Page 60 of Alpha's Choice
Each word landed like a punch.
I left quickly, sagging against the wall when I was out of sight. I thought I still had a chance. That Tobias would still want me. But he had moved on and accepted the rejection.
My heart bled as I wondered who he would turn to after the full moon. Was he already making plans? He was an Alpha, and his pack would need a Luna. He couldn’t go much longer without a mate. His mother had filled in long enough.
Would he choose a mate from the pack or find someone new from outside? I let out a ragged breath. The thought of him with someone else hurt like a knife.
“Luna, are you okay?”
I jumped, startled at Jenny’s words. She and her mother stood next to me. She was still in a hospital gown and robe, and her hand held an IV pole.
“I should ask you that.” I deflected.
Jenny gave me a faint smile. “The doctor said I can go home soon. She’s arranged for me to see a counselor.”
“We’re very grateful to you for your help, Luna.” Helen gazed at her daughter, her eyes filled with hope. “Too often our pack has lost wolves to grief.”
“I didn’t do much.”
“You didn’t give up on me.” Jenny was quiet, but a thread of strength ran through her voice that wasn’t there previously. “I was almost gone, and you kept trying.”
Jenny and her mother each gave me a quick hug before continuing on their walk. I thought about Jenny’s words. I didn’t give up, and it paid off. Squaring my shoulders, I marched back into Tobias’s room.
“I’m not leaving.”
“You can’t stay in the pack unless I allow it.”
“You’ll have to drag me out kicking and screaming.” I crossed my arms.
“Why would you want to stay?” His words were hard, more punches thrown my way, but this time, I countered.
“I walked away from you once. I won’t do it again.” My eyes landed on his bandage. “I could have lost you forever today.”
His gaze sharpened on me. “I don’t want your pity.”
“It’s not pity.” I wanted the perfect words, but there was no time. “I love you, Tobias. So much I feared losing you, and the impact it would have on me. I thought if I gave you up before you marked me, my heart would have a chance at surviving. I was wrong.”
Tobias was quiet as he watched me, tension clear in the lines of his body. His silence filled the air around me and the words came pouring out. I was desperate to find the ones that would bring him back.
“I blamed you, and I blamed the situation with Jenny, but those were just excuses. I never expected to have a love so strong it consumed my whole life. And then you came along.” I took in a breath, but Tobias still just sat there watching me. “You were so sure of everything. And I couldn’t help but question. To doubt. But every day you wore down my doubts. You showed me how it could be between us.”
I blinked back the tears that were forming, wondering why he was staying quiet. “You once said that you chose me. I hope you still do because I choose you. Always.”
Tobias sat still as a statue. I stopped trying to hold back my tears and let them flow as I turned to leave. He was really letting me go. Then, in a flash, he was in front of me, his hands gripping my shoulders.
“Emma.” His voice was raw and full of wonder. “I won’t ask you if you’re sure. You’ll never get rid of me now.”
“Oh, thank the Goddess.” I wrapped my arms around his middle, being careful of his bandage. “I was so scared.”
“Thank the Goddess?” Amusement tinged his voice. “Since when do you believe?”
“She gave me you.” My words came out muffled against his chest. “It seems rude not to thank her.”
CHAPTER31
Emma
It took Tobias almost a week to finish healing. Sebastian had taken samples of his blood for the Council lab to study to determine why Tobias’s healing had slowed. He had also taken the body of the creature Tobias killed.
