The Alpha Twins' Lottery Mate

”Remarkable. Absolutely breathtaking,” the elegant, sharp-featured makeup artist breathed as she dusted a final layer of shimmering powder across Mikhail’s sharp cheekbones. She stepped back and tilted her head, admiring her work with unconcealed delight.

”Truly remarkable.” She clasped both hands to her chest and gushed over Mikhail before turning toward Nikolai, whose makeup had been finished several minutes earlier. ”I’ve worked with actors, singers, athletes, and countless nobles, but the two of you...” She shook her head in awed admiration. ”The Moon Goddess was showing off when she created the Alpha Princes.”

Nikolai nearly rolled his eyes. The fuck is this idiot talking about?

He slouched carelessly in a leather chair, one ankle resting atop the opposite knee, staring at the ceiling with barely concealed irritation.

What did she even know about the Moon Goddess to be able to speak on her behalf?

He had spent the last few hours enduring endless flattery from her, and every second had felt longer than the last. If the woman kept talking, he might actually start chewing through the last of his restraints.

”The cameras will not do you justice, Your Highnesses. Truly, we are lucky to live in the same era as you.” The woman sighed dreamily, completely blind to his irritation. ”I can already imagine how the crowd will weep just looking at you. You both are perfection incarnate.”

Mikhail stared at his own reflection in the expansive, illuminated mirror, his expression remaining a mask of cold neutrality.

”Are we done here?”

The makeup artist blinked, her smile faltering. ”Yes, Your Highness! Of course.” She straightened immediately. ”You are ready to go break hearts.”

”Leave,” Mikhail commanded smoothly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he fixed them on her reflection. ”All of you.”

”Y-Your Highness?”

Mikhail lifted his gaze and looked directly at her. She swallowed audibly beneath the weight of those pale gray eyes.

”My brother and I would like a few minutes alone before the broadcast begins,” he said calmly. ”I trust that won’t be a problem.”

The makeup artist laughed nervously, bowing her head quickly. ”Well, then, I suppose I’ll leave you both to do your thing.”

When she didn’t make any attempt to leave, Mikhail gave her a cold, unblinking glare. The artist immediately wilted.

”Right. Leaving now.”

She hurried toward the door, gesturing frantically for her assistants, who quickly gathered their kits. The moment the door clicked shut behind them, Nikolai let out a harsh growl and threw his head back dramatically.

”If I have to sit still for another minute while one of those fragile creatures breathes down my neck, I swear I’ll lose my damn mind.”

Mikhail calmly adjusted the sleeve of his jacket. ”Control yourself, brother. I have no desire to deal with our royal father if you let your temper loose before the broadcast even begins.”

”I don’t give a damn about the broadcast or what our father thinks,” Nikolai muttered. His dark eyes flashed briefly gold before settling again. ”And I certainly don’t understand why we need to keep entertaining those parasites.”

”Those parasites keep werewolves from going extinct,” Mikhail replied coldly as he rose from his chair and adjusted the cuffs of his black jacket.

Nikolai made a face as he stood as well.

Mikhail turned to him and took a few measured steps forward. ”Father is right about one thing, though. As long as they believe being chosen is an honor, they’ll never question the system. It keeps them obedient. It keeps them grateful. Most importantly, it keeps them from asking questions.” He stopped in front of his brother. ”Now, I trust your list is safely kept where you can easily access it without being noticed?”

A grin tugged at the corner of Nikolai’s mouth. He slid a hand into the inner sleeve of his jacket and produced several neatly folded slips of paper hidden within the lining.

”Safely tucked away and ready whenever I need them.”

”Good,” Mikhail said, smoothing down the front of his brother’s jacket. ”Make sure you don’t lose any of them. We don’t want months of preparation ruined because of your carelessness.”

Nikolai slapped Mikhail’s hands away from his jacket. ”Stop lecturing me. Let’s just get this over with.” Shoving the papers back into his sleeve, he pushed past Mikhail and headed toward the door.

”Wait.”

