The Luna's Lie

Chapter 4

Marcel

“I'm sorry that this happened. It wasn't supposed to be like this.” Zara sobbed,

“I'm sorry that Kayla did all this. Its all my fault”

Those were the first words she said to me after she pulled me away from the mating ceremony I didn't want.

Staring at her, my gut clenched. She looked like she had been holding back for so long. The moment we were alone she'd burst into tears, shaking her head. Her blonde hair fell in a halo.

Normally I wouldn't hesitate to comfort anyone in this position, especially her if all times. But her words stopped me in my tracks.

My jaw clenched as my thoughts darkened. I couldn't forget the past few hours, the whiplash and pure rage I'd felt to wake up to the wrong person. Only a few hours later our betrothal was confirmed and since she was turning 18 we had agreed to spend the night together, to solidify the bond before the marriage.

What the hell did Zara mean then by stating it was her fault?

“Explain,” I demanded, my voice hard even in my own ears. My patience had been running by a thread throughout the hours since Alpha Devon had convinced me that there was no other choice but to marry…her. Now it was running thinner.

She seemed to understand as her sobs quieted into sniffles. Zara took a deep breath before she spoke

"I was getting ready for the ceremony, and I think Kayla overheard me. She snuck into my room only a few minutes before and I thought nothing of it. I…I didn't know what she was planning,” she sniffed, her voice trembling as she spoke,

“I know we were both drunk, so it took some time for me to get ready. When I went to your room, you…you were already…”

Shaking her head, she wiped away her tears forcefully,

“I…I think Kayla must have snuck into your room. She took advantage of your...state, and… you know the rest.” Zara's voice trailed off, but the implications were clear.

I thought I couldn't get any angrier, yet at that moment I felt a flash of renewed rage burn wildly in me.

“She did what?” I growled,

I recalled the previous night, how I'd been drunk and disoriented. I'd assumed it was Zara in my bed, but now I realized it must have been Kayla. The similarities in their appearance had fooled me , but the moment I'd seen Kayla's naked body, I'd known it wasn't Zara. The birthmark on Zara's shoulder was absent on Kayla's skin.

My anger simmered, directed at Kayla for her deception. Zara's tears and words only fueled my fury.

“I...since the announcement of our probable engagement and your interest in the pack, she’s constantly made statements about it. Small jabs and taunts, but I thought nothing of it. She's my twin sister. No matter what she does I always want to think the best of her," Zara said, her voice filled with sorrow. It struck a chord in me. She was being bullied.

“Now I see it. It's my fault for not seeing it earlier. I think she's had feelings for you for a long time. If I had to step back and let me have you, it would hurt her. I can't stand to hurt her.”

I seethed with hatred for Kayla. How dare she?

I thought I knew Zara, believed her to be kind and gentle. But Kayla...Kayla was a different story altogether.

Before I could think a hand grabbed mine, I returned to reality to find Zara cradling my hands.

“Please, give Kayla a chance. Although she took such a drastic step, I'm sure she cares about you. I wish I was more careful, but…it's too late for anything for us,” she said, smiling ruefully.

“No matter how bad she is, she's still my sister. Please, take care of her.”

As I stood, listening to Zara's words, I made a silent vow to myself. I would make Kayla's life in the pack hell. She would regret ever crossing me.

With steely determination, I turned back to Zara, my expression softening.

"Don't worry, Zara," I said, my voice gentle. "I'll take care of Kayla.”

‘Indeed I would.’

Inside I seethed with hatred but I stifled it, forcing a calm neutral face for Zara.

Her tears slowed, and she smiled weakly.

“Thank you, Marcel.”

But my mind was already elsewhere, focused on pure unbridled rage.

….

I thought I could control myself for a little longer, but in the end couldn't hold back my deep-seated fury. Being deceived by her had ignited a hatred within me that I couldn't shake and I had to let it out someway.

And so I did.

I could vividly recall the way I'd choked her earlier. The way her eyes had widened in fear, the tears in her eyes. So deceitful and horrid she was. A bit of satisfaction ran through me at seeing the fear.

But it wasn't enough. I wanted to make her pay for what she'd done.

Which was why I couldn't wait. When we arrived, I would make sure that her life in the pack was hell.

The carriage jostled. I looked at the woman opposite me.

Kayla remained silent, her face completely neutral. Despite her facade, I clearly saw the redness in her eyes and more especially, the marks around her neck a constant reminder of my anger. A twisted sense of satisfaction seeing them.

‘That was only the beginning.’

But as I glanced at Kayla, I couldn't help but notice the way her body moved, the way her hair- a deep red in contrast to Zara's blonde locks- fell around her face. The reminder of last night sent a wave rushing south.

We were mates. By some twisted sick sense of humour we were mates.

I couldn't help but rove over her for a moment. Despite being drunk I could clearly recall some parts. The warmth of her body, inside her. My groans merging with her moans.

I quickly extinguished those thoughts. It was only because of her similarity to Zara. That was all.

There was no way in hell that I would feel anything but hatred for this woman.

The pack came onto the horizon sooner than later and it settled in my chest.

I was home.

On returning, the pack cheered outside the caravan, praising my anticipated marriage and their new Luna. I grimaced, preparing myself for what would come next.

When we reached the pack house, my younger sister Lena greeted us with a wide smile. She, of all people, was anticipating our return.

But as she saw Kayla standing beside me, her expression faltered.

“You're not Zara,” she said, her voice flat.

I could read the disappointment and confusion etched on Lena's face. She looked at me and her interchangeably with furrowed brows, a clear question in them.

My jaw clenched. I didn't want to deal with Kayla's presence anymore, so I turned to one of the maids.

“Take her away,” I said, not even bothering to look at Kayla as I moved away.

With that, I didn't hesitate to walk inside, heading straight to my office, hoping to find some solitude. Lena stormed in behind me.

“What's going on, Marcel?”she demanded, her eyes blazing with anger,

“You were supposed to marry Zara today. You kept talking about wanting to marry her and last I checked, she's the one with blonde hair, not...not this.”

Shutting my eyes, I fought a sneer, dragging a glass of whiskey from my desk.

“Her name is Kayla and it wasn't my choice,” I spat out, hoping the bitterness in my voice was clear.

Lena reared back, shock in her expression.

“What…What do you mean?” She asked.

Taking a deep breath, I explained everything. From finding Kayla in my bed, how we'd discovered we were mates, and Zara revealing the truth about Kayla's deception. Lena's face darkened with anger as she listened.

My throat burned with the amount of whiskey I'd shot down at that point, but the message was shared. By the time I was done Lena was pacing, near shaking from rage.

“That little b***h,” she spat. “I won't let her live this down. She'll pay for what she's done.”

I felt a surge of satisfaction at Lena's reaction. Until she turned to me.

Lena's eyes narrowed.

“Now that you're mates, are you going to let her off scot-free?” She asked,

“I have no intention of letting her go unpunished. She'll pay for deceiving me, for taking Zara's place,” I said, my voice cold.

Lena relaxed immediately I gave my answer, her face lighting up with a fierce smile

“Good. I'll make sure the rest of the pack knows what she's done. She'll be an outcast, a pariah. I'll do my part to make her pay,” She said,

I nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

Something as simple as punishment was too good for her. I wasn't planning on going easy on Kayla. I was going to use her, breaking her to the point that she would regret ever thinking of me.

It was final then.

A smile filled my lips as I took a final sip of whiskey, the cold determination set in me.

She would regret it.