MY MATE CHOSE MY SISTER, SO I BECAME THE LYCAN KING'S LUNA

~MELODY~ “Smile, Melody,” my stepsister said softly, her voice mocking. “Tonight is a happy occasion, and I have a big surprise for you.” Then her grip tightened painfully around my wrist. I looked up at her, silently taking note of the beautiful silver gown she had on, and the diamond jewelry. The smug smile on her face widened. What gift could she possibly have for me? Nothing good, I was sure of that. She walked past me and up the podium where Father was waiting, and then she hooked her arm around a man’s. For the first time, my gaze shifted to the man she was holding. My mate. For a moment, the world around me fell silent. The music and laughter of dozens of pack members gathered inside the hall faded into nothing. All I could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat crashing violently against my ribs. No. This had to be a mistake… a joke maybe. Because the man standing beside Aurora was mine. I had recognized him as my mate the second he walked into my life barely three months ago. The bond was undeniable. And he had felt it too… accepted it. Yet now. He was standing beside my stepsister, as the whole pack celebrated their engagement. Aurora winked at me, while clinging to my mate like he was hers. “You look shocked,” another voice mocked. I didn’t look to know it was Julia, Aurora’s younger sister. “Didn’t Father tell you why we invited so many guests tonight?” Invited. I almost laughed at the irony. I wasn’t even invited. I was serving wine. Like every other unwanted thing in this house. My fingers tightened around the silver tray in my hands, yet it trembled in my hold. Across the hall, my father stood proudly beside Alpha Victor, the father of my mate, Kael. Kael currently couldn’t even look me in the eye. Important guests filled the mansion tonight. Even rumors of the Lycan king’s arrival had spread through the pack earlier today. That explained why the entire house had been thrown into chaos since morning. Why the maids had spent hours decorating. Why I had been dragged from one task to another without rest. But no one told me that the celebration was for them. For my mate. And my stepsister. Julia leaned closer. “You should try not to cry,” she murmured. “People are already staring.” It was only then that I realized tears were burning behind my eyes. Humiliation slammed into me so hard my chest hurt. Still, I refused to let the tears fall. Not here. Not in front of them. Finally, Kael looked at me. Just one look. And somehow that hurt even more than if he had ignored me completely. Because guilt was written all over his face. He knew. He knew exactly what he was doing to me. I didn’t realize they were walking toward me, until he spoke. “Melody,” he started quietly. I stepped back before he could say another word. That movement drew attention instantly. Several guests turned toward us curiously. I could practically feel my father’s glare from across the room, as though urging me to cause a scene and give him a reason to punish me again. So I forced a smile instead. A small one. Painful enough that it nearly broke me. “Congratulations,” I whispered. Aurora’s smile widened triumphantly. However, Kael’s expression darkened. Just then, Alpha Victor raised his glass. “I would like everyone to celebrate the union between my son and Aurora Ashwood,” he announced proudly. Applause exploded across the hall, so loud that my ears rang. Mate. My wolf’s voice sounded broken inside me. I swallowed hard. No. I can’t fall apart here. I won’t. At least, not for them. I turned sharply and walked away before anyone could see the devastation on my face. “Melody—” Kael’s voice followed instantly. I ignored him. I quickened my pace as I pushed through the crowded hall, past startled servants and laughing guests. My vision blurred dangerously. Not here. Please, not here— Suddenly, a hand grabbed my wrist tightly. “Stop walking away from me.” I ripped my arm from his grip and spun toward him. “What exactly do you want me to do?” I demanded painfully. “Stand there and watch while you get engaged to my sister?” His jaw tightened immediately. “We need to talk.” I let out a small bitter laugh. “Now you want to talk?” “Melody—” “No.” My voice cracked despite my effort to control it. “You don’t get to do this to me and then act like I’m supposed to calmly listen.” He dragged a frustrated hand through his dark hair before lowering his voice. “You know things aren’t that simple.” I stared at him in disbelief. Not that simple? Three months ago, this man had held me like I was precious. Three months ago, he kissed me beneath the pack gardens and promised I would never be alone again. And I actually believed him. “You’re my mate,” I whispered shakily. “How could you do this?” Pain flashed briefly across his face. “There was too much pressure from my family,” he admitted. “My father refused our bond immediately.” “And?” “And I’m the future Alpha, Melody!” His voice came out harsher than intended. He immediately exhaled. “I can’t just throw everything away.” There it was. The truth. Simple, yet ugly. My chest hurt so badly I could barely breathe. “But you can throw me away,” I said softly. His eyes shut briefly. “That’s not what I’m doing.” “Oh really?” He stepped closer quickly. “I still want you, Melody.” The words stunned me into silence. Kael lowered his voice further. “I’m not rejecting the bond.” For a second, hope sparked stupidly inside me. Then he destroyed it. “Aurora will become Luna publicly,” he continued carefully. “But you and I… we will still be together privately.” The world went silent. I stared at him. Certain I had heard wrong. “You cannot be serious.” He stepped closer. “I’m trying to protect us both.” “Protect us?” I repeated in disbelief. “Yes. I can’t reject you. I need you. My father knows rejecting you would weaken my wolf, so he came up with this solution.” Solution. I almost choked on the word. “You want me to become your mistress in secret?” “Melody—” “While you marry my sister?” His silence answered for him. Something inside me shattered completely. A voice came from behind us. “Melody, please don’t blame Kael. He is really trying is best.” Aurora. Of course. She walked toward us gracefully, her expression innocent. A perfect mask to her real venomous self. She turned to Kael. “I told you she would overreact,” she sighed. “You know how emotional Melody can be…” My hands curled into fists instantly. Kael’s face darkened. “Aurora, leave.” “Kael, everyone just watched you follow her out. Do you even care about your image, your pack?” Kael’s face twisted with rage. But Aurora turned to me and continued. “Honestly Melody, you should feel grateful Kael still wants you around at all.” I stared at her. Years of humiliation, mockery, cruelty. And somehow, she still wanted more. “You know,” Aurora continued softly, “girls like you don’t usually get chosen.” Girls like you. Illegitimate. Daughter of a maid. A mistake. Something inside me finally snapped. I swung my hand toward her, but Kael stepped in front of her. The slap sound echoed violently through the corridor. Then silence. Kael had taken the slap for her. My heart slammed against my chest painfully as I watched his cheek redden where I hit him. Aurora looked stunned at first, then pleased. “That’s enough, Melody.” He whispered. I scoffed out a bitter laugh. “You know what, I’m done with this shit.” His face darkened. “Melody… don’t.” “You don’t get to love me only when it’s convenient,” I whispered. Then I looked at Aurora. “And you…” My voice turned colder. “For once in your life, try winning something without stealing it first.” Her expression cracked instantly. I didn’t wait for a response. I turned and walked away, reeling with anger.