Chapter 1

Sometimes, I wonder why the most powerful Alpha of all wants me.

Why didn’t he choose my sister—strong, healthy, beautiful?

Maybe he doesn’t know what awaits him either.

Maybe it’s just an agreement. A name. A duty for him.

From the rumors I’ve heard, he’s a man without a mate, an Alpha without a Luna—and something inside me tells me he doesn’t want me as his Luna. The council is pressuring him to marry and have children, and what could be more convenient than someone who will die in his arms at his first touch?

"Wait... you want me to marry the Alpha?" I asked, feeling my legs tremble when I first heard the news. They said I had a mate but never revealed many details.

When I was sixteen, I overheard something about it, but I never imagined it could be the Alpha. I had hoped it would be the man from back then, but now I was completely disillusioned.

I had thought it would be something more complex—that I would have to recognize my mate, and he, me. How could they choose someone like that for me? I don’t even know him.

I never judged Lana for being infatuated with this Alpha, but… what does that have to do with me? They say he’s hundreds of years old!

"Don’t worry, Samuel Kan is an intelligent and handsome man," said my mother, her voice uncertain as she avoided my gaze. That only made me more suspicious.

"Mother… did you offer me to him? I’ve never even seen this man before," I asked, my throat tight.

"We would never do that!" she protested, but something in her tone made me doubt her.

My father tried to intervene.

"But… suddenly, Samuel Kan took an interest in one of you. We thought it was Lana, but for some reason, he said it’s you."

"Are you sure it’s not my sister Lana? Does he even know who I am? That we’re twins?" I asked, clinging to a small hope.

"It’s not your sister. He doesn’t know you’re twins, but the details he gave can’t be mistaken. If we send Lana, he’ll obviously notice," said my mother coldly.

"He was very clear. Besides, he saw you clearly that day..." My father began to say something, but my mother cut him off with a sharp look.

What secrets were they hiding now? Who was Samuel Kan, really? If he was the ancient wolf people whispered about, then he was centuries old. How could they have the courage to hand me over to him?

"Just think of it as helping to end a conflict that’s lasted more than a hundred years," my mother said, her voice heavy with sorrow. "Once you’re allied, Alpha Kan might realize this war between wolves and sorcerers is meaningless. You could be our bridge, dear. The Kan family might finally understand why we shelter mages and witches. They can’t keep accusing us when he himself houses several of the goddesses of fate. Those women bring nothing but chaos."

"But what do I have to do with any of this? Just offer Lana. She wants to marry—she’s always liked the Alpha… you know that. Back when we were supposed to meet him, she didn’t even hesitate before pushing me aside for the chance. Isn’t that why?" I cried in panic. I couldn’t be with the Alpha. There was no way.

Back then, when I was sixteen, I already carried that burden, consoling myself with the thought that it might be the man who once saved me. But now, it felt as though the weight of the world rested on my shoulders.

At least he asked for me to be delivered when I was of age—enough time to prepare… or to prepare to die. Because that’s what would happen when he touched me.

I left the office desolate. I spent days thinking about the man from the lake. Maybe he was the only man I would ever be able to touch.

A mysterious man whom no one else seemed to remember. My memories of him were like a blurred painting under water—but I knew he was real. I just couldn’t understand why someone who saved my life had been forgotten by my family.

Now I’m close to turning nineteen. The fateful day has finally arrived. I was to be claimed by Samuel Kan, yet I couldn’t comprehend when or how he had met me. As far as I knew, I was an isolated daughter, kept secret.

I thought Alphas were meant to be with their destined mates, so why was he interested in me?

I never had the chance to leave the mansion—always confined to the gardens, never beyond the high walls.

Still, since the day my marriage was announced, my room filled with boxes of gifts that arrived constantly—sent by him, as if I were someone important to him.

I never opened them, refusing to accept gifts from a stranger.

I simply stacked the boxes as though they were empty, as though they represented the distance between us.

They already covered an entire wall of my room. To me, that man seemed exactly like that—cold, opulent, unreachable.

"Maya, get dressed. We’re heading to the Kan estate. Your wedding will be wonderful," my mother said, excited.

I stood there, frozen, petrified. Maybe there was still a way to stop this wedding.

Until I could think of a way, I had to find Lana. Maybe she’d want this Luna position—she used to admire Alpha Kan so much back then.

It was decided. My sister would take my place.