Caught red handed.

Feeling beautiful wasn’t exactly something I was used to. Most days, I barely even felt seen. But right now? As I stared at myself in the mirror, it was like I was looking at a completely different person.

My lips parted slightly, my fingers brushing over the fabric of the dress. Was this really me? The way the deep wine red color hugged my body, it was perfect. For the first time in forever, I actually looked like someone worthy of being chosen.

Then..

BANG BANG BANG!

“Are you coming out or what?” a voice said from the other side of the door.

I flinched, my moment of bliss instantly disappearing.

“The carriage is leaving soon, and I am not about to get scolded because you can’t hurry up!” the maid shouted, obviously annoyed.

I let out a sigh. It’s fine. Just ignore it. Nothing is ruining tonight.

I gave myself one last look in the mirror, smoothing down the front of my dress before standing tall.

“Let’s do this,” I said as I stepped out.

Unfortunately, my timing couldn’t have been worse.

The moment I stepped into the hallway, I found myself face to face with them.

Astrid and Kaia, they were walking past like royalty.

Astrid, of course, looked perfect, like she had been created by the Moon Goddess herself. Her golden curls were pinned up elegantly, her makeup was light but beautiful, and her dress? Flawless. It was designed to make her stand out like the future Luna she was so sure she would become.

I barely had time to prepare myself before I felt Astrid’s eyes on me.

It wasn’t just a glance.

No, it was a full scan. Up. Down. Back up again. The kind of look that made me feel weird because I knew what was coming next.

I forced myself to stand tall, pretending not to notice the judgment coming from my sister.

“I don’t remember choosing that dress for you,” she said. “Did I, Mother?”

I tensed.

Astrid turned to our mother, who barely spared me a glance before looking away in disinterest. Of course. No surprise there.

Then Astrid’s eyes went back to me, filled with suspicion. “Where did you get that dress?” She smirked. “You didn’t steal from me, did you?”

I barely had time to shake my head before Astrid stepped closer, grabbing my arm with a hold way too tight for comfort.

“You are pathetic,” she hissed, her nails digging into my skin. “Trying to make yourself look pretty, thinking you can compete. It’s almost sad.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing myself not to flinch.

“The dress is mine, Astrid,” I said as I pushed her hands off my arm.

“Oh, really? Then explain how you suddenly managed to afford such an expensive gown,” Astrid demanded, arms crossed as she eyed me like I was some common thief caught red-handed.

My throat felt dry as my brain scrambled for a way out. I had known this moment would come, but I hadn’t expected it this soon, or this aggressively.

I could lie. I should lie. But my mind was blank, completely useless at coming up with an excuse that wouldn’t blow up in my face.

Kaia finally interfered, stepped forward and said. “Are you deaf? Speak up, girl.”

I flinched, my heart pounding.

Okay. This was it. No more hiding. No more sneaking around like I was some dirty little secret. Taking a breath, I blurted out the truth before I could stop myself.

“My lover bought it for me.”

Silence.

And then

Laughter.

Loud humiliating laughter.

Astrid clutched her stomach like I had just delivered the funniest joke of the century. Kaia pressed a hand to her lips, shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“You have a lover that can afford such a dress?” Astrid gasped between fits of giggles. “Oh, that’s rich.”

Kaia’s smile was bitter. “What kind of fantasy is this? Who in their right mind would ever want you?”

“Yes I have a lover,” I admitted, lifting my chin even though my insides felt like jelly. “I do have a lover.”

“Oh, she is delusional,” Astrid said, turning to our mother with an exaggerated pout. “Mother, you don’t actually believe this nonsense, do you? What kind of man would be dumb enough to fall for her?”

Kaia didn’t say anything, but the glare on her face was enough.

And then Astrid, as if deciding she was bored with the conversation, turned to the guards. “Strip that dress off her. I want her in the dress I gave to her. Until she wears that one, she doesn’t leave this house.”

I barely had time to react before strong hands grabbed my arms making me panic.

“Wait, what are you doing? Stop!” I yelped, struggling with them, but they didn’t care. One of them grabbed at my dress, prepared to rip it off me and completely ruin the night for me.

