When a winter storm grounded every flight, the five of us from the Lakecrest pack were stranded overnight in the Denver airport.
The blizzard had severed our long-distance mind-links. Pack law dictated that companions care for the sick and weak, but it also stated that no member could be left alone in danger.
My fiancé, Travis Vale, stood in line at the service counter for forty minutes and came back with four blankets.
Five years ago, he had signed a courtship declaration at the Lakecrest pack registry, vowing to complete the formal marking after our wedding. We had no fated bond. We had only his choice and my trust.
Travis shook out two blankets and draped them over Jenna Collins, then handed the other two to Evan Bennett and his sister, Brooke.
Jenna had a weak wolf and recovered poorly after shifting. The registry had classified her as a vulnerable member, entitled to priority care.
Travis met my eyes and just shrugged.
“They only had four left when I got to the front. Natalie, your wolf’s always been strong. You’ll be fine for one night.”
At three in the morning, Jenna said she was hungry.
Evan went to the vending area and came back with four sandwiches.
Travis took his, bit into it, then called Evan back.
“Get Jenna another one. Her blood sugar drops easily. When she’s weak, she can’t even shift right.”
Evan nodded and swiped his card again.
I sat in the drafty gate area, the cold wind seeping through my coat, and watched that sandwich land in Jenna’s hands. My stomach had been cramping with hunger, but in that moment, it just felt numb.
I thought about the train to New York, when they’d booked four tickets and I had to scramble to buy my own at the last minute.
I thought about every pack dinner where they ordered for everyone else, only to realize no one had asked what I wanted.
There had always been five of us in this little circle, but their concern only ever stretched far enough for four.
Just before dawn, an announcement crackled over the speakers: the flight to Chicago was boarding.
The four of them headed for the gate, laughing and talking among themselves. No one looked back. No one used the newly restored short-range mind-link to make sure I was following.
I didn’t call out to them.
I took out my phone and opened the transfer offer from our London headquarters. The position came with work sponsorship from the Thames Riverside pack, which meant I could finally sever my residency ties to Lakecrest.
I hit Accept.
If there was no place for me in their lives, then I could leave.
My Fiancé Chose Her So I Chose Myself Chapter 14 On the third day after negotiations stalled, Brooke found me at my hotel. Somehow, she had gotten my schedule and intercepted me in the lobby. Three years ago, she had let herself into my apartment as if she had every right. Now, she
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My Fiancé Chose Her So I Chose Myself Chapter 13 I closed the folder. “If your board cannot accept these terms, Northstar will pursue other acquisition targets. We will not change our valuation based on management’s personal feelings.” Travis gripped his pen so tightly the knuckles went white. He looked at me
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My Fiancé Chose Her So I Chose Myself Chapter 12 The acquisition negotiations took place the next day in the top-floor conference room of Northstar’s Chicago office. I sat at the head of the table, reviewing the documents Marissa handed me. Travis was there as TerraGrid’s management representative, with Evan beside him. A
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My Fiancé Chose Her So I Chose Myself Chapter 11 She had changed, too. The easy softness that came from always being looked after was gone. Dark circles shadowed the skin beneath her eyes, and even a heavy dose of scent suppressant couldn’t fully mask the gardenia note clinging to her. Our background
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My Fiancé Chose Her So I Chose Myself Chapter 10 Travis just stared at me, as if searching my face for the woman I had been three years ago. He didn’t find her. The Natalie who always apologized first, who always tried to make him happy, no longer existed. The woman standing
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My Fiancé Chose Her So I Chose Myself Chapter 09 I rose from project manager to regional director, then moved into the group’s mergers, acquisitions, and territory integration division. Every project left a clear record of performance. Three years later, in the fall, Northstar decided to acquire a Chicago-based renewable energy firm and restructure
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My Fiancé Chose Her So I Chose Myself Chapter 08 *Did something happen? Just reply. One word.* The latest voice message had been sent at three in the morning. His voice was hoarse, his breathing ragged. *Natalie, please, just tell me you’re okay. We’ll still buy the apartment. We’ll go to the registry
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My Fiancé Chose Her So I Chose Myself Chapter 07 The rain in London was a fine mist, softer than the freezing downpour in Chicago. By the time my plane landed at Heathrow, it was already eight in the evening. I pushed my luggage out of the terminal and slid into the company
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My Fiancé Chose Her So I Chose Myself Chapter 06 He wanted to bring another woman on our anniversary trip and saw nothing wrong with it. I just looked at him, not bothering to argue. “There’s no need for that. Travis, we’re over.” He glanced up at me, then gave a weary
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My Fiancé Chose Her So I Chose Myself Chapter 05 I wheeled my suitcase to the door just as the electronic lock beeped. Travis pushed the door open. He paused when he saw me standing in the entryway, then his gaze swept over the empty closet and cleared surfaces. “What are you
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