home."

I remained focused on Hailey, watching as the color drained from her face, her gaze dropping to the ground in a mix of shame and vulnerability.

"Still, shouldn't she learn to adapt? She needs to at least prove that she deserves Luna's position."

"Zainab, what the—?"

Cyril couldn't even finish speaking because the woman spoke again.

"If she continues like this, she may never be able to bear heirs, which is the fundamental duty of a Luna."

Zainab's gaze was piercing as she assessed the despondent woman beside me.

"Enough!" I said sharply, dropping the metal plate I was holding with a loud clatter.

She was mocking my mate right in front of me, but when I showed that I was displeased with what I was hearing, she became a docile puppy in her seat.

"Get up!" I commanded. She looked up at me, startled.

"You're not going to eat, are you? So, let's go."

Before she could respond, I snatched the food from her hand. The shock was palpable, our companions frozen in disbelief as if struck by a bolt of lightning when I slammed the metal plate onto the ground once more. I gripped her wrist firmly and led her away, leaving the others behind in stunned silence.

Once inside her tent, I pushed her gently but firmly, then turned my back on her. I raked my fingers through my hair, frustration boiling within me—a need to lash out, to break something, but I fought to contain it.

Then I heard the faint sound of her sobs.

Instantly, the fierce annoyance faded as I saw her trying to conceal her face in her palms, desperate to stifle her tears.

I knelt to her level, resting on one knee to get a better look at her.

"H-hey, what’s wrong? Are you hurt anywhere?" I asked, my voice filled with concern.

“Did I grip you too tightly? Did I hurt you?”

I bombarded her with questions, wanting to ensure she was okay. Gently, I took her hand, inspecting it for any marks, but found none. My focus shifted to her face.

Her tear-filled, puffy eyes and the way she bit her lip made my heart ache.

"She's so adorable," I thought, like a child who had just lost their favorite candy.

“Don’t cry,” I whispered gently, wiping her tears with my thumbs. I could feel the depth of her sorrow, and I wanted to offer her a sliver of comfort.

As I reached into my clothes, I revealed the garlic bread I had discreetly tucked away while everyone else was preoccupied.

“Here, eat this,” I said, unwrapping the warm bread and handing it to her. She hesitated for a moment, uncertainty flickering in her eyes, but then I smiled at her reassuringly. Slowly, she took the bread, and I noticed a hint of pleasure cross her face as she took a bite. As I quietly sat in a corner and watched her eat, I came to realize she was still adjusting to the reality of being a she-wolf, having recently been thrust into this new life after leaving her family behind in the pack.

Everything around her—the exhausting journey, unfamiliar faces, and even the food—was a lot to process. It was essential for me to be gentle and understanding during this transition.