Page 50 of Alpha's Choice
“Screw the pack. I need you.”
She jutted her chin out, stubbornness radiating from her body. “I can’t be what you need.”
Emma stood up to leave the room, but I moved to block her. “You can’t be serious about this. You’re going to walk away from us because of what might happen?”
“Tell me you could handle it if I died.”
I was silent. I couldn’t lie to her.
“I’ll leave as soon as the doctor clears me. It will be better for us both if I’m not here.” She took a deep breath. “I, Emma Chambers, reject you, Tobias Parker, as my mate.”
Her words struck me deep inside, leaving a hole where she was supposed to be. The hole wouldn’t be permanent until the next full moon, but my wolf and I felt the loss as if it were already real.
* * *
Emma
My heart ached. Ending things with Tobias shattered me, but it reinforced I was doing what I needed to do. The completed bond would be too much.
I dashed the tears from my eyes as I unpacked my bag back at Mom and Greg’s house. The doctor refused to clear me to leave the pack yet but agreed I could go home as long as someone monitored me.
He probably assumed Tobias would be the one to watch me, but my mom could do the job. Right now, she was unpacking my items in the bathroom while I hung up my clothes.
She only questioned my choice once. I burst into tears, and she said it wouldn’t hurt for me to have space from Tobias to think.
I know she didn’t agree with what I was doing. She accepted the bond with Greg and everything it involved, but Tobias was an Alpha, and everything was more intense.
My phone buzzed, and I picked it up. Gina was getting impatient with my sporadic texts. I hesitated before texting her.
Can I come stay with you for the rest of the summer?
Her response came in an instant.What’s up there? I thought you were having too much fun to text.
My fingers paused over my phone. How could I explain my change in plans?Met a guy. It just ended. I think I need space. And my best friend.
I’ll have ice cream and movies waiting for you.Gina was quick to forgive.
I’ll let you know when I’m on my way. Maybe in a few days.
She texted me a thumbs up, and we were back to normal. I wished I could tell her everything about Tobias and me, but I knew some secrets weren’t mine to share. At least I’d have time to think about how to answer her questions.
Mom came out of the bathroom and sat next to me on the bed. “Emma, I’m here when you’re ready to talk.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Think carefully before deciding.” She pulled me in for a hug. “You’ve just been through a traumatic event.”
I hugged her back. “It’s not only about that. I’ve been worrying all week. If we complete the bond, he’d never survive without me. I can’t have that on my conscience.”
“Honey, you can’t live your life in fear.” Mom rubbed my back. “Worrying about what-ifs can hold your life hostage.”
I sat up straighter. “I couldn’t save Jenny, no matter how hard I tried this week. But I can save Tobias.”
“He won’t thank you for it.” Mom couldn’t quite keep the judgment from her voice.
“I fooled myself into thinking I could be his mate and this pack’s Luna.” I wanted her to understand. “He’ll find someone else. A wolf who knows what to do and can be what he needs. What this pack needs.”
“He just wants you.”