Nikolai paused. Turning around, he raised a brow. ”What now?”

Mikhail looked him over and sighed. ”Smile occasionally. The audience prefers the illusion that you enjoy their company.”

Nikolai stared at him for a long moment.

”Oh, for fuck’s sake. Let’s go already.”

He yanked the door open and disappeared into the hallway. A faint chuckle escaped Mikhail as he followed after him, pulling the door shut behind him.

Neither prince noticed the single folded slip of paper resting beside the leg of the chair where Nikolai had been sitting moments earlier.

xxx

Back at the Dawson family home, Starlight sat with Angel balanced comfortably on her lap, blowing soft raspberries against the baby’s stomach until the little girl burst into a fit of high-pitched giggles. Angel kicked her little legs wildly, reaching for her big sister with clumsy fingers while Starlight exaggerated her expressions to earn another burst of laughter.

Clara sat beside them, occasionally glancing at the baby with a brief smile before her focus snapped back to the television screen. Across the room, Aiden perched on the edge of his stool with impossibly wide, unblinking eyes, both fists clenched tightly in his lap.

”To commemorate the sacred tradition of the Lunar Lottery,” the female host announced brightly, ”please welcome the Minister of Human Affairs, Minister Leonard Fitzgerald.”

The crowd erupted into applause as the camera panned smoothly, tracking a blond-haired, middle-aged man as he ascended the stage and approached the sleek podium.

”Citizens of the Lunoria Empire,” Minister Fitzgerald began warmly, spreading his arms. ”It is my greatest honor to stand before you on this most blessed occasion. We celebrate not only our future, but the sacred bond that has united humanity and werewolves for generations.”

More applause echoed through the arena.

”As we all know, centuries ago, when humanity struggled beneath the harsh realities of a dangerous world, the magnificent werewolves looked upon us with compassion. Unable to bear seeing humans suffer beside their strength, they prayed to the Moon Goddess and begged for permission to share their noble bloodlines with mankind.”

Starlight nearly choked. Seriously?

She stared at the television in disbelief. Did that man possess no shame whatsoever?

Magnificent werewolves? Noble bloodlines?

The sheer amount of shameless flattery pouring from his mouth was almost impressive.

”The Moon Goddess, benevolent and kind as she is, heard their selfless pleas, as well as humanity’s wish to stand beside the supreme werewolf race. Thus, the sacred union between humans and werewolves was born.”

Starlight rolled her eyes so hard they almost hurt. Talk about being completely shameless.

The minister continued without missing a beat. ”However, not all humans possess the ability to survive the intense power of a werewolf bond. Thus, the Lunar Lottery was established as a sacred tradition through which the Moon Goddess herself guides fate and selects those most worthy of receiving this blessed honor.”

The audience erupted into cheers.

”The chosen ones will receive full scholarships to Asterion Academy and the opportunity to become the mates of werewolves, a chance to transform their lives forever. To bond with a powerful being like a werewolf is the greatest honor any human can ever hope to achieve. And today...” He smiled broadly. ”One of those lucky individuals could be you.”

Thunderous applause exploded throughout the arena.

”Simps,” Starlight muttered under her breath.

Clara shot her a look, her brow furrowing slightly. ”How many people do you think they’ll pick this year?”

”How would I know?” Starlight sighed, gently patting Angel’s back. ”Probably just enough to keep up the benevolent facade.”

A soft chuckle escaped Clara. She couldn’t help wondering why Starlight was even sitting here when she hated all of this so much.

The minister waited for the applause to die down before straightening proudly.

”And now, to choose this year’s lottery winners, it is my great honor to present the future of our Empire, Their Imperial Highnesses, Crown Princes Mikhail and Nikolai Wolfhart.”

The crowd went mad, the cheering deafening even through the cheap TV speakers. The camera shifted toward two approaching figures. Even Starlight had to admit they were difficult to ignore.

