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Mauve’s POV
The next day, I sat at my desk, skimming through the photos of unmated alphas the elders had
to presented me in a folder. I couldn’t believe I was even considering this. Arranged marriage was the last thing on my mind, especially with my heart still tangled up in thoughts of Elias and the secret of my twin girls. I felt stupid, flipping through these glossy images like I was picking from a menu.
Their words echoed in my head: “You are the mother of this pack, the heart and light that guides our path. But every family needs a father, a protector.”
They were right. If I refused, I’d be denying my pack stability.
And a father to my daughters.
My wolf huffe
huffed inside me, pacing anxiously. We need someone strong, not another pretty face.
“I know,” I murmured, holding up the first photo. “Alpha Damon… too arrogant. Look at that smirk. He probably stares at himself in the mirror more than I do.”
He reeks of dominance, my wolf grumbled, tail flicking in annoyance.
I sighed and flipped to the next picture. “Alpha Leon?”
He’s too soft. My wolf snorted. He looks like he’d apologize if someone stepped on his foot.
I rolled my eyes, tossing Leon’s photo aside. “Great. So far, my options are either an ego on legs or a pushover.” The debate went on until I reached the last photo. I froze. “Joshua…” I whispered, my fingers trembling slightly. My wolf perked up, ears standing at attention. We know him.
Memories flooded me–Joshua, my childhood friend, my partner in crime. I could almost hear his mischievous laughter echoing through the years. Back then, we were inseparable, always running around the packhouse, getting into all sorts of trouble.
I remembered the summer we built a “wolf–proof” treehouse, which collapsed the moment we climbed inside. He swore it was my fault for “overloading” it, and I tackled him into the mud in response. We laughed until our stomachs hurt.
I remembered the ridiculous dares, the way he used to steal pastries from the pack kitchen and blame it on me, and the countless times he stood up for me when the older kids teased me about being too small to be an alpha. Joshua always had my back
Then there was that one time he dared me to eat an entire honeycomb because, according to him, ‘real alphas don’t fear bees. “I ended up with a swollen lip, and he ended up with an hour–long lecture from my mother,
And then, of course, his promise. When we meet again and you’re still single, I’ll marry you.
I smiled, shaking my head. Joshua always had a way of turning serious moments into jokes. Maybe he could help me now… and be the father my pups needed.
Two days later, after ordering the elders to arrange the meeting, I found myself pacing in my office, my han fidgeting with the edges of the old leather folder containing Joshua’s profile. Memories of our childhood together kept playing in my mind, and for once, they didn’t make me anxious–they made me smile.
A commotion outside drew my attention. From the balcony, I saw a sleek black car pull into the courtyard. My heart pounded. When the door opened, Alpha Joshua stepped out with his usual confident stride. His dark hair was slightly tousled, falling over his forehead in a way that made him look both effortless and commanding. His piercing green eyes locked onto mine across the distance, sharp and knowing, as if he could read my thoughts. Clad in a fitted black shirt that hugged his broad shoulders and dark jeans that emphasized his strong, lean frame, he looked every bit the alpha he was meant to be. But beneath that tough aud
smirk, playing on his lips, the way he adjusted his sleeves like he always did when he was nervous. He was here, and suddenly, everything felt too real.
He nodded, and his voice filled my head through our old link. I told you I’d marry you when we met again.
Mauve’s POV