Chapter 2

I wasn’t sure what possessed me to call my best friend’s older brother and agree to his ridiculous offer. Maybe it was desperation. Maybe it was exhaustion. Or maybe I just really wanted to see the look on Max’s face when he found out.

Before I could even second-guess myself, Alpha David showed up.

He arrived on a sleek black motorcycle, the kind that purred like a damn predator. As he swung his leg over and pulled off his helmet, the entire marriage registration office collectively forgot how to breathe.

A few she-wolves blatantly stared, one even elbowing her friend and whispering, “Holy hell, who is that?”

Alpha David ignored them completely. He strolled over to me, flopped down into the seat next to mine, crossed one long leg over the other, and smirked.

“Well, well, has our mighty Alpha Louis finally come around?” His silver eyes glinted with amusement. “Agreed to a fake marriage to deal with your family’s nonsense?”

I exhaled slowly. “It’s not just about the family.”

His smirk softened—just a little. “Your grandpa?”

I nodded.

Six months ago, after handing me the Alpha position of the Ironfang Pack, Grandpa fell seriously ill. He’s been in the hospital ever since. And every time I visited, he’d ask me the same thing—

"When are you getting married, Louis?"

He wanted to see me in a wedding dress.

Wanted to see me walk down the aisle.

Said that if he saw that, he could leave this world knowing I’d be loved and protected.

So, six months ago, I started pushing Beta Max to make it official.

We’d come to the Civil Affairs Bureau seven times.

Seven.

Each time, something came up.

Last time, Grace had cramps—he had to make her brown sugar water.

The time before that, Grace lost her keys—he had to unlock her door.

And before that? Grace was craving mushroom soup—he had to stand in line for an hour.

Every single time, it was because of Grace.

And every single time, Beta Max abandoned me without a second thought.

The irony? I gave him seven chances.

And he couldn’t even stay long enough to take a damn photo with me.

But today? When he walked out that door again, I didn’t feel heartbroken.

I just felt… done.

Because maybe I saw it coming.

Or maybe I finally remembered Grandpa’s words from just a few days ago:

"Louis, I may never get to see you in a wedding dress. But even if you end up alone, you have to live bravely. Don’t let anyone push you around."

I promised him I’d be brave.

So this time? No more waiting. No more compromises.

Beta Max—I gave you your chances.

Seven of them.

I turned to David, who was watching me with a knowing expression.

“Still going through with it?” he asked lazily.

I took a deep breath, then nodded.

“Yep. Let’s do it.”

The process went smoothly. The moment we finished signing, my phone buzzed.

A message from Beta Max.

[Alright, Louis, don’t be mad. I really couldn’t get away today, but I made your favorite food at home. Come back soon~]

I stared at the message for a full five seconds.

Then I turned off my phone.

As we walked out of the bureau, I glanced at David. “Are you free tomorrow? There’s something I want you to come with me to.”

He straddled his motorcycle, throwing me a lazy grin.

“Call me,” he said. “Who knows—maybe I’ll need you to deal with my parents soon, too.”

Then he revved the engine and sped off, leaving a trail of dust and a very stunned receptionist in his wake.

And all I could think was—

Life is full of twists.