My Sister’s Poison, My Fated Cure

The Mating Ceremony was the next day.

It should have been the most glorious moment of the Alliance’s strongest Luna’s life.

But I stood at the sacred altar alone, a complete joke.

The space beside me was empty.

Damon didn't show.

The whispers below buzzed like flies in my ears.

“See? I told you Damon was just toying with her.”

“Why would the Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack ever actually mate a she-wolf with a weak spirit?”

“So pathetic. Abandoned before she’s even bonded.”

But I kept my back ramrod straight.

I knew where Damon was.

Having lived this day once before, I knew what was coming. The largest Rogue invasion in history was about to break out on the border.

Last time, Sarah’s drama delayed Damon. Three villages were slaughtered.

This time, thanks to my hint, he’d left early.

“Oh, Elena. Where’s your Alpha?”

A sickeningly sweet voice cut through the awkward silence.

The doors swung open. Sarah walked in, arm-in-arm with Liam.

She wore a red dress with a neckline that plunged scandalously low, her hair swept to one side.

A crude, red bite mark marred her pale neck. The proof of a fresh mating.

All eyes snapped to her.

“Gods, Liam must have been rough last night.”

“Looks like the Alder Pack Alpha is really in love with Sarah.”

Sarah basked in the attention, then walked up to me and sighed with fake sympathy.

“Elena, darling, I told you Damon was all growl and no bite. He abandoned you at your own Mating Ceremony. If I were you, I’d be digging a hole to crawl into and die.”

But I heard the wild laughter in her head:

[Hahahaha! Looks like Damon couldn't make it! Maybe his curse acted up early. Elena, you’ll be torn to shreds by him tonight!]

She was counting on Damon going feral.

“Worry about yourself, Sarah,” I said coldly.

Liam stroked Sarah’s back gently, smiling at me. “Elena, don’t mind Sarah. She’s just blunt. If you’re feeling lonely, Sarah and I wouldn’t mind sharing a drink with you.”

Such a considerate mate.

If only I couldn’t hear his thoughts:

[Damon is a no-show? Good. I’ve heard the whispers about his curse. Once I’ve built my power, I can seize his territory... and his mate.]

Disgusting.

Sarah clearly thought I wasn't humiliated enough.

She suddenly stood on her toes, wrapped her arms around Liam's neck, and gave him a wet, passionate kiss in front of hundreds of guests.

“Liam, you’re so good to me,” Sarah purred, shooting me a defiant look. “Not like some Alphas, who don't even leave their mates a shadow.”

My wolf spirit let out a low, furious growl inside me.

Enough.

I was done tolerating this.

I turned to face the altar and the crowd below.

“Quiet.”

My voice, though quiet, cut through the noise and silenced the hall.

“My Alpha did not abandon me.”

My gaze swept over the hall, finally landing on Sarah’s gloating face.

“You all stand here, sipping your champagne and laughing at my expense. Meanwhile, my Alpha is leading the Dark Moon warriors against a three-thousand-strong Rogue invasion on the northern border.”

A wave of shocked gasps swept through the crowd.

No one knew the border was in trouble.

“He missed this ceremony so you could all stand here and run your mouths,” I said with a cold smirk. “He is out there spilling blood to protect every single one of you. Unlike some rutting mutt, good for nothing but sinking his teeth into the nearest female’s neck.”

Dead silence.

Then, looks of awe replaced the mockery.

“Oh, my gods, he’s protecting us…”

“Alpha Damon is a true leader!”

The tide had turned.

Sarah’s smile froze on her face. That red love bite now looked cheap and vulgar.

“You…” Sarah’s face flushed with anger, trying to retort.

But I didn’t give her the chance.

“Continue the ceremony,” I ordered, my gaze firm. “The pact stands. My bond with Damon will hold.”

I had won.

For now, at least. I had protected Damon’s honor and secured my own position.

The banquet continued.

I held my wine glass, watching them from across the room.

Sarah was nestled in Liam’s arms, giggling and flirting.

But I caught a small detail.

The hand Liam had wrapped around her waist was squeezing. Hard. So hard his knuckles were white.

He was digging into the softest part of her side.

Sarah’s face twisted in pain for a split second before she forced another smile.

I heard her thoughts, a mix of pain and self-delusion:

[That hurts… but he just loves me so much. All Alphas are this possessive. He’s just punishing me for embarrassing him.]

Fool.

That wasn’t love.

My eyes shifted to Liam’s face.

He was still smiling, his gaze so gentle it could melt steel.

But the voice I heard in his head was colder than hell itself:

[Take it, you stupid bitch. You think this hurts? This is just foreplay. Tonight, I’ll teach you what real pain is when I feast on my prey.]