Chapter 1

LIANA

“And when you're done with those, just make sure to check if the other rooms are clean and if they aren't, then you should clean them” Mom said.

I've been doing menial jobs all day since morning. Most of these chores were supposed to be done by my sister but my parents insisted I should do them because Samantha doesn't want to do them.

It's basically the norm now, I have to do the chores that she doesn't want to, anytime she says she doesn't want to do them which is mostly always because she's nothing but a lazy ass girl who wants to do nothing but enjoy while I suffer for her laziness.

“I don't think I would be able to do that, Mom. It's my anniversary with Ryle and I want to go home so we can celebrate it together. I told you about this earlier but you seem to be indulging your daughter who should be doing this. You should get Samantha here and let her do the job she was supposed to do in the first place* I rarely talked back to either of my parents but I can't take this one anymore.

The only reason I still put up with them is because I know Dad would be retiring soon and would make me the Alpha of the pack. Once that happens, I would be free from them but until then, I have to be the submissive daughter even though Samantha is clearly the favorite.

“Are you implying that you don't want to do a task assigned to you by your mother?” She said in a tone that meant business. I know if I didn't comply and not so this, she was going to tell dad who in turn would berate me for disobeying her.

I apologized to her and went about the rest of the tasks. I was midway through the task when I felt a pain in my chest. It felt as if my chest was burning up and I knew the only reason for this had to be that something was wrong with Ryle. He had to be in trouble for me to feel it.

I immediately dropped what I was doing and rushed home, ignoring my mother's call for me to get back to doing what she asked me to do. Right now, Ryle was more important than the chore. I didn't tell her that but rushed.

I still felt the sensation and it got worse as I neared the house. I rushed inside and headed for our bedroom. The door was unlocked and I could hear voices filtering through. I opened it and got the shock of my life.

In my own bed was my mate and my sister. Having sex with each other, oblivious to my presence. I shouted and that caused them to sense that I was there.

Despite being found out, neither of them looked shocked to see me there. Instead, Samantha began to laugh which caused Ryle to do the same.

“Oh, look. She's here. I guess you just have forgotten to use the drug that mutes the mate bond, Ryle. She must have thought you were in trouble and rushed over. Poor thing. I mean, it's sad you had to find out like this but I guess that saves us from having to explain a damn thing to you” She looked so smug I wanted to rip her face up right there.

I didn't look at her and instead faced Ryle. “How could you, Ryle? And with my sister? On your anniversary?” Tears were already streaming down my face as I spoke. I expected him to apologize and tell me it was a mistake. I would have understood if she was the one who seduced him since she was the kind of person who could do that. She's always wanted everything I wanted and it wouldn't come as a shock if she decided to go after the one thing I have left.

“I don't understand why you're mad, Liana. You should know I don't want you by now. I want Samantha instead” He stared at her in a manner I've never seen him do with me and it sparked something in my brain.

With a scream that was enough to scare off every being within a mile, I jumped at her. I barely had enough time to cause any damage to her when Ryle pulled me off her and pushed me away, so hard I fell on the floor and hit my head.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, bitch? Do you want to kill her because she's something you're not and can never be?” I don't know what hurt me more, his words or the fact that he chose her over me.

As if summoned, my parents rushed into the room. Standing by the door and talking in the scene, I realized what this must look like. On cue, Samantha started crying and rushed to mom, not caring she was semi naked. Neither of our parents bothered to ask what happened before they turned on me. They didn't even question the fact that my sister was in bed with my mate.

“What did you do, Liana?” Mom shouted at me. The fact that she's not surprised and immediately took to blaming me for this meant they had to be aware of what was happening between Ryle and Samantha.

“You're asking me what happened? This slut slept with my mate. And on our anniversary too” I said, pointing at Samantha who was laughing at me without making a sound at the back of our parents.

“Shut your mouth up. How dare you call your sister a slut?” Dad said in a calm but firm tone that took me by surprise. I understand how mom could immediately take her side but him too? I thought he was going to at least be mature about this and ask the right questions but it seems he also just wants to take her side. There's no one here that is mine. I was alone.

