Elena’s POV

The night air scorched my lungs as I gaspedfor breath, stumbling out of the ballroom. My heels crashed against the marble as I walked, but it barely made a sound over the echo of laughter, of whispers, ofmy humiliation spreading out in front of them all.

How dare he say that to me? How could my father let him insult me like this? Was I only a slave to them? All he ever did was hide me. What did I ever do to him or them?

I hated them. And now I hated the fact the moon goddess was cruel enough to give me a mate. One who didn't care about me or my feelings.

I ran into my room, closing the door shut. His words continued to ring in my head and wouldn't stop.

“I, AlphaElias Beaumont, reject you, Elena Kings, as my mate.”

“Please, stop,” I begged, crouching to the floor. “Just stop, please. It's too much.”

I closed my eyes, but the words were etched into my flesh, a pain that wouldn’t go away. The mate bond ripped apart within me, one strand at a time, scorching my blood. My wolf writhed, raking at me as the pain filled me.

“Mate. He refused us,” my wolf growled. “He can't.”

A sharp struck my chest, and I groaned, pulling hard at my cloth. “Ugh.”

My life felt meaningless and I struggled as the pain hit me. I felt dizzy and each time I moved, it felt like I was flogged.

“Argh,” I groaned as I tried to stand and fell.

“Damn you,” I cursed. “Damn you all to hell “

Why did Kamla also have to take everything I wanted?

I balled my fists, sinking my nails deep into my palms, looking forsomething to grip on to. She always made me feel likea burden, like something that didn’t deserve the life she was given. But this… this was different.

This was a death sentence.

"She’s my mate." His voice ran in my ears again and I felt my wolf grow angrier.

Something was wrong. When he said those words, the mate bond had pulled at my heart, but it didn't break.

I left my room, and walked downstairs into the garden. The wind wounded my skin as I made it to my favourite spot. I stared hopelessly at the fountain, standing at its center, its water glimmering inthe moonlight. But it was the quietthat made my skin crawl.

I pressed my hands against the stoneto hold myself up, out of breath, trying to gain control of something when the rest of my world was crumbling.

“You always were dramatic.”

My entire body tensed at the sound of the voice.

Kamla. Lord, no. Anything but her.

I turned slowly, hoping it wasn't who I thought it was. She could have seen me float.

I turned, and there she was, robed in scarlet silk, hair like spun gold falling from her head, appearing every inch the conqueror. Her lipstick was smudged.

She took a step forward, slow, enjoying the moment. “You really thought you were meant foran Alpha?”

I met her gaze,my fingers tightening against the edge of the fountain. “You don’trealize what you’ve done.”

She cocked her head to one side,her smirk widening. “Oh, I do. I’ve won.”

There was asinister glint in her eye.

It wasn’t merely about seizing Elias. She was supposed to be my sister.

“I must thank you,” she pondered, circlingaround me like prey. “If you weren’t so…disposable, Father never would’ve allowed me to takewhat was rightfully mine.”

I inhaled sharply.

Stay in control. Don’t let her win.

I repeated those words in my head, to stay calm.

But then came the words that broke. everything.

“You were never supposed to fit in,” Kamla hissed. “I always knew he was going to be betrothed to you. I just wanted him for myself. Now, you'll be here forever as a nobody.”

The air snapped around us.

Before I could catch myself, I acted.

One moment she was smirking. Thenext, I had her throat in my hand, and I slammed her against the fountain’s stone rim.

Her eyes widened with shock, then fear and satisfaction.

Was she crazy? Why did it look like she wanted this to happen?

I released her, retreating, and gasping. “I refuse to letyou take what’s mine.”

Kamla let out a slow,dark laugh, smearing her throat. “Too late, sister.”

Her hand moved in a blur, and a dagger flashed under the moonlight.

I turned, but I wasn’t quickenough.

The blade dug into myshoulder; pain lanced through me, and heat pooling under my skin.

She didn’t hesitate. She had meant to kill me.

Kamla leaptagain, this time for my throat. I caught her wrist, twisting it hard. The dagger fell clangingto the ground. She spat, digging her nails into my arm,and warm blood poured out between us.

“Kamla,” I called. “Stop it!”

I shoved her back, panting. “What the hell is the matterwith you?”

She smiled, and attacked. “You were neverstrong enough to live.”

I held her still, praying silently I didn't get stabbed when a slicing sound came and a sharp, wet gasp followed, only it wasn't from me. It was Kamla. Her body jerked.

Her lipsopened, but nothing fell out.

She reeled back, with her hands clutching her belly.

A second dagger lay embedded deep in her flesh. But it wasn't mine. My breathing increased and stared in horror as Kamla swayed, and knees buckled.

Her blood soaked her dress and I stood speechless.

I stood frozen.

This wasn’t happening.

Kamla’s chestlifted in shallow, uneven breaths. Her fingers quivered, barely raised and extended toward me.

She whispered, calling my name. “Elena.”

And fell to the floor, the knife dropping her hands as she landed with her face, and her eyes wide open .

I was horrified and was about to scream for help when a snap of a twig behind me caught My attention.

I turned to see Luther Cain.

His eyesdarted between myself and Kamla’s corpse, and there was something inscrutable in his expression.

The truth suddenly hit me like a knife.

This was a setup.

“No,”I gasped, my body instinctively taking a step back. “I didn’t…”

Luther’s lips curved, the subtlest hint of satisfaction crossing his featuresuntil he spun around and bellowed.

“Guards!” Freezing on the spot, hisvoice broke the night. “She’s killed Kamla!”

Racing footsteps rushed and appeared before me.

“I swear, I didn't do anything,” I begged.

No one would believe me. They didn't even look like they did and in panic, I turned and ran.

Luther’s voicebehind me. “Elena. Goddamn it you're under arrest for the murder of your sister.”