LISA

I replayed the video again and listened to Josh talk: "Hey guys, I never thought a day would come when I would have to do this, but yes, I have to do this."

"My wedding was supposed to be today, but before today, I found out my fiancée, Lisa, has been diagnosed with some mental problem. I don't want to go into details."

"But I didn't mind. I love her a whole lot, and she was responding to treatment. She sometimes exhibits disturbing traits, but I had it under control until Christmas Eve."

"Lisa came around to unwrap the gifts I got for her. It's something I have been doing for the past two years. Out of the blue, she started saying incoherent things and ran off."

"I wanted to give her space, thinking she would come back as always, but alas, my baby never showed up. Not for her surprise bridal shower or our wedding, and I am so worried." The idiot was faking the tears.

"We are currently looking for her. If found anywhere, please kindly call the number on the screen."

"Damn you, Josh. Freaking damn you!" I saw the love emojis and hugs people were sending to him in the comments.

I knew what he was trying to do. To silence what I saw and make it look like I am mentally unstable.

My teeth were vibrating. I had never been this livid. "Oh, I hate you, Josh, and you will pay with your life."

*******

ZAYNE

I was still staring at the pictures. My cheeks were beginning to hurt from smiling.

I had never felt this alive like I did today. Watching her play with the snow, dance, jump, and giggle. But that subconscious mind kept reminding me how wrong all of this is.

I heard a knock, and the door opened almost immediately, and Lisa stormed in angrily. I had to hide the photo in my hand.

"I want to use your power to kill that bloody idiot. I want him to ask for help, and none will come."

She was breathing hard and talking too much, but I could tell she was furious.

"Okay, who is this person?" I asked her.

"My fiancé, no, ex-fiancé. I caught him on the bed, pants down, with his step mum on Christmas Eve. That wasn't all. The fool made a video telling everyone that I ran away because I am mad."

She started laughing, but I could tell she was hurting. "Our wedding was freaking supposed to be today."

Shit!  Now I feel bad for sleeping with her. She was nursing a heartbreak.

"Tell me, how do you want him dead? His heart ripped out with his kidney dangling outside, or a painful and slow death?"

"Huh?"

Her eyes almost popped out, which made me smirk. "My daughter said I make the best cupcakes. Maybe you could be the judge. Stay here, I'll quickly bake some for you."

Surprisingly, she went and sat on my bed. I went straight to the kitchen and made some cupcakes I knew she would like.

I headed back to my room with some of it, and there she was, gulping down a bottle of strong liquor.

"Give me that, Lisa. You shouldn't be drinking. This is very strong for you."

Lisa was already palpitating. She touched my face and giggled. "You are so handsome. The best part... You taste so good."

"The sex was amazing that I craved more. Tell me, do you think I am pretty? You know, we could do some crazy things in here right now. See..." She staggered and bent down.

Fuck. My body was responding to her touch. I knew I needed to leave the room right away.

"Put it in already!" she almost screamed.

That was it. I dropped the cupcake and left the room. A bottle of water would help.

My phone started ringing, a call from Scar. "Yes... Okay, I will be right there."

******

"You can't keep on treating me like a prisoner!"

Scar finally found him, Bruno, my twin brother, though we are not identical. He was brought back to the pack, this time with stronger and tighter security.

"You can't keep on killing humans. It has been a whole four years, Bruno. When will you get a hold of yourself and realise this wasn't their fault?"

"It is their fault!" he snapped. "It's convenient for you to say because you didn't lose a child."

"I lost my child. My daughter! I warned her to stay far away from that human boy, but she was stupidly and foolishly in love, just like how my mate fell in love with a bloody human and left me."

This was beginning to sound like a broken record. Every Christmas, Bruno wanted to vent his anger on humans. I just let him talk.

"My enemy got hold of her on that stupid Christmas day because she was with that weak human boyfriend. They killed my baby. Those same humans took her mother away from me. Humans shouldn't exist."

There was no point in arguing with him. Scar came inside. "Alpha, your mum wants to speak with you."

"Okay, I will be with her shortly." Then back to Bruno. "Don't act funny. You know how much I hate repeating myself. You will be fine."

I left to go see my mum in the same space but in another building. She was sitting on the terrace, looking at nothing in particular.

"Your brother's anger is valid. I just don't know why you have a soft spot for those selfish beings. I hope my granddaughter doesn't get infected with their likes."

"Good evening to you too, Mum."

She let out a soft smile. "Twenty years since you lost Elena during childbirth. Haven't you mourned her enough? When will you feel that bond with another? This pack needs a powerful Luna, son."

If only she knew how my wolf has been acting up around human Lisa.

"I'll sleep here tonight. I'll leave tomorrow morning. I need to make sure your son won't make a silly move."

In reality, I didn't want to go back to drunk Lisa. I might end up repeating the same mistake.

