CHAPTER 52
ANNA’S POV
I cleaned my mouth and stared at myself in the mirror, my fingers gripping the sink.
No… it can’t be.
My stomach was still twisting and I hated the thought that was trying to creep into my mind. Ryan always pulled out he never messed up, he was so damn careful every single time, so there was no way… no way this was what I was thinkin young… This can’t be happening, right?
A shaky laugh escaped my lips, almost like I was trying to convince myself it was just the fever, just the stress
But when I turned, my eyes widened. Mom was standing there in the mirror’s reflection, watching me with suspicion written all over her face. My heart jumped into my throat.
“Honey…” she whispered, stepping closer. She touched my forehead, then the side of my neck, and sighed. “You’re burning up, Anna. You’re hot. Are you sure you’re okay?” Her eyes were sharp, almost like she wanted to ask me something else, something deeper, but before she could, there was a knock on the restroom door.
“Anna? Are you okay?” Dad’s voice was worried.
“Is she alright?” Ryan’s voice followed, tense but controlled.
Mom pressed her lips together, swallowed whatever question was on her tongue, and opened the door. Dad and Ryan stood right there, both looking worried.
Mom only shook her head slightly and muttered, “I just hope this isn’t what I’m thinking.”
“Are you alright, Anna?” Dad asked, eyes scanning me.
I nodded quickly. “Yes, I’m fine.”
We all walked back to the private room together, and my chest was still tight when we stepped in to see Alpha King George already seated with Sophie. Dad’s face broke into a smile as he greeted him warmly. “George!”
“Ah, my friend,” Alpha King George said, standing to clasp his hand. Then his eyes landed on Ryan. “Ryan, good to see you, son.” He looked at me next, his eyes lighting up. “And this must be your famous daughter.”
Mom smiled, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Yes, George. This is Anna.”
“You are so beautiful,” he said with a kind smile. “Just like your mother.”
I forced a polite smile and murmured, “Thank you.”
We all sat down, but before I could even settle into my chair, Sophie slid right into the spot next to Ryan with a big smile, leaving me no choice but to sit closer to Mom. My chest tightened again, but I said nothing, not wanting to cause a scene. Sophie looked too happy, too smug, as she sat close to Ryan, leaning into him as though she already belonged there.
Dinner began, and conversation flowed between our parents. Alpha King George laughed, praising Ryan loudly. “You will make a fine leader one day. You’ll take over your father’s pack and the company soon, and I will be proud to call you my son–in–law. You and Sophie will make a perfect pair, a beautiful joining for both families.”
My stomach clenched as Sophie chuckled, glancing at Ryan with what she thought was a loving look, She reached for a napkin and tried to clean the corner of Ryan’s mouth like it was the most natural thing in the world. But Ryan dodged it, pulling back slightly.
And then, just when I thought I couldn’t take any inore, Ryan’s deep voice cut through the loom. “There’s something important I need to say.”
52
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The entire table fell silent, eyes snapping to him. Ryan sat tall, calm but firm. “Alpha King George, I want to start by saying how much I respect you. You are a great Alpha King, a man I look up to, and I’ve always admired how you raised Sophie You’re a great father to her. But with all due respect, I cannot go forward with this arrangement.”
George’s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice low. “What do you mean, son?”
Ryan glanced briefly at Sophie, then back at George. “I mean that don’t love Sophie. I see her as a friend, nothing more. I already have a mate, the one fate gave me, and I want to be with her.”
Sophie’s head snapped toward him, her eyes wide. “Ryan, what are you saying?”
He didn’t waver. “I value our families‘ bond, and I want that bond to remain. But I can’t promise Sophie a future I don’t see ! can’t stand beside her as her husband when I already belong to someone else. I’ve found my fated mate, and she is I want.”
The room was heavy with silence for a moment before Alpha King George turned sharply to his daughter. His voice shocked. “Sophie. Didn’t you say Ryan was your fated mate?”
Sophie’s head dropped immediately, tears welling in her eyes as she whispered, “I… I just didn’t want to lose him.”
Alpha King George’s eyes widened as betrayal flashed across his face. He looked back at Ryan, then at my parents. Mom looked pale, as if the ground could swallow her whole. Dad only sighed heavily.
Finally, George exhaled, his voice steady but tinged with disappointmant. “I understand now. I had no idea you’d already found your fated mate, Ryan. If I had known, I never would have pushed this. My daughter told me you were her mate, and I believed her. I trusted her. But now I see… she lied.” He turned to Sophie, his tone hardening. “If I had known the truth, I never would have allowed this lie to carry on. You’ve embarrassed me, Sophie.
Tears slipped down Sophie’s cheeks as she whispered, “I’m sorry, Father…”
George shook his head, then turned back to Ryan with a more respectful gaze. “You will make a powerful Alpha, Ryan. I see it in you. Your words tonight prove it, you spoke with honesty, respect, and courage. I can’t fault that. I feel ashamed that I pushed something that wasn’t meant to be. But I respect your choice. I respect fate.” He looked at my parents and added, “You’ve raised him well. I’m proud to call you my friends.”
Then he looked at Sophie once more, his expression softer but still disappointed. “I gave you everything you wanted, treated you like a princess, and yet you lied to me about something so crucial. That’s not how I raised you. You need to learn better.” He sighed and faced Ryan again. “Please, continue to be her friend, Ran. She needs someone strong to guide her, and I know she could learn from you. That would mean a lot to me.”
Ryan nodded firmly. “Of course, sir. I’ll always be her friend.”
“Oh. Thank you, son,” Alpha King George said, and Sophie’s tears tell harder, but she stayed silent.
I felt relieved that Ryan had chosen me instead of her, but my stouch twisted again, refusing to let me enjoy the moment fully My fingers clutched the shawl tighter, covering what only Ryan and I knew, and the memory of the nausea from earlier clawed at the back of my mind.
Yes, Ryan had chosen me. But what if something else, something wasn’t ready for, was already choosing me too?
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