Fated To The Mate Who Loves My Sister

“I will make you suffer, mate. I’ll break you until the only escape you have is to end your own life,” he hissed, shoving her backward.

“Undress, get on the bed, and be on all fours!”

••••••••••••••

Benita was considered a burden and was never loved because she weighed a few pounds more than what was considered the perfect slender figure. Her younger sister, Nina, was the apple of everyone’s eye, the opposite of Benita. Nina had it all—a beautiful face, a slim body, and she was even dating Nathan, the soon-to-be Alpha. Everyone believed Nina would be his mate and the pack’s future Luna. But fate had other plans, as on the day of the mating ceremony, it wasn’t Nina but Benita who was revealed as Nathan’s mate. Nathan, furious and disgusted, was forced to accept her. Nina, devastated, fled that same night, only to fall from a cliff, her body lost, presumed dead.

Nathan blamed Benita for ruining his perfect life and sought revenge. He turned his pain into a cruel revenge, subjecting her to a life of a slave.

When Benita discovered she was pregnant, she fled, fearing Nathan would kill the child, unaware that Nathan’s feelings had started to change, though he would never admit it.

Five years later, their paths crossed again. This time, Benita was no longer the broken girl the pack hated; she had made a name for herself as a renowned healer, and men now sought her out. But Nathan wasn’t about to lose her again. He’d let her slip through his fingers once, and this time, he would do anything to claim her.

And as if fate hadn’t twisted enough, her sister, long thought dead, came back from the grave.

Mating Ceremony

Benita’s POV

Today was the day—the one I’d been waiting for my whole life. It could either be the best day or the worst, and I wasn’t sure which terrified me more. Standing in front of the mirror, I studied my reflection. My cheeks were slightly flushed, giving me a soft, youthful appearance, while my body curved in ways that didn’t fit the slim, toned ideal my family worshiped. My hips were full, my stomach soft, and my thighs pressed together when I shifted my weight. I could see every part of me that didn’t fit into the narrow expectations of what beauty was supposed to look like.

I tied my black hair into a bun and wore jeans and a simple shirt—not exactly the look of someone excited for a mating ceremony. But I had learned not to expect much, and I dressed like I was bracing for disappointment.

“Benita, get your lazy ass down here!” my mother yelled from downstairs. I let out a heavy sigh before hurrying out of my room and down the stairs into the sitting room.

As expected, Nina was already seated next to my mother, glowing as usual. My father, at the head of the table, sipped his coffee, his face set in stone.

“So lazy,” Nina sneered, but I ignored her and sat across from her.

“You should consider taking a gym class. That chair can barely hold you,” my mother taunted, sipping her coffee.

Nina let out a soft chuckle. “She shouldn’t even bother, Mother," Nina chimed in. “It won’t help.”

My heart ached at their cruel words, but I buried the pain, quietly placing two pancakes on my plate.

“At least she should try," my mother continued coldly. “The mating ceremony is in two hours, and I hope you find a mate so you can finally leave my house. I’m tired of seeing your ugly face.” she spat, her tone laced with bitterness.

“A mate?” Nina scoffed. “Come on, Mother. She won’t get a mate, and even if she does, I’m sure he’ll reject her on the spot. Who would want to be mated to…" Nina paused, eyeing me with disgust. “Someone like her?”

“Maybe a rogue?” Mother added, and both burst into loud laughter.

I swallowed my pain and took a bite of pancake, forcing it down. I was used to their cruel remarks about my size. It wasn’t like I hadn’t been trying to lose some weight. I starved myself most days, eating only once and avoiding soda, sweets, and junk food.

To my family, being plus-sized was an unforgivable crime. They saw me as nothing more than an embarrassment. Every day, my mother reminded me how much I needed to “work on myself.”

“Ignore them, Benita. You have an amazing body,” my wolf reassured me in my mind. I nodded, swallowing my pain, and tried to focus on the food in front of me.

“Mom, in just a few hours, I’ll be mated to Nathan," Nina gushed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Of course, darling. I have no doubt you’ll be his mate. Who else could be more perfect for him than my beautiful, sexy daughter?” Mother cooed, showering her with praise, something she’d never done for me.

