I “Stole” the Alpha’s Love, but I’m Giving Him Back to My Sister

Seven days ago, vampires attacked our pack. I pushed Mom and my sister out of the way, but I was cut by a dagger coated in wolfsbane.

The healer said there was no cure. I did not have much time left.

I had planned to bring my mate-to-be home before I died. But now, mom had made an absurd request.

After I nodded, Aurelia's face lit up with excitement as she grabbed my arm.

"Really? Mara, you really mean it?"

She shook me hard, pulling at the wound hidden beneath my sleeve. The taste of blood rose slowly in my throat. I forced it back down.

Deep inside me, my wolf stirred once, weakly, then went quiet again.

Mom stared at me in disbelief, as if she were seeing me for the first time.

"Well, would you look at that. Our little firecracker is actually behaving for once."

She pulled Aurelia close, straightened the silver-gray cloak around her shoulders, then dabbed a little of my usual moonvine scent behind her ear.

It was the scent Ronan had made for me himself after promising I would one day be his Luna. He said my natural scent was too faint, and that a trace of moonvine would make it softer.

Now that same scent rested on Aurelia.

Mom looked her over from head to toe, then nodded in satisfaction. Only then did she glance at me.

"At least you know your place."

"Ronan is the Alpha of the Blackpine Pack. Bloodline, ability, looks, character—he has everything. Your sister is the one who actually looks right standing beside him."

"There will be someone more suitable for you in the future."

I gave a bitter smile.

Mom, I don't have a future.

I am about to die.

Aurelia tugged lightly at mom's sleeve, her pale cheeks turning pink.

"Mom, don't talk about Mara like that..."

Only then did mom soften a little.

She turned back to me with a bright smile, put an arm around my shoulders, and tapped the tip of my nose with one finger.

"All right, all right. I was only teasing."

"Our Mara is careless by nature. She would never get upset over something this small, would she?"

I leaned into mom's arms and greedily took in that small bit of warmth.

Just like every other moment of closeness I had ever stolen from her, it was over almost before I could believe it was real.

In truth, mom was right.

I would not get angry. Whether she comforted me or scolded me, her words had always felt like a reward.

Even when they came with thorns, I swallowed them gladly.

I had learned when I was very young that if I did not reach out and take something first, I would get nothing at all.

Once, mom brought Aurelia a porcelain bowl and said it was medicine for her weak body.

Aurelia wrinkled her nose and refused to drink it, so mom coaxed her softly, cooling each spoonful before bringing it to her lips.

For some reason, I suddenly wanted to taste it.

Not because I was hungry. I only wanted to know what it tasted like to be held so carefully, coaxed so gently, and fed by mom's own hand.

So I rushed forward, snatched the bowl, and drank it all in one breath.

But what filled my mouth was not bitter medicine. It was creamy mushroom soup, rich and fragrant, with tender pieces of lamb I had never tasted before.

I licked my lips and looked up in surprise.

Before I could say anything, mom slapped me across the face.

I stumbled back, half my face burning with pain.

Mom was shaking with anger, her finger trembling as she pointed at me.

"Mara, you little monster!"

"Have I ever starved you? Have I ever denied you food? I only called it medicine because I was afraid you would steal your sister's soup. And now you even steal medicine from her?"

"Get out. I don't have a daughter like you, and I don't want to see you in this house again."

Mom jabbed a finger against my temple, dragging me out of the memory.

"What are you standing there for?"

Her brows drew together, and her voice returned to its usual impatience.

"Did you hear what I just said? From now on, keep your distance from your sister's mate-to-be."

"If anyone finds out later, I won't let you off."

My sister's mate-to-be.

The words rolled over my tongue, bitter enough to tighten my throat.

I lowered my eyes, unable to look at Aurelia as she walked toward Ronan.

Would he recognize her?

After four years by my side, would the man who was supposed to make me his Luna realize that the girl in front of him was not me?

Aurelia took a deep breath, smoothed down her skirt, and lifted her face to him.

"Ronan..."