Chapter 2

Today was my ninth proposal to Matthew Blackwood.

All our friends knew that Matthew had promised me that if I proposed to him 9 times, he would officially become my mate.

My boyfriend had told me he was a werewolf raised by humans, so he deeply valued human ceremonies.

So I carefully arranged the wedding venue time after time.

I hoped to become his true mate and start a new family together.

But the first 8 times, he left at the last minute.

This was the ninth time, and also the last.

Matthew assured me that this time he would definitely arrive on time.

But as the ceremony time approached, Matthew, who should have been on stage, broke his promise once again.

He called to tell me.

"Tiffany hurt her leg. I need to take her to the hospital. Human bodies are fragile, unlike yours. Let's cancel this proposal. Next time, I'll definitely be there next time."

In three years of dating, this was the ninth time he'd cancelled our proposal ceremony because of Tiffany.

If it had been before, I would have made a scene at this moment, demanding to know why he had to leave right now.

But this time, I smiled softly.

"It's okay. Humans are indeed fragile. It would be bad if something happened."

Matthew paused slightly, seeming surprised by how agreeable I was being.

"It's good you can think that way. I'll bring you that mango cake you like tonight."

I hummed in acknowledgment. The moment he hung up, I dropped the smile.

He'd forgotten that I hated mangoes and despised eating cake. The person who loved mango cake wasn't me.

He'd bought one before to cheer me up. Not wanting to disappoint him, I forced myself to take a bite despite the nausea, only telling him afterward that I really hated mangoes and cake.

When he found out, he immediately opened his phone and added it to his notes, saying he would never forget.

Just one year later, "never" had passed.

The scorching sun overhead made my whole body burn, but my heart remained ice cold.

I laughed coldly and went back to announce the ceremony was cancelled.

I knew that these three years of feelings should be cancelled along with it.

I called my parents directly.

My father was the Alpha of a powerful Pack in New York, and I was the Alpha's daughter.

With my status, Matthew wasn't worthy of being my mate.

It's just that after turning 18, I never found my own mate.

Until I met Matthew in college and was deeply attracted to him, coming here with him against my parents' objections.

He was the illegitimate son of the Shadowfen Pack's Alpha and a human, raised by a human woman.

Even after being brought back to the Shadowfen Pack, he was constantly mocked for never being able to shift.

Because he hated when people flaunted their privileged families most of all.

So for three years, I never told him my true background.

Plus I told him I was mocked for never finding a mate.

He always thought I was an ordinary werewolf who suffered bullying just like him.

To prove himself, he worked desperately hard to gain the recognition of Alpha Silas of the Shadowfen Pack.

Over three years, I worked with him at Alpha Silas's company, helping him rise from the bottom to manager.

Finally earning Alpha Silas's recognition, who acknowledged his status as the Alpha's son.

He also promised me he would marry me soon.

Everyone knew I was his girlfriend.

So much so that everyone joked that fate must have made a mistake.

Matthew and I should have been destined mates.

Our lives got better and better. I thought Matthew wouldn't mind my background anymore, but I never had the chance to tell him.

Until he met that fragile human girl.

He told me that girl reminded him of his own mother.

So despite everyone's objections, he broke protocol to hire her at the company and made her his assistant.

Thinking about it, I sighed.

In the end, I wouldn't need to tell him after all.

"Mom, Dad, I accept the arranged marriage. I'll come home in three days."

My parents immediately replied.

"Good girl, Mom and Dad will book your plane ticket right now!"

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