It was always strange how different Nina and I looked despite being sisters. She was the family’s pride. She had long, glossy black hair cascading down her back, flawless skin, bright almond-shaped eyes, and a slim, graceful figure. Nina seemed to light up every room she entered. She seemed to have everything, even Nathan, the soon-to-be Alpha, as her boyfriend. Everyone believed Nina and Nathan, the future Alpha, would end up as mates. They were so in love it was almost sickening.

And then there was me—the Beta’s spare daughter. I once overheard my mother telling a friend that she only had one daughter. In her eyes, I wasn’t even worth acknowledging.

“If you’re not going to eat, then leave. Stop playing with the food," my father’s cold voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

Holding back my tears, I took another bite of pancake. When I could no longer force myself to eat, I stood up and tried to leave the table, but Father called me back.

“Why aren’t you dressed for the ceremony? We leave after dinner,” Father spat, his tone laced with irritation.

But before I could respond, Mother scoffed. “Oh, let her be, darling. I see no need for that. I don’t think she’ll be mated to anyone, and even if she is, I believe he’ll reject her. So I’d advise we don’t bother about her.” Mother mocked, and the tears I had been holding back came rolling down my cheeks.

“Aww, is my sister crying? So touching.” Nina mocked, and not able to stand their taunts, I left the dining room and stormed up to my room. Inside my room, I fell to the ground, resting my back against the wall, and pulled my knees toward my chest. Uncontrollable tears rolled down my cheeks as my whole body shook with pain. I could take any insult, but coming from my family—the one group of people who were supposed to love and protect me—was something I couldn’t take.

“It’s okay. Take a grip of yourself. We have to be at the mating ceremony. We are running late,” my wolf spoke.

I glanced at the wall clock and realized I was running late for the ceremony, which was about to start in an hour.

“I have a good feeling about the mating ceremony,” my wolf, Olivia, said confidently in my mind.

“Really?” I asked, skeptical, while wiping my face with the back of my palm.

“Yes, I feel like the Moon Goddess has something special in store for us.”

A small smile crept onto my face at the thought. The mating ceremony only happened every four years. All wolves who had reached the age of eighteen or older would participate in a ritual to connect with their destined mates if they were present. I was both anxious and terrified. What if I didn’t have a mate? Or worse, what if my mate rejected me the second he saw me?

“Stop doubting yourself, Benita. Anyone would be lucky to have you,” Olivia scolded me gently, but I scoffed. She was only trying to make me feel better.

“Get up, Benita. We need to go,” my wolf urged.

Lazily, I pulled myself up, wiping away the last remnants of tears as I moved toward the wardrobe. I wasn’t in the mood to dress up, but Olivia’s words kept replaying in my head—the Moon Goddess has something special in store for us. Despite the heavy weight in my chest, I wanted to believe her, just this once.

I pulled out a simple blue dress, one that wasn’t too tight or too revealing. It hugged my curves in a modest way, flowing down to my knees. After slipping it on, I glanced in the mirror again. My swollen eyes stared back at me, but I had to push through. I quickly applied some light makeup to cover the evidence of my tears, brushed my hair back into a neat bun, and took a deep breath.

This is it. No matter what happens today, you’ll be okay, I told myself, trying to steel my nerves.

I descended the stairs, the house eerily quiet. My parents and Nina were gone. I wasn’t surprised. They probably left without bothering to tell me. That was how it had always been, like I didn’t even exist to them.

I grabbed my small purse and stepped out of the house, feeling the cool evening breeze hit my skin. The path to the ceremony grounds wasn’t far, so I decided to walk. Each step felt heavy, but I kept reminding myself that this ceremony could change everything.

As I approached the field where the mating ceremony was to take place, I saw groups of wolves already gathered. There was excitement in the air, the kind that came with the possibility of finding a mate. People were laughing, talking, and I could even hear some whispers about who might end up with whom. I kept my head down, trying to blend in.

“Don't be nervous, Benita, Olivia reassured me. Your moment is coming.

