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

“Sophia!” Rita calls out after me, but I don’t stop.

I hurry off with no destination in mind. I don’t want to go back to my apartment. I don’t want to have to look Alex in the eye and feel so small inside. All those words I used to say to myself about being enough sound false to my ears now. If I were enough, my fated mate would be standing by my side.

My steps are heavy as I make my way toward the beach, my only sanctuary. It should be empty at this time of day.

As I walk on the sand, the waves crashing against the shore, I let myself breathe. Cool, desperate gulps of air. My hair is whipping around me with the force of the wind, but I don’t even flinch. For a moment, I stand still, staring at the wild, turbulent sea, as it reflects the turmoil within me.

A disadvantage. That was how Patrick referred to me. “With all the disadvantages our pack already has, I don’t think we need another one,” he said.

Is that how Alex sees me, too? He denied it in front of his friend, but maybe the truth is that he does see me as a burden that he doesn’t want to take on.

My feet are moving in the direction of the water. I wish I could let the waves take me away. I wish I could hide under their depths.

My lower body is completely submerged in the water at this point, but I don’t feel the cold. In fact, it feels warm, welcoming.

I stare blankly at the horizon as the force of the current tries to sweep me away with it. My feet, however, are rooted to the ocean floor as my mind wanders.

I can’t change who I am.

I can’t change my situation; that’s not in my power. But perhaps I can be helpful to Alex by finding the Silver Wolf for him. It won’t change his mind about me, but it will save his pack.

Has he ever truly been cruel to me? I don’t think so. I’ve been the one sniping at him all this time, but that’s always come from a place of hurt. If I can bury my emotions and help him, he’ll be able to save his pack, and maybe I’ll find my freedom.

I don’t think I want to be with Noah. So many people have a negative view of him; there must be something I’m not seeing. And besides, what if Noah, too, ultimately decides that I’m not good enough to stand by his side? I don’t want to be tossed away again. I always knew romance wasn’t in the cards for me, and that’s why I never dreamed of it. I should’ve stuck to my guns and not led him on.

I hear somebody calling my name, and it snaps me out of my slightly dazed state. Looking over my shoulder, I see a familiar figure approaching me, running at full speed.

It’s Noah. I can see the fear in his eyes as he shifts in midair and races toward me.

For a moment, I don’t comprehend what’s happening, but when a particularly strong wave makes me stagger, I realize what it must look like to Noah. I barely manage to take a few steps in his direction when he’s already upon me. Growling, he nudges me toward the shoreline. I don’t argue with him.

As soon as I am clear of the water, he shifts back, and then he seizes me by my upper arms, snarling. “What the hell, Sophia? What were you trying to do?”

“Nothing!” I’ve never seen him this furious. My body freezes at the rage in his eyes. “I was just enjoying the water.”

His eyes search mine as if he is trying to ascertain whether I’m telling the truth or not. Finally, I see relief flood his face, and he lets out a shuddering breath, lowering his head to rest it on my shoulder. “You scared the shit out of me. I thought for sure…”

He trails off, not finishing his sentence, as if the mere thought is too much for him to bear. I feel guilty. “I wasn’t going to drown myself, Noah. Things have just seemed so suffocating lately that I felt like I couldn’t breathe. The ocean felt nice.”

He lifts his head and cups my cheek with his hand. “If something is bothering you, you can talk to me. You should be able to tell me anything. Do you not trust me?”

He looks so upset that my heart skips a beat. He cares about me. I’ve never had somebody care about me so much. How could Rita think that Noah put these bruises on me?

He’s the Alpha Successor. He has to be tough. In his eyes, the black wolf is the enemy. That’s why Alex ended up with those wounds. It doesn’t mean Noah is violent. I’m sure Alex would do the same thing if there were an intruder on his turf.

“I’m sorry.” I lift my hand to touch Noah’s chest. “I didn’t mean to worry you. There’s just been so much going on.”

He takes a deep breath. “I know. Things have been hectic. I’ve also been busy. I thought for sure we would have found the black wolf’s body by now, but there’s no trace of him in the woods. Last night, some potions were stolen from the healer’s office. We’ve checked all the newcomers in town we could find. None of them display any of the massive injuries the black wolf sustained. So, either he’s gone or he’s really good at hiding in the forest. Or maybe somebody’s sheltering him.”

Yeah, me. I avoid Noah’s gaze after that last part.

“But just because I’m busy, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come to me if you’re stressed,” he continues, scolding me lightly. “If you need to talk about anything, I’m here for you. Next time, don’t go running into the ocean at the first sign of trouble.”

My lips twitch at his sarcasm, and I end up apologizing. “I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll bring you with me.”

He grins. “Attagirl.”

His smile is infectious, and some of the heaviness in my heart abates.