The Wrong Twin’s Mate

 Chapter 1: Two Sides of a Coin

Cora’s POV

Clara and I are like two sides of a coin…

How do I say this without sounding like I am jealous of her?

Clara is perfect. She’s the golden daughter. She never says no to orders, the obedient daughter, the one who might inherit the biggest fortune of our parents.

Did I mention? The responsible one.

Then there’s me… the other side of the coin, the rebel. That was what my father called me.

“Cora! You are such a rebel… Can you not be like your sister? Act like a lady, follow orders! Be like Clara!”

My father would always say that, but you see, my sister and I can never be alike. Even though we share the same face, she could be a dove, and I would rather be a raven.

One would think that, with all the comparisons, I would hate my sister, that we would let the comparisons steal our joy, but it wasn’t like that with us. Clara was my best friend, and I was willing to do anything for her, literally anything…

“Cora… Cora… Cora…”

I heard my mom call out. I pushed the dagger my friend Jace had bought me as my birthday present out of sight. If my mother saw me with a dagger, she would lock me in my room as punishment. I hated being locked in my room. I would rather hunt with my wolf than be locked in here to learn the ways of the family business.

My parents were among the top families in Valley Pack. My father was the Beta, and he ran the biggest building business, while my mother was a jeweler.

Clara was the one fit to run the family business. I wanted to be a warrior, but that wasn’t a path for a woman in Valley Pack.

“Cora! Have you gone deaf?”

My mother barged into my room. I sighted Clara leaning against the door. She didn’t look pleased, even though she was dressed in the prettiest gown, her blonde hair curled perfectly.

My father was hosting a grand ball for our eighteenth birthday. Clara was a fan of those types of parties, yet she didn’t even look pleased to be dressed up.

“I am already dressed…”

I stood to reveal my outfit. It was a black gown with silver crystals. I also had a matching choker designed with fangs. I could tell from my mother’s face that she hated the outfit.

“What is this you’re wearing…?”

“A dress. This is the best I can do… I could have worn a black jacket and miniskirt, but I didn’t. You asked that I wear a dress, and that’s what I’m wearing…”

“Clara, speak to your sister and make sure she takes that off. She looks like a witch from the East!”

I covered my mouth with my palm, pretending to be hurt, but the sight of Clara trying to hide her laughter because she was sad made me burst into laughter.

“Make sure you girls are down before midnight! Your father has a big announcement!” my mother said and immediately walked away.

Clara slowly walked inside my room.

“What is the matter, Golden Girl?” I asked.

I nicknamed Clara Golden Girl because she was literally my parents’ golden girl. My nickname was directly the opposite, and even though Clara hated to say it, I loved it when she called me…

“Rogue, I fear this might be the worst night of my life.”

Rogue. That was the perfect name for me. It was perfect for someone like me who refused to obey the rules.

“It’s our birthday, Clara…”

“We turn eighteen today! Have you forgotten what that means?”

“We can finally start Shadow Fang Academy?” I shrugged.

“No! Father’s promise to give my hand to the Alpha’s heir… The engagement.” Clara threw herself onto my bed.

I had completely forgotten. Clara was the perfect fit for a Luna, so when the Alpha came looking for a perfect fit for his heir-to-be to get engaged to, everybody knew Clara was the perfect fit.

It was a childhood promise that one of my father’s daughters would be the Luna.

Of course, it wouldn’t be the rebellious one. I wouldn’t mind being his warrior leader when he became Alpha, though.

“Oh… I forgot about that. Is that why you are sad? You knew this day would come, didn’t you? I mean… you and Kael went on so many playdates, and even as teenagers, you had unlimited access to the pack house. You even played the harp with his sister. Didn’t the both of you also lead the pack anthem at the festival? You guys have been trained to be a team from the beginning… The day is finally here. Are you nervous?”

Clara just shrugged.

“I just don’t think Father should be doing it on our birthday… It’s our day. Announcing my engagement on our birthday is just not okay. Are you okay with it? Maybe you can pressure him to change the date? Threaten him with one of your crazy stunts. Tell him it’s your day too, and he shouldn’t do it.”

Clara was speaking so fast it felt like she wasn’t breathing.

She was now facing my wardrobe, trying to look for something more appropriate for me to wear, I guess. But it felt like she just didn’t want to face me while she ranted, because it wasn’t like Clara to rant and complain.

“Whoa, whoa… Clara, breathe. Is it because you’re nervous, or is there something else I do not know?”

I moved towards her. Clara was sweating so much, and her hands were shaky as I held them.

My blue eyes met with her blue eyes, and realization hit me.

Clara wasn’t nervous…

She didn’t want to marry him.

“Oh, Spark… Clara,” I muttered.

She lowered her head.

I wasn’t sure if I was correct. I couldn’t believe it, so I took her and we sat on my bed. Then I asked,

“Do you want to marry him?”