Chapter 3

Aria

The first thing I noticed once I stepped inside the locker room wasn't his fake smile or his scheming eyes that hinted that he thought he had me wrapped around his tiny fingers.

No.

The first thing I noticed… was the mate bond between us. It was no longer as strong as it used to be.

In my previous life, I would have felt heat all over my body and just felt like wrapping my arms around his stoic frame, but now the only thing I felt was disgust, disdain, and the desperate urge to slap that smug expression off his face.

Maybe death had burned the bond away.

Or maybe the Moon Goddess herself refused to tie me to a monster again.

“My beautiful mate,” he said sweetly, gesturing for me to come closer to him.

I wore a practiced smile—the same stupid smile that I always wore anytime he was close, even though he'd always stepped all over me. I approached him slowly.

“How are you doing?” He pushed himself off the locker and wrapped his arms around me tightly. “Oh… you smell so nice, step sister.”

His touch sent disgust down my spine and I just couldn't bear it. I pushed him off me and took a step back like he had burned me.

Tristan's lips parted in disbelief. Anger flashed in his eyes, but just as quickly he masked it with a tight smile. “What is wrong with you, Aria? I just wanted us to get along. You are my mate after all.”

“Well… I'm just a bit surprised about your sudden behaviour. You never wanted to see me before now.”

“Yeah…” he scoffed. “That might be true… and I'm deeply sorry about that. From now on, you have to get used to me because I'm going to accept our bond soon.” He said it like he was doing me a huge favour.

In my previous life, I had been excited about the news, but now may the Moon forbid that I bond with him.

I just threw my hair back. “Why would you do that?” I asked, showing none of the reaction he had expected. “You don't like me, so there is no need to accept the bond.”

His gaze was a mix of suspicion and shock. “Why are you acting so strange today? First you pushed me away when I hugged you, and now you don't even care about our mate bond.”

Fuck…

It was then that I realised that I had let my emotions get the best of me. I was supposed to keep acting like a fool who was unaware of everything happening, but then… it was kind of difficult, and if I kept going at this rate, he might change his mind about asking me to poison Trenton. And the Tristan I knew didn't give up; he would only restrategize, which meant he would find another means to kill his brother.

No…

That shouldn't happen.

I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to Trenton this time.

I smiled broadly and stepped closer to him. “I'm sorry, mate,” I said coolly. “Everything is just happening so fast, but trust me when I say I'm glad everything is starting to work between us.” I placed my hand over my chest. “I will be the happiest woman alive if you claim me as your mate.”

Tristan finally smiled and nodded in satisfaction. “Good, Aria. Which is why I have a task for you. The reason I have been acting grumpy towards you is because of Trenton.”

“What about him?” My voice sounded confused and did not hint that I knew about his deep-rooted jealousy and hatred for his brother.

“Well… he has been a pain in the ass. Father loves him and has already approved of him as his heir.”

Maybe if you stopped wasting the Alpha’s money on parties and alcohol, Father might actually respect you, I responded in my mind.

“The pack members only consider him as the prince.”

Maybe if you started engaging in pack duties like Trenton, who treated the pack members well with dignity and respect, visited the pack hospitals, and even trained them to be able to protect themselves, they would think of you as a prince for once.

“In the college, his name is the one on everyone's lips.”

Of course, why wouldn't he be on everyone's lips when he was a straight-A student while all you did was bully everyone?

“Even the upcoming championship… if Winterridge wins then he will be the one to represent us, and I overheard Father say that he will make him Alpha once it is all over.”

In the past, I had pitied Tristan because he was neglected by everyone, and that was because I saw myself in him. Growing up without a father figure and barely making ends meet, I had been neglected by everyone too until recently when Mama got married to the Alpha and I was adopted by him.

In fact, there was a time I even hated Trenton. I thought he had stolen his brother's life… but Trenton had been nothing but kind towards me despite it all.

But now I saw Tristan's insufficiencies, and he deserved the way people treated him and even more.

“Yes.” I pretended like I was angry. “That bastard stole your life and he deserves to pay for it.”

Tristan heaved in relief, gripping my hand. “Oh… Aria. You are the only one who understands me. The only one who has ever supported me.”

I cupped his cheeks. “I will keep supporting you, dear.”

He reached slowly into his pocket. For a moment, I almost laughed because I already knew what he would take out.

The wolfsbane.

“This is poison, Aria…” he paused, like the words were heavy on his lips. “I want you to add this to my brother's water. Once he is gone, I will regain my life back, become the Alpha, and then I will be able to claim you as my mate without minding the fact that you are my step sister.”

Same words.

I smiled, snatched the bottle from him, and tucked it inside my bra. “I will do it. I will do anything for you, Tristan.”

“Thank you.” He pulled me into an embrace. “Thank you. I owe you my success in life. If this works out, I will make you my queen, Aria.” I was sure he was smirking devilishly behind me, thinking he had me fooled.

The smile on my face washed off as I wrapped my arms around myself.

Oh… let the game begin.

This time, I would be the one writing the ending.