Chapter 20: The Ultimate Choice

Chapter 20: The Ultimate Choice

(Elena’s POV)

I returned home exhausted, my body feeling like it had been drained of all energy. The confrontation at the institute had left me emotionally raw

My phone buzzed with a message from Director Baker. I read it with growing disgust.

I

Senior William had only received a warning for privately reassigning positionis and dying healing sessions. No real punishment whatsoever.

I wasn’t surprised by this lenient oue. As long as no lives were blost/b, such matters would be minimized within the pack hierarchy.

Without replying, I pulled out the crumpled note from my pocket. The word “ckwood” stared back at me

like an usation,

I

I stared at it for a long while, my bhands /btrembling slightly. Then I tore it up and threw the pieces in the trash.

The next morning, I was awakened by Amber Stone’s phone call. Her voice was terse and professional.

“Your parents are causing trouble at the Consortium over David’s matter,” she informed me coldly. “Alpha

Marcus wants you toe handle it.”

Before I could fully process this shocking news about my brother, Amber had already hung up.

Panic shot through me like silver poison. What had happened to David?

I skipped breakfast and rushed to the ckwood Consortium headquarters, my heart pounding with dread.

(Marcus’s POV)

At the ckwood Consortium’s executive office, I sat behind my desk reviewing territorial reports. I barely

acknowledged the ckthorne parents standing before me.

Richard and Patricia pleaded desperately, their voices filled with desperation.

“Marcus, we’re all family through Elena’s mating,” Richard implored, his pride clearly wounded. “Please spare

David, he can’t have a criminal record.”

I knew his son’s dreams of joining the Territorial Enforcement Station would be shattered with a conviction.

When they called me “family.” I looked up coldly. “Did I ever acknowledge that bond?”

My dismissive attitude left them speechless. Their faces went pale with shock.

I continued ruthlessly. “You’ve gained plenty of benefits from the ckwood name over the years. What makes you think you’re bqualified /bto negotiate with me?”

(Elena’s POV)

I arrived outside the Command Chamber just in time to hear Marcus’s cutting words. “What makes you qualified?”

The phrase pierced my heart like a silver dagger. But remembering the note with “ckwood written on it

E

Chunter 20 Thel

and Sophia’s schemes, I steeled myself.

I entered decisively, my chin raised with determination.

“Alpha Marcus,” I said, my voice steady despite my inner turmoil. “You promised to help David if I cooperated with your demands.

“Now you’re breaking that promise arbitrarily.”

My father immediately scolded me. “Elena! How dare you be disrespectful to the Alphar

Marcus imed David deserved imprisonment for assault. His golden eyes showed no mercy.

I revealed what I had discovered. “I consulted packwyers and found David acted in self–defense, not as the initial aggressor.”

Marcus remained unmoved, his expression cold bas /bwinter stone. “I’m not awyer

I finally lost control. My hands mmed down on his desk with a loud bang.

“What are your true intentionsb?/bb” /bI demanded, abandoning my facade for the first time in six ye

years.

Amber Stone watched in surprise. She had never seen Elena disy any temper toward the Alpha

After a tense silence, Marcus delivered his ultimatum with a slight smile. “Either David goes to prison, or you

bow your head to Sophia.”

“Your choice”

The choice devastated mepletely. My parents immediately urged me to prioritize my brother’s future over my pride.

“Elena, think about David’s career,” my mother pleaded tearfully. “He’s worked so hard for this opportunity

My father nodded vigorously. “Your pride isn’t worth destroying his life”

Both parents, despite knowing my pain, pressed me to help David. I felt utterly betrayed by theirck of

support.

My mother rationalized desperately. “Mating requires one party to make sacrifices for pack harmony.”

I realized I had always been strong but never had anyone as my support. The loneliness crushed me like a physical weight.

Iughed bitterly through my tears. “Fine, I’ll bow my head.”

I wiped my eyes and asked with fakeposure. “Are you satisfied now, Alpha?”

(Marcus’s POV)

I felt ufortable seeing her forced indifference. But I reminded myself she had disobeyed me and deserved this consequence.

bI /binstructed Amber to visit thew firm with my message. “Tell them to proceed with David’s case.”

told Fl

Then I told Elena to apany me to the Northern Territory Central Healing Institute.

During the car ride, Elena sat silently beside me. She stared out the window and treated

Herplete indifference irritated me more than her anger had.

as if I didn’t exist.

Chapter 20 The Ultimate

“Are you now giving me attitude?” I asked, my voice sharp with annoyance.

She turned to look at me with cold, empty eyes. “You previously instructed me to remain quiet and not bother you when we shared the same space.”

“bI’m /bsimply following your orders, Alpha.”

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