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

I give him an empty smile.

Fortunately, he decides to leave. When I hear the door close behind him, all the strength leaves my legs. Clutching the kitchen table with one hand, I put down my plate of toast with the other and lower myself into the chair. “Oh, Goddess. I am well and truly fucked. I have to—”

Instinct says to call Alex, but he is still looking for the Silver Wolf. He cannot leave without talking to her. He might jeopardize everything if he tries to hurry things along. But I do need to tell him about Noah watching the group of them.

A couple of hours is not going to be enough time for Alex to find the Silver Wolf. I’m going to have to leave Oakrest by myself. But first, I need to talk to Elsa. I need her help. I don’t even know where to go. I have some money, but I will need more. I need a place to go. Some guidance. I’ve never traveled anywhere. And I’m now on the verge of becoming a fugitive.

I stumble to the living room and grab the landline. Dialing the number for the bar, I wait for Elsa to pick up. She does so after a couple of rings.

“I need to see you right away, Elsa,” I say urgently, my words tripping over one another. “Right now. At my apartment. Please.”

There’s a slight pause. “I’m on my way.”

I feel a sharp relief at her words and put the receiver back. My mouth is dry as I stare at the phone, trying to figure out an escape plan. I don’t even need to know what Noah has planned for me to know that I’m in danger.

I’ll have to trust Elsa. I need to trust somebody, and she’s the only person I’ve ever come close to trusting. From day one, she’s been there for me.

I’ll have to tell her about the Silver Wolf, about Rita, about everything. I’ll have to tell her that Rita’s death was my fault. That she died to save me.

Sinking to the ground, I bury my face in my hands.

What have I gotten myself into?

*** **

By the time Elsa arrives, I’ve taken out the box of money I’ve kept hidden, and I’m counting my stash. It’s quite a lot of cash, but it’s not enough to buy my freedom from the Alliance. Not that it matters. I need this money to escape.

Maybe a human city. Nobody will look for me there. As long as I keep taking scent blockers, I should be fine. The more crowded the city, the better. It’s very rare for shifter packs to live in large cities. They prefer smaller towns where their numbers are more concentrated. That can work in my favor.

The sound of knocking has me nearly jumping out of my skin. I stare at the door for a moment, frozen in place.

Elsa’s voice comes from the other side. “It’s me. Are you opening up or not?”

I practically race to the door. Unlocking it, I throw it open. “What took you so long?”

She frowns at me. “I came as soon as you called.”

“You don’t understand.” I close the door behind her, locking it securely. “Every second is precious right now.”

“What is going on, Sophia?” Elsa asks me in that no-nonsense way of hers. “Something has happened.”

I stare at her, not knowing where to begin. “I—I have to leave this town. I have to leave as soon as I can, and I need your help.”

“Leave? Why?”

“Because—” I turn on my heel and head into the kitchen. Without even bothering to struggle with the vase to take out the letter inside, I simply smash the vase against the table and retrieve the paper.

“What are you doing?!” Elsa’s voice is sharp as she hurries to my side. After seeing me standing by the remnants of a piece of pottery with a crumpled piece of paper in my hand, she looks at me, astounded. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Not anymore. You were right. You were right all along, and I wasn’t listening to you. And this is why.” I hand over the letter to her, feeling like I’m in some sort of strange fog.

“What is this?”

“A letter that Rita was writing to me the night she was killed,” I tell Elsa, wondering why I sound so calm right now. “Right after she called me and asked me to come to her cottage. There’s been a lot going on, Elsa, and I haven’t been completely honest with you. But you need to know the truth because I need your help.”

Elsa reads the incomplete letter, and I watch her expression turn thunderous.

When she looks at me, her voice is flat. “Talk. I’m listening.”