Chapter 53: Make a choice

**Alice’s Point of view**


"WHAT?" Shout my father and Alpha Mark.
I hear voices but I don't listen. All I see is Elliot's beaming smile. He walks over without taking his eyes off me, takes my hand and crosses our fingers.
*"I thought I'd never hear you say those words."* He mind-links me.
I smile softly. *"I'm sorry I took so long."*
*"Why now?"*  
I look around us. *"Everything is going to hell. If we're lucky we'll 'just' get banished, someone is trying to kill us and the rogues won't let us. And yet I've never been so serene in my life."*
He smiles fondly at me, his thumb drawing circles on my hand.
*"I don't know what's going to happen but I don't care as long as we're together."*
Melanie's hand on my shoulder makes me jump.
"Were you mind-linking?"
I nod and everyone gasps.
Melanie too is speechless. "How?"
"We don't know." Says Elliot.
My grandfather looks at me between his lashes, his eyes now black, a sign that his wolf is not far away.
"You haven't marked and last I checked you still belong to Blue Moon pack and Elliot to Red Moon pack. Have you mate?"
I shake my head, a smile on my face. "I don't get it. Aren't you proud of me? Since I was born, the only thing you've expected me to do is to find my mate. Cheer up, that day is here. You should be congratulating me for opening my legs to him. "
Well, that's totally wrong and just provocation, but the look on his face is priceless.
He roars and the warriors hold him back. 
Elliot puts his hand on my shoulder with a disapproving look.
*"This is not the time."*
I sigh internally. *"I know, but I couldn't help it."*
He laughs.* "I know. I was sure you were going to do something like that."*
He resumes in a loud voice. "We don't know how it happened." He looks at me. *"Do you think we should tell them we're the King's Generals?"*
I purse my lips. *"I don't know. I'm afraid it'll get us in more trouble."*
"It doesn't matter." Elliot's father resumes. "Both of you, reject the bond immediately and let's forget the whole thing."  
He turns around and walks away slowly as if the matter was already settled. All the Reds follow him and the Blues do the same, leaving the six of us alone.
"Simon." Melanie says, crying and throwing herself into his arms.
He hugs her tightly to his chest, his eyes closed. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Owen laying Sam on his lap and stroking his face, speaking inaudible words near his ear.
Elliot stares at me. I realize that everything depends on me. Melanie and Sam have already told me that no matter what I do, they will respect my decision.
I have to choose.
My eyes dart back and forth between my friends and my mate and my pack as they slowly walk away, waiting for us to finish and join them. 
Elliot takes my hand and gently squeezes my fingers. He looks at times mad with joy and at times immensely sad. He is afraid I will obey my father.
I have to choose.
Shit, what do I do?
*"From day one you've known what you were going to do."* Cassie says softly to me.
*"Yes, I do."*
I take a deep breath.
"I, Alice Moore, future Alpha of Blue Moon pack, daughter of Mary and John Crane, accept you, Elliot Griffon, future Alpha of Red Moon pack, as my mate."
I hear the footsteps stop and stunned silence, the audience holding their breath.
"WHAT?" My grandfather, my father and Alpha Mark shout in unison.
But I don't listen to them, nor do I look at them. 
The whole world comes down to two green eyes staring at me in shock. 
Elliot is speechless and blinks several times. He finally seems to realize what I just said and gives me his megawatt smile, tears of joy streaming down his beautiful face.
"Alice, are you sure?" He says as he takes my face in his hands.
I nod. "I've never been so sure in my life."
He laughs softly and takes me in his arms, spinning me around in the air. He suddenly pulls me against him and kisses me with a fierceness that would set the whole forest on fire.
I can vaguely hear Melanie, Simon and Owen saying the same words like me, followed by an evil laugh.
"Very well. You've made your choice." Says my grandfather with an evil tone. "John. You have to banish her. You have to banish all three of them."
My father looks at me intensely, unreadable. All the members of my pack start whispering, waiting for the verdict.
After many, many seconds, he grits his teeth and turns back without saying anything.
I hear a growl behind me and see Luna Lily and Alpha Mark in a deep internal conversation.
I can see that they are both angry and I can't tell who has the upper hand. Finally, Alpha Mark gives us a last look and leaves without looking back.
Soon enough, we find ourselves alone in the middle of the forest. I pull Elliot by the arm so that he follows me but he holds me back. 
"What?"
He looks toward his old territory and I hear a branch crack.
Then I see an old man walking slowly toward us, his arms full.
"Grandpa George." Says Elliot as he hugs him.
"I am so proud of you, Elliot. Here you go. Here is what you asked me." He says as he hands him some bags. 
I see clothes, food and Elliot's sword. I feel a twinge of sadness at the thought of my beloved daggers stored safely under my bed.
"Alice. I'm so happy to finally meet you." He says as he took me in his arms, much to my surprise.
"I'm glad to meet you too, Sir."
"Please, call me Georges." He turns to Elliot. "And now? Where are you going?"
Elliot looks at our nodding friends, ready to follow us to the ends of the earth, then at me. I smile softly at him.
"I don't know, Grandpa. But we're going together."