～契約結婚からはじまる恋〜大正浪漫 喫茶・香蘭堂～

Ari

"Well, how do you like it?" 

Maddie looked at herself in the mirror. Her face lit up after seeing the braided hair crown sitting on top of her head. She was very pleased with the way I did her hair. Indeed, the elegant hairstyle made her look regal and queenly. She looked like a modern-day princess.

"It was awesome! The Queen of hairstyling, indeed!" Maddie exclaimed. She showed her utmost appreciation by cuddling me. "I bet the Jarl of Ironflame Pack would find it difficult to resist me with this hairstyle," she added afterward.

"I'm sure he would," I commented as I finished her look with a pink blush on her cheeks.

"You really are the best, sis! Thank you for doing this for me."

I smiled widely upon hearing her praise. My younger half-sister, Maddie, had a huge crush on Jarl Kristoff, the crown alpha of Ironflame Pack, despite having only heard about him through stories circulating on the continent. Ironflame was the largest and most powerful pack in the Northern continent, and our pack, Shadowmoon, was one of its vassals.

According to the stories, the crown alpha had long, jet-black hair, a sun-tanned complexion, deep hazel eyes, and a body that even the Lycan gods would envy. He was renowned as a skilled warrior, best known for defeating an army of rogues single-handedly at the cliff of shadows. The crown alpha was an impressive heir to his equally strong Alpha father, Alpha Ragnar, known as the Ironwolf. No wonder he was popular among young teenage wolves like Maddie.

However, I was an exception. I had no interest in pursuing a wolf who was likely already mated to someone else, preferring to be with the mate chosen for me by the moon goddess. This made me, Arianna Lynn Rosenberg, immune to the crown alpha's charm.

"Hello?! Are you even listening?" Maddie waved her hand in front of my face, trying to get my attention. I didn't realize it, but I had spaced out in front of her.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" I responded with an apologetic tone.

"I said, do you think Jarl Kristoff would notice me? I mean, I look rather ordinary compared to those she-wolves in his pack. Do you think he would even pay attention to me?" Maddie looked discouraged. Looking at her oval-shaped face adorned with a long, sharp nose and a pair of pinkish lips, Maddie was beautiful. However, she had always been insecure because of the large birthmark on the side of her face.

"Well, I don't see any other reason for him not to," I said as I touched her shoulders. "You're beautiful, Maddie. I am sure the Jarl would take notice of it. Just be yourself and act natural in front of him, and everything will be okay."

Maddie had been looking forward to this day for a long time. Since our Alpha Dad was good friends with the Ironwolf, the powerful Alpha would often visit our pack, but this would be the first time he would bring Jarl Kristoff with him. He had even joked with Dad about hoping his son would marry one of us to strengthen their bond. This deepened Maddie's infatuation with Jarl Kristoff over the years, as she aimed to fulfill the Ironwolf's wishes, knowing I had no interest in him.

"There, all set," I said as I maneuvered the makeup brush on her face one last time.

"Thanks, Ari! You're the best," Maddie declared as she got up from the chair. "The crown alpha and his entourage will be here soon. Are you sure you don't want to meet your future brother-in-law?" I jokingly rolled my eyes after hearing her tease

"Thanks but no thanks," I scoffed. "You know a half-rank wolf like me would only bring embarrassment to the family."

"Ari!" Maddie protested. "Don't say that! You're my sister, and we both have the alpha blood inside us. Don't you ever look down on yourself again, alright?"

"Fine! I'll keep my mouth shut," I said in surrender, raising both of my hands in the process.

Maddie's shoulders calmed down as she posed her sweetest grin before vanishing through the door. "I'll see you later, sis!" she said, and I waved at her in response.

Alone in my room, my thoughts turned to my life as a half-rank wolf. With an alpha Dad and an omega mom, our existence was considered an abomination by our society, neither fully high-ranked nor fully low-ranked. The high wolves would despise us for having our blood mixed with the slaves, while the slaves would treat us the same for being above them despite having the same blood. It was like we had no place in this world.

And yet, in my case, I was utterly blessed. My dad treated me and Maddie with the same love. And while my stepmother, Seraphina, would show her contempt for my existence, my father and sister would always be there to defend me from her. With all these things, I still considered myself the luckiest half-rank she-wolf in the world.

Time passed quickly. I decided to go to my sacred place, my garden when boredom hit me. It was my favorite hang-out place. You would find me there if you failed to see me inside my room.

I checked the time on the wall clock. It said a quarter before two in the afternoon. I didn't want to disturb the meeting later with my presence. Knowing that Seraphina would not let me join, my dad would surely argue with her. I didn't want the crown alpha to have a bad impression of our family for Maddie's sake.

I left my room and went to the back door. I stepped outside quietly, seeing the entire packhouse in chaos as they worked diligently to prepare for the meeting, ensuring it would please the Ironwolf and his heir. A few steps later, I reached my favorite spot, a grassy area under an old oak tree. The thick leaves cast enough shade to shield me from the afternoon sunlight.

I always loved the sun! Summertime was my favorite season. The warm sunshine gave me warmth as it hit my skin. While spring gave out the most beautiful flowers, summer gave me a sense of freedom. Freedom that I would surely get once I met my mate. Still dreaming, I decided to lie down on the grass and closed my eyes. 

