Noventa y Nueve Brazaletes de Esmeralda y un Divorcio

In a scene of grandeur and tight security, Alpha Alexander of Bluemoon Pack, a well-known billionaire and the most powerful Alpha in European territory, travelled in a large, shiny black SUV with tinted windows. He was accompanied by two carloads of bodyguards, both in front of and behind him. This impressive sight was especially notable along the route to the distant Italian village of Maronola, just a few miles from the nearest boundary of the Whitemoon pack. Despite the distance and the unusual procession, everyone recognized Alexander immediately because his human grandmother was a familiar figure in the area, and it was a well-known tradition for him to visit her on Easter Day.

In a world where humans and werewolves coexist, a delicate balance has been struck through carefully defined borders and rules. Both communities have come to acknowledge and respect each other's existence, understanding the need for mutual understanding and cooperation. Within these boundaries, humans were aware of the presence of werewolves and other supernatural beings, and vice versa.

Alpha Alexander gazed at the road he had transformed from a narrow dirt path into a wide highway to support the transportation needs of the coach-building factory he established to create jobs in the rural area. In the past, during the winters when he lived here, the road would become muddy and often impassable, except for farm carts. Snow would isolate the village for weeks. It still amazed Alexander that he spent years in Maronola as a teenager, transitioning from an urban human troublemaker to adapting to a supernatural alpha life.

At thirteen years old and already towering at six feet, he found himself immersed in a life of crime, surviving by breaking the law. However, his path took a turn when the alpha of the Whitemoon pack recognized his potential and recruited him for their patrol team, tasked with controlling the border between human territory and the pack. After a few years on patrol, Alexander was bitten by a rogue from the other side of the border and left for dead in the woods. Fortunately, he was discovered by the former alpha of the Bluemoon pack, Alpha Azule, who turned him into a werewolf, revealing his lineage as part of the long-lost royal bloodline. From then on, Alexander was brought into the Bluemoon pack, where he was educated in his lineage and the laws of werewolves. Under the guidance of the former alpha, he was trained until he was ready to defend his position against challengers. Alexander proved himself by defeating all who sought to claim the alpha position, ultimately becoming the new alpha after alpha Azule passed away from old age.

The convoy stopped outside a modest building, covered in weathered clapboards and hidden behind an overgrown hedge. The imposing bodyguards, sporting sunglasses even in dim weather and never smiling, quickly surveyed the area.

Alpha Alexander, dressed sharply in a tailored silk and mohair suit, made his annual visit to his grandmother, Ysabelle, who refused his offer to build her a new house, which he found significant. Reflecting on Ysabelle's genuine nature, he realised she was unlike other women he had met, not interested in using him for personal gain or his wealth.

As he confidently walked towards the house, the human villagers respectfully stepped aside, creating a hushed atmosphere. Ysabelle, a petite woman in her seventies with lively eyes and a straightforward demeanour, welcomed him warmly. “Welcome home, Ally.” She smiled and hugged him with love. "You're always on your own, where is your luna?" Ysabelle sighed, leading him to the table adorned with a lavish spread of food, meant to break the forty-day fast observed by the villagers.

“Nana, you know I don't have a Luna yet,” he replied with a frown.

The old woman sighed, “Yeah, yeah, I know that. Anyway, dig in.”

Alexander hesitated. "Nana, I haven't..."

His grandmother began piling food onto a plate for him. "Do you think I don't know that?"

“Nana!”

“Eat, my boy. Being an alpha is exhausting, you need food.”

He rolled his eyes.

"I agree, Alexander," encouraged by a close friend of his nana, who smiled approvingly at the young alpha known for restoring the church tower. Alexander nodded and enjoyed the traditional Easter meal, despite skipping breakfast in anticipation. He eagerly savoured the special bread and Easter cake, graciously entertaining requests for advice, support, and financial assistance throughout the meal, as he was seen as a benefactor within the community.

Reflecting on all this, Alexander wondered what gratitude Ysabelle had received for taking a chance on him, her once-unruly grandson. While her guidance had transformed his life and opportunities, her own life remained difficult. His wealth and success meant little to her.

"You worry about Ysabelle," the priest observed wisely.