The twins moved through the crowd with effortless confidence. Both stood tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in matching black formal uniforms embroidered with golden thread. Their faces were identical, impossibly handsome to the point of appearing sculpted rather than born. The only obvious difference lay in their eyes. Mikhail possessed cool silver-gray eyes, while Nikolai’s were blue and sharp, carrying an almost predatory intensity.

”Wow...” Clara breathed. ”They’re even more magnificent than the rumors said. This is the first time I’ve seen them this close. I almost wish I were a young girl again.”

”Mother, please,” Starlight groaned while gently bouncing Angel on her knee. ”You’re breastfeeding one child while fantasizing about princes.”

Clara laughed outright.

Onscreen, Mikhail smiled warmly and waved to the roaring crowd as he approached the massive glass lottery box positioned at center stage. Nikolai followed a few steps behind, his expression considerably more reserved.

The transparent sphere began to spin.

Thousands of folded slips of paper whirled violently inside while the audience watched in breathless anticipation.

After several moments, the machine slowed.

Finally, it stopped. Mikhail stepped forward and opened a small hatch before inserting his arm into the container. He searched for several seconds before withdrawing his hand.

He held up five folded slips of paper between his fingers. Mikhail blinked in mock shock, turning toward the cameras.

”Wow, five lucky winners!”

The crowd roared in approval.

”Looks like fate was feeling generous today,” the host said.

The audience laughed.

”Is it just me,” Starlight muttered, ”or does his surprise seem incredibly fake?”

”It’s just you,” Clara replied. ”And you know you don’t have to force yourself to watch this with us, right?”

Starlight shrugged and returned her attention to Angel, who was attempting to chew on her sleeve. One by one, Mikhail read the names aloud. Each announcement was followed by screaming, crying, and celebrations from various parts of the audience. After the fifth winner was announced, he stepped aside.

Nikolai took his place. He flashed a brilliant, flawless smile for the cameras and slipped his hand into the lottery box. But unlike Mikhail, who had drawn his slips without hesitation, Nikolai seemed to be taking an unusual amount of time. His hand lingered deep inside the box. He glanced sideways at his brother, his jaw tightening slightly.

Mikhail slowly raised an eyebrow. Nikolai narrowed his eyes in return before looking away and reaching deeper into the box.

Starlight narrowed her eyes at the screen.

What are those two doing? Why does it look like they’re communicating with their eyes?

The female host laughed.

”It seems Prince Nikolai is having a difficult time making his selection.”

The crowd laughed along.

Mikhail watched his twin intently, his expression unreadable. Finally, Nikolai withdrew his hand, a slightly strained smile fixed on his face as he held up his selection.

Mikhail offered his brother a swift, reassuring smile. The exchange was incredibly suspicious to Starlight.

Nikolai raised his hand high, displaying five pieces of paper to match his brother’s count.

The audience erupted again.

”Five as well!” the female host exclaimed. ”Looks like the princes think alike.”

”I suppose that means we’re getting ten lucky winners this year,” her co-host added.

More cheers followed.

Nikolai began reading the names on his list, his voice clear and steady. One by one, the names echoed through the Dawson living room until he reached the very last slip.

He paused, staring down at it for a fraction of a second. The female host leaned toward the camera. ”And now, ladies and gentlemen, our final lucky winner of the day. Who could it be?”

The male host grinned. ”I hope it’s me.”

The audience burst into laughter.

Nikolai unfolded the final piece of paper. For the briefest moment, his expression tightened. Then he swallowed.

”Starlight Dawson.”

”What!”

Starlight shot upright so abruptly that Angel nearly slipped from her lap. At the exact same moment, Aiden exploded from his stool.

”YES!”

The television audience erupted into cheers.

”And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen!” the host announced excitedly. ”Our ten lucky winners of this year’s Lunar Lottery!”

”What’s going on here?” Starlight breathed.

She turned toward her mother who was already staring back at her with identical confusion. Slowly, both mother and daughter turned in perfect sync toward Aiden. The boy was grinning so hard his cheeks looked ready to split.

”Aiden...” Starlight said slowly, narrowing her eyes at her brother. ”What did you do?”