Chapter 1
Serena's POV
"Hell NO! I will NOT marry a cripple!"
My sister Stella's shriek nearly lifted the roof. Upstairs, I heard every word crystal clear, cursing silently: Here we go again, crazy woman.
Peering through my window, I watched her rampage through the living room like a maniac, smashing everything in sight.
I'm Serena, her twin sister. My whole life, I've been her shadow, her scapegoat.
The original arrangement was simple: Stella, the "moonlight bloodline heir," would marry the powerful Blackstone Pack Alpha Adrian, while I, the "ordinary waste," would marry Blake, Alpha of some backwater place called Crescent Valley.
Until Adrian's car accident three months ago.
Not just any accident. His leg was crippled.
The once-perfect Alpha who drove every female in the werewolf community wild now needed a cane to walk.
"Stella, calm down!" Dad Marcus's voice was full of heartache. "Adrian is still an Alpha, Blackstone Pack is still powerful..."
"I don't CARE!" Stella swept the tea set to the floor. "Why should I marry a cripple?"
Mom Linda pleaded desperately, "The engagement is already settled..."
"Then switch!" Stella's eyes lit up with a twisted idea. "Let Serena marry the cripple, I'll marry Blake!"
Upstairs, I nearly fell down the stairs. What? She wanted to steal MY fiancé?
"That's impossible," Dad hesitated. "Blake is Serena's fiancé, and Adrian needs a mate who can bear strong offspring..."
"So what? I carry ancient power in my blood, I can make Alpha bloodlines purer." Stella sneered, pointing upstairs. "What about that waste? What can ordinary blood give Blake?"
I rushed downstairs. "Stella! Blake is MY fiancé!"
"Oh, look who's here, little waste." Stella looked at me with contempt. "You really think Blake wants you? If he knew he could have me, he'd dump you in a heartbeat!"
"That's not true!" I trembled with rage.
"ENOUGH!" Dad roared, cutting us off. "Engagements can't be changed randomly..."
"Why not?" Stella stood her ground. "We look identical, Adrian would never know. And Blake getting me means the most precious bloodline!"
Mom started wavering. "That does make sense..."
"Mom!" I couldn't believe it. "You can't do this!"
"With your pathetic ordinary bloodline, do you deserve a normal Alpha?" Stella smiled viciously.
"Stella, don't be so harsh..." Dad frowned, but his tone was already softening.
"I'm stating FACTS! Adrian is disabled, Serena matches him perfectly. Blake is healthy, plus my abilities would make him unstoppable!"
"But deceiving Adrian like this..." Mom hesitated.
"He should be GRATEFUL to have any mate!" Stella scoffed. "We look identical, who would notice?"
"Dad, Mom, you wouldn't really..." My heart turned to ice.
"Serena, maybe this arrangement makes more sense..." Dad avoided my eyes. "Your sister's bloodline is powerful..."
"NO! Why should I be the sacrifice?"
"Sacrifice?" Stella shrieked. "You should be GRATEFUL! Marrying a Blackstone Pack Alpha – countless women dream of it!"
"Then why don't you want it?"
"Because I deserve BETTER!" She grabbed a fruit knife from the coffee table. "If you don't agree to this arrangement, I'll kill myself right here!"
"Stella! Put the knife down!" Our parents screamed.
"I WON'T!" She pressed the blade to her throat. "Either let me marry Blake, or I die right now!"
"Don't be rash..." Dad's voice shook.
Mom started crying. "Don't hurt yourself, we'll agree..."
"NO!" I screamed desperately. "I'm your daughter too!"
"You need to understand, family interests come before personal desires." Dad said coldly.
"Enough!" Tears streamed down my face. "You're just playing favorites!"
"SHUT UP!" Dad roared. "What right does a damn ordinary bloodline like you have to be picky?"
"What if I refuse?"
Dad's eyes turned dangerous instantly. "Then GET OUT of Riverside Pack! You know what happens to rogue wolves without pack identity."
Death sentence.
The room fell deathly silent, only the crackling of logs in the fireplace.
I looked at these three so-called family members, my heart completely dead.
"Fine. I agree."
Three days later, the mating ceremony.
Sacred fire burned, full moon hung high. I wore Stella's white dress, feeling like I was at my own funeral.
"Relax, dear." Evelyn – Adrian's mother – gently patted my shoulder. "My son is a good man."
I forced a smile, palms slick with cold sweat.
The ceremony began.
Adrian walked slowly forward, leaning on his cane.
My breath stopped instantly.
Even with the cane, his frame remained imposing. His angular face was devastatingly handsome, deep emerald eyes seemed to see through souls, straight nose, thin lips pressed together. That innate Alpha presence made everyone present instinctively lower their heads.
He stopped before me, his subtle cedar scent mixed with unique Alpha pheromones instantly surrounding me.
"You're my mate, Stella."
"Y-yes," I stammered.
Sensing my nervousness, he said gently, "Don't be afraid. From today on, I'll protect you."
In that moment, I nearly cried. No one had ever said such words to me.
The ceremony completed smoothly, everyone believing the new Luna was Stella. I succeeded, but there was no turning back.
Late night, Blackstone Pack master bedroom.
Flames danced in the fireplace, moonlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows onto luxurious carpet. I sat on the bed's edge, clutching my dress hem tightly.
The door creaked softly as Adrian entered, leaning on his cane.
Up close, he was even more breathtaking. That handsome face looked deep and captivating in the firelight, eyes flickering with emotions I couldn't read.
"You look terrified." He stopped two steps away. "Is it because of my leg?"
"NO! It's not that!" I jerked my head up, accidentally meeting his gaze.
"It's okay." He smiled bitterly. "I know no woman wants to spend her life with a crippled Alpha."
"Don't say that about yourself!"
He paused, then smiled gently. That smile nearly stopped my heart.
"Thank you. But you're exhausted tonight, get some rest."
He turned to leave.
"Wait!" I called out, face burning. "Shouldn't we... tonight..."
Adrian slowly turned back, those emerald eyes gleaming in the darkness. He set down his cane, walking toward me slowly. Each step made my heart race faster.
"Are you sure?" His voice turned husky.
I nodded, though terrified.
He sat on the bed's edge, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. That cedar scent grew stronger, mixed with his unique Alpha aura, making coherent thought nearly impossible.
"Don't be nervous." He reached out, gently touching my cheek.
That warm palm made me tremble instantly. His thumb brushed my lip corner, light as a feather yet sending electric currents through my entire body.
"You're beautiful." His voice deepened further. "More beautiful than I imagined."
I felt like melting. No one had ever looked at me, touched me like this.
"We don't have to rush." Adrian suddenly withdrew his hand, the sudden loss making me almost grab his wrist. "When you're truly ready."
He picked up his cane again, walking toward the door.
"Thank you..."
He paused at the doorway.
"Good night, Stella."
After Adrian left, I sat alone on the bed, cheeks still burning. I touched where he'd caressed me, seeming to feel his warmth lingering there.
The room still carried his scent, that cedar fragrance mysteriously comforting yet making my heart race.
Maybe this "crippled husband" everyone pitied would be the best person I'd ever meet in my life.
And I was a complete fraud.
I sighed deeply.
If he knew I wasn't Stella, knew I was just an ordinary bloodline impostor, would he still look at me, touch me so tenderly?
I didn't dare imagine the answer.
