All Chapters of bound by deception: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

Chapter OneI watched my twin sister try on my wedding dress.White lace. Delicate beading. The dress I'd dreamed about since I was twelve, back when I still believed in fairy tales and happy endings.Isabella twirled in front of the mirror, her pale face glowing with something I hadn't seen in years. Health. Happiness. Victory."It fits perfectly," Mom said, adjusting the veil. "Like it was made for you."It was made for me. My measurements. My deposit. My mate.But nobody cared about that."Irabella, stop lurking in the doorway." Dad didn't even look at me. "Come help your sister."I stepped into the room. My wolf clawed inside my chest, begging me to run. To fight. To do anything except stand here and watch this happen."The Alpha arrives in two hours," Mom said, smoothing Isabella's hair. "We need to make sure everything is perfect. Isabella, you remember what to say when he arrives?""I'll tell him I'm his mate." Isabella's voice was soft, practiced. Innocent. "That I've been wai

Chapter ThreeFive years later.The car stopped in front of the house I'd been exiled from.Nothing had changed.Same white columns. Same perfectly trimmed hedges. Same cold, lifeless mansion that never felt like home.I stepped out.My hair was longer now. Wine red. I'd dyed it the day after I left. A new color for a new life.Except my life hadn't been new. It had been survival.Five years of living on the outskirts of pack territory. Five years of working odd jobs. Five years of trying to forget the mate bond that never went away.The front door opened.Mom and Dad stood there. Waiting.Not Isabella.Of course not Isabella.She was married now. To my mate. Living her perfect Luna life while I rotted in exile.I walked toward them. My boots crunched on the gravel driveway.Mom's face was blank. Dad's was stone.No smiles. No relief that I was home safe.Just... nothing.I stopped in front of them. Gave a small smile that didn't reach my eyes."I'm back.""So we see," Dad said.I wal

Chapter FiveI woke up to sunlight burning through my curtains.My body ached. My lips still tingled from where he'd almost kissed me.Almost.I pressed my fingers to my mouth. Remembered the way he'd looked at me. The way his hands felt on my waist.The way he'd pulled away like I was poison.I sat up. Looked at the clock.Nine AM.I'd barely slept.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. Felt him. Heard his voice saying things he shouldn't say.I got up. Showered. Put on jeans and a simple shirt.Sprayed the perfume.The chemical smell made my stomach turn.I stared at myself in the mirror.Five years. Five years and nothing changed.I was still hiding. Still pretending. Still invisible.I went downstairs.Voices came from the dining room.Laughter.I stopped at the doorway.They were all there.Mom. Dad. Isabella. Daemon.Having breakfast like a happy family.Isabella was sitting next to Daemon. Her hand on his arm. Smiling up at him.He was looking at his plate. Jaw tight."Irabel