Tales as old as time claimed that problems can be solved with true love. At least, that's what his grandmother told him, but Azul Ashengrotto was a practical man. He didn't believe that such a love could exist, especially when "love" can be bought for a price.

But his 18th birthday passed, a month later—spring have arrived, and Azul noticed something incredibly different within himself. His senses have heightened and he felt as though there was an itch he couldn't scratch on his body but couldn't pinpoint where. Azul tried ignoring it, but the way his heart flutters and his cheeks flushes told him the inevitable—it was time to look for a mate.

Azul still refused to succumb, as though he could fake through it like he has been doing most of his life. He trudged through the campus grounds, trying to overlook how the sakura blossom petals fell around him. All he wanted was to get to his next class.

But you just had to be there.

Because both of you weren't looking, you bumped into Azul and he instinctively grabbed you to keep you from falling. The moment Azul locked his gaze with yours, seeing you with the picturesque background of the blossoms dancing around you, it felt as though his heart choked. His breath hitched but you didn't notice. You simply gave him a smile and a nod before hurrying past him to catch up to Grim. Azul watched you go.

And unfortunately, Azul had accidentally imprinted you as his mate. He accidentally declared his enemy—who he wanted to evict out of Ramshackle to turn it into the second Mostro Lounge—as his true love.

Azul hated this. It was time for a new plan: To get you to be his mate, no matter what.