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Daisy sat there with her mouth wide open. She looked at Maria in slight shock, then slowly, a huge grin spread across her face. She gave Maria a firm thumbs up.
"He is tall. Very, very tall," Daisy whispered, her eyes shining with excitement. "I am one hundred percent on your side! Look at him, Ria.. His face is perfect. Honestly, Brandon looks like a wet puppy compared to that man. And the rumors are true—his wealth and his power are even greater than the main Owen family. He’s the real deal."
Daisy leaned in closer, her voice turning serious. "Think about it. If you don't find a powerful mate soon, your parents will push you out of the Anderson Corporation. They’ll give everything to Alice because she’s the 'poor, lost soul' and she has Brandon’s backing. If you marry his uncle, you don’t just win—you take over the whole board."
Maria felt a chill go down her spine. She wasn't a girl who liked to play games, but her family had left her no choice. They had thrown her away like trash. They had treated her years of loyalty like they meant nothing.
"You're right," Maria said, her voice hard as stone. "I’m going to capture his heart. Right now."
She didn't hesitate. She grabbed Daisy’s purse and pulled out a tube of red lipstick and some powder. She moved fast. She didn't want to look like the girl who had been crying in her car ten minutes ago. She wanted to look like a Queen. She brushed her long hair over one shoulder and fixed her makeup until her face glowed like a moonbeam.
Daisy blinked, looking a bit worried now. "Uh, Ria? Are you sure you can handle a guy like that? He looks like he eats Alphas for breakfast."
Ria stood up, smoothed down her jacket for the second time, and picked up a glass of red wine before gulping it entire content down her throat. She felt the heat of the alcohol and the fire of her own anger swirling together. "He’s just a wolf, Daisy. And I’m a shewolf who has survived worse than him."
She walked toward the dark corner of the pub. Every step she took was full of confidence. She didn't walk like she was afraid. As she got closer, she could see him better. His face was like a statue carved by a master. His eyebrows were sharp, his nose was straight and strong, and he had an aura that made the air feel electric.
She reached his table. He didn't look up. He looked like he was resting, but his body was tense.
Maria reached out and tapped her finger on his shoulder twice.
"Hi," she said, her voice smooth and sweet. "Sorry to bother you, but could you tell me the time?"
The man opened his eyes. They were blue and deep, like the ocean. For a second, Maria’s brain stopped working. He wasn't just handsome; he looked dangerous. He looked like the kind of man who could burn a pack down and not blink.
She forced herself to smile. She leaned in a little, letting the scent of her perfume drift toward him. "Actually," she said, "I think I know what time it is. It’s the exact moment our happiness begins."
The man stared at her. He didn't smile. He didn't blush. Instead, his brow furrowed in a cold, annoyed way.
"I’m not a doctor," he said. His voice was deep and smooth, but it was cold as ice. "I don’t provide treatment for the mentally ill."
Maria blinked. "What?"
"You’re insane, aren’t you?" the man said. His lips moved slightly, looking sexy but saying words that were incredibly mean. "You should leave before I call security."
Maria felt a sting of shock. She was beautiful. Everyone in the pack knew she was a prize. Was she losing her touch? Had the stress of tonight made her look ugly?
No. She knew she was stunning. This man was just difficult. But difficulty was exactly what she needed. If he was easy, Brandon wouldn't be afraid of him.
"I’m actually very ill," Maria said, recovering quickly. She gave him a shy, playful smile. "I’m not insane. I’m just lovesick. And the symptoms started the second I saw you.”
Maria stepped closer, her green eyes locked onto his. "They say a person can't help but feel happy when they meet the love of their life. That’s exactly how I feel right now. My heart is beating so fast, I think you’re the only one who can save it."
"Alright," he said, turning his head away as if he were bored. "I got it. You’ve said your piece. Now leave."
He went back to closing his eyes, acting as if she were a fly he had already swatted away.
Maria felt a wave of hurt. She was the pride of the Anderson family, a top-tier wolf, and a successful woman. Part of her wanted to turn around and walk away to save her dignity. But then, she pictured Brandon. She pictured him kissing Alice. She pictured her mother slapping her in front of the man she loved.
‘I will be his aunt,’ she promised herself. ‘I will make them bow.’
"Prince charming ," she said, leaning over the table. "Could I get your number? Just your number? I promise I won't call you more than ten times a day."
He didn't move. He looked like an elegant statue.
"Prince charming , what’s your name? Come on, tell me. You look so charming with your eyes closed, but I bet you’re even better when you’re talking to me."
"..."
"Prince Charming, you’re breaking my heart here. Don't be so cold. The moon is out, and we are both alone. Isn't that a sign from the moon goddess?"
Finally, he snapped. He opened his eyes, and this time, they were flashing with real annoyance. "What on earth do you want from me?"
Maria didn't blink. She didn't stutter. She looked him right in the eye and said the craziest thing she had ever said in her life.
"I want to marry you."
The man actually flinched. The corners of his mouth twitched, and for a split second, he looked genuinely surprised.
Maria laughed, a soft, warm sound. "Look, if I wasn't serious about marrying you, I’d just be a girl flirting in a bar. But I’m a catch. I graduated from a great university at a young age. I’m a smart woman who can handle the business world and a home. I can earn my own money, I’m healthy, and most importantly... I am very, very loyal."
She raised her hand as if she were taking an oath. "I can swear that if you take a chance on me, I’ll treat you better than anyone else ever has. I’ll be the best thing that ever happened to you."
The man stared at her for a long time. He rubbed his eyes, then looked at her as if she were a strange bug. He was silent for so long that Maria honestly thought she had failed.
"Shut up," he said suddenly.
He stood up. Maria had to tilt her head back. He was massive. He was at least six-foot-two, with broad shoulders and a powerful build that made her own wolf stir with interest. He put one hand in his pocket and looked down at her.
"If you really want to marry me," he said, "bring your birth certificate and your ID. Meet me at the marriage office at eleven o’clock tomorrow morning."
Maria felt her heart skip a beat. She was stunned. She couldn't believe it had been that easy—or that crazy.
"Are... are you lying to me?" she stammered.
The man didn't answer. He just looked her up and down one last time with those cold, blue eyes.
"You can show up and find out," he said.
Then, without another word, he turned around and walked out of the pub. He walked with a smooth, powerful stride, his suit jacket fluttering behind him.
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