Chapter 5

Liora - POV

"I have to confess," I could barely manage to whisper.  

Selene leaned in, curiosity written all over face. "What is it?"  

As my chest tightened, I inhaled deeply. "You know I am a stripper."  

Her face remained the same, so I continued. "Last night , I was going to do a private show. Oh boy, I was excited-had some bills due this week-and then my boss called. She apparently found another deal, and actually, a bigger one. One where some guy wants to send off a grand part of his life before he gets hitched." Dry throat, but I continued: "I went. I danced. He gave me a lot more than I've ever seen. And I.... I spend the night with him."   

Selene's eyes widened, then cued her shock to turn into fear. "Liora, what do you mean?"  

My stomach was burning and so I spat the truth: "The man....was Darius."   

A thick blanket of silence fell over the room. Then Selene's chair screeched back as she giggled. "Oh,common stop joking.”   

"I wish I was," I said softly.   

She slammed her fist on the table. "No. No! You couldn't be that sick. My sister-my own blood-sleeping with the man I'm going to marry?!"  

"Selene--"  

"Shut up!" she screamed. Her voice cracked with raw fury: "You have ruined everything! You think I wanted to track you down? You think I wanted to bring you back just for you to stab me in the back?"   

I stood up, my legs shaking. "That was not planned. I did not know—"   

And then she charged at me, fists hammering my shoulders. “This is why mother told me to avoid you! She was right! All you do is ruin happy lives!”   

Her words cut deeper than her fists. I could feel the tears stinging in my eyes, but instead I held her wrists to try and stop her. "Selene I beg of you—"   

She broke free, taking deep breaths. "I wish I'd never found you. I wish you still were gone. I wish I listened to mother.”   

Then she diverted her gaze onto the stool beside us. Seized it and raised it high over her head, aiming to connect it with my skull.   

"Selene, don't!" I screamed.   

The scream tore itself from my lungs.   

I shot up in bed,my heart racing like a wild animal. I looked quickly around the room from corner to corner. White curtains. A polished mahogany dresser. A cute little vase holding some fresh flowers.   

Not the dining room. No Selene or stool in sight.  

This was the room that Selene had set aside for me.   

I exhaled shakily and put my hand across my chest. "Moon goddess... it was just a dream."   

Part relief, part dread. Dream or not, I knew what it meant. My guilt against killing me—worsened by the forbidden mate bond twisting inside my omega heart.   

I recalled that I had chickened out last night. I told Selene that I was just worried that my history of stripping might tarnish her reputation and the family’s reputation if I ever become associated with them. She laughed lightly and said to forget about it. Said she has enough money to buy me all the respect in the world.   

Now here I am, lying flat on my back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering how long I can keep this secret bottled up in me.   

Less than a second later, my alarm went off. I groaned and shut it off. Selene had insisted on an early wedding, one that began with the sunrise. At first, I had doubted her, but surprisingly she wasn't joking.   

I dragged myself out of bed, took my bath and wore the dress Selene had given to me last night and quickly brushed my hair, adjusting the straps when there was a loud knock at the door that startled me.   

I opened the door.   

There stood Selene, pretty in her gown. Her hair was perfectly swept up in an elegant bun, veil cascading past her shoulders. She looked every inch like a princess stepping from a fairytale movie.   

"Wow," I breathed. "You look... amazing."   

Selene smiled, and her eyes sparkled. "Thank you, and you look beautiful too."   

I managed a smile. "Not half as beautiful as you."   

She laughed softly and waved her hand. "Come on. Time to go."   

The two of us walked out together, but when we reached the altar, Selene made it clear she wished to walk down to the altar alone. I respected that.   

I sit in front, heavy-hearted, hands clasped, fidgeting in my lap.   

The ceremony began and the priest's voice laced itself along the rising music by the Choir . All eyes turned towards Selene, who walked down the aisle.    

At that moment, Darius stood straight and stoic, like a statue on the altar, immaculate in that black suit, his eyes on her as a wide smile spread across his lips.

I could have sworn I saw tears in his eyes. “Crying for a lady you cheated on! Tsk, males.”

Then the vows were exchanged too as they slipped rings onto each other’s fingers. Selene swore to stand beside him all her life, and Darius promised to always be her rock, and never give her a reason to cry.   

When they were pronounced mates , applause filled the room. Selene and Darius kissed, and I made myself clap, forced a wide smile.   

But my heart broke within.   

Then it was off to the reception in the palace. Just as Selene had said, it was much smaller than I had anticipated: a few relatives, a couple of friends, and some business associates. All were very polite and cheerful regarding their welcome—Blackwood pack allies mingling seamlessly in this modern celebration.   

"Meet my sister, Liora!" Selene introduced me to almost everyone. She would say that with so much pride. And each time, I would nod and shake hands, trying not to crumble under the weight of my secret.   

Eventually, I slipped away. My nerves were fraying. I moved into a quiet hallway, the music and chatter disappearing behind.   

Leaning against the wall, I whispered to myself: "Okay, Liora. Say it. Just tell her. 'Selene, I messed up. Selene, I—'. "   

A voice from behind me interrupted my rehearsal.   

“Tell Selene what?”