Twisted Fate: My Stepson Is My Mate

The loud screams echoed through the West wing of the castle. It was the place where my late husband’s harem resided. The screams had woken me up, followed by the sound of the pack horn blaring, announcing the death of the ruling Alpha, Alpha Graham. Alpha Graham was dead and that struck me harder than it should have. I didn't care about that old geezer. On the contrary, I hated him. I hated him for ruining my life. I was only Eighteen years old with hopes of finding my mate and starting a family of my own. However, that didn't happen when I was sold here, as one of Alpha Graham’s countless women. To him, women were tools of pleasure and a sign of supremacy. He treated them no better than stray dogs. Unprepared, I was thrust into a world of survival for the fittest, a world where everyone was willing to step on others without remorse to be at the top. I carved my path through the harem and after two years, I finally made it to the top. I was crowned as their Luna, a title that demanded respect and held power. I thought, I could finally give Mia a better life and not keep scraping for leftovers. I thought my life was finally getting better. But now with his death, it was safe to say that my fate was even worse than before. “ You should leave Penelope, run before they get here. The new Alpha is slaughtering every one of the late Alpha’s Harem.” Mia, my personal maid said. She had followed me two years ago when I was sold to the Old Alpha Graham as a political tribute. She was still bleeding from the stab she had received not long ago as she fled to inform me about the ongoing coup. The new alpha, Alpha Aaron, had overthrown the sitting Alpha, his father, and taken over the pack. From the little I heard about his son, he hated his father's guts. Their constant disagreements led to him being banished from the pack and becoming a rogue. The pack members also whispered that he blamed the Alpha for the death of his mother, the former Luna. Rumor had it that she was weakened and later died from the Alpha's constant frivolous life. After her death, Alpha Graham immediately promoted his lover to be the Luna of the pack, never mourning the death of his mate. “ The pack is already under him. It's impossible to escape.” I cried, pressing my blood covered hand over Mia's wound. “ Besides, you are still wounded. I can't leave you alone.” I added. I wasn't going to abandon the only person who was with me through thick and thin. When I was sold to Alpha two years ago, Mia agreed to come with me. Every humiliation I suffered in this pack, every unbearable night I spent on that bastard's bed, Mia always stood by me. She encouraged me to keep pushing even at the moments I wanted to give up. “ My lady, please run…” She whispered, her voice low and breathing laboured. She was slowly getting weak and needed instant medical attention. “ I can't. Stay here, I'll go fetch the pack doctor to attend you.” I Informed. The pack link was shattered with Alpha Graham's death so I couldn't mindlink the pack doctor. I tried to stand but Mia used the little energy she had to grip my hand and shake her head. Seeing her so helpless, tears burned my eyes but I forced them back. “ The Alpha might be dead, but I am still the Luna of this pack. That should mean something, right?” I smiled, hiding the terror burning inside me. Just then, the door was kicked open and a man stood there, looking like he had crawled from a pile of dead bodies. Even though I had never seen him before, I could tell at first glance who he was. Aaron BlackThorne, the estranged son of Alpha Graham and my stepson. Blood covered his clothes and splattered across his face. He held a sword, one that was still dripping with blood. A twisted smile crept on his face as he regarded me. “ Look who we have here? If it's not my father's favourite concubine.” He mocked, taking a step forward. I trembled at the sight of him. He looked terrifying, like a grim reaper ready to drag my soul to hell. His eyes assessed me with nothing but hatred and disgust. “ What do you think you are doing? I am still the Luna of this pack.” I croaked out the words but they didn't come out as intimidating as I wanted them to. Aaron grinned, like he just heard the most ridiculous and laughable thing ever. “ And that's supposed to scare me? I didn't bat an eyelid before the Alpha. What makes you think your title holds any power to me?” He growled, his black irises suddenly morphing into red crystals. I wanted to retort, to say something but my attention was drawn back to Mia as she coughed violently, blood choking her. One glance at her and I knew I was losing her, just like I had lost my freedom two years ago. “ I'm sorry Pen…” She whispered before taking her last breath. The tears I had fought hard to restrain came rushing down as I remained in place, clutching Mia's lifeless body. I heard Aaron let out a mocking scoff. “ Pretending to be sad when you are the reason many pack members lost their lives by that tyrant's sword.” He sneered disdainfully. You seduced men, used them to climb to power then watched gleefully as he executed them.” Aaron snickered. A wave of confusion washed through me. I never did such a thing. The only crime I was guilty of is causing a few pack members to be outcasted from the pack. Every stumbling block on my path, I made sure they were banished but causing their death? That was new. “ Don't worry though, you'll be joining them in the after world.” He sneered and squatted before me. “ I'll give you a taste of the help you put them through.” He added. My eyes widened and a scream tore through my lips as he lifted his sword and struck my chest with perfect precision. The pain hit first, followed by the blood. Aaron cast one last disdainful glance at me before turning around and walking away. Watching his silhouette disappear, I could not help but smile, albeit bitterly. Why Moon Goddess? Why did you bestow me with such a cruel and laughable fate? Silver-tinged blood seeped and soaked my clothes. Silver-tinged? The blood of the moon goddesses chosen one? The realization hit harder, but it was too late. My eyes fluttered. And then… Darkness.