Bound to My Sister's Mate

7.

I blinked. “What do you mean, ‘that’s where I come in’?”

Luna took a deep breath, her voice softening. “You’ve always had feelings for Liam, Ava. Don’t deny it. You’re perfect for him, and I think… I think he could love you, too.”

I stepped back, shaking my head. “No. No, no, no. Luna, this is insane! You can’t just decide this for me. Liam loves you, not me. Last night, he fought for you. And today, I’m supposed to marry him? Do you even hear yourself?”

She flinched but didn’t back down. “Ava, I know it’s not ideal, but this is how it has to be. I can’t marry him. Jack and I are bound by the Mating Moon. Liam deserves someone who loves him without hesitation, and that someone is you.”

“Stop it, Luna!” I yelled, my voice shaking. “This isn’t a story where everything magically works out. Liam is in love with you! He doesn’t want me. And even if he did, how could I live with myself knowing I took him because you abandoned him?”

Luna’s expression crumbled, and she looked away. “I’m not abandoning him,” she murmured. “I’m trying to do what’s right.”

“What’s right?” I scoffed. “You’re not doing what’s right, Luna. You’re doing what’s easy—for you.”

Before Luna could respond, our mother entered the room, her sharp gaze flicking between us. “What’s going on here?”

Luna turned to her, her voice cracking. “I told Ava she should marry Liam. I can’t do it, Mom. I’m marrying Jack.”

Mom’s eyes widened, then narrowed as she focused on me. “And what did you say, Ava?”

I crossed my arms, my anger boiling over. “I said no. This is ridiculous. Liam loves Luna. How can anyone think this is a good idea?”

Mom’s expression softened slightly, but her tone remained firm. “Ava, listen to me. Luna has made her decision. Jack is her mate, and the wedding must go on. Liam deserves happiness, and you’re the one who can give him that.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “You can’t be serious! How can you expect me to step into Luna’s life like this? It’s not fair to Liam, and it’s not fair to me!”

Mom walked closer, her voice quiet but insistent. “Life isn’t always fair, Ava. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the people we love. Liam is a good man. He’s been a part of this family for years, and he’ll be good to you.”

I clenched my fists, my chest tightening. “Good to me? He doesn’t even want me! Last night, he was ready to fight the world for Luna. And now, I’m supposed to believe he’ll just… switch?”

Mom’s gaze softened further, but her resolve didn’t waver. “Feelings change, Ava. He’s hurting now, but with time, he’ll see that you’re the one for him.”

My voice cracked as I said, “What about me, Mom? What if I can’t do this? What if this isn’t what I want?”

Her hand rested on my shoulder, gentle yet heavy with expectation. “I know it’s hard, Ava. But you’ve always been strong. And deep down, I think you know this is the right thing to do.”

Tears burned in my eyes as I turned to Luna. “Is this really what you want?”

She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry, Ava. But yes, it is.”

I felt the weight of their words crushing me, my mind spinning. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Last night, Liam had fought for Luna with everything he had. And now, I was supposed to step into her place?

I bit my lip, trying to hold back the tears. “This isn’t fair,” I whispered.

“I know,” Mom said softly. “But sometimes, fairness doesn’t matter. What matters is doing what’s right for everyone.”

I looked down, my fists clenching at my sides. I hated this. I hated the pressure, the expectations, the heartbreak of stepping into a role that wasn’t mine.

But in the end, I heard myself say the words that sealed my fate: “Fine. I’ll do it.” But it was a lie. I won't do it.

The evening air was thick with anticipation, the crowd gathered in a wide circle around the clearing. Torches flickered, their light dancing on eager faces. My heart pounded against my ribs as I stood beside my father, his hand resting heavily on my shoulder.

“Stay calm,” he murmured, though his voice betrayed his own unease.

I couldn’t respond. My throat felt tight, and my mind was spinning with disbelief. How had I ended up here? I wasn’t supposed to be standing in this position, waiting for my sister to decide my future.

