6

**Leena’s POV**

As I stepped outside, expecting to meet Ciara and Sarah, my heart sank. They were nowhere to be found. Panic started to bubble within me as I scanned the area, hoping they would reappear. I didn’t even know the exact venue for the meeting with the elders, and without their guidance, I was utterly lost. Frustration clawed at me, and I knew I had no choice but to rely on my wolf senses to track them.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, allowing my wolf instincts to sharpen. Their faint scent lingered in the air. With determination, I followed the trail, the soft padding of my footsteps on the forest floor echoing in my ears. My legs ached with each step, and the loud music from the banquet hall up ahead only added to my growing exhaustion. Every beat thudded in my skull like a taunt, reminding me how unprepared I was for this.

When I finally arrived, my eyes darted around, scanning the faces of the crowd. My gaze landed on Alvin and Kevin, seated at a table with their heads bent in deep conversation. Their drinks glinted under the dim banquet lights as they sipped their alcohol, murmuring words I couldn’t hear. I didn’t care to eavesdrop. My priority was finding Ciara and Sarah. But as I looked around the room, they were still nowhere to be seen.

A sinking feeling of dread settled in my stomach. Where were they? And why had they left me alone like this?

Suddenly, the room quieted as one of the elders stepped onto the stage. His commanding presence silenced the crowd in an instant.

“Good evening, everyone,” he began, his voice deep and authoritative. “Welcome to this special banquet. Tonight, we are gathered here to discuss and celebrate the arrival of Ms. Leena, our esteemed guest and guardian wolf.”

I froze, feeling hundreds of eyes turn toward me. My chest tightened, and I instinctively sank into my chair, hoping to avoid the spotlight. But fate had other plans. Alvin, with a sly smile, approached me and gestured for me to stand.

“You need to be present for this,” he said smoothly, his voice carrying a tinge of arrogance. “This concerns you directly.”

Reluctantly, I rose and followed him to the front of the hall, my heart pounding like a drum. The elder continued his speech, addressing the crowd.

“After much deliberation, we have come to a decision regarding Ms. Leena’s place within our pack. To ensure her permanence and loyalty, she must marry one of our alphas. This union will solidify her bond with us and strengthen our pack’s unity.”

My jaw dropped. Did I hear that correctly? Marriage? To one of *them*? My gaze flickered to Alvin and Kevin, both of whom were now watching me intently. Alvin’s lips curled into a confident smirk, while Kevin’s eyes narrowed with what I could only describe as frustration—or was it resentment?

The room buzzed with murmurs of surprise, and I felt the weight of judgmental stares. My mind raced as I tried to process the elder’s words. How could they make such a monumental decision about my life without consulting me? My fists clenched at my sides, anger bubbling beneath the surface.

“Excuse me, Elder,” I said, my voice firm but respectful. “Don’t I have a say in this? Marriage is a significant decision. You can’t expect me to choose between Alvin and Kevin just because it suits the pack’s agenda.”

The elder regarded me with a patronizing smile, his eyes gleaming with authority. “My dear, this is not just about you. This is about the pack’s survival. Our traditions dictate that the guardian wolf must bond with an alpha to ensure our strength and continuity.”

“And what if I refuse?” I challenged, my voice trembling with a mix of defiance and fear.

The elder’s smile faded. “Refusal is not an option. The council has already chosen Alpha Alvin for you. His lineage makes him the rightful match. Kevin, while strong and capable, does not possess the true alpha bloodline. Alvin’s father was the original alpha of this pack, making him the heir to that legacy.”

My head spun. This couldn’t be happening. How could they just decide my fate without considering my feelings? And Alvin—smug, self-assured Alvin—stood there looking all too pleased with himself. Kevin, on the other hand, looked like he was barely restraining his anger. His jaw was clenched so tightly that I could see the muscle twitch beneath his skin.

“No,” I said firmly, surprising even myself with the strength in my voice. “I will not be forced into a marriage. If this is about protecting the pack, there are other ways to achieve that without sacrificing my autonomy.”

The elder raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with my defiance. “You have until tomorrow to reconsider,” he said, his tone final. “But know this: rejecting Alvin will have consequences. For you—and for the pack.”

My stomach churned as I returned to my seat, feeling the weight of the pack’s expectations crushing down on me. Alvin’s smug grin was unbearable, and Kevin’s brooding glare sent chills down my spine. I couldn’t trust either of them, and yet the decision would shape not just my future, but the future of the pack as well.

As the banquet continued, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. When I glanced up, I caught Ciara and Sarah glaring at me from across the room. Their eyes burned with hatred, their lips curled in sneers. It was clear they resented me, and I couldn’t blame them. In their eyes, I was an outsider, a threat to their status and relationships within the pack.

Later that night, as I retreated to my room, my mind swirled with conflicting emotions. Anger, frustration, fear, and even a touch of sadness. Why had fate brought me here? And why was I being forced to make such an impossible choice?

I replayed the elder’s words over and over in my mind, trying to find a way out of this mess. But no matter how hard I thought, the reality remained the same. If I didn’t choose Alvin, the pack would see me as a traitor. But if I did choose him, I would be giving up my freedom—and my chance at true happiness.

Tears welled in my eyes as I lay down, staring up at the ceiling. The weight of the pack’s expectations felt like a noose tightening around my neck. I had one day to decide, but how could I make a choice when neither option felt right?

As sleep finally claimed me, one thought lingered in my mind: I had to find a way to change the rules. For my sake—and for the sake of the pack—I had to fight for my freedom. No one was going to dictate my destiny. Not the elders. Not Alvin. Not Kevin. Only *I* could decide my fate.