Emira’s POV

It was early morning when I pushed open Luther’s door. Just like I thought, he was getting dressed—buttoning up his polo shirt, that smile tugging at his lips like everything was normal.

“What do you want, Beta Emira,” he asked casually, not even hiding the coldness in his tone.

My gaze drifted to his bare chest, the same one I used to dream of touching, of feeling against mine. Then to his eyes. Those deep green eyes that held the spirit of his mighty white wolf… the eyes I once thought were the most beautiful thing in the world.

I used to believe he’d see me—really see me—as his mate.

But no matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I gave, his heart had never been mine. It always belonged to his Diana.

Even with my beauty, my title, my mother's legacy, and the fact that I’d one day become Luna but it was never enough. Not for him.

I wasn’t begging anymore. If they don’t want me, then I sure as hell don’t want them. I’m done forcing my way into people’s lives.

“We’re going to an auction tonight. Be ready,” I said, staring straight into his eyes while he buttoned up like he had all the time in the world.

He frowned. “I took a three-day leave. I won’t be able to go. You can pick another guard to replace me.”

“Diana will be there,” I said before turning to leave.

He didn’t answer right away, but just as I reached the door, his voice followed.

“Yes, Miss. I’ll come.”

I shut the door behind me, my eyes stinging. Damn it still hurt. Every time.

If it’s for Diana, he’d drop everything even if he was half-dead or on fire.

Don’t worry, Luther. I’ll make sure you get your happiness.

---

That evening, I sat in the car, waiting. For once, I didn’t wait for him to open the door for me like I usually did. No more fake stumbles, no more pretending I needed his help. No more flirting just to feel noticed.

“You didn’t wait for me?” he asked, surprised, as he started the engine.

I didn’t even look at him. “Let’s go.”

The silence during the drive was deafening. He kept glancing at me, clearly itching to say something, but he didn’t.

When we pulled up to the most luxurious building in Werewolf City, I stepped out before he could come around to open the door. My black gown hugged me perfectly, my hair braided back elegantly by my maid.

Since my mother died, and after staying five years, I left my father’s pack and moved into her estate. I never returned to my father's pack unless he demanded it. I refused to live again under the same roof as his mistress and their beloved daughter Diana.

The minute I walked into the auction hall, heads turned. Betas and Alphas dressed to impress. Sophisticated, refined. But all eyes were on me.

Then came her. Diana. Dressed in her signature soft blue gown, playing the innocent card like always. Her brown eyes sparkled when she saw Luther. Then she looked at me.

“Sis! I’m so happy you came!” She pulled me into a hug.

I stiffened and pulled away, making her pout.

“Sorry… I was just excited to see you.”

Everyone bought her little act except me.

I walked right past her, ignoring the whispers around me. They all knew the truth anyway. Diana was the illegitimate one. We weren’t close. Never had been.

“Sis—” she grabbed my arm.

“Don’t touch me,” I said coldly.

She froze like I slapped her, lips trembling like she was about to cry.

Luther stepped in, voice soft. “Your sister’s just not in the mood. Sorry if she came off harsh.”

He looked at me like I had just hurt his world.

So I walked off, not even glancing back.

I took my seat and watched from afar as he made her laugh, looking every bit the perfect couple.

My wolf was quiet now. Bitter. Tired. No more hope. No more trying to connect with someone who never saw us.

I was on my own.

Diana sat beside me as the auction began. The item: a rare sapphire necklace.

“Three hundred thousand,” she said with that sugary voice.

“Four hundred,” I countered.

She didn’t back down. It went up. One million. Two. I raised it to four million.

She gawked. “Are you serious, sis? Can’t you just let me have it? I want it.”

My wolf growled inside me. Rip the act.

I ignored her. And that pissed her off. She thought that sweet little voice would work on me.

Then, a man in a sharp suit whispered something to the auctioneer.

And just like that, the auctioneer announced, “The sapphire necklace has been gifted to Miss Diana Landon by the Alpha of the Blue Crescent Pack.”

