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Chapter 29: A Night of Choices
Chapter 29 A Night of Choices
(OWNED POV)
Supporting Aaron was no easy task. A drunk Alpha wasn’t just heavy, his wolf energy hit like a storm, wild and untamed Luces stuck close as we lugged him out of the Silver Moon Bar. Caroline hovered nearby, her
heels clicking on the pavement with sharp precision.
Let me help Caroline’s tone was warm and sweet, but there was steel beneath it. She wasn’t asking–she
was stating
Her hands darted to Aaron, brushing his arm lightly. “We should take him to my territory,” she added. confidently as though the decision had already been made
Luces readily nodded, his admiration for Caroline clear. “It makes sense, Chris. She probably knows how to
handle him better than anyone.”
stopped walking, tightening my hold on Aaron. My wolf bristled. This wasn’t merely about where Aaron slept tonight. There was something deeper, more weighted, in Caroline’s urgency.
“He’s coming with me,” I said firmly. I kept my voice calm but left no room for argument.
Caroline blinked, clearly surprised by my pushback. Her gold eyes narrowed, but she kept her smile composed “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she replied. “He’ll be better off with someone who understands
his needs.”
“And I don’t?” My voice was sharper this time. I met her gaze directly. “He called for me while drunk.
Repeatedly
The tension between us thickened. Caroline’s wolf energy prickled, even if she outwardly appeared calm. It was subtle, but it was there. She didn’t like being challenged.
“But he’s not thinking straight, Caroline countered. Her hand slid down to Aaron’s shoulder. “We all know he won’t remember this anyway”
Lucas stepped in quickly, trying to mediate “Chris, she’s got a point. Caroline has experience. You saw how she handled him during that pack summit last year.”
Lignored Lucas, keeping my focus on Caroline. “My responsibility is to the Alpha, not to his company,” I stated coldly. My grip tightened on Aaron, signaling the discussion was over.
Caroline’s expression faltered, her practiced poise slipping for a fraction of a second. Still, she wasn’t done. “Chris,” she began again, softer this time, “Aaron matters to me. Let me do this.”
I shook my head. “Not tonight.”
There was a long pause. For a moment, it seemed as though Caroline might argue further. Her nails dug into her palm, and her perfectly lined lips pressed together in annoyance. Finally, with great reluctance, she stepped back
“Fine” she said, but her words were bitter.
Lucas looked between us, confused. “Why are you being so stubborn, Chris? What’s the harm?”
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1/4
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I started walking again, this time pulling Aaroh more renditety toward my car Ti Park law‘ t cald over my
shoulder. No unmated female sperids the night with a mated Alpha Yoj know that “
“4
Caroline’s laughter followed me, share and mocking that the excused Pack Even Fris does
care about that”
તુત કરનારને સમસય
The mention of Freya made me pause, just briefly Carolina’s smile widened at the reaction, seeing shard
struck a nerve
1 Freya cared Caroline continued smoothly, she would’ve come when you called her wouldn’t cha
Lucas, emboldened by Caroline’s words, chimed in “Exactly What does it matter if its political Frey’s made it clear–she’s not interested in Aaron
I didn’t respond. Not because they were right, but because those words carried truths couldn’t argue tonight. Freya’s silence on the phone earlier–her delay after I said Aaron’s name nagged at
Had she seen everything
Caroline stepped closer again. “He doesn’t belong in some apartment on a couch, Chris Take him to where he’s truly cared for”
That was enough.
“Thank you for your concern,” I said firmly, cutting her off. “But we’ve got it handled”
I helped Lucas load Aaron into the back seat, ignoring the furious looks Caroline shot my way She was persistent, but protocol and position worked in my favor tonight
As we drove to my place, Lucas couldn’t hold back anymore. “What was that about? Since when do you care about old, outdated Pack laws?”
“It’s not outdated when it’s the Alpha’s reputation we’re protecting,” I countered.
