39
Mauve’s POV
I hugged him, resting my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
He kissed my forehead, then my cheek, then my hair. “You deserve all the happiness in the world. You deserve a better mate.”
I pulled back slightly, looking up at him. “But we’re not mates.”
Joshua cupped my face gently. “The moon goddess might have given us fated mates, but she also gave us choices. And I chose you, Mauve. I chose you the moment I gained my wolf when I was eight”
I was speechless.
We spent the morning and lunch in the library, instructing the servants to bring our meals as we combed through countless books. Hours passed, filled with reading, note–taking, and occasional banter.
Then Joshua suddenly chuckled.
I glanced up, raising an eyebrow. “What’s funny?”
“I was just remembering how you used to drag me to the pack’s playground the moment you woke up. You’d show up, still half–asleep, with a strand of saliva across your cheek and your hair looking like a bird’s nest
I groaned, covering my face. “I was a child, okay? I just wanted to play. I didn’t care about looking cute.”
Joshua reached out, brushing his knuckles against my cheek. “You were always cute. Even when you snored like a bear and drooled in your sleep”
“Joshua” I squeaked, feeling my face heat up.
He laughed, eyes sparkling with mischief. “But seriously, you’ve grown into such a stunning woman. I just wish I was there through all of it, to witness your changes and help you make better choices. Maybe then, you wouldn’t have ended up with that scumbag Jester.”
I sighed. “Please don’t blame yourself. Even if you were there when I found out Jester was my fated mate, I still would have chosen him. At that time, I was obsessed with the idea of fate. I thought it was supposed to be perfect. It was… for a while. But…” I trailed off, not wanting to revisit those painful memories.
ing Elias?*
Joshua’s expression softened. “And what about King
I froze, my fingers skimming over a page. “Elias… he arrived in my life when I was starting over at Shadowpine. I healed him, not knowing he was the West territories‘ Alpha King. At first sight, I thought the moon goddess sent him as my second chance mate.”
Joshua nodded. “He’s your second chance, but to him, you’re his fated mate, right?”
I nodded slowly. “Unfortunately. But I know it won’t work. He’ll try to balance me and Magnolia, but it’ll bey And I’ve had enough of complications. Magnolia deserves happiness more than anyone.”
it
Joshua closed the book and hugged me tightly. “You deserve happiness too, Mauve. And I’ll make sure you get
Joshua suddenly stiffened, his eyes scanning the page he was reading. His expression darkened as he traced the ancient script with his finger. “Mauve, look at this,” he said. “The old pack law states that alphas are required to produce a male heir. The law wasn’t created out of suspicion, but rather to force compliance. It’s archaic and cruel.”
I felt my stomach churn. “So, they had no choice?”
Joshua nodded grimly “None at all. It was enforced to ensure that leadership remained with males. If they didn’t
comply punishment followed”
A shiver ran down my spine. “What do we do? We can’t let this happen to them.”
Joshua exhaled slowly. “Only the Alpha King can amend such laws. He’s the only one with that authority”
My heart sank. That meant I’d have to face Elias again. The thought alone made my hands tremble slightly. Facing him meant facing everything I had tried to leave behind.