My Alpha Chose My Sister, So I Chose Someone Else Chapter 04
Author: Willow·hai
I don’t know how long it was before Pavel returned.
“Vivienne only fainted because the shock was too much. You know how frail she has always been.”
I gripped my phone and said nothing.
He turned his head to look at me.
“You’re sisters. Don’t ruin her future over something this small. You’ll regret it later.”
I looked up, and all at once Pavel felt like a stranger to me.
My voice came out rough.
“Reporting the truth is the only way I might get another chance to submit the serum.
“Under academy rules, if Vivienne takes responsibility and shows genuine remorse, she can retest for her certification in three years.”
His mouth went tight.
“The punishment would be public. Vivienne couldn’t handle that.”
I asked him, unable to believe it.
“What about me? You think I can?”
Pavel was silent for a long time, then held out a photograph.
It showed my maternal aunts and uncles being held in a small room by warriors from Pavel’s pack.
“Ashlyn, don’t push me.
“Vivienne isn’t like you. You have always been strong. Whatever happens, you can start over. She can’t.”
The hand holding the photo would not stop shaking.
So that was what he had been doing while he was gone so long. He had worked out a foolproof plan for Vivienne.
Pavel knew my family was what I cared about most.
I had no choice at all.
I closed my eyes.
“Fine.”
He drove me to the Healers’ Academy himself.
Before I went in, he kissed my forehead.
“Don’t be afraid. Whatever happens, I’ll be right here with you.”
I did not answer him. I walked in and accepted the blame for destroying the serum.
In the end, I was publicly reprimanded and stripped of my healer certification.
When I came out, Pavel drove me home.
The moment we arrived, I got out of the car.
He came after me and caught my hand.
“Ashlyn, I know you’re hurting. You can hit me, you can scream at me. Don’t keep it bottled up.
“I know you’re kind by nature. As your future mate, I don’t want you doing something you’ll regret.”
I pulled my hand free and looked at him calmly.
“When will you release my family?”
He pulled me tight against him.
“I’m sorry. I already sent warriors to escort them home. You don’t have to worry.
“Ashlyn, you’re the mate the Moon Goddess chose for me. We have so much time ahead of us.
“Two days from now is our mating ceremony. I’ll make all of this up to you afterward.”
It was strange. The embrace I had once never wanted to leave now only made me want to be sick.
I pushed him away and spoke flatly.
“We will talk about it later.”
The days went quickly.
Before I knew it, the day of the mating ceremony had come.
Pavel sent me a message.
“Ashlyn, today you’ll become my Luna. I’m so happy it’s you. It could only ever be you.”
He had arranged a lavish, solemn ceremony and checked every detail again and again, his face bright with anticipation.
From the back seat of the car carrying me past the ceremony grounds, I saw him through the window and felt no urge to stay.
The car stopped at the edge of Moonsong territory. My father had attendants dress me, then sent me to the Phantom altar.
I climbed the steps slowly.
My eyes landed on the tall figure standing at the altar, and something about him was strangely familiar.
Caleb Thorne, the Alpha of the Phantom pack, took my hand and bent to kiss the back of it.
“Welcome to the Phantom pack, my Luna.”
