Aged
I grow up with Elliot and Leon, twin brothers my father takes in as children and chooses as candidates to become my future mate.
Elliot is warm and attentive. When I'm sick, he stays by my bedside all night.
Leon is his complete opposite. He's cold, distant, and so indifferent that in ten years, he barely says more than a few words to me.
So when my father asks me to choose my mate, I don't hesitate.
I choose Elliot.
But the night before our engagement banquet, I overhear both brothers making promises to Vivian, a maid's daughter.
"Once I become Alpha, you'll be the only mistress of this estate."
"I wouldn't even touch that useless little princess. You're the only woman I'll ever accept as my mate."
That's when I finally understand.
Elliot's devotion is never truly mine. And Leon isn't nearly as cold as I thought.
He simply saves his tenderness for someone else.
The next day, everyone gathers for my engagement banquet, waiting to see which of the two brothers I'll choose.
Instead, I walk straight past both of them.
I stop before the man I once rejected and hold out my hand.
"Alistair, I've made my choice. I'll be your mate."