Lucas scoffed. “Protecting him? You’re forcing him to crash on your couch when Caroline has an entire estate. You’re being ridiculous.”
“You don’t understand,” I replied curtly.
“What don’t I understand?” Lucas looked exasperated. “Caroline saved his life! You think anyone in the Pack would question her helping him now?”
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. “It’s inappropriate.”
“It’s inappropriate that his own mate doesn’t care enough to show up.” Lucas shot back heatedly. “You called Freya, didn’t you? She didn’t come.”
I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, my mind replayed the phone call, the way she hesitated before answering. Her voice was steady then, but something about her repeating “Thank you” felt off, almost mechanical.
“She has her reasons,” I said finally, though even I didn’t fully believe it.
Lucas snorted. “Right. And Caroline’s reason is what? Actually caring about Aaron? Looks like one of those women should be standing by his side, and it’s not Freya.”
I clenched my jaw, refusing to rise to the bait. This wasn’t a debate about who deserved Aaron. It was about making sure the Alpha didn’t spiral further out of control.
-Chute 29 Afight of Ch
Once at my apartment, I instructed Lucas to wait by the car. I didn’t want Aaron waking up to more voices–or to Caroline storming back in, trying her luck again.
“Make sure she leaves,” I told Lucas.
He frowned. “You’re serious”
“Very.”
After settling Aaron onto the couch, I grabbed a blanket and stood over him for a moment, watching his shallow breaths. The Alpha I knew–sharp, calculating, always one step ahead–looked entirely different
tonight. Vulnerable. Torn.
My wolf stirred uneasily. We both knew this mess wasn’t just about the whiskey.
(Aaron’s POV)
I woke to daylight piercing my skull like knives. Every small sound–each car passing outside, the chirp of a bird–felt amplified. Logan, my wolf, growled sleepily, just as miserable as I was.
The room spun briefly as I sat up. My senses, dulled by last night’s drinking, barely registered where I was. This wasn’t the pack house. Not Caroline’s place either.
“Chris’s apartment,” came Logan’s groggy realization
“Morning,” Chris greeted, placing a glass of water on the coffee table. “You’ll want to drink that.”
I groaned, leaning forward to take it. My head pounded with every movement. “What happened?”
“You asked to come here,” Chris said simply, watching me closely.
Vague flashes of the night before came back. The bar. The drinks. Caroline leaning into my space… my rejection of her sudden touch.
But there was something missing. Someone.
Logan stirred restlessly. “Her scent isn’t here,” he rumbled, disappointment lacing his tone.
I tried ignoring my wolf’s restlessness. “Why didn’t you just take me…?” I trailed off, uncertain where I was
even suggesting
“Caroline’s?” Chris raised an eyebrow. “She wanted that too. But Pack law doesn’t allow it.”
I scoffed weakly, rubbing my temples. “Since when do we follow that so strictly?”
Chris didn’t flinch. “Since it matters.”
There was an edge to his voice that made me pause. I studied him, catching the guarded expression on his
face.
“What aren’t you saying?” I asked.
Chris leaned back slightly. “I followed your instructions,” he said after a beat. “You were very where you wanted to go and who you didn’t want around.”
clear about
That pulled me upright, ignoring the way the room tilted slightly. “Who did you mean?”
Chris hesitated, his wolf eyes briefly flickering gold before returning to his usual calm demeanor. “She came,”
he said pointedly. “But she didn’t stay long. You told her to leave”
ווו
Nude
Chapter 29 A Note of Ch
Something felt off in his words. My wolf didn’t trust the vague deflection
“She?” I repeated, my tone sharper now. My heart hammered oddly, though I wasn’t sure why “Who are you talking about?”
Chris didn’t immediately answer. Logan growled low in the background, his impatience a reflection of my
own.
“Who came, Chris? This time, my authority sealed the question.
With those two words, the faint sliver of hope lodged in my chest refused to fade.
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