My Sister Mate Became Mine

Eliara’s POV “1165,1166,1167.” I mumbled, counting my steps. Every time I walk away from the grave of Maevra, it seems like too long a walk. I suppose maybe my feet know the way so well or maybe it's because every step away from her is like a year I have to live without her. I put my hand on my chest, over the pain that never seems to go away, and continue to walk. I don't have any answers today either. I never do. When I enter the pack territory the air has already changed. Wolves are running back and forth, carrying flowers, wooden poles, strings of lantern lights. The entire pack has a cedarwood and roasted meat fragrance, it's like joy, it's like a celebration I don't want to be a part of. One calls out, "Princess Elaria! Come and join us in building an arch for tonight—" I raise one hand, already exhausted. "Later." I didn’t have the strength. Not for this. Not for the mating ceremony, not for the thrill of the pack like a storm before a rain. I just want to see my mother's face and make sure that she didn't get hurt in my absence. When I reached her room, I didn’t bother to knock. I never do. "Mom?" My mother’s Seraphine is sitting by the window, slowly combing her hair, as she does every time she tries to act calmer than she is. She turns when she hears my voice, she looked relieved. "Elaria." She puts the brush down "You're back." I walk across the room and get on my knees in front of her chair, gripping her hands, turning them over as if I'm looking for bruises. "Did he touch you? While I was gone?" “No,” she squeezes my fingers. “He's been too busy with tonight's ceremony to bother with me, It's been quiet. I like it.” "Did you eat?" I asked. "I did." A faint smile. “Don't fret so, honey, I'm still here.” I want to trust her. But circumstances have made it hard for that to happen . But I'm not up for an argument tonight, not after being in front of Maevra's headstone for an hour with nothing but silence to answer back. I press a kiss to her forehead. "Rest, Mom. Please." She nods and for the briefest moment, I let myself think, Today was a good day. No sooner do I get to bed than someone is knocking on the door. "Lady Elaria." One of Rhydan's maids is standing in the doorway, eyes down, voice low. “The Alpha seems your presence in the throne room.” Of course he does. "Did he say why?" “No my lady, it's urgent.” The maid replied. Urgent, from Rhydan, has never been a positive thing. Running through all the possible ways he could want me, I follow her through the corridors with my jaw tight the whole way. “Whatever he wants, my answer is no.” I'm already thinking that by the time the throne room doors open in front of me. Rhydan is seated on his throne like he always is, chin lifted, eyes cold. He won't even look me in the eye when I come in. “You called me," I state, standing back a few feet. I don't bow. I never bow. “Make it snappy.” It will be a while before he looks at me again, saying, "You will address me properly.” "I said make it snappy.” I didn’t even try to hide the irritation in my voice. His jaw tightens. “Watch how you talk to your father and alpha , Elaria.” "Or what?" I cross my arms. “You'll hit me like you hit Mom before I and Maevra were old enough to stop you? Go ahead. Try it." “You little brat!” He hissed under his breath. “I have not called you here for this. I do not have the time to argue with you.” “What do you want?” I hissed. “The mating ceremony will take place tonight.” He started. "I'm aware." I look out the window, and hear the cheerful wolves, faintly, through the window. “Pardon my poor memory, I don’t think I asked you to remind me.” “I've set you up with a mate.” "Excuse me?" "You heard me." He said calmly. “I dont want you, your help and this mate you found for me.” I hissed “I'm not asking for your permission! His voice is flat and final, it's the same tone he's used on me my entire life. “As your father I am telling you that I have made a decision.” "My father." I laughed. “You no longer deserve that title as my father from the moment I saw you throw Mom against the wall; you ceased to exist as my father every time you parade another woman in front of her just to watch her break a little more; you stopped being my father the day Maevra was killed and you didn’t even care enough to demand justice for her.” “I will not talk to you about Maevra,” he hissed.“Go get ready for the mating ceremony.” "I refuse." “You can't do that.” He retorted. "Watch me." My voice trembles now not with fear, but with fury. “I will not let you ruin another aspect of my life. I don’t care what you stand to lose… even if it’s your life.” “Beware,” he whispers. “You know what happens if I die Elaria, the curse does not go away with me, it will come for you.” “Then die,” I snap, before I can stop the words from flying out of me. “ I’d rather be cursed than spend another second knowing you’re alive.” His eyes narrow. Then, without giving anybody a second glance, he picks up a tiny vial and swallows. I stood there, watching him as he drank from the vial. His body convulses. Blood rushing down his nose, his skin twitching as if there was something moving underneath it. “Are you done?” I mocked, but there was a tinge of fear in my voice. He doesn't answer. He only smiles, blood pouring from his mouth and he watches me with satisfaction in his eyes that makes my stomach turn. Then I feel it. My fingers spasm. I look down and watch, I'm paralyzed as my hand grows into claws, sharp and tearing through the flesh. I can hear my wolf barking in the back of my mind, pacing back and forth on a leash that's become too short. “Don't you feel it now?” Rhydan’s voice is disturbingly calm and blood is still dripping down his chin,. “This is what will happen when I die, Elaria. This is what awaits you and your mother.” I can't answer him. I can't breathe through the pain that has splintered across my bones. Then I hear it, a scream high and broken, that rips through the halls, somewhere else in the house. My mother's voice. “Elaria! Rhydan!” "Mom!" I screamed as I bolted out of the throne room.