Elle’s POV
“That must have been so lonely,” I said softly.
Something vulnerable flickered in his amber eyes. “It was. Especially because the one thing that would have stabilized everything – finding my true mate- seemed impossible. Pack Alphas are expected to have strong mates, preferably other werewolves who can strengthen bloodlines and produce the next generation
of leaders.”
“But you couldn’t find anyone?”
“I found plenty of candidates,” Brad said dryly. “The pack elders kept presenting me with suitable werewolf women. But none of them felt right. None of them made my wolf respond the way a true mate should.”
“My mother’s condition got worse over the years, Brad continued. “The doctors said the trauma wasn’t just physical losing my father, seeing the pack struggle, worrying about my future… it was all taking a toll on her mental health. Finally, my grandmother and I made the decision to send her to a specialized werewolf treatment facility in Switzerland.”
“How long has she been there?”
“A few years. She can’t handle any stress or emotional upheaval, especially anything related to pack politics or my personal life. The doctors have been very clear about that.”
I was starting to see where this was going, and my stomach knotted with dread. “And then Mira came
back.”
Brad’s voice was carefully controlled. “My mother heard about it and immediately called me. She was… excited. In her mind, Mira was the perfect solution. My first love, from a good family, someone who could give me the stability and heirs the pack needed.”
‘So you got back together with her.” The words tasted bitter in my mouth.
“Elle, listen to me. Whatever I felt for Mira when I was twenty died the night she abandoned me.”
“But your mother-”
“Is going to have to accept it. I told her on the phone that I would end things with Mira and commit to you completely. She didn’t take it well, but that’s not your problem to solve.”
I felt tears prick my eyes. “She wants you to choose Mira.”
“And I told her I choose you. I will always choose you.” Brad’s hand came up to cup my face again.
I thought about all of Mira’s manipulations, her dramatic scenes, her attempts to make me feel like an outsider. “She was never going to give up, was she?”
“No. And my mother isn’t going to give up either. Her treatment finishes in two weeks, and she’s going to come home expecting me to be engaged to a nice werewolf girl who can give her grandchildren and
strengthen the pack.”
The weight of what he was asking hit me all at once. “Brad, I can’t… I can’t fight your whole family. I can’t compete with pack politics and bloodline expectations. I’m just a human.”
“You’re not just anything,” Brad said fiercely. “You’re my mate. You’re carrying my child. You’re the only person who’s ever made me feel like I could be more than just an Alpha fulfilling obligations.”
“But what if it’s not enough? What if your family forces you to choose between me and your
responsibilities?”
Brad’s eyes flashed gold for a moment, his Alpha nature surfacing. “Then I choose you. Every single time, I
choose you.”
“You say that now-”
“Elle.” His voice was gentle but commanding. “Look at me.”
I met his gaze, seeing the intensity burning there.
“I don’t want to hear you talking about leaving me, or making things easier by walking away, or any of that self–sacrificing bullshit. You’re mine. I’m yours. Nothing else matters.”
“Everything else matters!” I protested.
“They will figure themselves out. But I’m not negotiating on this.” Brad’s hand slipped to the back of my neck, his touch possessive.
“Brad-”
“I’m not done talking.” His Alpha authority leaked into his voice, making me fall silent automatically. “I know this is hard for you. I know being with me means dealing with family drama and all kinds of
complications you never asked for. But I also know you feel something for me.”
He was right, and we both knew it. I did feel something for him something that had been growing stronger every day despite my best efforts to keep my distance.
“I care about you,” I admitted quietly. “More than I should.”
“Then trust me to handle the rest. Trust me to protect you and our baby from anyone who tries to come between us. Trust me to choose you, no matter what.”
I searched his face, looking for any sign of doubt or hesitation. All I saw was determination and something that looked suspiciously like love.
“Your mother-”
“Will learn to accept you, or she’ll learn to live with disappointment. I’m not choosing between you and her, Elle. I’m choosing you, period.”
The finality in his voice should have scared me. Instead, it made something warm and hopeful bloom in my
chest.
“This isn’t going to be easy,” I warned him.
“Nothing worthwhile ever is.” Brad leaned forward, resting his forehead against mine. “But I’d rather fight the whole world with you than live peacefully without you.”
I closed my eyes, breathing in his scent, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. “Okay.”
“Okay what?”
“Okay, I’ll try. I’ll stay. I’ll… I’ll trust you to handle whatever comes next.”
The relief that washed over Brad’s face was almost overwhelming. “Really?”
“Really. But Brad?” I pulled back to look at him seriously. “No more lies. No more half–truths or protecting
me from information I need to have. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it as partners.”
“Deal.” Brad’s smile was soft and genuine. “Partners.”
“Partners,” I agreed, and for the first time in weeks, I felt like maybe everything would be okay.
Brad pulled me closer, wrapping his arm around me and burying his face in my hair. “I love you, Elle. I
know it’s probably too soon to say that, but I do.”
My heart stuttered in my chest. “Brad…”
“You don’t have to say it back. I just needed you to know.”
I held him tighter, feeling tears prick my eyes again. I wasn’t ready to say the words yet, but the feeling was definitely there, growing stronger every day.
“Can you stay tonight?” I asked quietly. “I don’t want to be alone.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Brad murmured against my hair. “Not ever again.”
As I settled against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were about to step into a storm. But for the first time since this whole mess started, I felt like maybe we could weather it
together.
The road ahead would be difficult – I had no illusions about that.
But as Brad’s arms tightened around me and his breathing evened out in sleep, I realized I was ready to fight for this. For him. For us.
Whatever came next, we’d face it together.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
