4. We could pretend

Ambrose POV

My father used to tell me I was different than all the other wolves in the pack.

When I was a kid, I thought it was just something he would say to make me feel special, but as I grew up, I realized he meant it. My father never said things he didn't mean.

I was, indeed, different.

When I reached puberty, I felt powers growing inside me. It was not the kind of powers typical werewolves had. It was stronger, something darker.

I realized I could run faster than my brothers. And I was more agile in the battlefield. So when I fought with others, I was almost invincible.

When I turned fifteen, I began to read minds.

At first, I didn't think much of it. We werewolves can link our minds and communicate telepathically, so reading their minds was nothing out of the ordinary. Until one day, I started to communicate with other animals too. And eventually, I figured out how to control their actions using my mind.

My father told me to keep it a secret from my pack members and not to use my powers often. I was not a normal wolf, he said. He told me I needed to blend in and keep my special powers under control until I became the next Alpha.

I kept my promise for the most part, but it was fun to control people into doing anything for me once in a while. I could control just about anything or anyone.

Except for this irritating human in front of me.

No matter how much I tried, I couldn't get inside her mind and get her to say what I wanted. It was as if she had some kind of invisible shield in her brain.

Maybe I was just having a bad day.

When my father decided my future wife would be a human, I didn't know what to expect. I've never liked humans. They were simply useless to me.

Sure, they have advanced in technology and were able to use it to their advantage sometimes, but biologically, they were inferior to us. Without weapons, they were nothing, and our wolves could easily tear them to pieces. So why would I want anything to do with them!

And when I found out I was about to marry that same annoying girl from the locker room, it pissed me off even more, but I tried my best to hide my true feelings.

But even though annoying, she was kind of cute. Her head full of blonde hair framed her face perfectly. She had dark brown eyes along with a cute button nose and plump lips. She was tiny, no more than five foot one. I could crush her in my arms anytime I wanted.

She didn't have an ounce of fear in her eyes when she spoke to me. And that smart mouth of hers...

I'd have to teach her a lesson later.

For now, I needed to focus. I will do everything my father asks, but I'll make sure I become the ultimate ruler when my time comes.

"So, what's your plan after the graduation, Ambrose?" Analyn's father asked at the dinner table.

It took me a few seconds to realize that he was asking about what day job I'd be getting. Technically, the werewolves didn't have to work as we had generations of wealth inherited from our forefathers.

However, since they are trying to blend in with human society, some of them decided to use their wealth of knowledge to get good jobs. My father is a well-known surgeon and he expects me to have a career too. However, I had other plans. I would be too busy taking over the world to worry about some measly job.

"I am going to be an elementary school principal," I said with a straight face. This will do for now.

"Pfffttt!"

We all turned to Ana as she almost choked on her coca-cola while trying to suppress her laughter. Is the mere thought of me being a school principal that ridiculous to her?

"What's so funny?" I growled.

"N...nothing. You just don't seem like the kind of person who likes to be around children," Ana said.

She wasn't too far off.

"Alright, fine. What I really want to do is become a vet because I love animals," I said. I wasn't entirely lying. I can speak to animals, so it would be a better-suited job if I ever needed to work.

"That's an excellent goal," Analyn's father beamed.

I looked at her. She wasn't saying much during the dinner. Maybe she was still angry about me for not freeing her from this marriage.

***

After dinner, we said our goodbyes, but I didn't leave with my father. Instead, I made up an excuse and pretended to go to a friend's house, but in reality, I was waiting to sneak up on Analyn because I wasn't done talking to her yet.

I lay low until everyone went to bed then climbed up to her window.

No, I wasn't going to spy on her like a creeper, but I didn't want to wait until our next meeting to tell her off. And I wanted to talk when our dads weren't breathing down our necks.

I saw her moving around in the room, but she didn't notice me in the window. I lightly knocked on the glass, but she still didn't look. She must have earphones on or something.

She was sitting in front of a mirror and was slowly undoing her braid. Her hair was long and blonde, which reminded me of sunshine. The moonlight from outside was shining on her, making her pale skin glow.

Okay, I'll admit. She was a lot more beautiful than I initially thought. If only she wasn't so annoying...

"WHAT THE FUUCK!"

I nearly fell backward as I heard her scream. I was too busy daydreaming about her beauty to notice that she saw me. I winced and motioned for her to open the window.

She swung the window open without hesitation. "Ambrose, what the hell? I thought you were a werewolf. What are you doing creeping around my window like a vampire?" she looked amused.

"Vampires don't creep around people's windows. They are a lot more sophisticated than people think," I said irritably.

"Vampires are real!" she gasped.

I rolled my eyes. She lives among supernatural beings like werewolves, but vampires' existence shocks her? "Yes, they are real. Can I come in or not?"

She opened the window and stepped back. "Why are you here?" she furrowed her brows.

"I wasn't done talking to you earlier," I said.

"Then why did you run off like a jilted bride without finishing talking?" Ana asked. She crossed her arms and stared into my eyes.

"I didn't run off...anyway, we need a plan to figure out how we will make this marriage work," I said and plopped down on her bed. She had some kind of furry blanket that made my skin itch. Stupid girly bullshit.

Analyn sighed. "It won't work. But dad won't listen to any reasonings."

"Mine won't either," I said distractedly.

Her eyes suddenly lit up as if she had thought of something genius. Although I doubt there was much going on up in there in the first place.

"We could...we could pretend," she said.

The idea wasn't revolutionary. I mean, if I marry her, I'd have to pretend as I like her anyway. "I need you to act like the perfect wife and not talk back to me."

She rolled her eyes, and I had a feeling she would do the opposite of what I told her to do.

"Fine, I'll be the perfect wife. I'd be so great that your father will give me the 'wife of the year' award," she chirped.

"There's no such thing," I said dismissively.

"I was being sarcastic, dingbat."

"What did you call me?" I roared. It's only been a few seconds with her in the same room as me, and I was already getting pissed off. How am I supposed to tolerate her 24/7?

"Nothing! I was just practicing calling you cute nicknames," she said quickly.

I tried to see what was inside her mind again.

Still nothing.

I picked up a lock of her hair and twirled it on my finger. "You better make sure your acting is good enough to convince everyone, especially my father, or else you'd be so much in trouble," I threatened her.

"I'm not scared of you," she said determinedly.

I'll see if you sing the same tune after I'm through with you, little one, I thought to myself.