I stood off to the side, watching the ceremony begin. My heart clenched as I noticed Nina by Nathan’s side, looking radiant and full of confidence. She was already glowing with anticipation, sure that the night would end with her as Nathan’s mate. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was right. The two seemed to be so much in love, and sometimes I envied her. I wished someone would love me just as much as Nathan loved her.

This was I and Nina's first mating ceremony, but it was Nathan’s second. The first one was when he was twenty, but unfortunately, he didn’t find his mate. Obviously, his mate wasn’t of age yet; I was only sixteen then, and Nina was fourteen, so neither of us could participate. But now Nathan is twenty-four, I’m twenty, and Nina is eighteen, so Nathan is certain that Nina is his mate.

I moved my gaze away from Nathan and Nina, then watched my parents conversing with Alpha Richardson and his wife, Luna Anita, as if they were going to be in-laws soon. I could see the bright smile on my mother's face as she kept staring at Nina and Nathan with pride, but when she noticed me, she frowned, looked at me with disgust, and looked away. My heart sank, but I was already used to it.

“Attention, everyone,” Alpha Richardson’s voice boomed over the crowd. “The mating ceremony is about to begin.”

My stomach twisted with anxiety as I stood frozen in place.

“All unmated wolves, please come forward,” he instructed. “Females to my right, males to my left.”

I hesitated for a moment, feeling nervous and scared, but Olivia pushed me forward. Reluctantly, I joined the other unmated females, standing across from the males. My eyes found Nina again, standing directly across from Nathan. Of course, she would be.

The priest stepped forward, his long robe trailing behind him. He raised his hands, eyes lifted to the sky, his voice calm but commanding. “With the blessing of the Moon Goddess, let the fated mates be revealed tonight. A magical cord will bind those destined for each other, linking their hearts and souls forever. If your mate is here, the cord will appear on your wrist, guiding you to them.”

Suddenly, he began chanting some incantation. The air felt thick, like it was buzzing with energy, and everyone was waiting, eyes glued to their wrists. My heart raced. I tried to ignore the panic bubbling inside me. What if nothing happens? What if I don't have a mate?

Then, out of nowhere, I felt it—a tingling sensation on my wrist. I looked down, and there it was, glowing softly under the moonlight, a thin, silver thread. My breath caught in my throat as the cord stretched out in front of me, pulling me gently.

I froze, unsure of what to do, but Olivia nudged me. “Go, Benita. Follow it.”

My legs trembled as I moved, following the silver cord as it snaked through the crowd. Around me, others were finding their mates, their cords already guiding them to one another. Each step I took made my heart pound harder.

But suddenly, I stopped, my breath catching in my throat. The cord led me straight to Nathan.

His eyes met mine, wide with shock, as our cords intertwined.

“Mate!” Olivia howled loudly to me.

Forced to mark me

Benita’s POV

“Mate…?” I shuttered in disbelief as I stared at the cord which was intertwined with Nathan’s wrist. Stunned, I moved my gaze away from the cord and looked up at Nathan, who seemed shocked and in disbelief. His eyes moved from the cord and were fixed on me as he glared at me.

“No! This can't be possible!” he yelled, frantically shaking his head and trying to break the cord from his wrist, but it remained intact.

Loud gasps echoed around the field as murmuring filled the air. Everyone present couldn’t believe it. They couldn’t believe I was the one mated to Nathan instead of my sister.

“This is some kind of joke!” Nathan spat, moving closer to me, his eyes blazing with anger. “What did you do? What witch did you visit to make this happen?” he yelled, gripping my arms so hard that I winced in pain. “Tell me! Tell me!” he demanded in an outburst, his eyes filled with disgust, as if he had just realized he was mated to something vile.

“Speak! Speak!” Nathan urged, his grip on me tightening.

“Let go of me!” I pleaded, trying to pull away from his grasp, but Nathan’s hold only tightened. His fingers dug into my skin, the pain sharp enough to bring tears to my eyes. He was losing control, and I could feel it in the way his body trembled with rage.

