"The Hunger family will be here in two hours," my mother says in her usual strict, commanding voice, her eyes fixed on me.
"You should go get ready." She places her fork on her plate and gestures toward me.
I nod, holding back my disappointment at not even being able to finish my breakfast.
I don't dare to say a word in protest so I get up and, as she not-so-gently suggested, head to my room.
Lady Whisten, the woman in charge of doing my hair and makeup, is already waiting for me. The dress is hanging in my closet.
I let out a deep breath before forcing a smile in her direction.
"Are you agitated?" she asks as she begins brushing my hair.
"Very," I reply honestly.
This day would change my life forever, and I didn't know how to be prepared for it.
But as my mother always said, "Sometimes, you have to do hard things for the good of the family."
Arranging a marriage with an Alpha from one of the richest families in the country would surely help restore my family's reputation and fortune.
So here I was.
"I'll make sure you're one of the prettiest girls out there," Lady Whisten promises.
I smile. "I have no doubt. You have golden hands."
"Your mother prepared those high heels, but since I know they're not your thing, I replaced them with shorter ones. Don't worry—she won't even notice. The dress is long enough to cover your feet."
"Thank you."
Sometimes I felt like Lady Whisten knew me better than my own mother—or at least cared more about my comfort.
My mother only cared about status, money, and reputation.
There was no denying that when our family name was marked by scandal and our reputation declined, she was the one who suffered most.
So she did everything she could to fix it... including marrying a man twenty years older than her just because he was wealthy and famous. But that didn't help much.
Now it was my turn to be sold off.
After an hour of hair and makeup, I barely recognized the girl staring back at me in the mirror. A completely different person.
My mom entered the room. When she saw me, she placed a hand on her chest and held her breath.
"Wow," she whispered. "Kale will surely fall in love after getting a glimpse of you."
"M-Mom... are you sure?" I stuttered, turning slightly to the side. The dress fit perfectly.
But would this new life fit me, too?
"I'm sure! He's rich, well-known, a gentleman, and an Alpha. After marrying him, no one in the country will remember your father's mistakes."
"...I don't even know him."
"So what? You'll get to know him in time."
She wrinkles her nose in a familiar sign of disgust.
"Alright, as if I even get to say anything about it," I mutter.
Of course, she had to have the last word.
I roll my eyes and let the matter drop.
Whether I liked it or not, I would have to marry Kale Hunger. His family was too important.
The guards opened the door, and in walked a tall, muscular man. His hair was soft and dark, and his eyes lit up when they found mine. His peachy lips parted in a shy yet determined smile.
As he walked toward me, my heart skipped a beat, and a wave of emotion rushed through me, filling my chest with something indescribable. He took my hand and gently spun me around before pulling me closer.
My heart was racing, caught in a whirlwind of feelings.
"I can feel it," he whispered in my ear.
His breath tickled my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
"You're my mate."
His eyes sparkled with joy and wonder. No one had ever looked at me that way.
I smiled back, caught in the moment. I was overwhelmed, too—and without thinking, I glanced down at my bracelet.
It didn't glow.
My mother did the same and frowned.
Maybe it wasn't working? If I was his mate... shouldn't he be mine too?
Something felt off. The bond was strong—but not strong enough to lift me off the ground.
"I knew it from the first time I saw your photos," he said, his voice full of emotion. "I knew it was you. It's always been you."
His pupils were fully dilated with feeling.
"I'm glad," was all I could manage to say.
As we walked together to the dining room, I kept glancing at my bracelet.
I had expected something different.
This man was tall, handsome, and an Alpha. I expected my wolf to react—to feel more. The so-called butterflies, the soul-deep connection.
But... I didn't.
He was attractive—so much so I couldn't look away—but my wolf didn't recognize him as my mate.
And neither did the bracelet.
Was I supposed to spend my entire life with someone who wasn't truly mine?
I sighed.
The waiter served lunch, and Michael placed his hand gently over mine.
"I'm very lucky. You're so beautiful," he said.
I blushed at his comment and instinctively covered my face with my hand. He chuckled and gently pulled my hand away.
"You don't like compliments, do you?"
"I'm... I'm just not used to them."
"I'll fix that. Don't worry," he said with a warm smile.
We shared a look, and then he asked:
"So tell me... Do you feel the same way about me?" He smiles as he was so sure I shared the same Joy, the same bound. But my Heart Heaven ed, and my instict was clear.
Everyone looks at me, expecting for an answer I didn't have.
Was him my mate?
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