Angelise's POV
"Fated mate, my foot! She seduced our Alpha-to-be and fooled him."
"What do you expect from a slut, huh? Shamelessness is her second skin."
The murmurs grew louder as I walked upstairs. The workers whispered among themselves before reluctantly bowing when I passed. After all, I was their luna-to-be.
"Haven't you heard? Her mother was a witch!" another maid whispered, scowling in my direction. "I bet she bewitched him using some potion."
But sadly, I wasn't a witch or anything close to it. I wish I were, so that I could seal their annoying mouths shut. And lift the curse only after they kissed at least three frogs in three different ponds.
"Why hasn't Azrael rejected her?" someone said bitterly. "A mere human like her can never fulfill Luna's duties."
Fools. I shook my head. I could hear every word clearly, even if they were gossiping several meters away. Did mere humans have such an ability?
The maids continued bitching as I headed toward Azrael's study. My grip tightened around the teacup, forcing myself not to turn around and throw it at one of them. They didn't deserve attention, nor this special tea I brewed for hours.
Ever since I turned out to be Azrael's fated mate, the pack had been in an uproar. The elders were delighted, especially his father, Alpha Kendrick Ranvor. He was pleased that their future Luna would be none other than his beta's daughter, even if I were illegitimate. However, many envied, particularly women who had secretly prayed to be Azrael's wife.
My heart leaped at the thought. Three more days. Just three more days, and I would be his wife.
I had been friends with Azrael for as long as I could remember, but it still felt weird. Luckily, he had promised we would take things slow, even after the marriage. Heat crept up my cheeks as I recalled his confession a month ago. The way he had held my hands firmly and sworn that I would be the only woman in his life. It was my best birthday ever!
Even his mother had reassured me that she'd continue looking after the pack and Luna duties until I was ready. So, everything was perfect! Sometimes, it all seemed too perfect to be true.
My thoughts paused when I saw Samuel, Azrael's right hand, standing outside the study like a watchdog.
"Hi, Sam." I greeted him with a smile. "I heard he missed another meeting because of a headache." Lifting the cup slightly, I added, "I brought him herbal tea."
Samuel nodded anxiously. He glanced at the door, which was slightly ajar, then back at me. "Master ordered not to let anyone inside." He muttered, sweat trickling down his temple.
"Why?" I frowned.
"He wants to rest," Samuel replied quickly, avoiding my gaze. "He… he's very tired… you know, with all the training and wedding preparations."
Indeed, Azrael had been unusually busy these past few days. His father was training him relentlessly since he would be crowned Alpha right after marking me on our wedding night. Moreover, he seemed to have taken my childish wishes quite seriously, making sure our wedding was exactly as I had dreamed.
I sighed, guilt tugging at me. Maybe I should see him tomorrow.
"Ah-!"
My eyes widened when I heard a sound from inside. Even Samuel seemed shocked, his brows furrowing in distress.
"Is he sick?" I asked worriedly. "Did he get hurt again during the training?"
Azrael never showed his weakness in front of others, especially his father who despised frailty.
"No-" Samuel shook his head. But the way he struggled to form words worsened my worries.
"Move." I pushed him aside and entered the room.
Crack.
The teacup slipped from my hand, shattering against the floor. My heart stopped at the sight.
There he was…. My alpha… My husband-to-be… His head thrown back in pleasure, his hand tangled in a woman's hair. And kneeling in front of him was my sweet sister, sucking his…
"Who the-" Azrael groaned, pausing mid-sentence. But his anger quickly turned into shock at the sight of me. He quickly pushed Amber aside, pulling up his pants.
Amber turned around, equally frustrated at the disturbance. "Oh my god," she gasped, feigning shock. Standing up, she quickly hid behind Azrael, her head low as if she were guilty.
"Angelise…" Azrael called me out, trying to come up with an explanation. "When did you get here?" he murmured, his eyes moving to Samuel behind me.
"I tried to…" The poor guy tried to explain, but shut up at his master's glare.
"Lemme explain, sis." Amber quickly came forward, blinking innocently. But the way she licked her lips before they crooked into a slight smile, I knew exactly why she'd pulled this stunt.
"All men are the same. Once he is bored with you, he will look for someone else." Camilla, her mother, had told me on my birthday, bitter after Azrael had set a beautiful party for me.
"No, Azrael is different." I had defended him.
"Really? Let's see." Amber challenged me. And she won, turning me into a fool.
"Alpha Azrael had a lot on his mind. So, I was trying to ease…" She trailed off, her eyes glinting in gold. I knew what she meant. Your mother ruined my mom's marriage, so I am ruining yours.
The scent in the air—heat, sweat, something rotten clung to my throat like poison. My chest tightened. My vision blurred, tears gathering stubbornly, but I blinked them back. No, this must be a dream. Wedding jitters, maybe, I must be imagining things. My mind foolishly tried to make sense.
Azrael said something—my name, I think—but it sounded as though he were underwater. Or I was. But the flush on his skin, the way he was still breathing hard, not fully shaken off his pleasure, hit me like a slap.
Suddenly, the maids, my stepmother, and everyone who envied me flashed in front of me. It felt as though they were all standing in this very room now, circling me, laughing loudly. Their voices grew louder and louder, ringing loudly in my ears.
"Sis.."
"Sis!"
"Huh?" I got out of my shock. My eyes locked with Amber's before glancing down at her hand that held mine.
I shrugged her off, and she almost stumbled back. Disgust pricked my skin, my eyes burning in fury.
I turned to Azrael, my nails digging into my palms. "How long has it been?" I wanted to punch him in the face, but first, I needed to hear it.
"This is the first time, sis…"Amber butted. "Trust me-"
"Shut up! I am not talking to you." I cut her off.
Amber sneered at me. "Oh, come on. Stop making a big deal of it." She barked, her innocent mask slipping.
"He just had a lot on his mind, and I tried to help." Amber continued, her eyes moving to Azrael. "It's not like he was sleeping with me, sis."
This bitch!
"So, unless he's balls-deep in you, it's not cheating? Is that the logic, Amber?" I spat, bile rising to my throat.
Amber was at a loss of words, and even Samuel was shocked at my breakout.
"Tell me, lil sis." I continued, stepping close to Amber. "Until and unless you get pregnant with his child, show up with a big belly, it's not cheating. Is it?"
Amber retracted back, fear crossing her face as I saw through her plan. "You are taking it too far," she murmured.
"Am I?" I raised an eyebrow. "Alright. How about I come after you finish helping me?" Turning to Azrael, I spat, "He seemed to be quite enjoying it too."
"Then what should I have done?" Azrael glowered, his frustration breaking free. "You were playing saint and would sleep with me only after our marriage. I needed to blow off some steam!"
This piece of shit! No, comparing him to it was an insult to shit.
My chest ached as if I'd have a cardiac arrest any moment. It was the stupid mate bond. But I didn't care, not after seeing through his facade.
They say people reveal their true faces when they are finally caught. Azrael just did it. No, I was a fool to fall for his lies.
"Then I will make it easy for you." When he faced me, I continued, "I, Angelise Morin, reject you, Azrael Ranvor, aka spineless scum."
My chest ripped into pieces, the bond screaming at my defiance. It felt as though molten lead was being poured into my veins, but I refused to flinch. Dying felt better than being this bastard's bride. Little did I know that by rejecting him, I had already signed my death note.