Liora's POV

My alarm rang before the sun came up, waking me from my hard earned sleep. I lay there for a bit, looking up, thinking if last night was just some weird dream. A butler at my place telling me I was part of the richest families out there? Yeah, right.

But those pictures, the birth certificate, and how Elias talked-it seemed too true to just think of as some horrible mistake or well thought of prank.

I got out of bed, headed to my bathroom to brush my teeth, and was spitting out water when the doorbell rang.

"Great. I knew who would come by so early." I said to myself as I dragged my feet to the answer the door.

When I swung the door open, Elias was there. He looked just like he did last night-sharp suit, looking like he just stepped out of a magazine for sugar-daddies. In contrast, I was a mess, like I'd battled against a rhinoceros, my hair disheveled like I just got exorcised.

"You're here early," I noted, leaning against the door. "Is there some rich guy's secret schedule you follow that we don't know about?"

A small smile showed on his face. "Sorry if I woke you."

I let him in with a casual shrug. "No worries. It's just, I'm not used to having guests. Or folks popping by to say I'm supposedly linked to some big family. Want some coffee?"

"No need to trouble yourself."

"Too late," I said, on my way to the kitchen. "If I'm going to walk into a big house with folks who say they're my kin, I need my coffee."

We sat down to scrambled eggs and toast-cheap, easy, the normal stuff. Elias ate it as if it was a grand meal, and for some reason, that made me warm up to him a bit more.

When I went to switch clothes, I picked a plain dress. Not showy, just tidy. Good enough so no one could say I didn't care, but also not so different that I'd feel fake.

"Ready?" Elias asked as I came back.

"As I'll ever be," I said low, taking my bag.

The car waiting outside was smooth, black, and too shiny for my area. I slid into the back seat with Elias and saw another man driving. He was quiet, a pro. The drive lasted almost an hour along quiet streets, my mind racing, until we slowed down.

When I looked out the window, I gasped.

Ahead stood the Blackwood mansion, like a scene from a fancy magazine. Big green lawns, tall stone walls, water fountains shooting up like glass. My heart squeezed. This was a place folks talked about in low voices, a house that got in the news-the heart of the Blackwood pack empire.

I swallowed hard. "This can't be real," I murmured. "People don't actually live in places like this. They film movies here."

Elias didn't comment. The driver pulled up to the front steps, and I followed Elias out, my nerves buzzing like electricity, amplified by the pull of hidden blood ties.

Inside, I expected chaos-stylists, wedding planners, a small army preparing for one of the biggest events of the year. Instead, the house was calm. Almost too calm.

And then I saw her.

Selene Blackwood.

She wasn't surrounded by a team of assistants. She wasn't dripping in diamonds. She was in a simple dress, hair pulled back, setting the dining table like an ordinary woman.

When she saw us, her face lit up. "Elias! You found her!"

Her eyes landed on me. Genuine warmth filled them. "You must be Liora."

I nodded stiffly. "That's me. Thanks for not having security throw me out."

Selene laughed softly. "I'm so glad you're here."

I wasn't sure how to take that. "Yeah... look, I still can't shake the feeling that I'm in a TV show. So, could you start over? Slow."

And she did. She went over everything Elias had said last night-the love, the split-up, when I was born, the noise around it. She spoke easy, her eyes fixed, but each word made me doubt even more, even as my omega senses warmed to her familiar presence.

After she stopped, I put my arms over my chest. "So you're saying my whole life is like a big news story? Sorry if I can't just... take that."

"I get it's a lot," Selene spoke quietly. "You don't have to take it all now. Give it some time."

"Good, because I plan to." I stepped back toward the door. "Thanks for the tea party invite, but I think I'll head home now before my brain explodes."

"Wait, please." Selene's tone shifted-gentle but urgent. "At least stay until after the wedding. Just a few days. Please. I also want you to meet my fiancé... today."

I hesitated, my hand on my bag, as millions of thoughts ran through my mind. Finally, I exhaled. "Fine. I'll meet him. But if he growls to mark dominance I'm out."

"Trust me he is not." Selene said and as if on cue the sound of footsteps came from behind me.

"Babe!" She screamed like a little kid.

I turned, expecting some lycan, with nine tails or at least someone intimidating and out of this world.

But it was neither of those things. It was him. The big fish. The man from last night. The one-night stand.

The words left my mouth before I could stop them.

"You.

Liora's POV

As soon as I said, "You." Selene's eyes widened.

"You...know him?"

Selene continued to dart her eyes from me directly to Darius.

A little chuckle left my lips, accompanied by a dismissive gesture, and sputtered, "I thought I was wrong, thinking I saw Mr. Darius Knight in person. The Darius Knight?"

Within a second, Darius's lips curved out in a smile. " In flesh and blood," he chuckled.

