Chapter 46

Emily’s POV

“ We need to talk. ”

That was it. No warmth. No hesitation. Just those four words, cold and heavy.

I folded my arms across my chest, trying to shield myself.

“ About the ceremony? ” I asked, my voice surprisingly calm.

His gaze sharpened. “ Yes. ”

For a second, my heart reacted before my mind could stop it: Hope.

Instead of the main entrance, Nathan took me through the back door and straight into the kitchen.

The roar of the dinner hall was just a muffled hum behind the walls. Inside, the kitchen was quiet – only Dorothy

it the stove and a couple of helpers by the sink. But when Nathan stepped in, the air went cold.

“ Everyone out, ” he commanded.

Dorothy didn’t argue. She shot him one look, wiped her hands, and ushered the others toward the dining hall.

They hurried out, throwing us wary glances.

Nathan slammed the heavy door and slid the bolt shut. The silence that followed was suffocating. He moved with redatory grace, leaning back against a prep table as he locked his gaze onto mine.

“ The Council of Alphas and I have decided, ” he began. “ We are going to hold the mating ceremony for all the Alphas at once. Right here, in two days. ”

He went silent, and I didn’t dare rush him. My heart was beating too fast. This is it, I thought. Now he’ll say it.

He’ll admit it. He’ll choose me.

But he remained silent. His gaze grew heavy. Something was wrong.

“ And? ” I finally snapped, unable to bear the tension any longer.

He looked at me, his jaw tight. “ And … I am facing a very difficult choice. ”

That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. The hope died just as quickly as it had been born. Because that was all he said.

No “ I’ll choose you. ” No “ You will be mine. ” It wasn’t a confession. It was just … a tactical decision.

“ That’s it? ” I asked, exhaling a quiet, shaky breath.

His brows pulled together in a frown. “ What do you mean? ”

“ That’s your answer? ” I took a step closer, the frustration bubbling up. “ After everything? ”

“ I said you’ll be at the ceremony. ”

5:29 pm

“ But in what capacity will I be there, Nathan? ” I pressed, my voice dropping to a whisper.

He clearly hadn’t expected that I had found my teeth, my voice, and my self – respect.

Silence. I shook my head, a bitter taste in my mouth.

“ You’re not choosing me. You’re just placing me where it’s convenient. And you’ll keep comparing me, judging if I’m worthy – instead of just admitting the truth. ”

“ The truth? ” he repeated, and I could see his own invitation beginning to flare.

“ Yes, the truth! ” I raised my voice. “ You’re just a coward who’s afraid of his own feelings! ” I spat the words out.

He moved like lightning.

Before I could even gasp, he slammed me back against the counter. The weight of his body pressed into mine,

hard, hot, and demanding.

He was heavy, massive, looming over me.

I could smell his scent; I could see every vein on his muscular neck and the way the tattoos on his tensed,

rolled – up arms rippled.

My breath caught. His control was gone. Finally, the Alpha mask was slipping.

His hand shot up, fingers gripping my chin with a fierce intensity, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“ You think I don’t hate this? You think I don’t want to choose you? ” he growled.

His eyes didn’t just change. They caught fire, burning with a bright, predatory gold. It wasn’t Nathan looking at me anymore. His wolf was in charge.

I froze. For the first time, I was hearing his wolf.

“ This human is too blind, ” his wolf growled. “ Too afraid to listen. ”

He leaned in, his lips a hair’s breadth from my neck. He inhaled my scent, sharp, deep, and hungry, as if he

wanted to swallow me whole.

“ But I am not afraid. ”

Inside my head, Nyx let out a howl of pure, wild ecstasy.

And then, it all shattered. Nathan forced the wolf back.

He pulled back just enough to give me space. But he didn’t leave. He was still there, towering over me.

The gold in his eyes flickered … and died. The Alpha was back.

“ You don’t understand, ” his voice cut through the air like a blade.

5:29 pm

PPP

“ Then explain it to me, ” I challenged. “ If I’m feeling this right, your wolf and mine — they want to be together. I want to be with you. So what exactly is holding you back? ”

“ You think it’s easy to be near you? ” he growled. “ To stand this close and pretend I don’t feel a damn bond? ”

He was too close now. I could feel the warmth radiating off him.

“ Every time you walk into a room, ” he exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair, “ I have to remind myself what’s at stake. ”

“ And what is that, exactly? ” I asked, my heart hammering against my ribs.

He forced himself to stand away from me.

“ The pack. Everything we’ve built. ”

Of course. It was always the pack.

“ And the threat from the Rogue King, ” he added.

I went still. “ What about him? ”

Nathan’s face changed. It was replaced by something much more terrifying: cold, hard reality. “ We haven’t told

the pack yet; we didn’t want to start a panic. But we’ve discovered a new detail – the color. The Rogue King has begun hunting any she – wolf with light hair who is destined to be a future Luna. ”

A chill crawled down my spine.

He looked at me, and for a moment, I saw the weight of the entire world on his shoulders. “ The problem is, we

don’t know her name. ”

My stomach twisted as I curled a strand of my hair around my finger.

I felt a wave of fear. But I wasn’t scared for myself. I was scared because he still wasn’t sure about me.

“ And you’re still deciding, ” I said. The realization hit me like ice water.

r

“ Please, Emily, understand, ” he said. “ This isn’t just about us. The future of our pack depends on my decision.

The pack needs the right Luna to survive. ”

I felt it then. No pain. No anger. Just a quiet, cold stillness.

My fingers curled into my palms. “ So it will be decided there? ” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. “ Me or Stella

A beat of silence.

“ … Yes. ”

The word felt like a death sentence.

“ This isn’t how I wanted my mating ceremony to be, ” I whispered.

5:29 pm

PPP

Neither did

The silence between us was heavy and uncomfortable. Then he spoke again, his voice sounding cold and

professional.

“ Everything will be settled at the ceremony. The witch will give us the answer. ”

My eyes narrowed. “ What answer? How can she help? ”

His gaze sharpened as he studied me. “ She will find the last important detail. ”

So that was it. Not love. Just a calculation.

I looked at him, really looked, searching for anything beyond duty and strategy. I searched for something real.

Something just for me.

It wasn’t there.

A faint, bitter smile touched my lips.

“ Good, ” I said softly. “ I’m glad you’re choosing with your head. ”

I paused, the air between us turning to ice.

“ Instead of your heart. ”

And I turned away.

“ Stay away from Owen! ” he snapped at my back, his voice thick with anger.

There it was. Finally, something real.

I turned around slowly, a bitter smile playing on my lips.

“ Amazing, ” I whispered. “ So you do feel something. ”

His jaw clenched, his eyes burning with a mix of fury and frustration.

“ See you at the ceremony, ” he growled.

I walked out without looking back.

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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.