Chapter 1: The concubine selection ceremony

Astrid's P.O.V

I trailed along after Scarlett, juggling umpteen gowns she'd bought "just in case." We had been through all the stores in the mall, and yet she hadn't found "the one." I let out a silent sigh; this was old news with her. My feet were painful from hours of walking, and my shoulders throbbed with carrying these heavy gowns. But I didn't grumble. Scarlett's happiness was all that mattered.

As we turned a corner, Scarlett suddenly shrieked, running toward a salesgirl who held up a beautiful red gown. I apologized to the startled girl as Scarlett snatched the dress from her hands.

"Try it on, try it on!" Scarlett exclaimed, running into the dressing room.

I set the gowns down, taking a deep breath. This was Scarlett's moment, and I was just here to support her. I watched as Scarlett emerged from the dressing room, the red gown hugging her curves perfectly. She twirled, admiring herself in the mirror.

"The alpha won't be able to resist me," she cooed. "I'll be his concubine, and soon, his Luna."

I had listened to this speech at least a thousand times. Scarlett was convinced she would win the concubine selection ceremony, become the alpha's mate, and bear the pack's heir. I forced a bright smile, trying to share her excitement. Still, deep down, I knew the real story. The ceremony was only taking place because Luna Ruby, the pack's current Luna, was not capable of giving Alpha Ethan any heirs. His mother, a former Luna, was growing increasingly impatient.

"Scarlett, remember why the ceremony is even happening," I said in a soft tone, trying to bring her back down to earth.

Scarlett's eyes flashed with annoyance as she met mine in the mirror. "Oh, spare me the lecture, Astrid," she snapped. "You're just jealous because you'll never be good enough for the alpha. You're dull, boring, and plain. No one wants a weak, timid little thing like you."

Her words cut, and that old ache settled in my chest. I was used to Scarlett's venom, but it never got any easier. I breathed in deeply, trying not to lose my cool. "I'm just saying, Scarlett, don't get your hopes up too high. The alpha's mother is desperate for an heir, and—"

Scarlett cut me off, her voice oozing malice. "Desperate? Ha! The mother of the alpha does what she must to get to the future of the pack, and for that, she has to choose the best candidate. And that is me, not you. You're just a pathetic, unwanted twin, Astrid. No one needs you."

Tears were pricking at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn't give Scarlett that satisfaction. I looked away, willing the sting of her words to go away. But they replayed in my mind, an ache to remind me of my place in the world.

As we left the store, Scarlett bubbling with excitement over her prospects, a sense of dread lingered upon me. For tomorrow's ritual would change that. And among all those possibilities, I instinctively knew it would be the last on Scarlett's ambitions.

As we re-entered our house, both Mother and Father hastened towards Scarlett to greet her in rather a big frenzy, much as two love-intoxicated birds.

"Scarlett, dear, welcome home!" Mother exclaimed, embracing Scarlett with a warm hug. "How was your day, dear?"

"It was great, Mother," Scarlett said, beaming. "I found the perfect dress for tomorrow's ceremony. I just know I'm going to make a stunning impression on the alpha."

Father chuckled and ruffled Scarlett's hair. "That's my girl! You're going to make us all so proud tomorrow."

I stood back and watched them fawn over Scarlett. No one even asked me how my day went, much less welcomed me home.

We sat down to dinner and Mother asked, "So, Scarlett, tell us more about this dress you found. What's it like?"

Scarlett launched into a detailed description of the dress, from delicate lace trim to the way the silk fabric hugged her curves. Mother and Father listened, entranced, asking the occasional question and making admiring noises.

I ate in silence, feeling like a ghost hovering on the periphery of the conversation.

After dinner, Scarlett had started to practice her heels-strutting around the living room like some kind of catwalk model-but on a corner turn, her heel caught on one of my books, lying on the floor, and she flew over, twisting her ankle with a really sickening crack.

Scarlett howled in pain, clutching her ankle and glaring at me. "You clumsy idiot, Astrid! Look what you've done now!"

"Scarlett, I am so sorry!" I quickly went to her side. "I didn't mean to leave my book there-"

Scarlett's voice was full of venom as she cut me off. "Sorry? Sorry is not good enough, Astrid! You have ruined everything for me!"

At that moment, the TV on the corner turned on itself, and an announcement about the concubine selection started playing, echoing the voice of the anchor in the room.

Mother's face twisted in grief as she hied to Scarlett's side. "Oh, Scarlett, now you will never make the rite! It is all owing to the bad carelessness of Astrid!"

My eyes started to tear; I was willing myself not to cry. "I-I am sorry, Scarlett. I hadn't meant to-"

But Mother cut me off, her voice venomous. "Sorry? Sorry isn't enough, Astrid! You've ruined everything for your sister! You're always so careless, so thoughtless. Why can't you just be more like Scarlett for once?"

I bit back a sob, trying to swallow the rest of my tears. But before I could compose myself, Scarlett's voice cut through the room, cold and calculating.

"Astrid, you're going to impersonate me tomorrow. You'll go to the ceremony, and you'll win. That's the only way you'll ever make this up to me."

I stared at her, horrified. "Scarlett, I don't know if I can-"

But Scarlett's face went cold. "You'll do it, Astrid. You owe me. And if you don't, I'll make sure everyone knows what a useless, worthless twin you are."

A chill ran up my spine as I met Scarlett's gaze.

"Scarlet-"

"Enough!" My father's roar cut

me off.

"You will attend that ceremony and win, end of discussion!"