*****

It was morning, and I went back to my house. Lisa was lying on my bed.

Her dress barely covers her. I could see her cleavage. I swallowed hard. I was already having a boner.

Her skin was spotless. Everything about her was perfect.

"Dad, what is going on here?"

LISA

I held my head, thinking it would fall apart any moment. My whole body ached.

Slowly, their faces became clear. Emily and her dad, Zayne, were standing there. I couldn't stop wondering why they were both staring at me.

"She had a lot to drink last night. She slept in my room, thinking it was hers. I'm just coming back from Grandma's," he said.

Just then, I remembered what had happened last night, and I wished the ground would open and swallow me. I had never felt this embarrassed.

"Sorry about that, Dad. She has a lot going on in her mind. I'll take her with me."

When Emily stretched her hand for me to get up, all I wanted to do was run away. Zayne's aura was intimidating enough to make me quiver.

I knew I was walking on eggshells when I stepped into her room instead of dragging pillows with Emily. What exactly did I do last night?

The last time I got tipsy, I ended up in bed with him. I took another step just to check if I felt any pain between my legs. Thankfully, nothing.

"Alcohol doesn't sit well with you. I'm even surprised Dad allowed you in his room. He hates letting anyone but me on his bed or in his room. Not even Mellissa. He's strict with his rules."

Yeah, right... she probably needs to know more about him. Mellissa? The name rang a bell.

"Who is she? I mean, Mellissa?"

"Oh, Dad's supposed girlfriend who won't stop trying her luck with him. Trust me, he doesn't want anything to do with her or any other woman, but Grandma thinks otherwise. She loves her and wants her for Dad... so yeah, she might be the lucky Luna."

I couldn't explain why that felt like a betrayal. Stupid of me. Emily's face wasn't bright. She kept blinking at nothing.

"What's wrong, Emily?"

"Ark and two of his brothers are coming for the mate initiation tomorrow. Once the bond is sealed, there's no going back. The mating and bonding ceremony follows next."

I honestly thought she'd be over the moon. She spends half her time on the phone talking to him.

Oh... she was having cold feet. Mum said it's normal for brides-to-be. I had mine too, only that mine was a jerk.

I sat beside her, hugged her, and caressed her hair.

"It will be fine, my love. You'll make the most beautiful bride. You know I'll sew you the most stunning outfit. Let me go make you a sandwich."

Emily always bragged about my sandwiches. Finding the kitchen wasn't hard.

The chef on duty wanted to take my order, but I politely declined and asked for privacy. I wanted to do this myself. I began taking out the ingredients.

The cutter was on the top shelf, so I climbed the small kitchen ladder to get it. Somehow I missed a step.

My eyes shut tight as I prayed the landing wouldn't be painful. But I wasn't on the floor.

Even with my eyes closed, I knew that scent. My body reacted again, my hair stood on end, nerves tightening.

"Do you always have a death sentence?" Zayne said.

He set me down. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words tangled, as I stuttered.

I watched him pick something up and leave the kitchen, and I swallowed hard, wiping the sweat from my cheekbone.

"Calm down, Lisa..."

******

It was D-Day. I could feel it would be a big feast, judging by the table arrangements and the amount of food displayed.

Emily still hadn't shaken off her nerves, but I knew she'd be fine.

I dressed in the simple black gown I bought when I went out with Zayne. The thought alone sent butterflies to my stomach. Funny how this Christmas became the most memorable one of my life.

I stepped out of my room, eager to meet the guests and cheer Emily up. I was excited to finally see Ark, until I bumped into someone.

But it wasn't Zayne this time. A grumpy-looking woman glared at me like I had dirt on my face.

She strangely sniffed the air. "Why can't I sense who you are? Tell me, are you from this pack?"

"No, ma. I'm Emily's best friend. I'm here for the Christmas holiday." That came out too fast.

Damn. I meant to blend in. Would she know I'm human since they don't celebrate Christmas?

The woman stepped closer with a mean expression. I felt my blood drain.

"A human? The nerve of you to..."

"Grandma!" Emily's voice came at the perfect time.

"She is my friend and our guest. You won't misbehave around her, right? You know Dad will be pissed."

The woman gave me one more glare before walking off.

Was that Zayne's mother?

"I'm sorry, Lisa. Grandma can be a hard nut to crack. Come on, the guests are here."

I followed her, though part of me was still scared. Downstairs felt alive.

Zayne was laughing at something, and honestly... I wished he'd do that more often.

"That is Ark, the one in the white suit. He loves white. The one beside him is Ink... his brother."

Finally, she smiled. I had to pinch her to stop her from drooling.

Soon we were all seated around a big round dining table while the maids served food. I was lost in their world.

From what I gathered, the ceremony would commence tomorrow.

"Thanks for the food. My brother and I want to rest. Tomorrow will be a big day," Ark said.