“I didn’t do anything!” I shot back, my voice shaking with both fear and anger. “You think I wanted this? You think I wanted to be mated to you?” I spat bitterly. I would never have wanted to be mated to Nathan, of all people. He was practically in love with my sister and saw me as nothing more than a shadow of her. Why would I want a man like that as my mate?

His eyes flared with anger, my words only fueling the rage inside him. “Liar!” he hissed, shoving me back so hard that I stumbled, barely catching myself before I fell, but the magical cord still held firm. It would only vanish if Nathan accepts or rejects me.

“I will never accept you as my mate. Never!” Nathan spat with hatred, his voice echoing through the stunned silence.

“Nathan, stop!” a voice cried out. I turned to see his father, Alpha Richardson, stepping forward, his face a mix of confusion and concern. “This isn’t the way. You need to calm down.”

Nathan’s eyes flicked to his father, “I won’t accept this!” His voice cracked with desperation. “She’s not my mate. She can’t be.”

I swallowed hard, blinking away the tears that threatened to spill. I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

“Get up, don’t show weakness,” my wolf urged, and slowly, I got to my feet.

Nathan stared at me, his chest heaving with heavy breaths. For a moment, just a fleeting second, I saw the vulnerability behind the anger. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced with the same disgust he had worn since the cord first appeared.

“I reject you…”

“You can’t reject her,” Alpha Richardson interrupted, his voice authoritative, and my eyes widened as the murmurs of disbelief spread through the crowd.

Nathan looked away from me and narrowed his eyes at his father. “What are you saying, Father? You don’t expect me to be mated to her? No way!” Nathan yelled, but Alpha Richardson’s expression remained blank.

“You can’t reject your mate, Nathan. You’re going to be an Alpha. What example would that set for your followers? That it’s acceptable to reject their mates too?” Alpha Richardson asked, and Nathan shook his head in disapproval.

“No, Father, please, I can’t accept her. She can’t be my mate…” Nathan paused and moved to where Nina stood, her face streaked with tears. “I love Nina. I want to be with her, and besides, she has no mate. Please, Father,” Nathan begged, on the brink of tears, and my heart clenched. It hurt so much to see my mate so desperate not to be with me, but with someone else.

Silence hung in the air as everyone waited for Alpha Richardson’s response. My heart raced, and a knot formed in my stomach.

“No,” Alpha Richardson declared, and my eyes widened, as did everyone else’s. “Nathan, you are going to accept Benita as your mate, and you are going to mark her right this minute. That’s what a responsible leader should do.”

Nathan’s eyes widened in shock, his body stiffening. For a moment, he looked like a child lost in a storm, torn between duty and desire.

“No…” he whispered, his voice barely audible, his voice cracking with emotion. His gaze darted between me and Nina, who was sobbing uncontrollably, her hands covering her face. Every part of me wanted to run, to escape this nightmare. Being mated to someone who despised me was not the future I had imagined.

“I can’t do this,” Nathan said louder, shaking his head again, his voice trembling. “This is wrong, Father! I love Nina! How can you ask me to do this?”

Alpha Richardson’s expression hardened, his eyes cold and stern. “As an Alpha, Nathan, your duty comes first. Love is a luxury. You must accept your mate, or you risk losing everything you’ve worked for.”

Nathan’s face twisted in pain, and his fists clenched at his sides. “I don’t care!” he shouted. “I’d rather give up my title than be forced into this!”

The crowd gasped, murmurs rising once more.

“Nathan!” Alpha Richardson barked, his voice booming with authority. “Do not speak such foolishness. You are going to be an Alpha. You do not get to choose love over duty.”

The pain in my chest was unbearable, but I kept my face composed, refusing to let anyone see how deeply his rejection was affecting me.

“I won’t do it,” Nathan finally whispered, his voice broken. He turned to Nina, who had stopped crying and was now staring at him with wide, hopeful eyes. “I can’t… I can’t lose her.”

Alpha Richardson’s eyes narrowed, and a dangerous silence settled over the field. “Then you leave me no choice, Nathan. If you refuse to accept your mate, you will no longer be the future Alpha of this pack. I will strip you of your title.”

