MIGUEL'S POV

“Yes it's me, how could you sacrifice your happiness for a loveless marriage?” he was more than disappointed. We are twins, and we shouldn't keep things from each other, right?

“I know, but father wouldn't agree. He would think we are playing around since the lady doesn't know we are mates yet” I muttered.

“You're planning to leave the Pack right, I will leave in your place, brother. It will be our little secret” he chortled.

“Why the sudden happiness…wait, did you just say I should take your place as the Alpha? No way” He wants to put me in trouble again. There is no way I'm agreeing to that.

“I'm happy because I will find my mate where I'm going. You might not understand now, but you will surely understand one day that you're the right person to the throne as the Alpha. My only role is to support you brother” he avowed, patting my back.

“Just do this for your brother for the last time…we will both benefit from it” he gushed delightedly and I sighed.

“Father might behead me when he later finds out” I grumbled as the memories of the beatings and suffering I got twenty years ago flashed through my mind.

“You really think I will be willing to claim that throne after the humiliation the Pack showed me?” I growled, remembering the hardship I faced many years ago.

“Except mother and me” he pinpointed.

“I know this will be hard, but I need to find my mate and I will tell you why I'm not fit to be Alpha after which I bring in my mate to the Pack” he persuaded. I know the best feeling is to be with my mate, but at the same time this is the hardest thing ever. It's like playing with fire.

“Mother and your mate must not know about this. I had a meeting with your mate, and she isn't interested in this marriage as well, so it's better I find mine. You have a beautiful mate I must say” he bragged and I smiled. I had no choice but to accept this suggestion.

“So, where are you going?” I demanded. He thought for a while.

“It's a secret, but I'm going with Seneca” he whispered.

“I will miss you, brother” I said, hugging him so tight.

“Don't tell me you are crying” I teased, disengaging from the hug.

“It's tears of joy” he replied emotionally. I'm so going to miss him.

*******

It's finally the wedding day. All neighboring Pack were present to grace the occasion. I stared at my beautiful mate, and she looked down shyly. Miquel left yesterday night in my clothes. I hope he will be really okay. Everywhere was decorated with beautiful paintings. The elephant which was to carry the bride and groom was beautifully dressed with our color code, red and gold with different jewelries of gold, silver, and diamond. I discovered my mate's name is Valeria. She is the daughter of moon light Pack.

I stretched forth my hands to support her from climbing the elephant, and she shuddered. I guess she felt the spark. I wish she could perceive me as her mate already. I concluded I wasn't going to force her. I wanted her to know the feeling of perceiving her mate. I held her as she climbed on the elephant and the singers of her Pack sang as we left for the Venue. It was a place where Alphas got married to their mates. She felt reluctant as I held her.

“Are you feeling uncomfortable around me now? You had this suggestion in the first place” I joked and she scoffed.

“Of Course we did but no one has been this close to me” she shot back.

I came down and helped her climb down. Everyone was cheering us as we left for the hall. Mother, father and the leaders of neighboring Packs were already present on their various seats.

Mother looked a bit restless and I wondered what was wrong but couldn't fathom anything. I know she would find out eventually that this is Miguel getting married. Only mother could differentiate her children. We walked to where they were seated and bowed to father. Father looked so delighted, but mother forced a smile on.

“Your marriage will be fruitful, and you shall have kids to surround your table” father blessed us and we smiled.

Valeria's dad stepped forward and pulled us up with a grin plastered on his face. He hugged me so tight.

“I wouldn't mind killing you if my daughter ever complained of you maltreating her” he whispered into my ear and I smiled. Why would I maltreat my mate? I would spoil her that she will never lack a thing.

“My daughter” her mother wailed, hugging her so tight, and she hugged her mom. We were left alone on stage and I faced her. She is the most beautiful lady I've seen.

I removed the veil from her face and applied the green face lid on it. It's a tradition of how to recognize a married woman.

*****

After what seems like forever, the celebration finally came to an end.

“This is where you and your bride will reside for the next seven days” father chortled, handing a Spirit plaque to me. I stared at it and bowed.

“We will go first, try your best Valeria, we want a male child” Father crowed, and she started coughing nervously. I laughed softly as they departed. I inserted it into an invisible fence. There was a dim light and the door opened. I Changed my Attire into Hanbok. Valeria came in wearing just an underwear.

“What in the world is wrong with you?” I sputtered, facing the other side. This wasn't the agreement she had with Miquel. Staring at her alone made me get turned on.

“You can turn back” She took a small robe and put it on. Her cleavages were still showing. How can I control myself or the beast in me? I'm so naive in this!

“This wasn't our agreement, so you should get yourself clothed, fully” I mumbled, emphasizing the word ‘fully’ looking at the floor. What if she is aware we are mates? The thought made me stare at her. She stood up, staring at me.

