The Alpha’s Choice
657 Words
Chaos consumed the council chamber.
Voices shouted from every direction while the rulers argued violently among themselves.
"The girl is too dangerous!"
"We should hand her over before more wolves die!"
"If the rogues want her, there must be a reason!"
Ava's chest tightened painfully.
Every word felt like another blade against her skin.
Kael stood in front of her now.
Protecting her without hesitation.
The terrifying thing was how natural it seemed for him.
Like shielding her had already become instinct.
One council member slammed his fist against the stone table.
"Enough!"
Silence slowly returned across the chamber.
The elderly Alpha from earlier rose carefully from his seat.
His cold eyes settled on Ava.
"The situation is simple."
Ava already hated where this was going.
"The Shadow Rogues are willing to start a war for the Blood Moon girl."
The old Alpha turned toward Kael.
"And you are willing to protect her at the cost of your kingdom."
Kael's expression remained unreadable.
"She stays under my protection."
Murmurs spread instantly again.
The old Alpha's gaze sharpened.
"Even if your people die for it?"
The question hung heavily inside the chamber.
Ava looked toward Kael quietly.
For the first time…
She wondered if protecting her truly was destroying his kingdom.
Kael stayed silent briefly.
Then answered calmly:
"Yes."
The chamber erupted.
Even Ava froze.
He said it too easily.
Too confidently.
The old Alpha looked furious now.
"You would risk Nightshade Kingdom for a girl you barely know?"
Kael's silver eyes darkened.
"You assume I need your permission."
The dangerous calmness in his voice made several wolves uneasy.
Ava's pulse quickened again.
This man was terrifying when challenged.
One female council member suddenly stood.
"You are letting the mate bond cloud your judgment."
Ava frowned immediately.
Mate bond.
Again.
Kael's jaw tightened slightly.
But he didn't deny it.
That silence alone sent heat rushing into Ava's chest.
The council noticed too.
The woman laughed bitterly.
"So the rumors are true."
Ava looked toward Kael.
"Can somebody finally explain what this bond actually means?"
The chamber became awkwardly quiet.
Then the elderly Alpha answered:
"It means the moon has tied your soul to the Alpha King."
Ava's breath caught.
"No."
The old Alpha ignored her completely.
"The bond grows stronger through emotional attachment, physical closeness, and protection instincts."
Ava suddenly understood why:
the mark reacted to Kael,
the pain disappeared when he touched her,
and his emotions sometimes bled into hers.
Fear crawled down her spine.
"This is insane."
Kael finally looked at her directly.
His silver eyes softened slightly.
"It wasn't supposed to happen this quickly."
The honesty in his voice unsettled her even more.
Before Ava could answer—
The chamber doors opened again.
Selene entered gracefully.
But the moment her eyes landed on Ava standing beside Kael…
Something cold flashed across her face.
Jealousy.
Raw and unmistakable.
Selene approached the council calmly before lowering her head respectfully.
"My kings."
The elderly Alpha frowned.
"This meeting is restricted."
Selene looked toward Kael briefly.
"I came with important information."
Kael's expression darkened slightly.
"Speak."
Selene's eyes slowly returned toward Ava.
Then she said the words that changed everything:
"The rogues have infiltrated Nightshade Castle."
Silence slammed through the chamber instantly.
Several wolves stood immediately.
"That's impossible."
Selene's face remained calm.
"Three guards were found dead near the southern tower."
Fear slid through Ava's chest.
Kael's silver eyes turned lethal.
"Seal the castle."
Warriors rushed from the chamber instantly.
The atmosphere became deadly tense.
Then suddenly—
The glowing mark beneath Ava's wrist burned violently again.
She gasped sharply.
A terrifying whisper echoed inside her mind.
Run.
Ava froze.
The voice sounded female.
Ancient.
Broken.
Then another whisper followed:
He's already inside the castle.
Ava's face lost color instantly.
Kael noticed immediately.
"What is it?"
Before she could answer—
The chamber lights suddenly went out.
Darkness swallowed the room.
And somewhere inside the shadows…
Someone started laughing.
- Writer