Luna stood at the center of the clearing, her figure poised but trembling under the weight of countless eyes. On her right stood Jack, his broad shoulders squared, his intense gaze fixed on her. On her left was Liam, his jaw clenched, his hands balled into fists.

My stomach twisted painfully. I couldn’t look at Liam for long without my emotions threatening to spill over. I knew what was coming, and I hated it.

Rowan, the Alpha leader, stepped forward, his voice booming with authority. “Luna Martin,” he began, “the time has come. The Mating Moon has spoken, and the decision is yours. Who will you choose to stand beside you for the rest of your life?”

The crowd fell silent, the only sound the crackling of the torches and the distant rustle of leaves.

Luna lifted her chin, her mismatched eyes shining with determination. She looked first at Jack, then at Liam, and finally, her gaze landed on me. My breath hitched.

“I’ve made my decision,” she said, her voice loud enough to carry but trembling at the edges. “Jack is my mate, chosen by the Moon. I choose him.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd, some nodding in approval, others exchanging surprised glances. Jack let out a breath of relief, stepping forward to take Luna’s hand.

But Luna raised her other hand, signaling that she wasn’t finished. “Wait,” she said, her voice firmer now. “There’s one more thing.”

My heart stopped. This was it.

“Liam,” she said, turning to him. His eyes softened for a brief moment, only to harden again as he prepared for rejection. “I can’t be your mate. But that doesn’t mean you’re meant to be alone.”

Luna’s gaze shifted, and she extended her hand toward me. “Ava.”

My legs felt like lead, but somehow, I stepped forward, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. The crowd turned to watch as I joined my sister in the center.

“This is my decision,” Luna announced, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. “I choose Ava to be Liam’s mate.”

A collective gasp rippled through the clearing. My father tensed beside me, and I could feel his disapproval radiating.

“What?” Liam’s voice cut through the murmurs, sharp and disbelieving. He stepped forward, his piercing gaze locking onto Luna. “What are you talking about? I didn’t agree to this!”

Luna held her ground, though her voice softened. “Liam, you deserve someone who will love you fully and unconditionally. Ava has always cared for you, even if she’s never said it aloud. I know she’ll make you happy.”

I found my voice, though it came out shaky. “Luna, stop. This isn’t fair—to me or to him.”

Liam turned to me, his expression a mix of anger and confusion. “Ava, did you know about this?”

“No,” I said quickly, meeting his gaze. “I didn’t know until this morning, and I still don’t understand why I’m here.”

Rowan raised a hand, silencing the crowd. “Luna, are you certain of your choice? The Moon’s bond is not to be taken lightly.”

“I’m certain,” Luna replied firmly, though her voice wavered at the edges.

Liam turned back to her, his voice low and simmering with frustration. “You’re just going to hand me off like I’m some burden? Do you think this will fix everything?”

“It’s not like that!” Luna protested, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m trying to make things right, Liam. You deserve better than being second choice.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. “Stop it!” I shouted, startling everyone. “This isn’t about what Liam deserves or what you think is right, Luna. You don’t get to decide who I marry!”

The clearing fell silent, all eyes on me. My hands were trembling, but I clenched them into fists to steady myself.

“I won’t just step into your life like this,” I continued, my voice cracking. “Liam deserves a choice, and so do I.”

Luna opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, our mother’s voice rang out. “Ava.”

I turned to see her standing at the edge of the clearing, her face calm but her eyes hard with determination.

“This is for the best,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Liam is a good man, and this is what our family needs. You’ll understand in time.”

“Understand what?” I shot back, my anger boiling over. “That I’m just a pawn in some game? That my feelings don’t matter?”

“Ava,” she said again, her voice softer now. “Please. Trust us. Trust Luna. This is the right path.”

I looked at Luna, then at Liam, whose expression was unreadable. Finally, I looked back at my mother, and my resolve crumbled.

My voice was barely above a whisper as I said the words that sealed my fate. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

The crowd erupted into murmurs once more, but I didn’t hear them. My focus was on Liam, who stared at me as if seeing me for the first time.

And for the first time, I wondered if this decision would truly lead to anything resembling happiness.