Gasps echoed through the room. That pack was powerful, feared, respected.

I didn’t flinch. I just smiled to myself, lips tight.

Of course someone like her would be handed everything on a silver platter.

Even the things I fought for.

Emira’s POV

Every item from the auction ended up in Diana’s hands. She turned to me, all smiles, trying to get under my skin.

“Sis, look how generous the Alpha of the Blue Crescent Pack is… he gave all of this to me.”

I glanced at Luther. His eyes were on her—soft, adoring. That affection... it wasn’t for me.

My wolf whimpered, aching to be seen by her mate.

Why couldn’t he feel me? Why couldn’t he see me?

It was like someone was wringing my heart.

Why did it still hurt this bad? I wasn’t even hoping anymore. But the pain… it was sharp, relentless.

He’d do everything for her. And me? I was just the duty he had to babysit—just so he could stay close to Diana.

I clenched my fists and stood. I wasn't gonna sit through this any longer.

I caught the stares as I left the hall, but I didn’t care.

Once inside the car, I turned the key. But before I could pull away, the door flew open and in came Diana.

“Sis! I’m coming with you. Where are we going?” she beamed, her teeth showing like she was some innocent little pup.

“Get out,” I said coldly.

Then the driver’s door opened. It was Luther.

“You should’ve waited for me, Beta Emira. I was going to drive you,” he said calmly, then glanced at Diana.

I wanted to scream at him. I’m your mate. But what would it change? He was madly in love with her.

I almost laughed. Instead, I got out, turned to him, and said, flat and bitter,

“Why should I wait? I’m your superior. You’re just my personal guard.”

I slid into the back seat.

Diana pouted. “Sis, don’t be mean to Luther. Even if he’s just an omega, he’s strong and he’s only here to protect you.”

“I don’t want you here,” I said, kicking her out. “You’re not my sister.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and goddess, how I wanted to slap that act right off her face.

“Sis, please, I just want us to be close. Don’t treat me like this. Even if we have different mothers, we share the same father. We’re still sisters…” she pleaded, voice breaking.

“I don’t see you that way,” I snapped, shoving her back.

“Beta Emira, stop that!” Luther barked.

I shot him a glare. He knew he was crossing the line.

“It’s okay, Luther,” Diana sniffled. “She’s just upset she didn’t win anything at the auction.”

Then she stepped out of the car, acting all heartbroken.

I didn’t look at her. My eyes were on Luther. He glared at me.

I smirked. “Follow her.”

His eyes widened. “Beta Emira…”

“I said go,” I ordered.

And he did. Without hesitation. He ran after her like the obedient dog he was.

Pathetic.

I hit the gas and drove straight to the club. I needed a drink, anything to numb this pain inside me.

But just when I thought I could finally breathe, Diana showed up again.

“Sis! There you are. I told Luther you'd probably be here,” she said sweetly, sliding into the seat across from me like we were best friends.

Luther stood behind her, still playing the loyal wolf.

“He’s worried about you,” she added.

I scoffed. Yeah right. More like he was worried about her.

“You that desperate, Diana? You keep chasing after me when I clearly don’t like you. You wanna know why?”

She looked down, voice trembling.

“Because I’m the daughter of your father’s mistress… that’s why. But I still like you, Sis. Why can’t we just be close?”

There it was again that fake-ass teary-eyed act.

“That’s not it,” I growled. “I just can’t stand someone who looks so sweet on the outside but is a rotting corpse inside.”

I stood up, ready to ditch them both and grab another drink, when Luther caught my arm.

“You shouldn’t talk to her like that,” he whispered.

I yanked my arm free. “Don’t tell me what to do. You’re just a guard.”

I started walking toward the counter.

Then... chaos.

Screams. Growls. A rogue attack.

My blood ran cold.

My body froze as fear gripped me. I remembered that night when my mother threw herself in front of me, shielding me from rogues.

I watched her die right in front of me, and the warriors came too late.