“I know the agreement is for us to make this fake, but after that day, father read my mind. He threatened he would kill me if I ever played on his intelligence” she gulped.

“So what in the world is this dressing about? He wouldn't dare hurt the Alpha's bride, would he” I snickered? If he ever tried it, he would lose his life.

“I know, but have you thought about what would happen when he tells the whole Pack our marriage is counterfeit? Your father is a strict man, and he may have us beheaded” she shuddered. I'm the bigger criminal here, if father ever discovered he married off the wrong son, he would have me killed.

“Do not be weaver, I will protect you” I assured.

“I had a change of mind months ago, I've decided to forget my mate and focus on you. I will serve you wholeheartedly and give my body to you” she sputtered, removing the robe once again. I groaned. All Bruno wanted was to make her ours, but I had to control that. I inhaled her sweet smell. It's the most difficult test I've experienced. The feeling when your wolf and body want to betray you. Closing my eyes, I took the robe and covered her up.

“I promised my mate would be my first, so I will wait, and I will protect you” she stared at me disappointed.

“I'm sorry, but I'm not letting go whether you find your mate or not. She can only become your mistress or concubine, but I remain your main… forever” she muttered into my ears and left for the closet. I released the breadth, which I wasn't aware I had been holding.

I thought about her words and grinned. I wasn't ready to let her go of course.

“You ruined my mood already, you can enjoy the fireworks yourself” She scoffed while laying on the bed and I smiled.

“How about we go for a run, it's our first night, so?” She turned to stare at me then slowly, she whispered “no”. I sighed disappointedly and laid beside her. No lady has never been this close to me. The ladies in the Pack were always calling me the cursed wolf. I stared at her sleeping figure for hours and inhaled her sweet fragrance. The elders were right, having your chosen mate is the best.

I thought of how I could make her fall in love with me. 'Let's cook for her' Bruno giggled. I couldn't wait until it was dawn. There is a lot of food in the kitchen. I settled for Ramen. I never learned how to cook, but I've seen the maid prepare food for Umberto a couple of times. I tasted it and moaned. It's delicious. I served the food and brought it into the room with a jug of water.

“Good morning Valeria” I greeted, dropping the tray beside the metal stool. She gaped at me, astonished.

“Why does everything seem new about you? This was the same Alpha who acted grumpy and cold at our first meeting. Did you hit your head on something hard” she mocked, checking my head.

“Why don't you eat first, else the food will become cold” I chortled. She giggled and sat right. She scrunches her face in disgust at her first taste of the food.

“What is the matter? Did…” I couldn't finish my sentence when she ran outside, spitting whatever was in her mouth on the ground. I tasted the food again and frowned. I don't feel anything wrong with the food.

“Are you dumb or stupid? Do you want to slit my throat with that amount of salt!?” She barked, rinsing off her mouth repeatedly.

“You should at least appreciate me first. It took me hours before that could be successful” I mumbled sadly.

“Thank you my Lord” She mocked, bowing.

“I was waiting for you to be awake, we need to visit the temple” I stated going in, but she surprised me. She hugged me from behind. I stared at her dumbfounded, but said nothing; my fingers curled in hers and held tightly. She is a beautiful girl with black hair that shone like satin, dark eyes that shone like sapphires and lips that made me feel as if everything had come to a complete standstill. We stood there, together, for what seemed like hours. Eventually, she leaned down and kissed my cheek softly. It took all of my might to pull away from the touch, but her sweet smell failed me.

Then she said something, but it seemed like she was speaking in another language. My eyes were still fixed on hers, as if they could see into her soul. The words came slowly, like honey dripping through cracks; “I love you.” She pressed her soft hand against my face, over my heart, and I felt it beat so fast in response. She smiled. Then she pulled me forward, pressing our lips together. I had this tingling sensation in every bone of my body as our kiss grew more passionate. Our breathing became heavier, we stumbled to sit down, she straddled my lap and ran her hands up and down my back. I kissed her neck as my fingers traced patterns across the curve of her breasts. Suddenly, my senses returned to me. I pulled her away gently and looked away.

“I was just joking around, the food is delicious” she chortled, going back to finish it and I smiled.

“So shall we?” I stretched forth my hands to her. She extended hers to mine, but removed it quickly. She felt the spark again.

“You want us to go to the temple when this marriage is fake? You're so unbelievable” she giggled.

******

Our seven days ended yesterday, and we are back once more in the Pack house. Valeria has been my greatest temptation, but the goddess has always been gracious with the strength to avoid her.

“The Luna is arriving” A guard announced. My mate had gone out.

“My prince” she greeted jokingly, and I smiled, bowing in respect.

“How did the wedding night go? Was she able to know the truth?” She demanded, staring at Miquel's room in satisfaction.

“What truth mother? Our wedding night went well” I chuckled remembering what happened. She stared at me intently.

“What! You're Miguel!” She screeched, but I quickly covered her mouth.