“Yes, all the time, that's why I'm here again, hoping that she will come with me to my pack.”

The priest shook his head and said, "Oh, Alexander, worry not, bring her a wife and a grandchild, and she'll find happiness."

"If only it were as simple as you suggest, old man," Alexander remarked, diverting his attention from the scantily clad woman who eagerly served him coffee.

"With the right woman, it is that simple!" The priest chuckled.

Despite the priest's optimism, Alexander couldn't shake his strong reluctance to marry someone who wasn't his true mate, especially after his painful experience with Rose. He kept this to himself, knowing it would deeply hurt Ysabelle. Seeing the wrinkles on her face, he realised time was running out. He understood that someday there would be no one left to tell him how his helicopter noise bothered her pig and affected her hens' egg production. This realisation weighed heavily on his conscience. He felt that if anyone deserved the happiness of having a grandchild, it was his nana.

“She will come. I still have faith,” the old woman murmured as she watched with hidden pride as her grandson, Alexander, attracted the attention of every young woman in the room. His strikingly handsome appearance and tall, athletic build made him the centre of attention. Despite this, he was indifferent to the female interest, as he had grown accustomed to it from a young age. The old woman smiled, she remembered the lovelorn girls who had followed him around as a boy, and his extraordinary charisma hadn't changed.

However, Alpha Alexander felt mildly annoyed by the attention from women and wondered if Ysabelle had something to do with the presence of so many attractive young women. Yet, when he focused on his grandmother, he noticed her looking older and wearier each time he saw her. He knew she was disappointed that he hadn't brought a girl home with him, but the women who satisfied his desires around the world weren't suitable to introduce to her. Despite being seen as an arrogant businessman, powerful alpha, Alexander believed he owed it to Ysabelle to fulfil her wish for him to marry and start a family, which surprised many.

A few minutes later, after yet another cup of coffee, Alpha Alexander was still mulling over the problem that afternoon when his grandmother asked him if he ever ran into Rose, his ex-fiancee. He managed not to wince. He was a loner, he always had been, and he found personal relationships a challenge. He loved the cut and thrust of business, the rogue problem of the pack, constant fighting with the challenger, the exhilaration of a new deal or takeover, the challenge of cutting out the dead wood and increasing profit in the underperformers, and the sheer satisfaction of making a huge financial killing. If only marriage could be more like business with clear-cut rules and contracts that left no room for misunderstandings or errors!

In an instant, Alexander's sharp mind shifted into high gear, contemplating the idea: why not approach marriage and fatherhood with the same strategic mindset he applied to business? After all, his previous attempts at traditional relationships had ended disastrously. He needed a wife, a luna. He could do that. Right?

Why not? He pondered to himself as he looked at the old woman.

"Is there someone?" Ysabelle's question carried a hint of guilt, indicating she had been withholding inquiries about his personal life all day.

Alexander smiled wickedly, winking at his nana. "Perhaps," he replied, cautiously entertaining the notion of a potential partner or the foundation for future arrangements.

With that, the plan began to take shape in the alpha’s mind. This time, he resolved to approach marriage with a professional, practical mindset. Maybe, tricked the pack into believing that he found his Luna. He would compile a list of criteria, delegate the screening process to his lawyers, and enlist the expertise of a doctor and psychologist to assess potential candidates for the role he envisioned. Of course, he wanted a human mate. It was less complicated when the contract ended. The marriage would be short-term, with Alexander retaining custody of any children. It was not that hard. In fact, it was so easy, it was like dealing with a business. Quick and fast. He smirked to himself.

Recognizing the contradiction in his desires, Alexander realised he wanted a wife, a luna who wasn't solely motivated by money but was willing to bear him a child and then leave once he grew tired of pretending to be a happy family for Ysabelle's sake. Despite these conflicting needs, Alexander was convinced that his ideal Luna existed somewhere in the world, and he was determined to find her, no matter what. Hours later, after another tearful goodbye, he began outlining his requirements meticulously, believing he could find her without even meeting her before the wedding. Excited by this prospect, he started jotting down bullet points on his laptop as he sat comfortably behind the tinted windows of his vehicle.