Chapter 3
Serena's POV
A man in his early thirties stood nearby, with features similar to Adrian's but sharper, more dangerous eyes. Logan—Adrian's half-brother and competitor for the Alpha position.
"Logan, what brings you here?" Adrian cut straight to the point, stepping protectively in front of me.
"Can't I just visit my newlywed brother?" Logan smiled, but his eyes kept studying me. "Stella, you look quite different from the rumors."
My heart raced. "What rumors?"
"Oh, maybe marriage matured you." Logan said thoughtfully. "I heard you had quite a... fiery temper before. Why so docile now?"
"People change." I forced myself to answer.
"Indeed." Logan smiled meaningfully. "Though such a drastic change is quite surprising."
Adrian's hand found mine, his possessive touch bringing me comfort.
"Logan, if there's nothing else, my wife and I have plans."
"Of course." Logan stood, glancing at me once more before leaving. "Stella, visit home more often. I hear there's some... interesting news lately."
After he left, my back was drenched in cold sweat.
"Is he suspicious?" I asked nervously.
"Don't worry." Adrian stroked my hand. "That's just his way—he likes fishing for information. But you handled it well."
I managed a smile, though anxiety gnawed at me.
The next evening, while walking alone in the garden, a familiar figure appeared.
The real Stella approached in a gorgeous red dress, wearing a malicious smile.
"Well, well, my dear sister, living quite luxuriously, aren't you?" She walked closer, eyes glinting dangerously.
I glanced around, confirming we were alone. "What do you want?"
"Just checking on my beloved sister." Stella sneered. "You look happy—fancy room, expensive clothes, someone to love and cherish you."
"Is there a problem with that?" I kept my voice steady.
"Problem?" Stella laughed coldly. "OF COURSE there's a problem! You BITCH stole my life!"
"You didn't want it." I shot back. "You said you'd rather DIE than marry a cripple."
"You—" Stella's face flushed red. "That was just impulse! Who knew you'd actually replace me!"
"So what?" I straightened my spine. "Now I'm Adrian's wife, Blackstone Pack's Luna. And you? Just some small territory Alpha's mate."
"How DARE you talk to me like that?" Stella raged. "Don't forget you're just a FAKE! If Adrian knew you weren't the real Stella..."
"Then what?" I interrupted with a cold laugh. "Think he'd believe a selfish woman who pushed her sister forward to escape her own engagement?"
Stella was speechless.
"Besides," I continued, "does Blake know about your ugly behavior? Know how you threatened suicide? Know how greedily you stole your sister's fiancé?"
"SHUT UP!" Stella screamed.
"Why should I?" I pressed forward. "Facts are facts. How's life treating you? Is Blake good to you? Or does he just see you as a tool for power?"
Stella's face went pale—I'd hit the mark.
"At least I'm not deceiving him about my identity!" she struggled.
"But you deceived his feelings." I smiled contemptuously. "Do you love him? Or did you just choose him because he's physically intact?"
"I..." Stella stammered.
"I heard Blake isn't exactly pleased with you lately." I deliberately provoked. "After all, what man would truly like a hot-tempered, selfish woman?"
"You're LYING!" Stella protested angrily, but her voice trembled.
"Lying? Then why are you here alone? Where's Blake? Doesn't he accompany you?"
Pain flashed in Stella's eyes—I'd struck a nerve.
"GET OUT of Blackstone Pack territory." I issued the ultimatum. "If I see you here again, I'll have the guards throw you out."
"Who do you think you ARE?"
"I'm Adrian's wife, the Luna here." I lifted my chin. "And you? You're NOTHING."
Stella shook with rage but said nothing, turning to leave.
Watching her retreat in humiliation, I exhaled in relief.
But I knew this wasn't over.
Stella wouldn't give up so easily.
Crescent Valley that night
Stella stumbled through her door, the handprint from Blake's slap still red on her cheek. Her elegant dress was torn from their argument, hair disheveled—gone was any trace of former nobility.
That BITCH was right.
Since confronting Serena, Stella had been consumed by irritation. Seeing her sister living the life she'd dreamed of—luxurious manor, gentle Alpha's love—jealousy nearly devoured her.
And her? Blake treated her like garbage.
This afternoon, seeking to discuss pack matters, she'd found Blake in the garden intimately embracing a young she-wolf, his hands inappropriately caressing the woman's chest.
"Why are you with another woman?" she'd confronted him.
Blake impatiently pushed the she-wolf away, giving Stella a cold look. "What are you? A waste who can't even activate moonlight bloodline—and you dare question me?"
"I'm your MATE!" Stella shrieked.
"So what?" Blake scoffed. "If not for improving pack strength, I'd never marry a bloodline-ordinary waste like you! Know your place."
Those words stabbed her heart like a knife.
"I'm NOT waste! I'm the real—" Rage clouded her judgment; she almost blurted out the secret.
"You're what?" Blake frowned.
"I... I'm your true partner!" she frantically corrected.
Blake's expression turned icier, his hand striking her face hard.
"GET LOST! Don't let me see your pathetic face again!"
Now, alone in this shabby room, Stella finally understood completely. She'd made the stupidest decision of her life—abandoning gentle, caring Adrian for this brutal, greedy Blake.
While that sister she'd always trampled underfoot now possessed everything she'd dreamed of.
"NO! I won't accept this!" Stella shot up.
Since she was suffering here, she'd go back and reclaim what was rightfully hers!
"Just wait, dear sister." Stella smiled viciously. "I'm coming back to 'retrieve' what belongs to me."
