CHAPTER ONE

ASAI

“The Matriarch is furious, you need to come see her as soon as you can.” The herald's voice shook in fear, and I could immediately tell that Mother had heard the news.

In less than two months' time, I was going to be marrying Sakiko Mori, the only omega daughter in a family known for only having alpha heirs. It was a last ditch effort of course to save my inheritance and ensure Mother's name isn't dragged through the mud by her extended family and all my cousins. The company was in debt, thanks to some very bad financial decisions made by Mother's last concubine, left to her, she had given up, and would've let the company go down under. But I couldn't afford to let that happen, I had too many secrets hanging on the thread. If I lost my inheritance and Mother's backing, then I was done for.

The entire country would know that I'd been lying for the last twenty three years, and that I wasn’t really an alpha. If the shame didn't kill me first, then the rest of the country would. Such a shameful secret would have no choice but to follow me to the grave.

My phone rang again, it was the herald. I should make my way to the family house as soon as possible, but I was busy at the moment. Very busy.

I stood, awkward and uncomfortable in the overpadded suit I wore to give me more bulk so I looked more like an alpha than the omega that I was, sweating despite the AC, as I waited in the Mori mansion to see my newest fiancée.

It was our third week as betrothed, and her family had insisted I come over, more especially her brothers. Sakiko had five brothers, all alphas, and she was the youngest. It was very daunting being in the presence of so many dominant alphas, I was scared they'd all take one look at me and see me for what I truly was.

My phone buzzed again by my side and I was just about to put it on silent when the large double oak doors slammed open with enough force to rattle the windows in the living room.

I smelled the alpha before I even saw him. He smelled like salt, mint and leather. I gasped, having to hold on to the back of the chair I sat on so I wouldn't lose my composure.

Kao Mori stormed into the living room like a bull seeing red, he was the oldest heir, and apparently the biggest. Sakiko trailed behind him, looking tired of his posturing, and he managed to tower over us both. He was strong and broad, his muscles filling his suit easily, every bit a strong, natural alpha.

I looked ridiculous next to him, with my padding, and my unimpressive height.

He stared me down as Sakiko crossed the room to kiss me in greeting, I could not look away from those piercing green eyes staring me down, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Is this him?” Kao boomed, voice like deep bass vibrating through my bones. “The alpha you're planning on marrying?” he spat the word alpha out like it was an insult.

“Stop it, brother.” Sakiko hissed, wrapping a hand around me, I tried to stop the trembling in my limbs and return Kao's cold stare. Internally I was screaming, but on the outside, I was cold and aloof, the perfect alpha mask.

“Alpha Mori.” I extended my hand to him for a handshake since alphas did not bow to each other. “It is an honor to finally meet my brother in law.”

Kao stared at my hand like it had personally offended him. “You are small for an alpha, what did you say your name was again?”

“Asai Wrynn.”

“He's heir to his mother's conglomerate, Kao.” Sakiko said, hoping to sway her brother's mind. “It's going to be good for our family to associate with theirs. His mother is a powerful alpha Matriarch.”

Kao snorted with a sneer. “If it's powerful alliances you want, there are better options than this alpha, he's not good enough for this family. He barely even has a scent.”

“I'm recessive, Mr. Mori.” The lie came off my tongue like silk, easy to say after twenty three years of practice. “Unfortunately, I do not have a scent, but I'm alpha just like you. I'll be good to Sakiko, I swear it.”

Kao went silent for a long while, those bright green eyes staring through me like they were stripping me bare and seeing past all my pretenses. His nose flared briefly as he searched for my scent, but then he shook his head when he could not get anything.

“Saki,” he barked to his sister. “Leave us. I'd like to speak to this fiancé of yours in private.”

“Kao. . .” She protested.

“Don't argue with me.” He growled, “Leave.”

Sakiko huffed in displeasure before turning to me. “Don't let him intimidate you. You already have Father's blessing. Nothing he does can change that.”

I smiled at her, confident and cocky, though I was shaking on the inside. “I'll be fine, love. Do as your brother says.”

“I will see you later, Asai.” With one last peck on my cheek, Sakiko left the living room, all the while glaring at her brother. As soon as the doors slammed shut behind her, Kao and I were left alone, and suddenly, everything seemed suffocating.

He stalked forward, agile and smooth like the alpha he was, he stopped just close enough that our shoes almost touched. I had to lean my head back to meet his eyes. I was tall for an omega, but definitely not tall enough to match a natural dominant alpha.

Something about the height difference caused Kao to grind his jaw. And I fought the submissive urge to take a step back. “Is there a problem, alpha?” I asked, forcing my voice to be deeper than its natural register.

Kao quirked an eyebrow as his eyes dragged from the top of my head to the tips of my shiny leather shoes. “Something about you is not right.” He growled, the sound raised the hairs on my neck. “You and I both know that.”

“I don't know what you mean.”

Kao huffed. “The only reason I'm not beating you out of here is because Sakiko likes you, and my father has given his blessing on this union. But, just know that my eyes are on you, what ever it is you're planning, I'm going to get to the bottom of it. And that is a threat, little alpha.”

I swallowed down my fear and forced myself to return his hard gaze. “I have nothing to hide, Mr. Mori. But if you've decided to dislike me from the very start, then I would make it easy for you either.”

Kao huffed out a laugh, his sharp canines glinting as he grinned. “Well, I'm looking forward to that, little alpha. Show me exactly, what you got.”

Before I could say anything else, Kao was already gone, leaving me alone and shaken. I managed to walk with my chin up to my car, but as soon as I was behind its doors, I let myself finally collapse with fear. This was going to be much harder than I was expecting.