Chapter 2

Looking at Ryan's slightly flushed ears, I couldn't help asking,

"Didn't you always say you'd join the Northern Patrol after your adult awakening?"

"You even said that one day, you'd become the youngest commander in the Royal Guard."

Ryan froze, clearly not expecting the question.

"The northern border is too dangerous."

"You're dealing with rogue wolves and hostile packs every day. How could that possibly be safer than staying at the headquarter?"

He paused, then added as if it were the most obvious thing in the world,

"Besides, Celeste doesn't like being away from home."

"She's not strong enough for that kind of environment, and she's never been comfortable with the northern frontier."

"Now that I've decided to be with her, of course I'm going to stay at Northern Command and be there for her."

But that wasn't what Ryan used to say.

When he was younger, he would stand on the training grounds and point toward the north.

"One day, I'm going to become the youngest commander in the Royal Guard."

"I want to go wherever the fighting is fiercest and defend the northern border."

Back then, his eyes were full of ambition and determination.

Then he would look at me and grin.

"When I become a Royal Guard commander, you'll come with me."

I once asked him what position I was supposed to have in the Royal Guard.

He tapped my forehead and laughed.

"Not as a soldier, Serena. As my mate."

For years, I had believed he meant it.

He looked like someone who truly wanted to make a name for himself.

And now, that same boy who once dreamed of earning his place on the northern front had willingly given up the appointment he'd always wanted, just to stay at headquarters for Celeste.

I couldn't help thinking back to three days ago.

That was when a confidential document from the Royal Council arrived at the Hawthorne estate.

I clutched the Royal Mate Contract and went to find my father.

My parents were in the study, discussing Celeste's engagement party and trust fund arrangements.

I was just about to knock when I heard Mom sigh.

"Finding a mate for Celeste should be easy enough."

"It's Serena,"

She paused.

"They're twins. How did they end up so different?"

Dad gave a quiet scoff.

"She's twenty-one and still doesn't have a stable mate."

"If people outside the family start wondering whether something is wrong with the Hawthorne family, who's going to want to negotiate a union with Celeste?"

"Just find Serena some ordinary Alpha from a minor pack and get it settled."

"Don't let her situation interfere with Celeste's engagement."

My hand, raised to knock, slowly fell back to my side.

I considered asking Adrian, but stopped outside his door.

He had spent years hiding my assessment scores to protect Celeste's confidence. Why would I trust him to help choose my future now?

That night, I went to the training center where Ryan spent most of his time.

He was wiping down his sidearm and adjusting his combat gear.

Under the dim lights, the metal gleamed coldly.

"Ryan."

"What do you think of Alpha King Ronan?"

He didn't even look up before cutting me off.

"Don't tell me you're thinking about the Royal Match."

"Serena, don't get ahead of yourself."

"Being Alpha King's Luna Queen isn't a position an ordinary wolf can just dream of."

I had tried to ask my family what kind of man Ronan was.

Not one of them had listened long enough to wonder why I needed to know.

And not one of them had ever asked me,

Serena, who do you actually want as your mate?

What kind of life do you want?

And now, the four of them were still arguing over Celeste's future mate.

Hours passed, and they still hadn't reached a decision.

Mom sighed.

"Our Celeste is beautiful and intelligent."

"I honestly think she'd be worthy of becoming Alpha King's Luna Queen."

"I just wonder what kind of family raised the girl who ranked first in the Royal Talent Selection."

Her voice was filled with envy, and beneath it, just a hint of resentment.

Dad picked up his coffee and said casually,

"Probably some elite pack that's been training her from birth."

"Private coaches, the best resources, everything."

"Someone like that taking first place isn't exactly surprising."

Adrian leaned back on the couch and laughed dismissively.

"I'd guess that girl is probably just talented."

"Maybe she's average-looking and boring."

"Otherwise, who would spend all their time obsessing over ability assessments?"

"Celeste already has plenty of outstanding Alpha heirs interested in her. Why should we care about one Royal candidate?"

One cutting remark after another,

they belittled the girl they knew nothing about.

None of them realized that the girl they were talking about was me.

If no one was willing to hear me out, then I had no reason to ask again.

A Royal Match was the opportunity countless wolves could only dream of.

And if I was going to choose a mate, why shouldn't I choose the most powerful, most respected man in the entire werewolf world?

The Royal Council had given me until midnight after the Spring Charity Gala to sign.

Once my signature was registered, the contract could not be withdrawn without the Alpha King's consent.

By sunrise, the identity of the next Luna Queen would be announced to every pack in the Northland.

My family had less than twenty-four hours left to remember that I existed.