When The Wolves Come Out

Chapter 40

I plan it all out. I was going to tell my mate that I chose him when we go out on the pack hunt tonight. I would be waiting in the clearing as usual, sitting in silence until my mate came.

"Whatever choice you make, I won't be angry at you, Ashlyn," Grayson says as we come to the clearing. No one knew that I was going to choose tonight.

I nod my head slowly, the sickening feeling of nerves beginning to kick in. I take my seat on a rock and everyone else shifts into wolf form before scattering off into the woods.

I sigh, my breath shaky. I'm making the right choice, I tell myself. I rub my eyes due to not getting any sleep last night seeing as all I could think about was my decision.

I sit in silence for what feels like hours, and all I can do is bite my nails nervously. I still had Stefano's engagement ring on, even though it meant nothing to me anymore. I stare at it and slowly slide it off my finger, placing it in the back pocket of my jeans.

I suddenly hear a rustling in the nearby trees and know that this was my moment. I stand up, take a deep breath in and out, close my eyes, and when I look back up my chosen mate is standing before me.

"I... I want to be with you," I whisper and watch as happiness and shock slowly fill his face.

"Ash," he breathes out, pulling me into a bone crushing hug. "I love you, y'know that?" He laughs lightly, pulling away from the hug and crashing his lips to mine.

"I know," I joke, returning to the kiss. Just in that moment, I knew I had chosen the right boy. I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life.

Footsteps sound from behind us and we're interrupted by pack members surrounding us, my two old mates in front of them all.

"Lyn," Stefano says, shaking his head in disbelief. "You didn't..."

"I did," I reply, reaching into my back pocket and pulling out the beautiful ring he had once given me. I throw it back to him and he catches it, twirling it around in his fingers as though it will disappear any second. "I'm sorry, Stefano."

I can see his heart shattering in very that moment as he stares at the ring in disbelief.

I look over to meet a pair of chocolate brown eyes, and the boy who owns them bites his lip, tensing every other muscle. "I won't get angry, Ashlyn," Grayson whispers, staring me straight in the eye. "I made a promise and I'll keep it, even now that you haven't chosen me."

"Thank you," I whisper back. I turn to look at my future mate who is obviously holding back a smile.

The rest of the pack members depart and we're left alone in each other's arms.

Ethan kisses me again, holding me as though I'm made of glass. I smile into the kiss and so does he, and we stay like that until all of my guilt has faded away.

And I suddenly can't believe that it took me so long to realise who I loved most, with every piece of me.