Craving My Sister's Mate

2

~Eleanor~

A splash of water on my face made me snap my eyes open. My breathing came in ragged gasps. Sweat soaked my dress, and I could feel it tug on my skin.

I peeked. At first, my vision was a bit blurry, and then it cleared up.

“Elea,”

I gasped out, wiping my lips. “Rianna?”

“Ehh,” she squatted beside me. “Are you feeling okay now?”

I gave a quick nod, sitting up.

“I was returning from work when I saw you standing in the middle of the road. That car almost hit you. It's just by the moon goddess you are saved. And you know, if one almost puts a driver into trouble, they get punished by the pack law.” she said to me in a whisper.

Without even sparing her a glance, I gave a quick nod. I knew all that, and that was why I was so damn scared to my bones then.

“But you acted rashly. What came over you? You were supposed to be at home by that time…”

I turned and gave her a quick look. “Ria,” I licked my lips. “You won't believe it, but my family wants to sell me out to the alpha king.”

Her brows creased. “What did you just say? Sell you off? Why?”

“My dad struck a deal with the alpha king, and because Estelle is his mate, he agreed. Now, they want me to replace her.”

“That's too dangerous. You shouldn't do it.” she took my palms into hers, staring at me with worry boldly written on her face. “What do we do now? If they make you do this and the king finds out they deceived him, you will bear the cross.”

I nodded. “That was why I escaped, coming to you, only to end up almost dead.”

She sighed heavily, “I'm baffled. I lack ideas.”

“I don't want to go back there.” A sob left my throat.

She patted my back gently, pulling me into an embrace. “Look, the only option now is for us to escape. I have a friend in the neighboring pack who would hide us for the meantime until everything dies down. No one will find you. What they want you to do is too dangerous, and they know how cruel the alpha king is, that's why they want you to replace your sister ....”

“But they are mates! Do you think the alpha king will hurt his mate?” I looked her in the eyes.

She couldn't answer me.

It was something unpredictable.

Only people of high status know who the alpha king is and what his name is. I've never dreamt of seeing him, and now….

“Lets escape. I have saved a lot that would sustain us for a long time before we relax there.” Rianna stood up and began packing up her things.

She was an orphan and was on her own. Sometimes, I wished I was an orphan, too, because having parents like mine is the worst thing that would ever happen to anyone.

I stood and began helping her.

At this point, this is the only option left for me.

“We will board an Uber that will drive us out.” She muttered to me.

But the sudden sound of footsteps made us turn at once.

Damn!

I was done for!!!

How did she find Riannas house?

In order to be at peace, Ria had relocated her belongings.

“You really want to escape from your family? How ungrateful you are to think living with some wretched orphan would do you good.” Estelle’s voice rang in the air.

Ria’s hands clenched into fist. She despised my family a lot and wished she had the power to deal with them. She could beat Ria to pulp if their wolf’s would be out of it, but she would suffer the consequences of fighting a beta.

“Take her back home!!” Estelle ordered, and just then, two men from our home rushed in and grabbed me by my hands.

I didn't fight back. It would be futile.

Ria stood frozen, tears gathered in her eyes, and she watched them yank me away.

She gave me one last glance before we were out of sight of each other.

I was taken into the car and driven back home, and no matter how hard I tried, tears wouldn't roll down….I guess they were tired of me already.

“Fifteen lashes, then you can tell us why you think escaping will stop you from playing that role.” Estelle made her way inside while I was dragged to the balcony.

The sound of the wire flipping into the air and landing on my body resounded in the space until the fifteen lashes were over.

I slumped to the floor, my body weaker than it had been. Blood soaked on my dress.

For how long would this keep happening? How long will I be treated this way by my family?

I blacked out suddenly and couldn't even blame myself.

When I woke up again, the sun had risen.

It was another fresh day to pass through the cruelty of my family.

I was still in my blood-soaked dress, and it was so stinky that I couldn't help but cover my nose.

Despite how wounded I was, I helped myself to the bathroom and washed up, then put on another tattered cloth before making my way out of the room.

The bruises from the lashes hurt so bad. Demanding for a pain reliever would worsen matters. Shame to me, I had no wolf to heal me at that point.

“If you're not my sister, I'd just rip you apart.” Estelle cursed the moment she sighted me coming downstairs. “You have a lot to do today, and those bruises won't stop you from doing them.”

Did I need to be told? Had they ever cared?

Dying would be better.

Maybe I can just shut my eyes and kindly play this role. At least, I would be away from them. There was no way that the alpha king would molest me like they did….and even if he does, it would be far better than my family doing it.

“Take a look at him. He's the alpha king and your to-be-husband.” Estelle flung a photo towards me. “Take it!”

I snatched it from her, my eyes scanning my parents' face as they were busy with whatever it was they were discussing.

“He's a handsome devil. Don't you think so?”

I nodded, and then I took a good look at the man in the photo.

What the hell!

My eyes widened.

“Hey, what's it? Do you know him already? Or you're falling for my mate?” she snapped at me. “Look, you aren't made to fall for him. Just play the role, and that's all. If he ever changes, I might return. Besides, I am his mate.”

I couldn't help but throw a heavy glare at her.

Was she losing it?

“You aren't saying anything to me, bitch.”

I exhaled and handed the photo back to her. “I've never met him. How will I, when I never leave here?”

“Good!” she smirked and took the photo from me. “So get ready. The wedding will take place tomorrow.”

My forehead wrinkled. So soon?

But, how come the man who almost hit me yesterday turned out to be the alpha king? If this was true, then he was a devil.

Who dresses in black throughout?

His voice—it was dangerous.

How will I survive in that palace with him?