The Choice
Chapter 1

Selena POV

My father calls me to his office again. I always regret going there since it’s always about something I don’t want to do. I make it and I gently knock on his door.

“Come in Selena.” I hear my father from the other side.

“You wanted to see me, father?” I enter his office confidently but I’m a nervous wreck inside.

“Yes, we have to go over these potential suitors for you.” He shows me some pictures of guys who I’m sure are great, but I don’t want them.

“Dad, we’ve talked about that.” I’m getting annoyed by this by the day.

“Yet you turn these guys away!” My dad while a silver fox and a handsome king he got lucky to be actually be married to his mate, my mom…

“Why is it so hard for you to do this!?”

“Maybe because I want to marry my mate and marry for love! Not just some business contract!” We’ve had this argument for months. My mom tries to soothe my auburn and curly hair. I may be 21 but my dad seems to treat me like I’m still in my teens.

“How come you don’t have this talk with Gwen??” Gwen is my younger sister luckily; she doesn’t have to deal with this since she’s only 15. My brothers Liam and Jude well they also have it easy. Liam is happily married and has his own pack. Jude is going to take over for dad when he retires which I hope is soon.

“Because Gwen isn’t of age yet, you are! You’ve had lots of offers!” He’s fuming that I can see the smoke coming out of his ears.

“I don’t want any of them unless they’re my mate! Which I’d know if they were if you’d let me shift!” We may be werewolves, but we’re not allowed to shift, why not sure… and it sucks.

“You pick someone or I start the ceremony. Then you’ll have to pick. Look if you become a queen of another kingdom then that’s an alliance for us. We deal with a good amount of humans who think we’re just that. A king and queen wanting an arrange marriage for their daughter.”

“Ugh it’s always about alliances with you, isn’t it?? What about me! Don’t I have a say in this??” I saw this coming. “You know what, I’m done listening I’m leaving!” I leave the office in a huff and slam the office door.

“Well, that went well...” I hear him let out a sigh in defeat.

“Give her time to cool off and I’ll talk to her.” I hear my mom try to calm him down. I couldn’t believe that they both supported this crazy idea! Going to my room I slam the bedroom door to let out some aggression and to calm down after that lovely chat. After a few minutes of laying on my bed screaming into my pillow and open my balcony window to let in some fresh air, I hear a gentle knock on the door.

“Come in…” I muffle it into my pillow. I hear the door open and nervous about who’s coming in I don’t even look up from my pillow.

“Hey, honey…” Oh thank goodness it’s mom.

“Hi, mom…” I muffle again into my pillow.

“Please look at me instead of hiding in your pillow.” I slowly lift my head just making sure it’s just her. “That’s better. Look I know this is rough for you, but unfortunately for you, our marriage was arranged we just got lucky that we happened to be mates. Maybe you’ll get lucky.” She tried to sound optimistic and I love her for it, but I’m not so optimistic as she is.

“I highly doubt it. Why can’t I shift??”

“Since we deal with a lot of humans and we don’t want to freak them out. Only certain customers know who we really are.” She sighs and takes a deep breath. “Sometimes there’s more than just replaceing your mate. You don’t even need to shift to replace your mate, your wolf just knows. Sometimes you marry and love comes later. So maybe you should at leave give your father’s picks a chance.” I was afraid she’d say that. Ugh nobody is going to be on my side...

“So, I’m doomed to have this ceremony and get humiliated? If it’s so easy to replace your mate then why haven’t I??”

“He’s out there you just haven’t met him yet. I don’t want this for you but if we have to at least, it’ll just be us and maybe some of our customers that know who we are. It won’t involve everybody in the kingdom. I’m sorry, honey. Your dad wants to do this in two days if you don’t pick somebody so it doesn’t give you a lot of time to get ready.”

“I’ll be alright I’ll just use something I already have and do my own makeup.” She comforts me by rubbing my shoulder and I drop to my pillow. I’m so not looking forward to this, but at least it’s a night where I get glammed up so I guess there’s a bright side. I sure hope Gwen doesn’t have to do this when she’s old enough… I let out a deep sigh and plop back to my pillow...

“Where’s my mate...” I wonder to myself...