“Mom, she beat me up” Samantha spoke when she saw that the silence had gone on for a while without anybody speaking. The “concerned” mother that she is, mom turned to me with anger.

“You dare lay a finger on your sister?” I'm sure if not for the fact that Dad was in front of her, she should have retaliated for her beloved daughter. I stood up and faced them, brimming with silent anger. No matter what happens , I am not about to blow up on my parents. Not when I have something at stake.

“So, you knew she was sleeping with him? And you want to beat ME for what she's done? You realize this is an atrocity? She slept with MY mate, mom. Why don't you think about that for a second” I said, my voice rising.

“You don't speak to your mother that way, young woman” Dad said, raising his voice. I didn't even think twice before turning to him too.

“What way, Dad? Because I spoke the truth? I can see that you are also going to enable this. I thought you would at least be different” The entire room fell into silence after I finished speaking.

“And you, Rule” I turned to him, and every one looked at him. It was almost as if we had forgotten he was in the room. He sat on the bed, looking satisfied with what he'd done. “why?”

I couldn't even think of anything else to say. I just wanted to know why he slept with her. If everybody he could have cheated on me with, he chose my sister, someone he knew I disliked a lot because I always spoke about it. Turns out I have been telling my secrets to the enemy.

“Why not, Samantha? Look at yourself and look at her. She's everything anyone could ever want in a woman and it's really a pity that I was bonded with you instead” He paused and laughed as if realizing something. “I guess it's not all that unfortunate, through you, I met her and I couldn't have it any other way”

I fought the tears that threatened to fall. I looked at all their faces in turn, noting the disappointment in my father's face, the glee in Samantha's and the dislike in mom's. I guess I should have expected more than this. It has always been obvious, but I was trying to be oblivious.

I turned away and began packing my things from the room. The room was deathly silent, as if they were waiting for me to finish up whatever it is I was doing. There was no way I was going to keep staying here. Even though the house is for both Ryle and I, this room has been defiled and I really can't stay anymore. I was going to move into another wing until I could find accommodation for myself. It's pretty obvious that this was done.

Immediately I finished packing, I left the room but before I did, I made sure to address them again.

“Mom, dad. I didn't expect this from either of you. I guess I expected it from Mom, but not you dad. Ryle, I guess you don't need me to spell it out for you now that we're done. And you, Samantha. I hope you did this for what you think are the right reasons because you can have him now. I just want you to know that you can't do this and just go scot free. You will pay for this, I promise you” The calm I looked was something that was in contrast with the storm brewing inside of me.

“You're threatening your sister now? You're a bad sister and a selfish person” Mom said, angrily. It's funny how I'm the bad person when my sister was just found with someone who's supposed to be mine and I am the selfish person when all I've ever done was to cater for them and their needs, making myself available whenever they needed me. But I guess all of that is forgotten now.

I didn't bother to reply. I left the room, slamming the door behind me. I could hear their voices from inside as I walked away but didn't take note of whatever they were saying anymore.

I went into one of the rooms that we barely used since we didn't have anything to use them for. I locked the door, thankful for the foresight I had to make sure that all the rooms in the house were duly furnished. It seems like this was going to be where I would be for a while, until I'm able to leave.

I sat down on the bed. And then I cried. Everything came back to me in a rush and the tears I had stopped from falling earlier came in torrents.

I cried, not just because I was betrayed by my mate but I cried about the horrible family I had. The only thing I hope now is that this doesn't affect me becoming the alpha. Then, that would make me mad and I don't want to think about the things I would do if I got mad.

I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. There was no use crying over something that had already happened. I don't want to dwell on it any longer and now the only thing I want to do is become better. The words they uttered had some elements of truth in them and I want to work on that.

I washed up and fell back in bed. It was still mid noon but I don't want to go back outside because I don't want to encounter any of them anymore. Now that I am calm, it's no tell what they are going to say, especially my dad because I walked out on them. Even though I was mad, I still fear him.

I stayed in the room for the rest of the day. And I spent most of that time planning.