All Started With A Forced Marriage

My life, Hazel, could be described as perfect. I have an amazing husband whom everyone admires—Holden. He is the president of a game company, a young billionaire, intelligent and talented. We share a love that many envy. Holden always knows how to make me laugh, how to make me happy, and our life is filled with laughter and joy. Our love isn't just about sweet romantic moments, but also respect, understanding, and mutual support. Although I'm not as extraordinary as Holden, I have a stable life with a job I love—managing a small but heartfelt café. I was born into the Esperanza pack, a werewolf clan with a long-standing tradition. Since childhood, I was raised in a strict and well-educated environment. My family is full of principles, always upholding the pack's traditions, and I never thought I would marry an outsider, especially a human. I still vividly remember that day, the first time I met Holden. It wasn’t a romantic encounter like in fairy tales but rather a moment I could never forget, as it was tied to a life-threatening danger. It was a beautiful morning. I was taking a walk in the forest near town, feeling at peace, away from the hustle of life. However, I didn’t realize that a group of shapeshifter panthers had been stalking me. They belonged to a wild gang, with no pack, no rules, living only by brutality and bloodlust. When they attacked, I was alone, and although I was strong, I couldn’t handle such a large group. I could feel Daphne, my wolf, panicking in my mind, growling and urging me to shift, but the situation was too sudden for me to react in time. I was forced into a defensive position, and the pain from my wounds quickly flooded in, with the scent of my blood spreading through the air. Just when I thought there was no escape, a figure appeared in the distance. Holden, with a calm yet determined demeanor, rushed into the fight without hesitation. Fearlessly, he knocked down each attacker. His eyes gleamed, not with aggression, but with focus and bravery. I was astonished, unable to understand how a human like him could be so courageous. He didn’t know who I was, we were strangers, yet he risked his life to protect me. After driving away the shapeshifter panthers, Holden approached me, his face still tinged with worry. "Are you okay?" he asked, his deep voice warm, carrying genuine concern. That was the first time I saw him, and my heart seemed to stop in that moment. I didn’t know how to respond, only managing to nod in shock. But from that second, my life changed forever. Daphne, the wolf within me, immediately reacted. I remember clearly, she became excited and instantly whispered in my mind, "Hazel, his wolf is here. He is our mate." I laughed. How could that be? Holden was clearly human, and I was a werewolf. Daphne, with her instinct, was asserting something I found absurd. Our worlds were entirely different. Mates only existed between wolves or between packs deeply connected to one another. How could a human like Holden be my mate? But despite all logic, Daphne didn’t stop screaming inside me, sensing a bond that I tried to ignore. "A mate is not something we choose, Hazel. It is destiny." I decided to dismiss it. Perhaps Daphne was mistaken. I didn’t want to believe in that connection and simply thought I was drawn to Holden because he was so attractive and strong. In the years that followed, we fell in love and got married, but I still hadn’t told Holden my biggest secret—that I was a werewolf and that Daphne, the wolf inside me, had chosen him as our mate from the first meeting. Was I wrong to deny it? Or was there truly something deeper between us than just love? I never knew for sure, but there was one thing I believed—my love for Holden was real, no matter what Daphne said or what my instincts told me. Our life went on in happiness, but there were still things left unanswered. Gentle morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the room. I slowly woke up but didn’t immediately sit up. My morning habit was to reach out for Holden, to feel his warmth beside me, but this time, like so many others, I only felt emptiness. Holden had woken up earlier, and I knew exactly what he was doing. Lying there for a little while longer, I lazily rolled around on the large bed, the soft breeze from the window causing the sheets to flutter slightly. I knew Holden had been up for a while, as usual, preparing breakfast for the both of us. He always woke up before me, adorably diligent and never skipping his habit of making breakfast by hand, even when his work schedule was packed. I remained still, my eyes half-closed, listening to the faint sounds coming from the kitchen—the clinking of bowls, the light tinkling of a spoon against porcelain, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. My stomach growled, reminding me it was time to get out of bed. A sweet, peaceful feeling washed over me. These were the mornings I always cherished. Stepping out of bed, my feet touched the cool wooden floor, causing me to shiver slightly. I hurriedly put on my robe and slowly made my way to the small desk in the corner of the room. The wall calendar came into view, and I couldn’t help but smile when I saw the large red circle drawn from before—today was Holden's birthday. My heart filled with joy. I had been eagerly awaiting this day, not for the gifts or parties, but because I always longed to see the warm smile on his face when I wished him a happy birthday. Naturally, I quickened my pace towards the kitchen, the excitement making my steps light as air. I saw Holden standing at the kitchen counter, busy setting breakfast on the table. He wore a simple T-shirt, his hair slightly tousled, but his face was full of concentration. Holden was always like that, hardworking and attentive, even in the smallest things. I stood still for a moment, just watching him from afar, feeling the sweet peace that I knew I was lucky to have. Unable to resist, I suddenly rushed forward from behind, wrapping my arms tightly around him. The warmth from Holden's body immediately enveloped me, and my heart felt like it was dancing. "Happy birthday!" I whispered in his ear, a wide smile spreading across my lips. It felt as if time stood still in that moment, as I felt his steady heartbeat, Holden’s presence always like a solid rock I could rely on. Holden jumped slightly, then turned around, his eyes sparkling with laughter. His smile—gentle but filled with so many emotions. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me even closer. "Thank you, Hazel," he said, his deep voice wrapping around me like a soft blanket. "But why are you up so early today? On my birthday, shouldn’t you be sleeping in a little longer?" I laughed, looking into his deep eyes, filled with the care and love that always made me feel safe. "I couldn’t miss the chance to wish you a happy birthday before you finished breakfast," I joked, feeling the joy swelling inside me. "Besides, did you really think I would let you do everything yourself on your special day?" He shook his head, the smile on his face growing even wider. "You know I like to do things myself," Holden said, but I could feel the warmth in his voice. "Haven’t you always said I’m the best cook?" I laughed, resting my head on his shoulder for a moment, feeling the warmth from his body seeping into mine. "You truly are the best. But today, it’s your birthday, so let me take care of you a little, okay?" Holden tilted his head slightly, his eyes soft as he looked at me. "As long as you’re here with me, that’s all I need." In that moment, I felt my heart swell with warmth. Our days together weren’t always smooth, but it was the little, simple moments like this that made everything special. Between us, there was always a love so deep, not because of grand gestures, but because of our presence for each other, the understanding and sharing in the smallest actions. And I knew, no matter what Daphne said, no matter how my wolf reacted that first day we met, the love I have for Holden is the truest, and it will always be.