Choosing a Mate from Ten Photographs

From the moment I was born, I carried both glory and shackles—

the only daughter of the Elliott family, sole princess of the Flame Pack, and heir to the Alpha throne.

That title meant wealth and power, but it also meant envy, schemes, and danger.

By the time I turned fifteen, I had survived four kidnappings. Each time, death nearly claimed me.

Some wanted my bloodline. Others, my hand in marriage.

My father was forced to mobilize the entire family’s power—hundreds of elite werewolf Warriors guarded me day and night.

Even when I attended human school, three armored SUVs escorted me everywhere.

But no matter how tight the protection, it could not shield me from betrayal.

As my eighteenth birthday approached, my Alpha father laid ten photographs before me.

“Choose a Beta husband. Someone who will guard you day and night—your future mate.”

My father had a habit of taking in godsons, all so he could find one worthy enough to marry me.

I didn’t hesitate. I pointed to the man with the gentle smile—Beta Grant.

My father nodded with satisfaction, believing I had chosen “safety.”

But on my wedding day, Grant revealed his true colors.

“From now on, you don’t need Warriors following you everywhere,” he said, dismissing every guard I had. His eyes glittered with a cold unfamiliarity.

That night, I was dragged away by enemies and taken to the rooftop of an abandoned high-rise.

A silver blade pressed against my neck. The stench of blood filled the icy night air.

On the phone, Grant’s voice was sharp as frost.

“Nina, are you insane? Bringing Omega thugs to bully Faye? She’s the true victim here!”

He paused, his tone turning crueler.

“I sent your Warriors to protect Faye. Now you’ll know what it feels like to be alone.”

The bells tolled, again and again.

Every hour, they tore a fingernail from me. When those were gone, they began cutting off my fingers.

By the time the last bell struck, I was bleeding out, my strength fading.

And then I saw him—Beta Paul.

He burst through the enemy lines like a madman, golden wolf eyes burning with panic and despair.

But I didn’t live long enough to reach him.

When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to that moment—

my father holding out the same ten photographs.

This time, my finger did not pause on Grant’s smile. Instead, it landed on the man in the corner, the one with the wild, untamed gaze.

Beta Paul.

The most dangerous Beta of the Flame Pack. A champion of the underground racing circuits. Born fierce, sharp-edged, and untamable.

So unruly that my father had exiled him to the northern wilderness for training.

But I remembered—the last image before my death was Paul, charging toward me, throwing everything away for my sake.

“I want him.” My voice trembled, but my resolve was steel.

My father’s face darkened, his gaze sharp as blades.

“Nina, haven’t you always loved Grant? Why Paul?”

“Because no one else would fight to the death for me.”

The table shook as my father slammed his palm down, his voice thundering.

“You’re mad! You are the princess of the Flame Pack, the future Alpha! You cannot marry an exiled wolf from the ruins! Your marriage determines the Pack’s alliances and its honor!”

I knew the truth—if Father had not approved of Paul, he would never have made him a godson, never placed his picture among the ten.

I locked eyes with him, my fingers trembling white with pressure, but my words cut like iron.

“Even if the whole world opposes me. Even if I lose my inheritance. I still choose him.”

The hall fell into a suffocating silence.

Then the voice of my father’s aide rang out, as heavy as a death sentence.

“Alpha, last month, when Paul was stationed on the Red Belt border, he was attacked by rogue wolves. He is presumed dead.”

Father exhaled heavily, weariness etched across his brow.

“Choose again.”

“No!” I rose to my feet, golden wolf eyes blazing with fire.

“If it’s not him, I would rather remain alone for the rest of my life!”