The totally oblivious, Selene wore a wide smile: "Meet Darius, the man I'm going to marry!" Taking my hand, she gave it a squeeze, looking down at our held hands as she moved them hesitantly toward Darius. "This here is Darius. My sister, Liora."

Something about the word 'sister' pierced through my heart, and I almost choked.

Darius put his hand out for a handshake, but I didn't notice till Selene gave me a gentle nudge.

"Hello...I'm Liora," I smiled sheepishly as I took his hand. The contact sent a jolt through me.

"I'm thrilled Selene finally found you," Darius smiled broadly. "She's needed you for so long. Always nice to know you're finally alive."

"Yes, life is so much simpler," I blurted out with the most mischievous, least truthful smile.

Selene beamed, her eyes full of laughter as she led us to the dining table. I took my seat while Selene sat next to Darius. "Liora, you will be my bridesmaid, won't you. I am sorry I have to ask you like this, but I need you at my side-tomorrow. Please.."

I looked at her with my fork held high in the air. "I... I am not so sure how to go about this. I have never been a bridesmaid before. I am not someone familiar with-" pointing around , "-this sort of stuff."

Selene reached over and held my hand. "Don't worry about that. All I want is for my sister to be with me. Right? Please?"

As for the words, they did indeed provide solace completely for me. There were probably few instances throughout my childhood where I wished I was a bridesmaid. I chuckled, half-amused. "All right, then. If you're certain things will go fine."

She grinned. "You won't mess up. I promise."

While Selene continued talking, Darius acted as a mere silent observer while I struggled to get rid of the intrusive thoughts in my head. The mate pull warred with my guilt, making every glance torture.

I tried to eat but the secret I carried inside of me made that hard. I forced the food into my mouth, forced myself to chew and swallow, but every mouthful turned to dust because there was simply so much noise in my head.

Midway through our lunch, Darius's phone rang, a frown was on his face and he picked up and took a few steps away. He came back and spoke after he apologized for the sudden call, "I have a meeting that I must go to. I'll be back for dinner."

"But.." Selene pouted, as he placed a kiss on her lips, silencing the rest of her words.

Darius looked at me and smiled again. "Pleasure to meet you, Liora."

I turned to him but quickly put my head down. "The player is all mine, Bye,"

Selene accompanied him to the door. I glared down at my salad while the two walked away.

"Seriously, universe," I mumbled. "I mean, out of countless guys, you had to make it him?"

At that instance, I heard footsteps. Selene came back, catching me muttering a sigh. "You seem worried. What's the matter?"

I got my hands down in quick time, forcing a weak smile. "Nothing. Just... wondering where your mom is. Haven't seen her anywhere."

For the first time since we met, Selene's friendly smile disappeared from her lips. "Oh, my mom. Um, she's... not here. I'll just say she got herself into a mess. Legal trouble. She can't come to the mating ceremony."

"Legal trouble?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, arrested," she said casually, as if she wasn't talking about her mother being in jail. "But don't worry, she's got some real good lawyers working her case. But she won't be making it here for the mating ceremony tomorrow."

I blinked, my eyes growing wide. "Sorry to hear all that. Must be so hard for you knowing she won't be here for your big day. I know how important moms are... I feel bad knowing she will miss her daughter's mating ceremony."

A small smile adorned her lips. "If only you knew who she really is, you would not have said this."

"What truth?" I asked.

Her smile dimmed again, growing into a grim sadness. "She's the reason you got pushed out with Dad. She is the reason you grew up in extreme poverty. Her hate for you and dad, is the reason we never got to see each other. Her pride ruined both of our childhoods."

I stared back at her, absorbing her words-but my grief was deeper than I ever thought I'd feel. The same woman who I was worried for, is the same woman who made my father's life hell, separated me from my family and made my whole childhood a living nightmare, the same woman who forced me into the arms of stripping.

Selene's eyes turned tender, and she gently tucked my hair behind my ear. "I'm sorry for all she did to you. You didn't deserve it. I want to undo it. I want you in my life. Even if it means I have to go against her."

Words of absolute love and kindness only made me feel guiltier. Her innocence seemed to remind me of her ignorance to my dark secrets. She had no idea the man she was getting married to cheated on her, and not just with anyone...the same girl she is willing to fight with her mother for. The same girl she is opening her doors and arms for.

"Selene...thank you. It means so much to hear that I have a sister, and that too one who cares me about me so much. But..."

My throat felt tight again.

"...but I have a confession," I whispered out.

Liora - POV

"I have to confess," I could barely manage to whisper.

Selene leaned in, curiosity written all over face. "What is it?"

As my chest tightened, I inhaled deeply. "You know I am a stripper."

