Chapter 1

-Ashina- 

"Congratulations, married woman," Stacy beamed as she walked into the room with two glasses of wine. I rolled my eyes at her.

"That is too old-fashioned, Miss," I said, my eyes lingering on her hand.

"Is that?" She raised a brow at me. "Or you'd rather be referred to as the great Luna of the Moon stone pack?"

She made a light bow and I chucked.

"Indeed."

Today is the day I finally get married to Lucian, the love of my life and the alpha of my pack. Yes, I would be Luna just like Stacy has rightly said, but I was more excited about being Lucian's wife.

"Let's make a toast," Stacy said as she stretched the glass to me. I hesitated.

"Mmm...," I hummed. "I don't want to get too drunk, Stacy. It wouldn't be decent. I will have to stand before all the members of the pack, remember?"

"Oh come on, it's your big day. Who cares about decency? Besides, it's just one take. You wouldn't be drunk," She pushed and I shrugged, taking it from her.

"To a great married life," she said, holding her glass up. I met it with a click.

"To a great married life," I smiled and gulped down everything. When I looked up from the glass, there was a satisfied smile on her face which I did not give much meaning to.

"So, are you looking forward to your honeymoon," Stacy grinned at me mischievously.

"Shut up," I hit her lightly, placing a hand over my lips.

"Because that is the only thing you can do, look forward to it," there was a different glint in her eyes. "You will not be alive to witness it."

"What...what are you saying, Stacy?" I stuttered, the pain on the sides of my stomach becoming more realistic. I had tried to ignore it.

"You thought you were going to marry Adonai while I will be there and just watch? Do you want to be Luna over me? I am your elder sister, Ashina. And I cannot stand you getting married to the alpha and having more authority than me. I cannot allow that."

The pain increased, and I held my belly, falling to my knees. Did my sister poison me? No, it's not possible. Stacy would never do anything to hurt me. Yet, the look on her face was more convincing than my hopes.

"Yes I poisoned you," Stacy said as if she could read my thoughts. "And when you are gone, I will not have to worry about whether you will be better than me or not. I will have only myself to worry about because you occupy a lot of unnecessary space where I can be. So rest in peace, while I go to announce to everyone that I found you dead in your room."

My eyes fell heavy, and I could feel life leaving me as Stacy made to leave the room.

"Oops, need to put this away to leave no traces," I heard her say faintly, and with a blurred vision, I saw her take the glasses out with her, and that was the last thing in existence I witnessed.

- Luciani-

I woke up with a headache and sat up on the bed, groaning. My mind was cloudy, and the thumping in my chest, accompanied by heartache, reminded me that I had just buried my mate, and the pain that followed consumed my entire being.

I noticed a movement beside me on the bed and turned round to see a form under the sheets. What is the name of...

"Good morning, Alpha," Stacy greeted, and my eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

"What the hell are you doing in my room and on my bed?" I half yelled, refusing my brain to think if we had done something with our nakedness.

"What?" She looked puzzled that I had asked her such a question. "I came to your room last night to offer you some words of comfort and...and you forced yourself on me. Yet you asked me this morning what I am doing on your bed?"

She covered her face and wept. I kept looking on in shame, hating myself. I had too much to drink yesterday and could not even remember what happened. How could I have done such a thing to my late Fiancés sister?

"I am so sorry Stacy," I said earnestly. "I had no idea what I was doing, believe me. I did not mean to do it."

"What will become of me now? You've robbed me of my pride and dignity,"

She did not stop weeping, making me feel more guilty.

"How do I make it up to you? I have done such a terrible thing."

"Make it up to me?" She asked as if she could not believe her ears. "You've ruined my life, Alpha. How do you expect me to go out there and show my face after what we've done? My sister is still fresh in the grave and then this happens?"

"Stacy stop it," I frowned disapprovingly. "We did not plan to do this. It was a mistake. I barely recall what happened."

"How could you be this heartless? I am your late fiancée's sister!" She cried harder and the more she mentioned Ashina, the more my heart pounded.

"I am sorry. But I am not in the right frame of mind right now. Maybe we can talk about this later? Or is there anything we can do?"

That seemed to be the most grievous mistake I have made in a while. Stacy suggested I marry her to cover up for everything. It would be more terrible if people found out what had happened between us.

I did not love Stacy but it will take me decades to get over Ashina's death. Hell, I might even live forever without another woman, so since Stacy is her sister, maybe that is not a bad idea.

So I agreed, and Stacy began the marriage preparations as soon as possible even though I told her to wait for a while till Bella's spirit had rested.

I also thought people would talk about us getting married so soon as if we were waiting for Ashina to die.

"The earlier the better," she had told me. "What if I get pregnant and people begin to notice before we make any moves? They'll also say you have been cheating on her with me before her death. But it makes better sense if you're just marrying me because I am her only sister, and you want to keep your loyalty in the family.”