Chapter 15 Favorable Choices

~Anna~

The big white spot of light coming from the flashlight lit the way. Here we were, walking back out into the woods, into a secluded area that was reserved for the Head Gamma. It was where my father and I resided before he passed away and I was taken to the mansion to live the rest of my days, serving the pack. I was forbidden to return to our house, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to, the place was too special for me.

I hadn’t seen it for two years, and with every step we took, we were getting closer to it. I prepared myself for this day but knowing I’d have to face the past as soon as I step foot inside the house made an uneasy feeling rose in my stomach. In a way, I was glad I didn’t have to do it alone; my best friend was with me.

Unsure of what we were after that day, I almost cried when he called me his best friend. I held back the tears because he was the crybaby, not me. Though there wasn’t a single trace of the crybaby I knew in him. I guess we all changed over the years – the three inseparable best friends – Flynn, Carson, and I. Even when Flynn and I were dating, the three of us still hang out, almost every day. Three troublemakers we once were.

Carson walked beside me, with Alpha Liam a good five meters behind us for some privacy. I didn’t trust him. He could easily eavesdrop on our conversation. He agreed to let my best friend speak to me on the condition that we were within sight, and to my surprise, Carson didn’t protest. He admitted it was Carson who told him about that nasty torture shack, growling as he did.

None of us wanted to have to walk past the mating werewolves so Alpha Liam had this crazy idea on how to sneak out of the mansion. We were on the fourth floor, where the guest rooms for his pack were, and he wanted us to jump out of the window. Again, Carson was on board with the idea. We would immediately be at the back of the mansion where no one would see us, and we didn’t have to witness the same scenes.

Never had I thought about jumping out of a building before but at that point, I’d rather jump. I thought I’d jump and get caught by one of them, but Alpha Liam was sneaky. Channeling his wolf’s energy, he carried me in his arms again, then jumped.

It was scary yet exhilarating, and it was impressive to see him do such a feat. Of course, I wouldn’t tell him. I merely rolled my eyes at his handsome smirking face, saying Carson did the same thing effortlessly.

I was yet to accept that a wolf-less ‘werewolf’ such as me was actually given a mate. I guess the Goddess was listening.

The plan was to escape with my mate, to use him so I could finally leave the pack. If he was loving and caring, I’d stay with him. Once I wasn’t with the pack anymore, I’d decided that I’d live my life to the fullest. If my fated mate would accept a failure like me, then I would faithfully stay beside him.

That was the plan! I didn’t know what I should do now. The promise was about to be fulfilled and I would finally leave, but if I went with Alpha Liam, would it be the right choice to make?

“I’m going to miss you around here,” Carson said, and it made me want to happily squeal.

“I’m going to miss you, too!” I chirped. A little too loud, and Alpha Liam growled.

“I’m sorry it had to be this way,” he said. “But I think you leaving would be best for everyone here.”

Ouch. The pack really wanted me gone.

“They’d get what they always wanted, and you could finally be happy,” he continued. “And safe.”

“I’m leaving after this. The pack won’t even notice I was gone,” I replied nonchalantly. They treated me as an outsider anyway so there was no point in staying, but it still hurt to think that at one point in my life, I would’ve done anything for them. “I’ll be happy… and safe. I’m thinking of living with the humans. They don’t seem to be so bad.”

I could tell my best friend anything. Carson won’t tell a single soul. He was the best at keeping secrets, and he most likely knew at least one secret from every pack member by now because everyone confided in him. As Beta, he was more like a brother to the pack rather than an authority figure. Having been around the Omegas and Gammas, I’d heard their numerous conversations, including rumors and fantasy. So, even if I was cooped up in the kitchen or the laundry room on most days, I was still updated on matters regarding the pack.

“What about your mate? I doubt he’d let you do that.”

“I don’t know. I guess I need more time to think about it,” I said, wanting to cut the conversation short but he wouldn’t let it.

“He was worried you won’t go with him. You should’ve seen his face when he realized you were gone.” He flashed me a knowing grin, and it made my heart skip a beat, from the curse or the bond, I couldn’t tell.

“I guess he would be,” I simply said.

“Please go with him,” he said, stopping in his tracks and facing me. “I can’t… I can’t bear the thought of you leaving. I want you to, but it doesn’t mean I want you gone. At least when you’re with him, I know that you’re safe.”

Unbelievable. He’s asking me to accept Alpha Liam? Why must I live my life bound to an Alpha when I could be free! I’m wolf-less! I didn’t have to abide by werewolves’ customs.

“Carson, we grew up together with our lives set out for us. I was supposed to be Head Gamma and I wanted it. You know I did. But now, I have a chance to choose another path for me,” I said. “Leave all this behind and try to forget the past. My father would’ve wanted me to be happy.”

I raised my hand to the base of my neck, to clutch at the vial, but my hand wrapped around nothing. An old habit, whenever I talked about him. I could never rid of it and now it meant more to me than it did before. I had to get it back.

I resumed walking, and he followed suit.

“Please think about it, Bella,” he pleaded.

“Why are you taking his side?”

As my best friend, he should be siding with me. But he kept sticking out for Alpha Liam instead. Why wouldn’t he listen to me?

“Because I’m a selfish prick,” he said. “I won’t be able to forgive myself if I let you go without knowing if you’re safe. If you’re with him, at least I know my Bella’s well-taken care of. I can’t lose another family.”

I held his hand and closed the space between our sides, ignoring the intense aura from behind that seemed to be directed at me. Holding his hand and getting close to Carson made me feel weak in my knees but I wanted to do this.

He was like a brother to me. It was difficult for him to admit what he just did, I knew, and this was our way of comforting each other – I hadn’t forgotten.

“You won’t lose me,” I said.

Giving my hand a light squeeze, he said, “If he ever makes you cry, I’d be there for you.”

He suddenly pulled me in front of him and hugged me tightly. I hugged him back. I missed my best friend so much. Then I felt something slip inside a pocket of the jacket Alpha Liam lent to me. “I’d immediately be beside you.”

“Enough!” Alpha Liam roared, as he ripped me from Carson and pulled me beside him. He held out an arm and pointed to where was standing just a few seconds before. “Stay back!”

Carson smirked, then walked to where he pointed.

“Don’t talk to him like that!” I snapped.

If he keeps acting like this, I seriously won’t consider Carson’s words.

Ignoring me, he continued to walk, dragging me with him. “I really have to get you out of here,” he muttered.

He probably didn’t intend for me to hear it, but I did. “I can get myself out,” I replied. “I don’t need your help with it.”

“Stop that.” His shoulders dropped and his voice was pained. Unlike before, it sounded more like a plea than an order.

Is he actually sulking?