Chapter 5

Elise POV

My fingers are raw from all the scrubbing. It’s already past ten pm, and the list of chores to complete seems never-ending and that’s on top of a day spent working in the packhouse. Thankfully, Tristan never did punish me for what occurred in the study but I’d spent all day looking over my shoulder and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Maybe it was paranoia but I'd grown used to being punished.

“Mother, it’s finally happening,” Seraphine squealed as she came rushing through the door, a smile on her face.

I winced at the shrillness of her voice and continued to blindly scrub, not interested in the slightest.

Knowing her, it could be anything from going to a concert to a movie with her favourite actor.

“What is it?” Agatha’s voice was eager as Seraphine flung her arms around her, her daughter practically vibrating with joy.

I rolled my eyes and wished they would go speak elsewhere, my head throbbing painfully.

“He’s making the announcement tomorrow,” Seraphine crowed, dancing on the spot as Agatha released her and danced in triumph.

“You mean,” Agatha shouted in excitement, and Seraphine nodded, beaming at her mother.

“He’s finally going to make me his Luna,” she screamed, twirling and laughing.

I stiffened. My hands stopped moving as I stared blankly at the floor. I had known it was coming. It was no secret how much Tristan adored Seraphine, but it still stung. The man who was fated to be mine had rejected me for her sake. I hadn’t felt the mate bond but Tristan had. I’d never seen him so angry when he realized I was his mate. He’d wanted it to be Seraphine.

This was just another humiliation to survive. Another traumatic event to get through.

“Jealous much,” Seraphine smirked down at me. “A heifer like you is never going to find a mate. Hell,” she giggled as I stilled, “even if you did, they would just reject your pathetic ass.”

I clenched my hands into fists, the brush in my hand twisting in my grip. Part of me wanted to hit her for her cruelty towards me, but I knew better than to try. Unlike me, Seraphine had a wolf.

“That’s not nice, Seraphine,” Agatha scolded her daughter, “just because it’s the truth doesn’t mean you have to say it. Elise is already aware she won’t find someone; we should be more considerate of her feelings," she chirped, a wide grin on her face.

She wasn't scolding her daughter at all, but relishing the opportunity to hurt me, even if it was just with words.

Bitch. She was enjoying this. It was a slap to the face and a reminder of how much she loathed me.

The feeling was mutual.

Seraphine giggled. Agatha gasped out loud and put a hand to her mouth, her eyes widening, a look of panic on her face.

“You have to wear the perfect outfit tomorrow. You can’t just wear anything when he makes the announcement. You need something special, something designer," she gasped, "this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Seraphine, you have to make sure you're the centre of attention."

“Relax, mother. I had a dress designed and made months ago. I knew Tristan wouldn’t be able to resist making me his. It was just a matter of time,” she purred.

“Still, you need to get your beauty sleep,” Agatha insisted, and Seraphine waved a dismissive hand.

“In a moment. I want to speak to my dear half-sister first,” she said evenly, and I stiffened, not liking her tone of voice or what it might imply.

I almost begged Agatha to stay, but she walked away without another word. Seraphine sauntered closer, her smile like the cat who got the cream. She bent down as I kept my head bowed low, my eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Carefully, she put her stiletto heel on top of my hand and pressed it down as I tried to pull away. The heel dug into my skin, and I cried out in pain as she giggled like the psycho bitch she was.

“I saw you that day with Tristan,” she breathed, bending down as my eyes slowly rose to meet hers, “I heard everything he said. Somebody like you was never going to become Luna. I’m here to remind you,” she pressed down harder and I gave a cry of pain, unable to move away, “that if you try anything tomorrow, say anything that distracts from my special moment, I won’t hesitate to end you. Tomorrow night is my time to shine. You’re going to stay away; you’re going to keep your mouth shut, and you’re not so much as going to look at my chosen mate, or you’ll find out that what I’ve done to you so far is nothing. Do you hear me?” she hissed.

She'd seen it all. I felt myself swaying as I gritted my teeth and forced myself to speak.

“I understand,” I choked out, pain shooting through my hand, “please, Seraphine, it hurts," I pleaded, my voice breaking.

She stood there and twisted her heel on me, smiling wickedly.

I felt a sharp pain and hoped she hadn't managed to break one of my fingers.

“You'd better. Oh, and Elise,” she paused and tilted her head at me, “just a warning. When I’m Luna, your days become numbered. I won’t let somebody who poses a threat to me remain in this pack. Besides, I can't have Tristan's rejected mate continue to harass him or make him feel guilty."

“I’m no threat,” I whispered in agony, "and Tristan couldn't care less that we were mates. You don't have to do this to me, Seraphine."

“He might have rejected you but that doesn’t mean I trust you. Besides, nobody in this pack wants you here. I’m merely doing you a favour. Maybe you’ll find love with a rogue,” she snorted, “if they don’t kill you first.”

She smirked and winked at me before slowly raising her foot and releasing me.

I sobbed and clutched my hand as she walked away, humming under her breath.

If I wanted to live, I was going to have to leave. Because if I knew anything, it was that Seraphine didn’t make empty threats.

But where was I supposed to go?