As Lavender filled out the application form, her mind wandered to memories she had tried to bury. It had been years since Alpha Cedar had proposed to her during a sparring session. Cedar had been 27 at the time, already feeling the burden of his age and the growing impatience of not having met his fated mate. As an Alpha, the pressure to find his destined partner was immense, with whispers in the pack questioning why fate had not yet blessed him. Lavender, on the other hand, had been just twenty, young, and eager to prove herself. Cedar had admired her strength and resilience, seeing in her a partner who could stand by his side and complement his leadership.
“You’re my chosen mate,” he had said, gripping her hands tightly. “Even if my true mate comes along, I’ll reject her. You’re all I need, Lavender.”
She’d believed him. Believed in their bond. And when they marked each other that day, she thought their future was set in stone. But fate had a cruel way of intervening, shattering the life she had built.
“Cedar won’t let you go,” Dahlia’s voice broke through her thoughts, bringing her back to the present. “You know how possessive Alphas can be. He’ll try to stop you.”