It seemed all werewolves were born beautiful, because the two brothers are also cute.

Emily excused herself and took them upstairs, leaving me in awkward silence.

When I couldn't take her grandmother's stare anymore, I excused myself and went to Emily's room.

Now I wished I had gone to mine instead, because what I saw left my mouth hanging open.

LISA

Emily was kissing Ink while his brother sat on the bed, scrolling through his phone, completely unbothered.

Was that also part of their tradition? They stopped immediately when they noticed me standing there.

"We'll be in the guest room. Get some sleep, love," Ink said, kissing her forehead before walking out with his brother, Ark.

I probably got their names mixed up. "I'm sorry for interrupting your moment. It felt awkward downstairs. And do you know, for a second, I actually thought you were kissing your mate's brother."

I was smiling... but she wasn't. Emily pulled me down to sit with her, gripping my hands so tightly it almost hurt.

"Lisa, just listen to me."

"The person you saw me kissing isn't Ark, but his younger brother, Ink. This might sound crazy, but it has always been him. The calls, the gifts, the giggles,  but I lied about his name."

"I was betrothed to Ark when I was a child, but I grew up and fell in love with his brother. And the feeling is mutual. Lisa, I love Ink so much. I can't picture my life without him."

I tried hard not to show my shock, but my face betrayed me. My eyes kept blinking fast. My mind was racing, and from what I saw, Ark was clearly aware of the situationship.

"Then marry Ink. You shouldn't have let it get this far, Emily. Thank goodness Ark isn't angry about it. Cancel everything immediately."

She didn't move, which made me worry more. She slowly released my hands, knelt in front of me, and clasped her hands together.

"It's not that easy, Lisa. Breaking the first bond isn't simple. But Ark and I checked the sacred book. The initiation between us can be cancelled if he violates one rule."

She didn't pause. My heart was pounding. I was too stunned to tell her to stand up. Emily leaned close and whispered the condition in my ear.

"Please, Lisa. You're the only hope we have. We found out just yesterday. We would have gotten someone else if we had time. Please... just do this for us."

Desperation truly makes people ask for the unimaginable. This was too much.

I slowly moved away from her and left the room. I needed to think. Anywhere else but here.

*****

ZAYNE

I watched her from my window. Lisa paced by the terrace, biting her nails, clearly worried about something.

Could it be because of the man who betrayed her?

I sensed someone behind me, someone who had no right to enter my room without permission.

"If I didn't know you better, I'd think you were checking her out. But I know you, Zayne. You don't chase," Mellisa said.

I stepped away from the window and faced her.

Mellisa is the daughter of another powerful Alpha, though her father is still beneath me in ranking.

She bent to pick up whatever she had deliberately dropped. One of her tactics to get me to look at her. She's beautiful, yes, but it takes more than beauty to impress me.

I closed the distance between us. She rose on her toes, probably expecting something foolish.

"I'll say this once: never enter my room uninvited. Ever, are we clear, Mellisa?"

"Y... yes. Your mum said I'd find you here."

That was all I needed, fear in her eyes. Before I could say anything else, she ran out.

My fingers twitched again, that familiar rush of heat in my blood. Twenty years, and I still hadn't found a cure for the rage that lived in me.

I went to Emily's room and found her sitting on the floor with her head buried in her knees.

"Someone will miss her dad," I said softly.

"Dad, you're here."

She stood and hugged me tightly.

"Are you okay, princess? You know you can tell me anything."

"I'm fine. Sit with me."

Holding her hands reminded me that my little girl wasn't so little anymore.

It had always been the two of us. And soon, this room would be empty again, this time, for much longer.

What would Elena have said right now?

Before Emily was born, she planned everything, first birthday, eighteenth, mating ceremony...

"Why didn't you marry my mum?" She finally asked. "You said you loved her more than life. But you two never got married."

I didn't expect that question. She never asked in all these years.

"Yes, I loved her. Too much. So much that I didn't want us to end up like my parents."

"They fell out of love while still married. It became a duty, not a bond. I didn't want that for us. I thought if we stayed unmarried, things would be different."

I scoffed at the memory. I was young and naive. 

"Get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day. Daddy will be here at every step. I love you, princess."

"Love you too, Daddy."

*****

The next morning, I sat behind Emily as the seer threw coins across the mat, part of the initiation ritual.

The intending couple must walk around the coins six times before the question is asked, and the ropes are tied to the sacred tree.

With each round they completed, tension settled in. Emily's steps trembled. She was terrified. She looked at me, and I gave her a reassuring smile.

"Alpha Zayne, do you fully accept this union?" the seer asked.

"Yes."

The rope was brought out, and both stepped into the circled line. Emily hesitated, but she moved.

Then...

"Wait... they can't get married. I... slept with him. Ink!"

Lisa's voice.

My blood froze.

Was she trying to die?