Chapter 6: The Sacrifice
Emily’s POV
The weight of Alpha Cole’s ultimatum hung heavy in the air, suffocating me. Alexander stood tall, his jaw clenched and his eyes blazing with defiance. But I couldn’t let him do this. I couldn’t let him throw away his future, his pack, his family—all for me.
“Alexander,” I said, my voice trembling as I stepped forward. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to me. “You can’t do this.”
He turned to me, his expression softening. “Emily, I’m not losing you. Not now, not ever.”
Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head. “You’re the future Alpha. This pack needs you. Your family needs you. I can’t let you give that up for me.”
Alexander reached for my hand, but I pulled away, my heart breaking with every word. “Emily, you’re my mate. That’s all that matters.”
“No,” I said, my voice firm despite the pain tearing through me. “What matters is your pack. Your duty. I won’t let you throw that away.”
Alpha Cole’s voice cut through the tension. “It seems even your… mate understands the gravity of the situation, Alexander. Perhaps you should listen to her.”
Alexander’s eyes flashed with anger as he turned to his father. “This isn’t over.”
But I knew it was. For Alexander’s sake, it had to be.
Without another word, I turned and ran out of the packhouse, the sound of Alexander calling my name echoing behind me. I didn’t stop until I reached the edge of the forest, my chest heaving and my vision blurred with tears.
“Emily!”
I turned to see Mila running toward me, her face pale with worry. “What happened? I heard everything. Are you okay?”
I shook my head, collapsing into her arms. “I can’t do this, Mila. I can’t let him give up everything for me.”
Mila held me tightly, her voice soft but firm. “Emily, you can’t just walk away. Alexander loves you. He’s willing to fight for you.”
“But at what cost?” I cried, pulling back to look at her. “If he chooses me, he loses his pack, his family, his future. I can’t let him do that.”
Mila sighed, brushing the tears from my cheeks. “You’re stronger than this, Emily. You’ve always been stronger than anyone gave you credit for. Don’t let fear dictate your choices.”
Her words struck a chord, but the fear and guilt were too overwhelming. “I need to leave, Mila. I need to get away from here.”
Mila’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Emily, you can’t just run away!”
“I’m not running away,” I said, my voice steady despite the tears. “I’m protecting him. If I’m gone, he’ll have no choice but to accept Lila as his mate. He’ll keep his pack, his family, his future.”
Mila stared at me, her expression a mix of disbelief and heartbreak. “Emily, this isn’t the answer. You’re his mate. He’ll never stop looking for you.”
I shook my head, my resolve hardening. “He’ll move on. He has to.”
Before Mila could argue further, I turned and ran into the forest, the trees swallowing me whole. I didn’t know where I was going, only that I had to get as far away from the pack as possible.
The hours blurred together as I ran, my legs burning and my heart aching. By the time I stopped, the moon was high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the unfamiliar landscape. I collapsed against a tree, my body trembling with exhaustion and grief.
As I sat there, alone in the darkness, I allowed myself to cry. I cried for Alexander, for the love we’d found and the future we’d lost. I cried for myself, for the life I’d always dreamed of but could never have.
But even as the tears fell, a small spark of determination flickered within me. I might not have a wolf, but I was still strong. I was still capable. And I would find a way to survive, even if it meant leaving everything behind.
Five Years Later
The sound of laughter and music filled the air as I stepped into the crowded tavern. It had been five years since I’d left my pack, five years since I’d seen Alexander. In that time, I’d built a new life for myself, far from the world I’d once known.
I was no longer the weak, insecure girl I’d been. I was a warrior now, a high-ranking member of King Alpha’s army. I’d proven myself time and time again, earning the respect and trust of my comrades.
But no matter how far I ran, I could never escape the memories of Alexander.
“Emily!”
I turned to see my best friend and fellow warrior, Liam, waving me over to a table. He was grinning, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Took you long enough,” he teased as I sat down.
“Sorry,” I said, forcing a smile. “I got caught up in training.”
Liam rolled his eyes. “You’re always training. You need to loosen up, have some fun for once.”
I shrugged, taking a sip of my drink. “Fun’s overrated.”
Liam laughed, shaking his head. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
Before I could respond, the door to the tavern swung open, and a familiar scent hit me like a punch to the gut. My heart stopped, and my breath caught in my throat.
It couldn’t be.
But as I turned to look, there he was—Alexander Black.
He looked different, older and more rugged, but his piercing blue eyes were the same. Our gazes locked, and for a moment, the world around us faded away.
“Emily,” he said, his voice low and filled with emotion.
I stood, my legs trembling beneath me. “Alexander.”
He took a step toward me, his eyes never leaving mine. “I’ve been looking for you.”
My heart raced, and I felt like I was drowning in the intensity of his gaze. “Why?”
“Because you’re my mate,” he said, his voice steady. “And I’m not letting you go again.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as the weight of his words settled over me. Five years of running, of hiding, of trying to forget him—and yet, here he was, standing in front of me, refusing to let me go.
“Alexander,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I can’t.”
“You can,” he said, closing the distance between us. “We’ll face whatever comes together. But I’m not losing you again, Emily. Not this time.”
And as I looked into his eyes, I realized that maybe, just maybe, I didn’t have to face the storm alone.