Chapter 1

My father was the alpha of the Frostbite tribe. He was old and had always hoped that I could agree to the request of Vincent, the alpha of the neighboring tribe, for a contract marriage and consolidate my power.

Today, I finally fulfilled his wish with my own hands. Vincent came to receive me, and while I was still immersed in grief, he drove me to the hotel.

The moment he pushed open the car door and walked out, everyone's eyes turned to him, adoring his powerful body.

Vincent smiled and opened the door for me. When we entered the room, I realized he was much taller than me, and his eyes shone like a fire burning in them.

Vincent put his arm around my shoulders vaguely, as if silently seeking my permission for intimacy.

"Maria, have you really agreed to a contract marriage with me to deal with the pressure from your family to get married?"

He put his lips close to my ear and whispered, "Now is your last chance to regret it. After that, I will not let you go."

I leaned into his arms and whispered, "Absolutely not."

The rush to mark is not only to deal with the pressure to get married, but also to make my dying grandmother feel at ease.

My grandmother was a mighty warrior in the tribe. When she was young, she had participated in several significant battles and suffered countless injuries.

Six months ago, the residual wolf poison in her body broke out, and her body started collapsing uickly.

Since then, she was hospitalized and every time I visit her, she has only one question: When am I holding the marking ceremony?

My grandmother's biggest wish was to see me in a wedding dress before she died.

She wanted to see me walk to her bed with my mate's hand, smiling and saying ,‘I’m very happy.’

"Only when I make sure that someone will continue to pamper me in the future, she will close her eyes with peace of mind.”

This was probably my grandmother's last wish. I swear in my heart to satisfy her. Therefore, I had been urging Caleb to mark me and held the wedding.

But seven times, he abandoned me right before marking.

Some people blamed that my glands were cursed, but I know it was not.

Before the last marking, Susan got lost in the forest, and Caleb had to find her.

Before that, Susan lost her house key, and Caleb had to help her open the door.

Before that, Susan didn't want to eat, and Caleb had to coax her to eat—Seven failed markings, seven excuses to run to Susan, seven times to abandon me without hesitation.

I gave him seven chances, but he didn't have the time to mark me.

The last time when Caleb left me, my heart got used to it. I was not as sad as I was the last seven times.

Maybe I had long been accustomed to being abandoned alone, or perhaps I had long expected his departure.

The words my grandmother said the last time I saw her still echoed in my ears, "I don't have much time left, and I may not be able to wait until the day of your real wedding. Even if I die without any warning one day, you must live strong and never let yourself be wronged."

“Grandma, I promise I will become as strong a werewolf as you.”

This time, I wouldnever let myself be wronged again.

Seven chances were the last straw. Now I was done.

Vincent and I gently pressed each other's pheromone glands to make them swell and heat to bring them in a markable state.

But as Vincent put his head on my shoulder and was about to mark me, myphone suddenly vibrated.

It was Caleb's message.

[Are you angry, Maria? I really can't ignore Susan.She only has me. Forgive me, I brought your favorite puff pastry tart and waited for you to come over. ]

Vincent was very close to me, holding my waist tightly with both hands.

He also saw the message, raised his eyebrows, and asked me nonchalantly, "Do you want to continue tagging?"

I turned off my phone fiercely, "Of course!"

His teeth pierced in, first cold, like snow water pouring into the spinal cord; then hot, as if someone poured the molten Milky Way into the wound.

My pheromones exploded, mixed with his, twisted into a charming and fragrant mist in the air.

"Don't move." He panted, and his canine teeth pressed deeper into the gland. After a long time, he pulled it out reluctantly.

Our faces were red, and I leaned weakly on his chest, thinking of something.

"Vincent, do you have time tomorrow? I want to go to see someone with you."

He helped me into the car and smiled."Of course I have time, call me anytime. In addition, my parents also want to see you."

He asked the driver to take me home first. I sat in the luxury car and just wanted to sigh at the fickleness of fate.

Caleb and I had been in love for five years. We had experienced all the ups and downs of love together, but we still hadn’t been able to achieve a happy ending.

Vincent and I had only met once at some dinner party, but he had already made me his mate.

On the way back, I received another message from Caleb.

[Haven't you come yet? I prepared a table full of delicious food. If you are late, it will be gone! ]