I was trembling. This is why I needed a guard. Because rogues could strike anytime.

“Luther!” I screamed.

But he didn’t come. He was there… protecting her. And then a rogue lunged at me.

I tried to fight back, but he was faster, slamming me into the wall before I could even shift.

Pain shot through my arm as it snapped.

I was going to die.

“Luther…” I cried, even my wolf howled his name—our mate.

But all I saw…

Was him, running.

Carrying Diana in his arms. And leaving me behind.

Tears filled my eyes.

He left me here to die.

Emira’s POV

I woke up in a hospital bed, sore all over. A nurse—a werewolf—stood by my side, smiling softly.

"Beta Emira, you're awake. Feeling better?"

I couldn’t speak. Pain pulsed through my side, especially where the rogue had attacked. I nodded weakly.

“I’ll call the doctor,” she said before hurrying out. I shut my eyes. My wolf was just as weak as I was. The memory came rushing back, how the rogue nearly killed me… how Luther left me with Diana and ran.

My lips tightened.

That’s when I caught it. Their scent. Diana and Luther just walked into the room.

“You shouldn’t feel guilty, Beta Diana. It wasn’t your fault,” Luther said.

Diana stood at the door, pouting like a damn puppy. “You were Emira’s bodyguard. You should’ve protected her, not me. Why did you save me?”

Luther stared at her like she hung the moon. My chest tightened. My wolf whimpered. He’d never looked at me that way.

“I told you, I’d protect you again and again—no matter what,” he said, brushing her cheek, wiping away her tears like she was his whole damn world.

“You shouldn’t…” Diana’s voice cracked.

His voice was thick. “Because, Beta Diana, I—”

No. I couldn’t hear it.

I grabbed the glass on my tray and hurled it at the wall. It shattered, cutting through whatever stupid confession was about to leave his mouth.

They both jumped, startled. Diana rushed to my side, fake concern plastered on her face.

“You’re awake, Sis!” she cried, tears slipping down. “Are you okay? Where does it hurt?” She reached for me, but I jerked away like her touch burned.

“I’m sorry, Sis,” she said, voice trembling. “It should’ve been me—”

I glared at her, lips tight, my wolf snarling inside me. “Sorry? Can you rewind time and take my place? No? Then leave. You’re not helping me heal.”

She looked like I’d slapped her. “You can hurt me if it’ll ease your pain,” she whispered tearfully.

“Don’t tempt me,” I said coldly. “Leave.”

She glanced at Luther with glassy eyes, like she expected him to defend her. I didn’t look his way, but I could feel his anger.

Diana ran out crying.

Luther turned to follow, but I snapped, “Where are you going? You’re my bodyguard. You failed to protect me. I almost died!”

He froze, his back to me, every muscle in him tense. He couldn’t even look at me. Couldn’t face the mate he abandoned. It hurt more than anything else.

“I take full responsibility, Beta Emira,” he said stiffly. “I’ll accept the consequences. But please don’t be too harsh on your sister.”

My lips trembled. Damn him. I thought I was strong enough to handle this, but these feelings—this betrayal—clung to me like ghosts. I took a shaky breath and forced my voice to steady.

“Leave,” I whispered.

He did. No hesitation. Just ran… like he was chasing a train that was never coming back.

I stayed in that hospital for a week. No visitors. Who would visit me anyway? Only my mother cared. I didn’t even tell her pack what happened.

When I was finally discharged, I called Luther to the main hall.

He showed up, stopping two meters away from me—ready. I held a black whip in my hand.

He knew the price for failing to protect me. A hundred lashes.

He didn’t speak. Just dropped to his knees, head bowed.

I laughed bitterly. He was doing this... for Diana. Everything was always for her.

Love really was that blind.

A lump formed in my throat. My mate, Alpha of the most powerful pack was kneeling before me, waiting for punishment.

He could’ve resigned. He could’ve walked away. But for Diana? He chose this.

I moved behind him, lifting the whip. My hands shook.

“Stop!”