Her face remained the same, so I continued. "Last night , I was going to do a private show. Oh boy, I was excited-had some bills due this week-and then my boss called. She apparently found another deal, and actually, a bigger one. One where some guy wants to send off a grand part of his life before he gets hitched." Dry throat, but I continued: "I went. I danced. He gave me a lot more than I've ever seen. And I.... I spend the night with him."

Selene's eyes widened, then cued her shock to turn into fear. "Liora, what do you mean?"

My stomach was burning and so I spat the truth: "The man....was Darius."

A thick blanket of silence fell over the room. Then Selene's chair screeched back as she giggled. "Oh,common stop joking."

"I wish I was," I said softly.

She slammed her fist on the table. "No. No! You couldn't be that sick. My sister-my own blood-sleeping with the man I'm going to marry?!"

"Selene--"

"Shut up!" she screamed. Her voice cracked with raw fury: "You have ruined everything! You think I wanted to track you down? You think I wanted to bring you back just for you to stab me in the back?"

I stood up, my legs shaking. "That was not planned. I did not know-"

And then she charged at me, fists hammering my shoulders. "This is why mother told me to avoid you! She was right! All you do is ruin happy lives!"

Her words cut deeper than her fists. I could feel the tears stinging in my eyes, but instead I held her wrists to try and stop her. "Selene I beg of you-"

She broke free, taking deep breaths. "I wish I'd never found you. I wish you still were gone. I wish I listened to mother."

Then she diverted her gaze onto the stool beside us. Seized it and raised it high over her head, aiming to connect it with my skull.

"Selene, don't!" I screamed.

The scream tore itself from my lungs.

I shot up in bed,my heart racing like a wild animal. I looked quickly around the room from corner to corner. White curtains. A polished mahogany dresser. A cute little vase holding some fresh flowers.

Not the dining room. No Selene or stool in sight.

This was the room that Selene had set aside for me.

I exhaled shakily and put my hand across my chest. "Moon goddess... it was just a dream."

Part relief, part dread. Dream or not, I knew what it meant. My guilt against killing me-worsened by the forbidden mate bond twisting inside my omega heart.

I recalled that I had chickened out last night. I told Selene that I was just worried that my history of stripping might tarnish her reputation and the family's reputation if I ever become associated with them. She laughed lightly and said to forget about it. Said she has enough money to buy me all the respect in the world.

Now here I am, lying flat on my back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering how long I can keep this secret bottled up in me.

Less than a second later, my alarm went off. I groaned and shut it off. Selene had insisted on an early wedding, one that began with the sunrise. At first, I had doubted her, but surprisingly she wasn't joking.

I dragged myself out of bed, took my bath and wore the dress Selene had given to me last night and quickly brushed my hair, adjusting the straps when there was a loud knock at the door that startled me.

I opened the door.

There stood Selene, pretty in her gown. Her hair was perfectly swept up in an elegant bun, veil cascading past her shoulders. She looked every inch like a princess stepping from a fairytale movie.

"Wow," I breathed. "You look... amazing."

Selene smiled, and her eyes sparkled. "Thank you, and you look beautiful too."

I managed a smile. "Not half as beautiful as you."

She laughed softly and waved her hand. "Come on. Time to go."

The two of us walked out together, but when we reached the altar, Selene made it clear she wished to walk down to the altar alone. I respected that.

I sit in front, heavy-hearted, hands clasped, fidgeting in my lap.

The ceremony began and the priest's voice laced itself along the rising music by the Choir . All eyes turned towards Selene, who walked down the aisle.

At that moment, Darius stood straight and stoic, like a statue on the altar, immaculate in that black suit, his eyes on her as a wide smile spread across his lips.

I could have sworn I saw tears in his eyes. "Crying for a lady you cheated on! Tsk, males."

Then the vows were exchanged too as they slipped rings onto each other's fingers. Selene swore to stand beside him all her life, and Darius promised to always be her rock, and never give her a reason to cry.

When they were pronounced mates , applause filled the room. Selene and Darius kissed, and I made myself clap, forced a wide smile.

But my heart broke within.

Then it was off to the reception in the palace. Just as Selene had said, it was much smaller than I had anticipated: a few relatives, a couple of friends, and some business associates. All were very polite and cheerful regarding their welcome-Blackwood pack allies mingling seamlessly in this modern celebration.

"Meet my sister, Liora!" Selene introduced me to almost everyone. She would say that with so much pride. And each time, I would nod and shake hands, trying not to crumble under the weight of my secret.

Eventually, I slipped away. My nerves were fraying. I moved into a quiet hallway, the music and chatter disappearing behind.

Leaning against the wall, I whispered to myself: "Okay, Liora. Say it. Just tell her. 'Selene, I messed up. Selene, I-'. "

A voice from behind me interrupted my rehearsal.

"Tell Selene what?"