Nathan’s head snapped toward his father, his eyes wide with disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am,” Alpha Richardson replied coldly. “A leader who cannot put the pack’s needs above his desires is unfit to lead. You are no exception.”

Nathan’s chest heaved as the reality of his father’s words sank in. His eyes locked with mine for the briefest of moments, and I saw the anguish in them, but also the hatred, the disgust. He blamed me for all of this, for ruining his perfect life with Nina.

I swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. I didn’t ask for this, either. I never wanted to be the reason his world fell apart. Why would the Moon Goddess do this?

“I will never forgive you for this,” Nathan spat at me, his words filled with hate. “You’ve ruined my life.”

Before I could respond, Alpha Richardson stepped forward. “Enough, Nathan. You will mark your mate now, or you will leave this pack as nothing more than a rogue.”

I gasped and glanced around, meeting the eyes of some pack members. Most of them stared at me with disapproval and hate. It was clear I was never their choice for a future Luna.

I looked back at Nathan and saw he was on the verge of breaking down, his body trembling with suppressed rage. His eyes flickered between Nina, me, and finally, his father.

“Fine,” he said through gritted teeth, his voice filled with hatred. “I’ll do it, but you, Benita, will regret this.” The threat in his voice sent chills down my spine, and I knew he meant every word.

A tear slipped down my cheek despite my best efforts to hold it back. I knew what was coming next. Nathan stepped toward me, his expression cold and lifeless as he reached out to grab my wrist. The magical cord glowed faintly as he pulled me toward him, his grip harsh.

I closed my eyes, trying to steel myself for what was about to happen. This wasn’t how a mating was supposed to be. It wasn’t supposed to be filled with hate and resentment. But this was my reality now, and there was no way I could escape it.

Nathan leaned in, his breath hot against my neck, and I braced myself for the mark. The crowd was silent, everyone holding their breath, waiting for the inevitable.

“Forgive me, Benita,” my wolf whispered, her voice soft and sad. “I never wanted this for us.”

And then, with a sharp pain, Nathan’s fangs sank into my skin, and our fate was sealed.

Blamed

Benita's POV

A strange feeling of pain mixed with pleasure coursed through me as Nathan’s fangs sank deeper into the crook of my neck. The pain was intense, but the slight sensation of pleasure was so fascinating that I couldn’t help but close my eyes as a soft moan escaped my lips. I wasn’t sure if I was mistaken or if my ears were playing tricks on me, but I could swear I heard Nathan let out a pleasurable groan.

When he finally pulled away, my neck felt cold without his bite, my body throbbing with an ache I didn’t fully understand.

With panting breaths, our gazes interlocked. His fangs were still extended, and drops of my blood glistened on his lips. He stared at me with pure hatred in his eyes, wiping the blood away before spitting it to the ground as if I’d poisoned him. My stomach twisted.

“Come on, everyone, a round of applause,” Alpha Richardson demanded, and the stunned pack members were forced to clap for us. My eyes remained on Nathan as his stayed on me. I could see the anger, the pain, and the hatred he felt for me.

“Congratulations, Nathan and Benita. You two will be getting married on the day of Nathan’s coronation,” Alpha Richardson announced, and my eyes widened—so did Nathan’s. We never expected our marriage to be so soon. Nathan’s coronation was in two days!

“No! This can’t be happening!” Nina’s scream echoed through the field, compelling everyone to look at her. “No, I can’t take this! I’d rather die!” And before anyone could react, she bolted from the field, her loud sobs trailing behind her.

“Nina!” Nathan called out, trying to chase after her, but his father blocked his path. “And where do you think you’re going?” Alpha Richardson asked coldly. A troubled filled Nathan stared at his father with pleading eyes. “Please, Father, let me go to her, or she’ll harm herself,” he begged desperately, his eyes reddening.

“No!” Alpha Richardson disapproved, his face etched with a frown. “You and Nina are in the past. Benita is your mate—your future.”

