Karmen was already on edge, rushing down the grand staircase of his home, intent on getting to the palace. He was halfway to the door when the sudden, sharp voice of his mother, Norma, stopped him.
"What did you say to Aisha that she refused to marry you?" Norma demanded, her arms crossed and her expression one of cold interrogation.
Karmen turned and answered nonchalantly. "I said nothing."
"You did," Norma insisted, her tone immediately becoming intimidating. "Aisha’s mother called me earlier. She was deeply upset, saying her daughter now declares she doesn’t wish to marry you. What did you do to make her back out so suddenly?"
Karmen allowed a small, wry smile to curve his lips. "You should say destiny doesn’t want us to be each other’s mates," he stated dismissively. He pushed up the cuff of his jacket and glanced at his watch. "I’m getting late. I’ll see you later," he added, taking a step toward the exit.
Norma, however, had not finished. She blocked his path, her eyes blazing with parental frustration.
"Karmen, listen to me," she said, her voice dropping to a non-negotiable tone. "Find yourself a suitable woman by the end of this month, or else I will force you to marry the woman of my choice. I am sick of your tantrums and your refusal to settle down."
"Alright," Karmen agreed simply, the corner of his mouth twitching with amusement. He didn’t break stride, walking straight out of the house. He knew his mother, Norma, for all her bluster, would never truly go against his chosen path, especially when it came to his ultimate mate choice.
He slid into his car and drove straight to the palace. Upon arriving, he went directly to see Gabriel, finding his friend and Alpha seated in his private drawing room. Gabriel held his phone, looking as though he had just ended a serious conversation.
"Your Highness!" Karmen greeted him with a wide, genuine smile.
Gabriel lifted his head, a flicker of surprise in his eyes as he registered his Beta’s unusually cheerful demeanor. "Karmen. What’s the reason behind that smile? Did things suddenly go well with Aisha?" he mused, leaning back in his chair.
"No," Karmen replied, his smile widening. "Aisha thankfully told her parents she didn’t wish to marry me."
"What? Why?" Gabriel stared at him in shock, setting his phone down. "I thought everything between you two was going well. You’ve been the perfect fiancé."
"Well, I was a bit drunk last night," Karmen admitted, a touch sheepishly. "And I ended up messaging her, saying I was actually interested in her. We ended up having an argument about it." He shrugged, the relief palpable in his posture. "I’m happy that I didn’t have to pretend anymore."
"Seriously? You let go of your... your first crush like that?" Gabriel asked, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Crush, not love," Karmen corrected him firmly.
"Both are the same for me," Gabriel countered. "You had a chance with her, Karmen. You really did. I was honestly hoping to attend your wedding soon," he asserted, letting out a heavy sigh.

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