Chapter 0018 Ella POV Disgust washed over me at Davids words .
After the way he had just viciously defended Amanda , how could he possibly try to pretend that he loved me or that the fated mate bond meant nothing to him ? I didnt have to look around the room to know that there were chosen mate couples around us .
I knew that Davids words would be meaningful to them .
They didnt know him the way that I did .
They didnt know that he only wanted me for my title .
I had to keep the crowd on my side .
I need the public to support my decision to break our engagement .
I stared at David blankly as he approached me with a pleading look on his face .
Love is more than the fated mate bond , he said .
I looked away from him .
If I didnt , my hatred would show on my face .
My eyes moved to Alexander automatically .
He had moved closer in the crowd , and there was a look of concern on his face .
Do you need help ? he mouthed silently .
I felt relieved that he was nearby and that he knew how distressing this was for me .
I knew that I couldnt ask him to step in ; that would reveal too much .
But knowing that he was willing to help gave me strength .
No.
I mouthed back .
Then I turned my eyes to David .

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But she is your fated mate , and you knew it ! You chose to hide it from me .
What kind of love is that , built on lies ? My voice shook , and I could feel tears springing to my eyes as I let all of my pain show on my face .
Ella , Im sorry I lied- No , I said , cutting him off .
I cant do this , not now .
Even if it was a well intentioned lie , you still showed me that I cant trust you .
How can I possibly entrust the future of my pack to someone who cant be honest with me about something this important ? A murmur of agreement went through the crowd at this , and I was relieved to hear that I had won them back over to my side .
Be reasonable , David said , stepping a little closer .
Ill do whatever it takes to prove to you that youre the only one I love .
Ill never have contact with Amanda again if thats what it takes .
Besides , once were married and our bond is in place , the fated bond will fade .
We shouldnt discuss this here , I said , turning my eyes away from him and looking at my father .
This wasnt going the way I had planned .
I had hoped that after tonight I would never have to pretend to care about David again , but it wasnt going to be so easy to get rid of him , apparently .
I cant just let you walk away angry like this , David said .
Pine , I replied angrily .
I wanted to spare your pride , but if you insist on doing this in front of a crowd … Just tell me what 1 have to do to prove myself to you Dad said .
thought for a moment .
His public humiliation was one thing , but if he insisted on paying a higher price , then Who was 1 to argue with him ? +25 BONUS Chapter 0018 Then guarantee that youll never hide things from me again , I said .
And since I cant trust your word , it will have to be in writing , and there will have to be real consequences if you deceive me again .
I agree , David said .
What consequence ? It will have to be something serious , I said thoughtfully .
I want you to know that I am serious about this , and so what you risk if you lie to me must be equally valuable farmland .
Youll give us the farmland that borders our packlands .
What ? Davids father demanded , Why such a specific cost ? Like I said , it has to be equally valuable .
I dont value my trust cheaply .
Besides , if David is true to his word , then theres nothing to worry about , right ? I said , turning my eyes back to David .
You want to marry me ; you want me to commit myself to you and entrust my pack to you , so I need to know that you can be committed to me .
David looked at his father , and I could tell that he was hesitating .
I honestly hoped that he would say no , and I could break the engagement right now .
But if he said yes and I found proof of his lies later , it would be all the better for my pack , We could use that extra farmland to increase food production and decrease our dependency on imports .
It would be good for the pack and strengthen us further .
David looked defeated .
Okay , he said .
Write up the agreement , and Ill sign it .
I shook my head in disbelief .
I cant believe its come to this , I said , my voice thick with disappointment .
1 looked back at the crowd , and I could see a lot of people nodding in agreement with me , but I couldnt see Alexander .
He must have left .
I felt a little twinge of fear and worried that he might be upset about what Id just done .
I didnt want him to get the impression that I was going to back out of our deal .
I had no intention of doing that .
I turned to my father .
Can we please leave ? I said .
I don know if I can handle any more of this tonight .
Of course , he said , putting his arm around my shoulders .
Lets get you home .
I didnt look at David or anyone else as we exited the restauraht .
My father chatted for a second with a manager by the door , promising to make sure that all of the damages were paid for .
Then we went to the car .
During the drive back home , I texted Alexander , but he didnt reply .
I couldnt shake the feeling that I had him , that I had taken things too far by demanding a contract from David .
upset I checked my phone constantly as we drove .
When we arrived , I told my parents that I just wanted to get cleaned up and go to bed , and we could talk about things in the morning .
They agreed without argument .
I washed my makeup off , changed into my pajamas , then sat on my bed staring at my phone .
I really hoped that I hadnt ruined everything .
My arrangement with Alexander was about more than just breaking my engagement with David and embarrassing Jdm in public .
I was sure that the little scene in the restaurant would be helpful to Alexanders chances as Alpha King , but there was so much more that I could do to help .
And there was so much more that I needed his help with .
1ally hoped that I hadnt made him angry .
1 laid down in bed and tried to fall asleep , but I couldnt call my mind .
Finally , I reached for my phone again and sent another text to Alexander .
+25 BONUS Chapter 0018 I knew that he probably wouldnt respond , yet I stared at the dark screen , waiting for it to light up with a notification .
Several minutes passed .
During that time , I berated myself for messing everything up .
Then there was a soft buzz , and the screen lit up .
I quickly unlocked my phone and opened my messages .
There was one from Alexander .
Come downstairs now .
Chapter 0019