Alpha Begged Me to Stay

The next morning, Celes was awoken by the howls of wolves in the distance. She had grown accustomed to the pack's rituals, but today the howls seemed different, more mournful. It was as if the entire forest was grieving, their sorrow echoing through the trees.

After a somber breakfast, she visited Old Sage for a follow-up appointment. The quiet, dimly lit room felt heavy with unspoken words. Sage, absorbed in his notes, finally looked up, his eyes piercing into hers.

"I'll be straight to the point. I want you to become my apprentice, Celes," he said, his voice steady and deliberate.

Celes was taken aback. "I'm sorry?"

Sage's gaze was resolute.

"Why me?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

The honor of the offer, knowing Sage’s esteemed reputation as a healer both within and beyond the pack, was overwhelming. To work under him and learn from him would be a privilege beyond measure. But of all healers, why her?

Sage’s gaze softened. "I see your potential," he replied simply, not elaborating further. "You have a natural talent in healing." His words, though few, held weight.

For the first time that week, Celes felt a flicker of happiness. But it was instantly crushed when Andros’s face popped into her mind. Her momentary joy was overshadowed by the thought of Andros’s likely disapproval. She was all too familiar with his tendency to belittle her aspirations, making her doubt herself at every turn.

Sage, still observing her like a hawk, noticed the change in her expression.

"Think about it," he said gently. "You don't have to give me an answer right now."

Celes nodded, appreciating his patience.

"Thank you, Sage. I will think about it. Really."

As their conversation ended, she received a mindlink from Andros. His voice invaded her thoughts, filled with the same old complaints and grievances.

[Why didn't you wake me up, Celes? I overslept because you left without telling me.]

Celes used to cater to his every need, but now she felt a new resolve. "Since you're going to be late, you’d better get up soon," she replied calmly.

[What am I going to wear?] Andros asked.

"Just choose whatever you want from the closet," she said.

[But I can't find anything that's ironed...]

Celes almost rolled her eyes.

"Andros. I'm sorry but I have to go. You'll figure it out," she said, ending the link.

[Cel—]

Returning home, Celes found herself at a crossroads. Every fiber of her being agreed to the idea of working under Old Sage. It was a dream she had harbored for years, inspired by her mother, who was also a healer. She grew up watching her mother treat almost every sickness with just some herbal medicine, marveling at the magic of healing.

Yet, there was one thing that held her back—the part of her that still beat for her mate, the part that clung to the hope that Andros would change, that he would recognize her worth and support her dreams. She thought hard about Old Sage's proposition, weighing her desires against her reality.

As the day wore on, she wrestled with her decision. The thought of disappointing Andros filled her with dread, but the opportunity to follow in her mother's footsteps, to learn from the best and become a healer too, was too precious to ignore.

Finally, after a long and tumultuous internal debate, Celes made a choice.