# Chapter 55 – The Choice I Made
She's sleeping again. Been doing that a lot since the poison thing happened.
I'm sitting in this chair that's too small for me, watching Vanessa breathe. In and out. Sometimes she makes these little sounds like she's having bad dreams. Makes me want to wake her up, but Marcus said she needs rest.
The moonstone around her neck glows faint in the dark. Even when she's unconscious that thing never stops working. Like it's watching over her or something.
I can't stop thinking about what I did five years ago. Keep going over it in my head like picking at a scab.
Her name was Elena. My first mate, the one the pack elders picked for me when I turned eighteen. She was perfect on paper - strong bloodline, good fighter, smart as hell. Everything an alpha's mate should be.
We were supposed to get married that spring. Had the whole thing planned out. Big ceremony, feast afterwards, the works. My dad was so proud. Said I was doing right by the pack.
