Chapter 11: Risking It All

Michael’s POV

There was no doubt that when I left this hospital I was breaking off the engagement and finding a new way to secure the alliance. I wasn't going to lose Havana or let her go this time.

"Michael," Havana moves her lips away from me.

She didn't have to say anything. I was going to fix everything for us. She wouldn't have to worry about Jane or Kaden again.

"Just give me some time to find a way for us to be together. It's going to be me and you."

I cupped her cheeks in my hands. Despite the bruises and cuts on her body, she was beautiful. Even under the fluorescent lights, no other woman could compare. She was a vision of perfection.

"The cafeteria is a**, but I was able to get you a chocolate pudding cup," Claire said, entering the room.

I released Havana's face and stood from her bed. As far as Claire knew I was still engaged regardless of how I felt. Claire sat down on the plastic chair on the right side of Havana's bed, handing her the pudding cup.

"Am I missing something? Last I checked, chocolate was your favorite," Claire said.

Unable to understand Havana's current unresponsive state, Claire looked at me. I didn't know what to say or how to explain what happened. All I knew was that I had to leave Jane immediately.

"I have to handle something, but I'll be back later," I explain.

Being engaged to Jane for one more second made my stomach curl. Claire's brows furrowed, but she said nothing. I was sure that she'd question Havana once I was gone. I kissed Havana gently on her head before leaving. There was so much more I wanted to say and hear her say, but Claire was there. I waited this long for love; I could wait a little longer.

I left the hospital and instantly wanted to go back. The thought of leaving her angered me, but the reward was worth it. I'd be able to love her forever. All I had to do was convince my father that this marriage was a terrible idea. After that, he would be forced to help me find a loophole.

Stopping the car in front of the manor, I was filled with dread. The possibility of my father disagreeing flooded my mind. We had never agreed on anything before. It was likely that this would be no different. I had to think of a plan, one he couldn't argue with.

Opening my office door, I was greeted by Jane and my father. I was not expecting this mash-up even though I should have. They were both manipulators, which makes sense as to why he picked her to be my wife.

"Where the hell have you been, Michael?" My father asked.

The question was almost comical coming from him. I had never had to explain myself before. He never cared or faked an interest. For Jane, however, he was the overly concerned father-in-law who felt that marrying Jane was the best idea on the planet.

“Jane, can you give me and Eric a minute?"

“She's your fiancée, she should be involved in family conversations,” my father retorted.

He was testing my patience. That was his specialty, poking until his opponent lost control. I looked from him to Jane, her arms folding over her chest. They had planned this. They wanted to push me into a corner of submission.

"I've been too lenient with the both of you. Jane, get out. I need to speak with Eric."

There was a way for all Alphas to get what they wanted. No werewolf could deny the command of their Alpha, but I hated stripping them of their free will. I wasn't a tyrant, but this situation called for it. Jane rolled her eyes and left the office.

"I'm Eric now?" My father asked.

"Do you think you earned the title of a father?" I asked.

This was not the conversation I wanted to have right now. I asked Jane to leave to talk to him about the engagement, not about our relationship. I sigh and run my hands through my dark brown hair. How could I explain this to him?

"This is not what I wanted to talk about. I talked to mom today and she said there are other ways to ensure an alliance.”

"There's nothing wrong with the marriage. Why would you want another way? Jane is the perfect wife for you."

Perfect wife. He was out of his mind. There was no way that Jane was in any way the perfect wife for me. Someone else maybe, but not me. We couldn't agree on something as simple as wedding colors. How were we to protect a community?

“I'm in love with someone else. I can't marry Jane. I refuse to,” I confessed.

The shock was evident on his face. For as long as he'd known I had no care for love. If I hadn't met Havana I still wouldn't.

"Can her pack offer the same resources as Jane’s? Can she ensure that our pack will thrive?” He questioned.

I would've been surprised if he mentioned anything else. Growing up I knew he cared only about himself and the pack. As a kid, it was honorable but the older I got the more cowardly it became. Why did everyone and everything else come before his family?

"She's a human, but I don't care. She's perfect."

The initial shock faded and was replaced with anger. He didn't care that I found love. He cared that I found love with a human. He cared that she wasn’t from wolf decent.

"You cannot and will not leave Jane for a filthy human."

"Eric, watch what comes out your mouth next."

I was in no mood to tolerate slander from anyone, especially about Havana. I had already allowed Kaden to hurt her enough. No one was allowed to hurt her again.

“You would turn your back on your family... on your pack for a human?"

He was missing the point. I didn't want to choose between my family and Havana. I was coming to him for help. The pack was my duty, my family, but Havana was my love. Why did I have to choose?

"I came here for your help. To keep the alliance for the pack and love for myself."

"I will not have you ruin your life over a human."

The only person that ruined my life was him. I was forced to grow up with him as a father. When my mother left, I was forced to stay with him because I was next in line to be Alpha. How dare he accuse Havana of ruining anything.

"If you can't support my decision as Alpha then I'll find a way myself."

“If you don't marry Jane, you may not be an Alpha for much longer."

His words echoed in my head. Was it that easy to remove someone as Alpha? Should I be Alpha if I can't marry the woman that I love? My entire life was spent focusing on the pack and their safety. What if it's time that I focus on myself and what I want for my life.

"Do what you have to do, and I'll do the same."

I hated how this ended, but there was nothing I could do. My father always gets what he wants. He's like a toddler in an adult body who throws a fit when things don't go this way.

Slamming the car door behind me, my mind was jumbled. Was I ready to give this life up? Was I ready to say goodbye to all I know?

I took a deep breath and started the car. What was said to my father was done. It was practically written in stone. My father made his decision, and I was making mine. If my pack and my father couldn't accept my decision, then I have to be man enough to support my own decision. All I needed was Havana and together we would figure it all out.

Arriving at the hospital, the stress of my father faded. Havana was worth it all. If I had to risk everything for an eternity of happiness with her, I would.

I signed in and went straight to her room. Just seeing her would make all this craziness go away. I knocked on the door and Claire woke. She was sleeping in the plastic visitor’s chair. Her dark brown hair was matted on her head from lack of attention.

"Michael, you're back?"

"Can I talk to Havana alone?"

I had no issues with Claire -- I liked her. She was a solid friend to Havana and always took care of her. I just wanted to share the news of what happened to only Havana.

"I'll give you two a minute," Claire stands from the chair and leaves the room. She knew about my kiss with Havana.

Havana sat up in the bed, readjusting her position. How had I gotten so lucky to be with the most perfect person?

"I left her and the pack. It's you and me now."

I expected her blue eyes to light up with joy and excitement but they didn't. Instead, her eyes dulled with pain and sadness. This was supposed to be a happy time. Why was she sad?

"Michael, our kiss was a mistake."