CHAPTER 2

NAIDIRA’S POV

It felt like the world had been tilted on its axis and my heart was pounding systematically in my chest. Each loud thud felt like a death knell.

“What do you mean?” I rasped, my throat suddenly running dry.

She looked at my father and sat back down, pulling a glass of water to herself.

Why was no one saying anything?

Calanthe stood up, muttering something under her breath before she walked to her room, but not before casting me a small smirk with a slight twitch of her lips.

“You know how it is, Naidira. Sit.” My father gestured to the chair where Calanthe had sat a while ago.

My legs wobbled as I collapsed heavily on the seat. “Explain.”

One word.

But the weight it carried was evident.

My father had this blank on his face. Like I was supposed to just get it. That the man who could be my mateㅡ the one I had waited for such a long timeㅡ was betrothed to my sister.

Why couldn't I have something to myself for once?

“Don't you get it?” He started. “You're not good enough for Alpha Orion.”

The words hit me smack in the face and I gripped the edge of the table, my knuckles turning white due to how hard I held on to it. “What do you mean? I'm also your daughter, are you saying I don't deserve happiness?” My voice cracked on the last statement.

My mother spoke up before my father could. “No one is saying that. Just not with Alpha Orion. Do you know how powerful he is? He's the next big thing. He's so powerful that Alphas bow to him, Naidira. Be a realist. Do you know who he needs as a mate?”

My heart chipped at the edges. “A powerful Luna…” I whispered.

My mother clicked her fingers. “Exactly. And let's face it, you're not up to that. You can't even shift. We're doing this for your own sakeㅡ we just want to protect you. It's gonna be too much of a power imbalance and you wouldn't be able to keep up, no one would accept a weak woman for a Luna.”

Her words cut deep and pain seared through me. Hot. Blinding. I swallowed hard, my eyes stinging with tears.

So, this was it?

Once more, I had lost another thing.

Because I wasn't enough.

And I would never be.

And as much as it hurt me, they were rightㅡ I wasn't fit to rule.

Calanthe was.

***************

TWO WEEKS LATER

Accepting my fate didn't make it any easier. I saw him more often, he came around the house, giving me small smiles what my heart ached with the knowledge of what I lost.

I should be happy. Rejoice with Calanthe and squeal when she presented the wedding dress to me last night.

But I couldn't bring myself to feel joy for someone else when it had evaded me.

That's why I spent longer than necessary, staring at the mirror in my room. Was it visible? What I thought about this marriage? It was all sudden.

There was a short rap on the door and I jerked, swallowing hard. “Uhㅡ Yeah, I'll be out in a minute,” I croaked.

My mother's voice filtered in, merry and sweet. “Hurry, dear. The ceremony is about to start.”

Of course she was happy. Her daughter was getting married into a family that she could only dream about. The connections. Power. Alliances. That was all that mattered to her.

I took a deep breath, looking at my reflection in the mirror again. The pale dress clung to my curves, barely bringing any form of attention to myself. Of course this was what mum picked out. It didn't matter if I was the bride's sister, I shouldn't hold a candle to the beauty of her gown.

Everything seemed tailored to make me fade off into the background.

As always.

Less than 30 minutes, I forced myself to keep a frozen smile on my face as I watched the priest say the vows to Alpha Orion and Calanthe who was beaming.

My fingers gripped the hem of my gown in habit.

Everyone was so happy.

The pack grounds was bustling with energy and from where I sat, wedged between my mum and my dad, I had an unobstructed view of the whole event.

Yay, lucky me, I guess.

The murmurs behind us didn't do anything to help too. In fact, it only added to the anger thrumming in my veins.

“I can't believe she's getting married to Alpha Orion.”

Yeah, me neither.

Another hushed voice behind whispered. “That's so cool and impressive. I can only imagine how proud the family must be having a daughter who brings nothing but good things to them.”

Something ugly stirred in my stomach at that but I swallowed it back.

Thenㅡ

“The other one didn't find her mate. She's probably cursed. Can't even shift. The moon goddess couldn't even give her anything. She probably doesn't deserve it too. She's pretty useless to such a powerful family.”

That made me pause, my cheeks flushing as I adjusted uncomfortably in my seat, the silk suddenly feeling too tight around my skin.

Useless?

Something told me they knew I heard. They could see the way my shoulders tensed in front of them. And they only snickered.

Tears burned in my eyes. I was undeserving of Alpha Orion? Calanthe also didn't deserve him. I knew her first hand.

My gaze burned with fury and I clenched my fists in anger. Fuck them all.

There was still time. To object to the wedding and stop this madness.

Everyone was clapping silently, focused on the vows being exchanged.

My feet moved before I could stop them and I sprang to my feet.

Calanthe whipped her neck to look at me, panic flashing in her eyes when she saw the defiance in mine. She knew I wanted to object to it. Stop her dream marriage.

“Iㅡ” I started, my voice loud enough for everyone pause and look at me confused.

Before I could utter another word, Calanthe beat me to it. “My sister, Naidira and I would like to inform everyone of something important.”

Alpha Orion looked confused. Just like everyone else. “What's going on?”

I raised a brow, chest heaving silently. What did she want to say?

Her fingers dropped to her stomach and her next words were soft. “I'm with child for the Alpha.”

My blood ran dry as gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Calanthe was…pregnant?

For Alpha Orion?