Chapter 3

 Elara's POV

I stared at Andrew, my heart pounding in my chest, feeling as though the ground beneath my feet had just crumbled away. He was really doing this, claiming me, offering me a place in his pack. It felt surreal, like something out of a dream, so unexpected that my mind couldn’t fully comprehend it. And yet, here he was, standing before me with an air of calm resolve, as if this decision was as natural to him as breathing.

“Gather your things now!” he commanded, his voice steady and firm. “Meet me at Alpha Dorian’s cabin in half an hour.”

I opened my mouth to speak, then closed it, utterly lost for words. The reality of the moment was too overwhelming. My thoughts swirled in a chaotic mix of disbelief, hope, and terror, each emotion crashing against the other like a turbulent storm. I nodded mutely, unable to form a coherent response. Andrew didn’t wait for another word; without a glance back, he turned and walked away, his confidence unshakable, something only an Alpha could possess.

As the crowd around us began to dissipate, there was a heavy silence, punctuated only by the whispers of those who had witnessed the moment. The air around me felt thick with their murmurs, their voices a strange blend of shock, awe, and envy.

“Did you see that???”

“Andrew Galway just… claimed her?”

“Why would he want someone like her?”

“Maybe he has plans for her, something we don’t understand…”

Their voices were meant to be hushed, but curiosity laced every word, cutting through the air with the sharpness of a blade. My hands trembled as I walked toward my lodge, my head down, hoping they wouldn’t see how their words stung. Each step felt foreign, like I was floating, disconnected from the world around me, barely able to grasp the enormity of what had just happened.

A sudden shout caught my attention.

“Hey, Elara!!!” I spun around to see Noah, a young warrior who had always been friendly with me, jogging toward me. His face was red with excitement. “Did you hear? Andrew just claimed you! You’re going to be part of the Alpha’s pack!”

I forced a smile, but it felt hollow. “Yeah, I heard.”

His eyes gleamed with awe, but I could see the worry lurking behind them. “Are you sure about this? He’s Andrew Galway... not exactly known for being... easygoing.”

I nodded but said nothing. Noah was just another voice in a chorus of doubts and fears, but somehow, his concern felt more genuine than the whispers of the crowd. I didn’t have the energy to explain to him, to anyone, why this felt like my only way out.

“Good luck,” he said, his tone softening, before walking away, leaving me to face the weight of the decision on my own.

I continued walking toward my lodge, the path now feeling longer, more treacherous with every step. Halfway there, I spotted Lora standing by the edge of the path, waiting for me. Her eyes locked onto mine with a mix of concern and something else—fear, maybe. She rushed toward me, her voice barely a whisper as she grabbed my arm, pulling me to the side.

“Elara,” she breathed, her grip tight on my wrist. “Is it true? Did….. did Alpha Andrew really say he’d take you to his pack?”

I nodded slowly, the weight of her question sinking in. “Yeah… he told me to get my things and meet him at the cabin.”

Lora’s eyes widened, her hand tightening around my wrist as if she could physically stop me from going. “Elara, no. You don’t know what you’re getting into. He’s… he’s dangerous. You’ve heard the rumors, right?”

I shook my head, trying to dismiss the gnawing unease in my gut. This was my chance, my escape from this nightmare. But Lora’s fear was palpable, her voice trembling as it cut through my resolve.

“He’s an Alpha, Lora,” I replied quietly, my words heavy with resignation. “They’re all dangerous.”

“No, Elara, you don’t understand,” she insisted, her voice lowering to a near whisper. Her eyes flickered around us nervously, as if she were afraid someone might overhear. “There are… rumors. People say he killed his own father to take over the pack. They say he’s cold, ruthless, willing to do anything to keep control.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine at her words, but I forced myself to meet her gaze, standing tall despite the creeping fear. “Rumors are just that—rumors. People say things about me, too, and none of them are true.”

Lora’s hand gripped my arm even tighter, her desperation unmistakable. “But what if this one is? What if he’s only taking you for his own reasons—reasons you don’t understand? Elara, once you go, you may never be able to come back.”

Her words hit me like a physical blow, casting a long shadow over the flicker of hope I’d felt moments before. What if she was right? What if this was just another prison, another cage, just with different chains, even tighter ones that I’d never be able to break free from?

But then, I remembered the way he’d looked at me—steady, unwavering. The way he’d stood up for me, without hesitation, in front of everyone. No one had ever done that for me. Not like Andrew had. 

“He is my best option,” I said finally, my voice steady even as my heart raced in my chest. “Maybe the only one I’ll ever have.”

Lora’s face softened, but the worry in her eyes remained, deep and raw. “Just… be careful, Elara. Promise me that.”

I nodded, giving her a small, tight smile, though my heart wasn’t in it. “I will….I promise.”

With one last squeeze of her hand, I turned and walked away, the weight of her warning heavy on my mind. Her fears echoed in my ears as I made my way to my room, every step taken with an underlying sense of uncertainty.