MY TWIN

AMARIS POV

I could sense him, feel every inch of him. It started small, just a spark under my ribs, then spread like molten lava to my chest.

Each heartbeat sent another rush of heat through me—wild and hot—until it felt like my body was about to combust.

A guttural sound escaped my lips as I jumped off the bed and ran to the bathroom, turning on the shower and letting the cool water run down my skin. But even the cold water couldn’t stop the fire unraveling within me.

It only made it worse. I felt torn.

My gaze trailed to the mirror hanging on my bathroom wall. My reflection wasn’t mine, it was Iradia’s, burning with rage. She was hurting, thrashing inside me.

I could see blood spilling from my nostrils. Anger exploded in me, and in that instant, my fist collided with the mirror, sending cracks across it. My hands trembled with the impact. There was nothing I could do for her…nothing I could do for me.

It had been happening repeatedly for weeks, ever since we found him—our mate who ignored us, who married someone else, who right now was having merciless sex with my sister while our mate bond tormented me.

I sank back onto the bathroom floor. My head tucked between my arms, the pain was tremendous, but I couldn’t scream. All I had to do was stay still and wait till he was done making love to my other half. My twin.

~

Time went by slowly, yet excruciatingly still.

By the time I looked up, It was morning, and I knew this because my door was being banged harshly.

I stood from the cold tiles, turned off the shower, and walked into my room with my dripping body.

I headed toward the door stiffly. The pain I felt had reduced, but the tingling sensation remained.

“What have you been doing?” Sonia asked, immediately the door opened.

Her eyes took in my appearance—my wet hair, my dripping clothes, the remnants of blood on my nose.

She gestured toward my body. “Amoria and Zevian will be here in minutes. Fix this, get dressed and come down.” She turned in one swift motion, ready to leave.

“I’m not going, Mother.” I said flatly. Sometimes I wondered if I said the word “mother” because that was the responsibility of a child toward a parent, or to remind her that I was still her child. Her blood. Not just Amoria.

Sonia turned, a scowl on her beautiful face. “Don’t even start with your bullshit this morning. Get it over with. Your mate is your sister's husband, and there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s already too late for this unnecessary emotional blackmail.”

I stared at the woman people called my mother, but had never supported or shown me love. Even when she found out Zevian Frost was my mate, she forced me to stay silent, threatening to expose my secret.

“I’ve learned to tolerate my misery. That’s why I do not want to be in the same room as both of them. Don’t I have the right to decide that too?”

Weren't they satisfied with tormenting me every night with their endless lovemaking? Now they also wanted me to watch what a happy couple they had become?

Sonia took two short steps towards me, her tall frame overshadowing mine. Her right hand grabbed my jaw tightly.

I grimaced in pain. She was strong—an Alpha. She tightened her grip on my jaw, and I could feel part of my flesh giving way under her merciless hold.

“Child, don’t try me…it would take five seconds to kill you and even less to make you disappear without a trace of your existence,” she spat, her sharp fangs visible. “I want you downstairs in ten minutes.”

She released my face harshly and walked away, her heels striking the floor with sharp clicks.

I wiped my jaw. When I brought my hand away, blood stained my fingers. It wasn’t going to heal anytime soon. I wasn’t like other wolves—I wasn’t like my family, who were all Alphas.

I went to the drawer and pulled out a swab, still refusing to look at the mirror. I dabbed it across my face, focusing on the spots that stung. When I finished cleaning up, I threw the stained swab into the mini thrash can and went to my closet.

I put on a black loosely fitted dress, then tied my hair into a messy bun before stepping out of my room.

On my way to the dining area, I passed a few maids who avoided eye contact just so they wouldn’t greet me. They knew my position in this house was nothing but a glorified slave.

The closer I got to the living room, the more I felt his overwhelming presence. Iradia howled within me, craving something she wasn’t going to get.

I slowed my pace, savoring the feeling a little longer, but it was abruptly interrupted when Amoria's face appeared in front of me, an adorable smile fixed on her gorgeous face. No wonder they all adored her.

“Hey, twin.”

Amoria was an otherworldly perfect replica of an imperfect me. Her looks were striking while mine were dull, luscious pink lips and a figure that drove any man crazy. Even my mate.

I pushed the thought away. “Hi, Amoria.”

She tugged on my hands as she dragged me down the remaining flight of stairs.

“I’ve missed you so much. How have you been?” Her voice was as chirpy as ever.

Amoria has always been happy and vibrant for as long as I could remember.

“Good. And you?”

“Never been better.” She turned, observing our surroundings before stepping closer to whisper. “Honestly, I’m surprised I could walk here. Zevian is a beast… damn sister!”

I swallowed the lump of saliva forming in my throat.

I couldn’t reply. Of course, I knew how beastly he was in bed, their intimacy caused me pain for hours, not minutes. But Amoria didn't know that. She wasn't aware she had married her twin's mate.

Amoria held my hands as she hummed beside me. Once we got to the dining room, Sonia and my father, Horland, were already seated, actively talking to the non-responsive Zevian Frost.

Then everything went still when his eyes trailed from my father’s face to mine, holding for far too long. My mind began to spiral—did he notice our bond? Was he finally going to want me?

My heart froze in my chest, and my breath?

It was no longer mine anymore.

It was his.