Nathan’s body visibly trembled as his father’s words hung in the air, frustration, and sorrow written across his face. His fists clenched by his sides, and for a moment, I thought he might defy Alpha Richardson, but he didn’t. His gaze darted back to me, and I could see the conflict raging within him. It wasn’t just anger and hatred now—it was guilt. Guilt for hurting Nina, for being tied to me.

“Nathan,” Alpha Richardson growled, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You need to accept your future. Nina’s role in your life is over. Benita is your mate, and this is final.”

Nathan's jaw tightened, his eyes flicking between where Nina had run and where I stood. I wanted to say something, to tell him I didn’t want this either, but my throat felt tight, my lips sealed.

“Please, Father…” His voice cracked. “Let me talk to her. Just once. If not… I don’t know what she’ll do.”

Alpha Richardson face hardened, his face hard as stone. “Your responsibility is here now, Nathan. Nina will have to deal with this in her own way.”

Nathan grunted, running a hand through his hair in frustration before finally turning back toward me. His eyes were cold again, but I could see the look of revenge in them, as if he was promising me a miserable life. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then stopped, closing it with a hiss.

Luna Anita, Nathan’s mother, moved closer to me, a warm smile spreading across her face as she surprisingly pulled me into a hug. “Welcome to the family, Benita. I know you’ll make a good Luna,” she whispered before pulling away. Our eyes interlocked, and the genuine love I saw in her eyes made my heart flutter. This was the first time in a long while that someone had looked at me in such a way.

“Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll teach you a few things before…” Luna Anita was interrupted by the loud yell of my mother, who was running toward us. “Help! Nina jumped off a cliff!”

Gasps filled the air, and for a moment, everything stopped. My heart pounded in my chest as my mother’s words echoed across the field. I felt my knees weaken, but I forced myself to stay upright, locking eyes with Nathan. His expression twisted with fear and disbelief, his entire body going rigid.

“No!” Nathan yelled, shoving past his father despite Alpha Richardson's attempts to stop him. “Nina!” He sprinted in the direction my mother had come from, his human form blurring as he shifted skillfully into his wolf mid-stride, his large black wolf disappearing into the woods as warriors ran after him searching for Nina.

My heart raced as I turned, wanting to go after them. After all, Nina was my sister. But as I attempted to take a step, Luna Anita stopped me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Stay here. Let them search for her,” she said softly, her eyes filled with concern. I nodded, my body trembling, my palms sweaty.

Worried murmurs rose among the pack members, and as I moved my gaze around, I met the eyes of a few. Their hateful glares made my heart twitch, forcing me to look away.

“Don’t show them weakness,” my wolf whispered in my mind, and I swallowed my pain, while struggling to hold back the tears that threatened to fall on my face.

Suddenly, a loud howl echoed from the woods. I instantly recognized it as Nathan's wolf. It was filled with anguish, and I shivered at the sound. Luna Anita stood beside me, her eyes flicking toward the forest.

“They’ll find her,” she said quietly, though I wasn’t sure if she was trying to reassure me or herself.

I swallowed hard, my mind racing with thoughts of what might happen next. What would Nathan do if they didn’t find Nina? Or worse, what if they did, and she was… I couldn’t even finish the thought.

“Luna Anita,” I began, my voice breaking, sweat forming on my forehead, “what if Nina… what if she doesn’t make it?” I asked, my eyes glinting with tears. Nina might have been cruel to me, but she was still my sister, and nothing could change that.

Luna Anita’s face softened, though her eyes were filled with worry. But before she could respond, we heard footsteps approaching. I looked forward and noticed my mother, wailing in pain. My eyes settled on Nathan, who was only wearing an underwear.

“Nathan?” Luna Anita called softly, stepping ahead of me, her voice trembling with fear and concern.

Nathan didn’t respond. His body seemed frozen, consumed by something dark and heavy. He stood still, staring at the ground, fists clenched tightly by his sides.

My mother fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably, and my gut twisted painfully. Something had happened. Something terrible. A sharp pain shot through my chest, and I suddenly felt like I couldn’t breathe.

