Chapter 2

Fiona's POV

“Were you just trying to reject your mate? How dare you do such a thing!” My mother snapped, the same way she always did whenever it came to me.

She never listened to me, no matter the situation.

I stared at my father, who stood silently beside his wife with a closed expression. Alphas were strict by nature, but I had seen the cracks he showed for my sister.

“Dad. Mom. Please explain things to Sister Fiona. I don’t want her to misunderstand.”

Iva rushed over to my mother, who pulled her into her embrace.

My claws dug into my palms until crescents of blood formed. Their betrayal crashed into my lungs.

“Dad. Mom. Kale is cheating on me.” I dropped the bombshell. My father’s face tightened.

"Fiona, stop embarrassing yourself.”

My mother’s eyes narrowed, but not from surprise. It was as if her deadly secret had been uncovered. Instantly, my father avoided my gaze and adjusted his suit.

“Fifi,” I whispered through our bond. “They know. All this time.”

I shook my head, taking a step back as if that would help me see things more clearly. Kale tried to reach for me, but I jerked away. “Don’t you dare touch me.”

“Fiona, don’t speak to your mate that way,” my mother shunned, still holding Iva, who was sobbing like a baby.

I swallowed, taking a deep breath—an act I had learned to perfect. “As the first lady of the Nightshade Pack, you cannot afford to act like other women.” Those were her words. She had said it was for my protection, but now more than ever, I knew what they truly meant: “Keep your mouth shut and be a puppet. Her little puppet.”

“Why can’t I say that, Mom? He’s cheating on me. I saw it. I saw the whole thing, and don’t you dare deny it.”

“For Moon’s sake, Fiona, stop trying to be the center of attention all the damn time. If you stopped overreacting and listened, you would understand.”

I paused. A deadly chill ran through my body. Crescent marks glistened with blood as I swallowed hard.

“I’m overreacting?” I asked, squinting at her. I scoffed. “You were sleeping with my sister in my bed. And I’m overreacting? You’re sick. All of you are insane. Don’t try to make me feel stupid for standing up for myself just this once… I know what I saw.”

“Oh, put that jealousy aside. You are the eldest. Iva is your little sister. You should love her and protect her. Why do you always have to be so selfish?”

“Iva is a witch…” I shrieked through my tears, not caring that I was exploding right in front of the people who were supposed to be my family—the people who would never take my side. And I hated myself for breaking like this.

“Iva, how could you do this to me? Everything you want, I let you have… so why did you have to go after what the Moon Goddess gave me? Tell me!” I yelled. The sound was so loud it felt like my head was about to burst.

My mother’s face tightened with an unreadable expression. She left Iva’s side, and I thought she was going to hit me. I had been out of line before, so I waited for it.

She raised her hand, then her face softened as she placed it on my shoulder and squeezed. “Calm down before you fall apart. It’s not good for your wolf. You know she’s weak.”

I didn’t respond. I only panted.

“A few days ago, your sister got drunk at a party and got involved with a stranger. The child she’s carrying is a result of that union. It was a mistake, so we can’t blame Iva for it.”

“Right. We can’t,” I nodded, forcing a smile. Iva could slice me in half and my family would still defend her. She was their perfect little princess.

Parties. I was not allowed to attend any. Fun was a distant dream.

But Iva got to do everything. Chastity was a virtue my mother valued, which was why I was homeschooled and never allowed to connect with people unless it was unavoidable. Yet Iva could do whatever she wanted.

I kept the smile on my face. “That doesn’t explain why they were in my room doing…” The rest of the words faded.

“Iva’s wolf has been unstable, and only an Alpha’s potent energy could calm her down,” my mother continued. “Kale loves you so much he couldn’t touch her without thinking of you. That was why I suggested they do it here.” Her eyes shifted toward Alpha Kale and she rolled them. “I just didn’t think they would do it during the daytime.”

“Mom, my wolf was in pain. Alpha Kale was only helping me,” Iva added.

“We understand, Iva,” my father spoke for the first time, his voice calm.

“Do you understand now?” my mother asked, as if their nonsense could ever erase the betrayal or the level of insanity in this house.

Kale shifted closer. “Fiona,” he breathed, trying to reach for me again but retracting his hand. “Earlier, I lost my temper. I just don’t want to hurt Iva’s baby. You understand, right?”

I nodded, taking a long breath. The pain twisted in my chest, keeping me grounded before I let the words out.

“You’re right. You’re all right. Iva didn’t do anything wrong. Kale was only helping my sister recover, and I should be very grateful that my mate can’t touch another she-wolf without thinking of my scent… right?”

No one said anything. How could they?

They all knew the truth even though they tried to twist it.

“But since Iva likes Alpha Kale so much, she can have him.”

For a split second, Iva’s eyes lit up with intent before she wrapped her arms around her body. “Sis, you can’t do that. Besides, the healers said it’s only for the first trimester that I’ll feel this way. I promise Kale won’t touch me after.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “Seeing you act all sweet and innocent disgusts me. You liked it. Both of you did. The mating ceremony is still three days away. Good. Marry him.”

Kale cleared his throat, though a smile curled at the edge of his lips. “You can’t do this. We are fated mates. We are bonded by the Moon Goddess.”

“Let’s unbond then. Accept my rejection. And you’re free. Wasn’t that what you wanted? To be free from this filthy weak omega?”

Kale’s face twisted with something that resembled pain as I quoted his earlier words. His gaze dropped to his feet for a few moments. “Fiona…”

“Don’t bother. I will not be taking my younger sister’s leftovers.”

Hearing those words, his face tightened as he towered over me. Fifi whimpered at the sight of his wolf aura charging through space. My knees grew weak under his dominance, but I kept my spine straight, eyes locked on him.

“I, Fiona Wong of the Nightshade Pack, reject you as my mate,” I said. Blood filled my mouth as Fifi thrashed against the bond, howling in pain.

Tears filled my eyes as Kale staggered, one hand on his chest. His red eyes darted as if the light in his gaze was starting to dim. “You… Fiona. If you do this—”

“Accept the rejection, Alpha,” I said boldly, cutting him off.