The Lycan’s King Fake Bride

Selene’s POV My twin sister, Isabelle's mating ceremony to the Lycan king was the talk of the entire pack. For days before the D-day, one could feel the excitement and anticipation in the air. To everyone else, it was a good thing that the Lycan king was finally getting himself a Luna that would represent the pack. But for me, there was nothing to be happy about. Isabelle getting mated to the Lycan king was a result of a business transaction between my late father and the former Lycan king. Isabelle had been betrothed to the Lycan king from birth and in return, my family would retain our seats in the elder council and continue to be business partners with the Lycan king. As our servants hurried around the house, getting everything ready for the mating ceremony and preparing Isabelle, I sat in the kitchen biting from an apple and scrolling through my phone, completely detached from the frenzy in our household. I couldn't wait for all of these to be over so that we could return to our normal lives. Lycan King Luther, set to mate the daughter of the late Beta White. Could this be Nightbloom Pack’s own version of Beauty and the Beast or another nightmare? I rolled my eyes as I came across the news from our pack’s most popular blog, All Things Nightbloom Pack. Beauty and the Beast, my foot. Luther was most definitely a demon that could never be tamed. I wondered what my father was thinking when he agreed to give Isabelle to the Lycans. By the gods, Selene! What are you doing here when you should be helping your sister get prepared for her big day? The voice of my mother joined me in the kitchen and I raised my eyes to see her gorgeous frame advancing towards me. She was fully dressed in her peach-colored, body-fitting dress that showed off the curves that she had passed on to Isabelle and me. “Eating. Obviously. I gestured to the apple, and she sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration. It was always this way with me. While Isabelle was the ‘perfect’ daughter who always did things to make our mother happy, I was the rebellious one who gave her constant headaches. Go to her room. Now. Before I count to ten, I don't want to see your shadows here. She closed her eyes shut as she said and knowing my mother was dead serious, I pouted and rose to my feet. “Fine.” I dragged my feet away from the kitchen and headed up the stairs to Isabelle's room. Getting to her room, I pushed the door open gently and peeped into the empty room before walking inside and shutting the door behind me. My eyes scanned the room and my brows came together in the absence of Isabelle. On the bed was her wedding dress and her heels were kicked carelessly to the edge of the room. Just an hour ago, I had seen her fully dressed in that same wedding dress and getting her makeup done by the servants. Where was she now and why was the wedding dress lying on the bed instead of her body? “Lilah.” I called her name and checked the en-suite bathroom, to see that there was still no sign of Isabelle inside. With a deeper frown of puzzlement, I looked around the room again, wondering where she could be when her mating ceremony was barely an hour away. As I made to turn my back and leave the room to inform my mother of Isabelle's absence, I heard what sounded like a labored grunt and I turned my head again towards the direction of the window where the sound came from. Curiously and with caution, I headed towards the open window and looked beneath it to see the greatest shock of my life. There was a rope tied around the window frame, which Isabelle was grabbing with both hands as she lowered herself out of the window with a great effort. “What the actual f**k?!” My eyes were wide open in shock and I stared at my sister as though she was some ghost. Shocked by my unexpected appearance, Isabelle gasped and her grip on the rope wavered, causing her hand to almost slip. But I was quick to catch her from falling on time. “Goddammit!” I gritted my teeth together as I held onto my sister's heavy weight, trying my best not to let go. “s**t!” Isabelle cursed. There was fear in her eyes as she gave me a pleading look. Help me back up, Rina. Quick!” “I'm trying. Jeez, you are so heavy! What do you even eat? I grunted as I pulled her up, trying my best to steady my hold on her. Thankfully, I was able to pull her back into the room and we both collapsed to the floor, exhausted and trying to catch our breath. “What were you even doing down there, Lilah?” I gave Isabelle a quizzical look as I breathed heavily. Isabelle sat up, her chest heaving heavily. I mirrored her action. “You won't understand, Rina.” She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head with slumped shoulders. “No one would.” Listen, I don't know about the others, but I believe I understand you more than everyone else. And I know too well that you were trying to escape. Isabelle's eyes snapped open and fear flashed through her eyes again. “How did you know?” I am not dumb, Lilah. It was pretty obvious. How else would you explain what you were doing, hanging off a window on the day of your mating ceremony? You aren't even in your wedding dress anymore. Isabelle drew closer to me and grabbed my hands, pleading to return to her golden brown eyes again. Don't tell mom. Please.” “I won't.” I rolled my eyes at her. “I find it offensive that you think of me as a blabbermouth.” With eyes glistening with tears, Isabelle let go of my hands again, and she brought her knees to her chest, hugging them. She looked dejected and like a little girl who was helpless. “I don't want to be mated to the Lycan king.” She whispered to me, a tear dropping down her face.“He is a ruthless man, Rina. I cannot be with him. I inhaled a slow breath of air and nodded my head at her words. I had always known that Isabelle didn't want to be with the Lycan king even though she always pretended to be fine with the arrangements. So, her words did not come to me as a surprise. “I know.” I replied to her. “I've always known.” There's someone else I love. We've been together for a year, and we planned to elope together today. This time, my ears perked at her confession. Now, this was new. “Woah.” I blinked my eyes repeatedly, surprised by the news. How was it that I was unaware of Isabelle's secret boyfriend? To think I thought I knew everything about her. “I'm sorry you are just finding out now.” She added, lifting her teary gaze to meet mine. “But we wanted to keep it as secretive as we could.” “You cannot elope with your secret boyfriend, Isabelle.” My countenance turned serious, and I maintained my gaze on her. The Lycan King would find out about it and wipe our family from the face of the earth. I am sure you are very well aware of this. “I know.” Her fingers brushed through her hair a little roughly and she exhaled shakily. Her tears had smudged her mascara, causing her eyes to appear like those of a raccoon’s. But I cannot do that. The Lycan King, ...the Lycan King is a ruthless man, Rina. I just can't.” “I am sorry, Lilah.” I reached for her hand and gave it warm squeezes. “Forgive me, but I cannot let you destroy yourself and all of us.” Isabelle's head sank to her knee again and her body shook as she wept. My heart burned to see her in this state, but there was nothing I could do. My hands were tied just like hers and if we tried to play with the Lycans, they would come for our family. We could not risk that. After what seemed like a minute, Isabelle paused and she lifted her head. There was something like a flicker of hope gleaming in her eyes and a small smile crossed her lips. That one ‘genius’ smile that always got us in trouble. “Don’t tell me you have thought of a supposed better plan.” I sighed, already tired of making her see that there was no way out of this. “Listen, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but trust me when I say…” “Marry the Lycan king, Rina.”