Chapter 2

Ixora's POV

Today was my birthday.

The house resonated with the sound of laughter and music. The aroma of newly opened roses wafted through the air, and faint lights danced upon the grand chandeliers high above. Glasses clinking in the background, and faint buzzing of sounds in the distance as people congregated in the garden.

They had all gathered here for my birthday.

My fiancé had promised me something special. Not the party, no. Tonight, he said, he would finally announce to everyone that I was his chosen one. That we were getting married. That I was to be the future Luna by the side of the Alpha's son. I had dreamed about this night for months.

Everything was ready.

Except me.

I looked into the mirror at my reflection. My red hair was unraveling, and eyeliner I'd put on half an hour before was already running under my eyes. I didn't look alert, like the person who would be the center of attention of everyone in this room.

"Flora?" I shouted, leaving my bedroom and entering the hallway. "Flora, can you help me with makeup?"

Silence.

I knocked at the door and no one came. I pushed it open and peered inside. Her bedroom was empty.

She wasn't in the hall, living room, or kitchen. I even checked the side garden, in case she'd stepped outside for some fresh air. Still nothing.

I got my phone out and called her. Straight into voicemail.

Where the bloody hell was she?

I tried not to panic. Maybe she was helping Christopher with something. Maybe it was all in the surprise. I had not seen him either, now that I recollected. Not since morning when he kissed my forehead and informed me he had some matters he needed to attend to.

So I returned in front of the mirror and tried my best to fix myself. I reapplied lipstick, wiped away the smudgy eyeliner, and applied a small amount of shimmer to my cheeks. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do.

Next, I slipped on the wine-colored evening dress I had picked out for tonight. It hugged my waist, flared at the hem, and plunged just low enough to be trendy. I grinned at myself.

"Okay," I breathed. "Showtime."

Descend the stairs, the conversation paused for an instant. Heads swiveled. Gasp, followed by civilized applause. I forced a smile and held out my chin.

Happy birthday, Ixora!" somebody shouted across the room.

I grinned and thanked them, hugging and kissing some elders and pack members. I scanned around, trying to catch sight of that familiar face.

And then—there he was.

Christopher.

He emerged from the back patio, wearing a tailored black suit. His tie matched the color of my dress. He was so handsome. Too handsome. His eyes scanned the room for mine the minute he walked in, and his lips creased into that smile that sent my stomach into somersaults.

"There's my beautiful birthday girl," he said, moving toward me and engulfing me in his arms.

I melted into him. For one moment, it was okay. For one moment, I thought this was exactly what I pictured it to be.

"You look incredible," he whispered in my ear.

"You're late," I whispered back.

He laughed. "Worth the wait, though?"

I slapped him lightly on the chest. "I was under the impression that we were doing this together. I couldn't find you or Flora."

His face changed—just a tiny bit. So quickly I almost missed it.

"She's out there," he said, shoving it away. "Don't even think about it. Let's enjoy ourselves tonight, okay?"

I nodded slowly. There was something in his tone that made my skin prickle. But I overrode it.

A few more moments, and the crowd had drawn closer. Christopher mounted up on the small platform set at the garden's opposite end, beside the shining fountain. The pack elders were nearby, and Alpha Raymond—the current pack leader—watched with pride.

I followed behind, heart pounding with anticipation.

He raised his hand for silence.

"Thank you all for coming tonight," he started. "Tonight, we are celebrating the birthday of a very special person to me. Ixora has stood by my side for years. She is strong, elegant, and has always borne the virtues of our pack in pride."

The crowd applauded, and my cheeks flushed hot. I bit my lip, smiling bashfully. This was it. The moment.

But tonight," he continued, his voice increasing, "is also about something else. Something… unforeseen."

I blinked.

What?

Christopher cast a fleeting glance my way—just for an instant—before shifting back to the crowd.

"As you are all aware, fated mates are cherished treasures. We don't get to pick them out. The Moon Goddess does. And occasionally, what we make ready for isn't what's supposed to be."

I felt cold. My breath locked in my throat.

No.

No.

I would like to take this moment," he said, hesitating, "to pay tribute to the bond that was made known to me just a few days ago."

Silence.

Individuals stared in bewilderment.

"Flora," he called, and ice ran in circles through my veins.

My sister emerged from the crowd behind him. She wore gentle silver, her hair cascading down her back, her eyes gleaming as if she'd been laughing—or crying. I couldn't discern which.

She stood at his side.

Christopher reached for her hand.

"I have found my meant mate. Flora."

Gasps upon gasps passed through the crowd.

I couldn't catch my breath. My heart was racing in my chest, and I stood there—paralyzed.

What?

My mind was spinning. This wasn't happening. This was a joke. A misstep. He was supposed to say my name. Not hers.

He was supposed to be mine.

I stepped forward. "Christopher…?"

He looked at me. But he did not move. He did not stretch for me. He did not explain.

"I'm sorry, Ixora," he said. "I did not think this would ever happen either. But I cannot resist fate. And it is not like I fell in love with you from the start or anything. You are just a toy to me until I can get my mate. And look what arrived, too bad I did not introduce her to you yesterday."

My knees nearly gave way. I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms.

Flora looked at me then—guilty, scared, apologetic, that is what I had hoped to see, but instead saw mockery.

"How could you do this to me, your very own sister?" I asked her, voice low and shaking.

I don't owe you an explanation sister, you're too dumb for me and I hated how our parents had more regard for you when our parents were still alive. Good that they are dead now." She stated coldly.

I laughed, curt and bitter. "Because our parents valued me? That is a good enough reason why you should be a traitor to your own sister?"

"I want to hurt you," she spoke, not directly looking at my eyes.

"Yes, congratulations, you did," I said. "Both of you did. But one thing hurt me the most, not knowing you both are bastards who should hurt in the darkest part of hell."

The word infuriated Flora so much and her eyes reddened as she approached me.

"Repeat that, you cunt. Trying to turn the blame on us yeah? We didn't make you wolf less and useless even to your parents. You didn't protect them." Flora pushr me and I fell to the floor with a thud. She grabbed my red hair and pulled hard on it, inflicting agony to my scalp so bad I could black out.

When I realized that I would be killed at her hands, the door suddenly swung open.