“Nathan, where is my sister?” I asked, my voice trembling with fear.

Finally, he looked up at me, his eyes full of sorrow, pain, and hatred, all directed at me. “She’s gone,” he whispered.

Gasps spread through the crowd, and I felt my legs weaken as I collapsed to the ground. Nina was gone. Just like that.

“Oh no,” Luna Anita gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. The tears I had been holding back fell uncontrollably down my cheeks. I couldn’t believe it. Nina, who had been full of life just hours ago, was gone!

“No!” I sobbed loudly, my vision blurring with tears.

Suddenly, Nathan marched toward me and forcefully lifted me from the ground, his grip tight. “Are you happy now?” he snarled, his voice with rage. “Nina is dead because of you!” His accusation hit me like a punch to the gut, and fresh tears blurred my vision. I couldn’t tell what hurt more, losing my sister, my mate hating me, or knowing that half of the pack blamed me for her death.

“Stop it, Nathan! Stop it,” his father commanded.

But Nathan didn’t stop. His grip tightened painfully as he pulled me closer, his face inches away from mine. I winced, feeling bruises already forming on my arms.

“You took everything from me, Benita,” he growled, his voice low but filled with pain. “First, you ruined my life by being my mate. And now you’ve taken Nina. She’s dead because of you. I will never forgive you for this.”

Tears spilled uncontrollably down my face, but I couldn’t speak. The words wouldn’t come. How could I defend myself when I felt just as shattered by Nina’s death as he did? My heart ached not just for my sister, but for the loss of any chance I had of being seen as something other than a curse to him.

“You think this is bad?” he continued, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. “This is just the beginning. I swear to you, Benita, you will suffer for this. Every day you live as my mate, you will know nothing but pain!”

Her Fault

Nathan's POV

I glared into her eyes which was filled with fake tears as hate, and anger surged through me. I wished I could wrap my hands around her throat, make her feel just a fraction of the pain tearing me apart. But I couldn’t—not with half the pack watching. Gritting my teeth, I glared at her one more time before shoving her away, making her stumble to the ground, her butt hitting the dirt.

Turning around, I ran out of the field, ignoring the loud calls from my father. I kept running, running until I reached the mansion. I stormed inside, bolting up the stairs and straight to my room.

Once inside, I slammed the door shut and I began kicking everything in my way.

I kicked over the small coffee table, sending it crashing into the wall, the sound of breaking wood doing little to calm the storm inside me. My chest heaved with anger as I ripped the couch cushions off, throwing them across the room. They hit the mirror, shattering the glass into pieces that fell to the floor like shards of my soul. Everything was ruined.

“No!” I screamed, my voice raw with the pain I couldn’t contain. “Why? Why her?!” My fists collided with the desk, sending papers and documents flying, scattered like the thoughts in my mind. It wasn’t enough. None of this was enough to express the hollow emptiness left in Nina’s absence.

Dropping to my knees, I buried my face in my hands. The tears I had been holding back all day came crashing down in full force. I hadn’t cried since I was a child, but now, I couldn’t stop. My whole body trembled, consumed by grief, by the unbearable weight of loss. Nina was gone, and I couldn’t even find her body.

I couldn’t believe it. Nina was gone. My Nina was gone. The woman I loved, the one I had imagined spending the rest of my life with, was dead—just like that. And the most painful part was that Nina had taken her own life. She couldn’t stand the thought of not being with me, so she jumped off a cliff. Her body was washed away by the river; we couldn’t find her remains, just a few of her belongings.

The pain was unbearable. How could this have happened? How could everything I held dear be ripped away in an instant? Nina’s laugh, her smile, her soft touch—gone. And I didn’t even have the privilege of laying her to rest properly. No body, no farewell.

Nina. Her name echoed in my mind like a taunt, a reminder of everything I had lost. My beautiful Nina was gone forever. And Benita, my supposed mate, was still alive, walking around like she didn’t have the blood of my love on her hands. She took everything from me the moment she was revealed as my mate. That bond that tied me to her was nothing but a curse. I hated her.

