IRIS
What I never anticipated on the night of my mating ceremony was finding my mate and half-sibling in bed together!
I stared wordlessly at them as they sprang apart realising they were no longer alone, tears welled up my gaze as I tried to make sense of what was happening in front of me.
How could they do this to me? My mind drifted to the preparation of this night. Annika had sworn she was happy for me when I found my mate. In fact she went above and beyond to make sure this night happens despite her mother's distaste of the situation.
I finally felt like I could say something, I opened my mouth, shutting it back when I didn't glance any traces of remorse on their face. With tear-filled eyes, I looked down at my white dress, the day I thought would be my happiest, the day I thought would be forever imprinted on my mind just turned out to be my worst nightmare.
I'd remember it alright, not just the way I had thought. Ignoring my mate for a moment because I had no idea how to begin to ask the questions that were eating deep within my guts.
"Why?" My voice cracked with the force of my emotions. Why did they decide to do this to me? I've been nothing but a supportive sister, a loving mate. To think this whole idea was theirs, she convinced me to accept him because I couldn't believe that an Alpha as powerful as Alec would want me as his mate.
We were worlds apart, while I was basically a maid in my own house after my dad passed away, he was the Alpha of Crescent Moon Pack. It might have been love at first time for me, I didn't think he would ever look my way.
After discovering we were mates, I was thrilled! Although a little insecure, he had held my hands, looked into my eyes and admitted he felt the same attraction.
Annika had sensed my doubts, at first I didn't trust her because she was never nice to me. But after she apologised, assured me to go for it, it was the push I needed. I never had any doubt or regretted it until this moment!
"You were going to find out sooner or later anyway." She snickered, adding to my shock, her words just confirmed that this wasn't the first time.
For how long? I broke down, slowly sinking to the floor. For how long have they been sneaking behind my back while I made a fool of myself? Suddenly, all the snarky comments her Mom made that she told me to ignore were all starting to make sense.
"How could you do this to me Annika! Tell me why? What have I done to deserve this from the both of you?" My heart was breaking and I angrily ripped the veil from my head.
"Will you stop being dramatic?" Alec spoke for the first time since I caught them in the act. "This is all your fault! How could you even for a second believe I would be in love with you?"
Anger flared deep within me at his words. "How could I think so?" I laughed bitterly. "Maybe because you made sure I believed you!"
"Trust me sis, it was never our intention for you to find out like this. We were going for more... er…creative approach?" She chuckled, glancing at Alec for confirmation as if she said something funny.
"Why?" I demanded, wiping the angry tears from my eyes. "Why did you go through all this trouble, what was tonight for if you didn't love me?"
Part of me was still in denial, refusing to believe all the affections and love he had bestowed on me had been fake but then the truth was glaring at me right in front of me, everything I ever knew was a lie and I didn't know how to begin to wrap my head around it.
"Why? That's a good question, let's just say you have something I wanted." He approached me, circling me where I stood.
Although I have never been afraid of him, at that moment, I was terrified. Something had changed, it was as if the mask he wore to make me fall in love with him had slipped off, showing the ugly monster underneath.
I didn't say anything because I had no idea what he was talking about. I watched as Annika approached the nightstand table, pulling out one of the drawers, she pulled out a document.
"Or should I say your father had something I wanted, I did everything to ensure that he gave it to me, even offering to buy it from him. But he refused... No one refuses me!" He suddenly growls, making me jump.
"I don't know what you are talking about..." I answered honestly.
"Of course you don't, you're too sweet, too naive for your own good. After your father passed away, you were meant to inherit the wine company. Not just the wine but diamonds have been discovered under the place where the building stood over the years and I want it all."
More tears streamed down my face. "You knew about this?" I asked Annika not believing, she was conspiring with him.
"Of course I did." She responded, rolling her eyes. "He willed everything to you! I was his child as well!" She attacked me then, slamming my head against the door. "You have no idea how long I have waited to do that! You make me sick! But watching you make a fool of yourself with Alec was enough consolation."
"East darling..." Alec murmured. "We don't want her dead yet." His statement caused my eyes to widen and I stepped away from him, my eyes paled and frightened.
"Seriously, I can't wait to get rid of this bitch!" She hissed back.
"All in good time sweetheart." He murmured, grabbing my arm in a fierce grip and slamming my body against his. "Getting mated to you was a payback to your father for the things he denied me." His eyes moved insultingly down my body.
"You thought any man in his right mind would want anything to do with you? Too bad the only man who ever loved you was your father and he's dead! But don't worry, you will be joining him soon."
"Please..." I whimpered. "Don't... You can have the money, company and everything else." I pleaded as his fingers dug into my firearm.
"Oh, I would have let you live. You're no longer of use to me after you sign these documents." He gestured towards the document Annika was holding. "Transferring all ownership of your property to me, however your sister is the one who wants you dead."
"Nika... Please... Whatever I've done to you, please don't do this." I pleaded, falling to my knees.
"Bitch! You're only annoying me by begging. When Dad was alive, all he cared about was you! Him transferring everything he owns to you was the last straw for me!"
"But... You know the property belongs to my Mom, it was her will to have him give everything to me—" My words were cut off as another slap landed on my face.
"Alec, kill her already!" She growled, kicking my side with her heel.
I felt it through the layers of puffy dress I was wearing, moaning in pain I tried to think of an escape plan as Alec approached me. Pulling me by my hair, he dropped the papers in front of me along with a pen.
"Sign it." He ordered.
My hands were shaking badly as I picked up the pen. "I will, if you promise to let me live." I bargained, knowing since they still needed my signature they wouldn't kill me yet.
"How dare you!" Annika tried to attack me but was held back by him.
"I give you my word Iris, I shall let you live if you sign the paper. In my honour as the Alpha of Crescent Moon pack." He states, giving me the highest honour of words.
My tears fell on the papers as I hurriedly signed through each page, my entire body quivering. Once I was done, Alec pulled me up again by my hair.
"I... Alpha Alec of Crescent Moon Pack, reject you as my mate!" He declared, letting go of me.
The pain started from my heart, spreading throughout my body, I staggered and gasped, clutching my chest. This isn't the worst of it, I inwardly whispered grateful that I get to walk away with my life.
Alec turned away from me, his fingers gripping the papers. I staggered towards the door, just on the verge of opening it, I felt something thrust into my stomach.
I gasped, staring wide-eyed with shock as Annika thrust a silver dagger inside. With a smile, she pulled it free and repeatedly thrust it in different areas of my stomach until I collapsed on the floor in the pool of my own blood!