The Alpha’s Fated Choice (Alpha's Fated Encounter Trilogy #1)

I know these woods like the back of my hand. Walking through them has always brought me comfort. There’s something about the silence and tranquility that soothes every part of my soul.

I have not seen Noah since I left his apartment. He never called me, and I never reached out. I’m being a coward.

The next time we meet, I’m going to have to put an end to whatever is happening between us. I enjoy his attention and his affection, but it doesn’t feel right. I had myself convinced that just because he makes me feel cherished, I should stick with him. But that’s not fair to him.

I’m not exactly looking forward to that conversation. He is not going to be happy in the slightest.

And then there’s Alex.

I don’t understand why he’s so sure that the Silver Wolf is hunkered down in Oakrest. I still plan to help him find her, but what if we’re going on a wild goose chase? Alex can’t stay in this town so much longer. Not with Noah and the pack security team searching for a black wolf.

For a moment, I come to a stop and look over my shoulder in the direction of the town. He’ll be gone soon. My life will go back to how it used to be. A wave of loneliness washes over me. How pathetic. I should be pleased. I’m finally going to be rid of the person who has brought so much chaos into my life.

But the idea of not seeing Alex is painful. And that is something I will only ever admit to myself.

I let myself be consumed by my thoughts as I make my way toward the still lake that sits hidden in the forest. As I’m walking, I suddenly feel the hair on the back of my neck rise.

I don’t look around.

Instead, I train my ears on my surroundings, searching for any sound that is out of the ordinary.

After a few seconds, I hear it.

Crunch.

Somebody’s stepping on dead leaves. Far off to my right. Without a moment’s hesitation, I begin running. My pursuer follows me, no longer hiding his existence. I take a sharp left and jump into a tree. Hiding in foliage is something I’ve perfected over a lifetime. I would often nap on branches as a child. The other kids were not as good at climbing trees as me, so they would have no choice but to leave me alone. Wolves in general aren’t fond of trees, so I would always clamber up into one when I was in trouble.

Sure enough, a couple minutes later, a man emerges into the clearing, looking around in frustration. My eyes narrow into thin slits. I recognize him as one of Alex’s people. I can’t recall his name, but I’ve seen him with Alex.

Why is he following me?

He looks around some more, clearly searching for me, and I decide to reveal myself. Jumping to the ground, I see him whirl around in shock.

“Wanna tell me why you were chasing me?” My arms are crossed over my chest as I glare at him.

“You’re Sophia.”

His acting skills are pretty pathetic.

“That doesn’t answer my question. And don’t pretend you didn’t know who I was. You’re one of Alex’s men. Why are you following me?”

“I was just going for a walk.”

I smile mockingly. “You must really think I’m an idiot.”

His jaw tenses.

“What was it? Were you planning to get rid of me out of sight of your Alpha?”

I was just taking a shot in the dark, but when I see his dark expression, my whole body turns cold. He was actually planning to do that?

He takes a step toward me menacingly, and I lift a finger. “One scream and I’m sure the pack security team will be here in an instant. They’re monitoring the woods.”

The man stops in his tracks, a vein pulsing on his forehead. He looks pissed. “I’m warning you,” he says, baring his teeth at me. “Stay away from Alex. The last thing he needs is a distraction. And a useless one at that.”

My smile turns hard at his words.

“And what are you, his keeper?” I place my hands on my hips.