I punched the floor, the sharp pain shooting up my arm, but it did nothing to ease the hurt in my chest. My vision blurred as the tears continued to fall, my breaths ragged. All I could see was Nina’s face—her smile, her laugh. It haunted me now, a ghost of what could have been.

“Why did you do it, Nina?” I whispered brokenly, my voice shaking. “Why did you leave me?”

I wanted her back. I wanted to hear her voice, to hold her in my arms again. But all I had now was the bitter taste of regret and the overwhelming hatred I felt for Benita. My mate. The mate I would never love—not after this. How could I?

She had taken Nina from me.

And for that, I would make her suffer. Every day.

“Stop it, Nathan. You and I both know Benita isn’t to blame,” my wolf, Nathaniel, snapped at me, only fueling my anger.

“Please keep quiet, Nathaniel. Don’t say a word!” I yelled back.

My wolf growled. “I won’t keep quiet, Nathan. I’ve told you countless times not to date Nina or fall in love with her. I knew she was never going to be our mate, but you refused to listen. You were blinded by her beauty, by her face and sexy body. You wanted to be mated to the most beautiful girl in the pack. You are the cause of all of this! If only you had listened to me, none of this would have happened. If anyone is to blame, it’s you and Nina. Leave Benita alone. She didn’t ask the Moon Goddess to mate her with us!”

I flared with anger, the truth in his words burning me. “Damn you! Damn the mate bond!” I spat, my voice filled with hatred. “I don’t love that bitch, and I never will!”

“I will kill Benita. I’ll kill her with my bare hands. She doesn’t deserve to live while my Nina is dead. Tonight, I’ll make sure she’s gone…” I stopped, shaking my head and wiping the tears from my cheeks. Killing her would be too easy. Killing her would set her free. No, I had a better idea.

A loud thump on my door interrupted my thoughts, and to my surprise, it fell down, revealing my father with some warriors behind him.

“You all can leave,” my father ordered, and the warriors bowed before leaving.

Stepping into the room, my father stood before me, his blank eyes meeting mine. For a moment, he didn’t say a word. He just kept staring at me with a blank expression, making it hard for me to read his mood.

After a brief moment, he sighed and swayed before me, his blank eyes now filled with worry. “I’m sorry about Nina, but it’s nobody’s fault that she decided to commit suicide.”

His words enraged me, and I wanted to shout at him, to tell him he had a hand in Nina’s death. If he hadn’t forced me to accept Benita, Nina would still be alive. If he hadn’t stopped me from going after her, she would still be here.

“But, son, you have to move on. There’s a reason the Moon Goddess mated you to Benita instead. You may not know the reason now, but soon enough, you will. Please don’t blame that poor young girl. She has no hand in this,” my father pleaded, and I scoffed inwardly. Poor innocent girl, huh?

“Nathan, you will be an Alpha soon, and—”

“I will never accept Benita!” I interrupted, anger bubbling inside me. “She’s a reminder of everything I’ve lost. I don’t love that fat fucking bitch!”

My father moved closer, his voice firm but kind. “You don’t have to love her right away, but you need to accept the situation. You have a responsibility now—to her and to your future pack.”

I clenched my fists, the weight of his words sinking in, twisting my gut with anger. “Responsibility?” I spat. “What about my responsibility to Nina? To the love we had? You want me to just pretend it didn’t exist?”

“No, no one is asking you to forget her so quickly but you don’t have to kill yourself. And as for Benita, you don’t have to love her, but you can marry her and find a way to make this work for the pack. You can take your time.”

I turned away, my heart racing with conflicting emotions. Marry Benita? The idea churned my stomach, but I realized it could serve my purpose. I could marry her, but it wouldn’t be out of love. No, I could make her life a living hell every single day. I could turn my pain into a weapon, and Benita would be the target.

“Fine,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm within me. “I’ll marry her.”

My father looked relieved, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of hope in his eyes. “Good. That’s all I ask.”

I nodded, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. Benita had no idea what I had planned for her. I would make her suffer every day of our marriage. She would pay for taking Nina away from me, and I would make sure she felt the full weight of my grief and anger.