Then, my solitude was disrupted.

My nostrils tickled from the new smell I was sensing. It was an earthy, woody mist that evoked my innermost desires. The deep leather aroma was shouting masculinity. I had never smelled anything like this in my entire life. Though the scent was a stranger to me, a feeling of familiarity was surfacing inside. It was as if a part of me was within that smell that finally found its way back after so many years.

Moments passed, and the addicting fragrance intensified. Dried leaves began to rustle. I could hear that someone was coming! My wolf instinct kicked in, and I readied myself for a possible threat. My sharp claws started to grow. I could feel the heat from my eyes indicating that they shifted color. Whoever or whatever was walking towards me, I was ready.

As the noise became louder, my heart began to pound. Surprisingly, it was not out of fear. The constant beating of my heart leaned towards excitement, which I found very, very odd. I wasn't very sure what was happening yet I tried to compose myself. Seconds passed, and my body reacted differently from how I was expecting my logical sense to behave.

At the final turn in the corner, I was greeted by a sight that I never dared to imagine. The darkest shade of black hair, sun-kissed skin, the perfectly sculptured body, a pair of eyes that had the ability to see through your soul... it was him…the wolf I had been waiting for all my life

"Mate," he softly uttered.

"Mate," I whispered, still trying to comprehend what was happening.

He gazed at me intently, his pearly white teeth flashing in a wide grin that illuminated the darkest corners of the world. He moved closer, and I remained rooted in place. He lifted my chin and spoke words that made my heart race.

"Mine," he whispered before claiming my trembling lips.

The kiss lasted for a while, and when we finally separated, our breaths were heavy, and our eyes locked in wonder. He touched the side of my face before introducing himself.

"My name is Kristoff Bjorn, the crown alpha of Ironflame Pack. And you are?"

I was still lost in the moment, a mixture of emotions filling me. Shock and amazement gripped me as I realized I had just kissed the man my sister had a huge crush on. For a few seconds, I couldn't respond, and my mind was in a whirlwind of emotions. 

It was until Jarl Kristoff repeated his question that led me back from a temporary trance, "And you are?"

"Ari Rosenberg," I stammered. 

Jarl Kristoff held my chin, tilted it upward, and made a promise that left me in awe.

"Soon, you will become my wife."

I had always imagined this moment: me walking hand in hand with the person I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with and dreaming about our future.

Finally, that day came.

The palm of his hand was surprisingly warm. While it was hard and firm, it was still something I was willing to hold forever. My heart continued to race like a stallion as I looked at his broadened back. He was walking a few steps ahead of me, so I was oblivious to the emotions written on his face.

It wasn't long before we saw the entrance of the pack house. Whatever happened in the garden was way out of the plan. Jarl Kristoff should have been with another she-wolf, yet his hand was entwined with mine. Fear took over my being as the reality of the whole situation struck me. My worry only intensified as I remembered the secret I shouldn’t be hiding from him. This made me cease my steps, leaving the famed crown alpha to look in my direction.

"What's wrong, my moon?" he queried. I was surprised by his term of endearment, yet my mind went back to what bothered it.

"I need to tell you something, Jarl," I stammered, anxiety consuming me. I knew this secret would make or break the relationship I had with him but it was a risk I had to take. I didn't want to keep this detail from my mate and he deserved to know the truth. As early as now, I wanted him to understand what he was entering if he wanted to continue our mateship.

"What about? Tell me," he urged. I took a deep breath, summoning all my courage as I confessed.

"I...I am a half-rank and was born wolfless," I admitted, tears starting to stream down my face. "I am the child Alpha Eirik had with a mere omega and was devoid of a spirit wolf since birth. Can you still accept me as your mate despite these truths?"

"Ari..." he whispered. For some reason, the sound of his voice made my heart skip a beat. Gosh! I feel like I would lose myself every time he uttered my name like that.

He walked forward, pressing his forehead against mine. His deep, electric orbs resonated with my soul. "I don't care who you are and what you don't have. You are my mate, and my heart will only beat for you from now on."

My cheeks flushed. It was a simple statement but enough to warm my heart. It hadn't been an hour since I met him, yet somehow, I felt that I could trust him with my life.

"Jarl Kristoff..."

He kissed my forehead, a gesture I found both comforting and sweet. After that, he whispered, "Please, do not call me Jarl. Just Kristoff. You are my future wife, so you need to address me in a less formal manner."

"Okay, Kristoff..." As if I had a choice, I nodded in agreement. My heart was full of the kind of love that the moon goddess had blessed me with. How could I be so lucky?

With his hand wrapped around mine, I took my last leap of faith to face the crowd that might be looking for my mate by now. And I was right; as soon as the porch of our house was revealed, I saw everyone, both from Ironflame and our pack, staring at us with questioning gazes. After a few seconds, my father, Maddie, Seraphina, and the Ironwolf himself sprang out of the entrance door.

My father moved towards the front with his eyes fixed on our hands held together. "Ari?" he asked. It was the only thing he could say at the moment, completely dumbfounded by the turn of events. As I couldn't find any words to say, I bowed my head.

"What is the meaning of this?" Maddie asked, her voice breaking with each word. Seeing Maddie heartbroken was too much for me to bear. My anxiety intensified as I looked at her face full of pain with my unintended betrayal.