No. No, no, no.

Not this dress.

Not his dress.

I kicked out, trying to twist my wrist free from their hold, but they were stronger.

And Astrid? Gods, Astrid was enjoying this.

She was smiling watching as I was humiliated in front of everyone like it was her own personal entertainment.

Kaia just stood there, arms crossed, her face cold.

I squeezed my eyes shut, preparing myself for what was about to happen, when a very deep voice filled with so much authority said,

“Enough.”

The guards let go immediately, stepping back as if burned by hot fire.

I slowly opened my eyes, recognizing the voice that had just given the command when my eyes traveled to my father. He stood at the end of the hall, a disapproving look on his face. “We are already late for the event, there’s no time for whatever nonsense you are doing right now Astrid, and you Kaia, control your daughter.”

Astrid opened her mouth and wanted to talk, but she couldn’t. She knew her father was being serious and no one dares to go speak when he is serious like this, not even her mother Kaia. She decided the best thing to do was to keep her mouth shut as she shot glares at Astrid.

“I won’t have the carriage delayed for a moment longer,” he mumbled as he walked away.

For a second, just a second I thought maybe he had stepped in because he cared.

Maybe, for once in my life, my father had chosen me. But he never cared about me, he was always cold and treated me like I didn’t exist.

Astrid let out a frustrated sigh. “You always get away with everything,” she muttered before storming off, Kaia following right behind her, just as irritated.

My fists clenched so tightly my nails bit into my skin.

Because no matter how much I told myself I didn’t care, no matter how much I pretended I was used to this,

It still hurt.

Every single time.

I looked down at my dress, running my fingers over it. Thank the gods, it was still intact. No rips, no tears, still perfect for the event. The last thing I needed was to show up looking like I had been dragged through the mud, which, considering how my day was going, wouldn't have been too surprising.

I inhaled, forcing a smile on my face. It was stiff, painfully fake, but whatever. With that, I stepped out of the house and climbed into the waiting carriage.

And of course, I wasn’t alone.

Astrid was in it too, arms folded. She didn’t speak, but she didn’t have to. The air inside the carriage was filled with tension, the kind that made my skin crawl.

I could feel Astrid’s eyes traveling over me. Judging. Hating. Plotting.

I tried to avoid looking at Astrid by staring out the window, pretending to be interested in nature. Not that I could actually focus on anything outside, because I could feel my sister’s glare stabbing into my soul.

To the world, I was still the honorable daughter of the councilman. At home? I was nothing more than a servant in fancy clothes. But right now, I had to act like I belonged.

Unfortunately, the universe hated me.

Halfway through the journey, the carriage broke down.

Of course, it did.

Astrid groaned dramatically, rolling her eyes as if I had somehow personally sabotaged the wheels. “This is your fault,” she hissed. “You have the worst luck.”

I exhaled, biting back every possible response that might get me in trouble.

By the time another carriage finally arrived, it was already really late and Astrid was so angry.

As soon as we pulled up to the palace, I practically jumped out, desperate for space. But Astrid wasn’t done.

“Move out of my way!” Astrid shrieked, shoving me to the side as she stormed out. “We are late! I have missed half the event because of you! I swear, you bring nothing but bad luck!”

Wench.

I muttered it under my breath, low enough that Astrid wouldn’t hear. I wasn’t in the mood to get into a full-blown fight right outside the Alpha’s palace.

The moment I lifted my head, the sight of the huge palace eased some of my nervousness.

Finally.

Mark would be inside, waiting for me.

I was beyond excited as I took a step forward and then I froze when I smelt something familiar.

A scent.

That scent.

It hit me so suddenly, so intensely, I nearly stumbled. It was strange but familiar.

I looked around, eyes scanning the crowd, searching for something, someone.

But there was nothing.

No one.

And just as quickly as it came, the scent was gone.

I gulped, my heart pounding. Was I losing it? Imagining things?

No.

I knew that scent. I knew who it belonged to.

It was that man.

The one I had seen that night. The most beautiful man I had ever seen. A man so otherworldly I wasn’t even sure if he was real.

And yet, why did I suddenly smell him?

Why did it feel like he had just been here?