Chapter 10 Choice

Kaden looked at Ava with an expression she couldn't quite read before continuing his proposal. "Alef, the leader of the Aptos group, was a werewolf of alpha blood. His younger brother fought alongside him and was the one who chose the places and realms where each relic would be hidden. With the help of a powerful witch, he used his blood to seal the relics so they couldn't be destroyed by any creature except a wolf of royal blood-specifically, one with alpha lineage. They say he hoped to bring his brother back one day, which is why he ensured only his kind could destroy the relics."

Kaden sighed, his frustration apparent as he continued, "We've tried contacting alphas from your realm, but none of them are interested in helping. They think we're just a group of kids with no idea what we're doing. Even when I told them I'm a descendant of the warriors who fought alongside Alef, they brushed me off and told me to go home. But then, as if the heavens intervened, we found you. You were lying there, unconscious, and when we brought you back, Mama Rose confirmed you were an alpha female. It felt like a gift-either from the heavens or, as your kind might say, a blessing from the Moon Goddess."

His tone grew more serious. "It's been two months since we learned the youngest dragon heir stole the relic from the Snake Realm. We need to find the others and destroy them before he does. And for that, we need your help. I understand you probably have your own plans, but think about it-you would be saving lives. Your name would be remembered forever. You'd make your loved ones proud, whether they're still with us or not. I don't want to assume anything, but I'd be eternally grateful if you joined our cause. So, what do you say, Claire?"

Ava studied Kaden, seeing the sincerity in his blue eyes, but she needed time. "I've heard everything you've said, Kaden, but I need time to think about it."

Kaden nodded, offering a small smile. "I understand. This isn't a simple request, and there will be risks on this journey. But rest assured, I'll protect you every step of the way."

Ava smiled back faintly and stood up. As they walked back to the hut, she tried to ease her mind by starting some light conversation. "So, Kaden, how long was I out? And who took care of me? I can tell I'm wearing clothes that aren't mine."

Kaden blinked in surprise at how casually she asked about her clothes. "Are you always this straightforward with your thoughts?" he asked with a grin. "You were out for a couple of days. Mama Rose said your body was tired, but your mind was awake, so you were drifting in and out of consciousness. She had to give you potions to calm your mind, which weakened your wolf, forcing her to rest. And as for your clothes," he added with a chuckle, "Mama Rose changed you. I'm a gentleman. I was raised to respect privacy-I wouldn't touch a woman unless she wanted me to."

Ava glanced at him, taking in his serious expression. "That's good to know, Kaden. I guess I owe Mama Rose a thank you for taking care of me."

Kaden smiled, and they both laughed. By the time they reached the hut, night had fallen. Kaden waved goodbye, promising to return in the morning.

When Ava entered the hut, Mama Rose greeted her with a warm smile, her white teeth gleaming in the dim light. "I'm sure you're hungry. I left some food for you in a bowl by the side. Sleep well, dear, and don't forget to blow out the candle before bed. I won't be back until morning."

As Mama Rose prepared to leave, Ava called out. "Thank you, Rose. I heard you've been taking care of me since I arrived."

Mama Rose gave her a reassuring smile. "No worries, my child," she said, then quietly stepped out of the hut.

Ava's stomach growled, reminding her she hadn't eaten since she woke up. She walked over to the bowl, lifting the cover to reveal a delicious-smelling meal. Her mouth watered as she took a bite of the meat-it wasn't as good as the food from home, but it was satisfying. After eating her fill, she extinguished the candle and laid down, ready to talk to her wolf.

"Vera, what do you think about all of this?" Ava asked.

Her wolf's voice echoed in her mind. "It's still too soon to trust them completely, but the choice is yours."

Ava sighed, taking a deep breath. "I'm not ready to go back home yet. We don't know our way around this realm, and we can't survive alone. If we manage to destroy the relics and save the realms, maybe Dad and the pack elders will finally see that we're capable of ruling as the alpha female we are".

After a brief moment of silence, Vera spoke again, "rather than going on a mission with people we barely know, how about we ask him to show us the path that would lead us back to our realm from another pack's border, hopefully one that's far from ours. Once we're in another pack, we can start life afresh and be free for a while before going back to our pack and having an actual conversation with our mate". Ava knew her wolf had stronger emotions towards their mate than she had, and she didn't want to be here in the first place, but she was doing it for Ava's sake, so Ava decided to speak to Vera gently. "Vera, we both know the moment we step our foot back in the realm, my dad would find us in minutes, so that isn't a good idea and as for our mate, it's the mate bond which is making us feel this way, without it, there's a high chance we might not even like Rustyn". Ava knew even she didn't believe what she just said, but she kept pushing hoping Vera didn't notice the doubt she had about her own words "He's also going to be a terrible mate to us, he went behind my back to set a date for our wedding without my consent, see how he treats us now, it shows clearly that our opinion would never count when we become his Luna" At the memory of how he had gone behind her back to talk to her father resurfaced, Ava felt anger and she led that anger suppress the bond she felt towards him.