Chapter 2

Skylar's pov

Am I missing something?

Is this some kind of joke?

My brows furrowed in concern as I watched my parents celebrate something I did. I was confused as I was intrigued.

It's been over 30 minutes since we'd gotten home and it's been chaotic.

Father wouldn't stop beaming like he'd won a war and mother wouldn't stop sobbing as she ret was Alessia's curls. Alessia was smiling but it obviously didn't reach her eyes.

“You did well, Twinne.” Alessia smiled sweetly. Too sweet.

I narrowed my eyes on her. “Y - yeah.”

“But remember, this was supposed to be my spot.” Her dark side returned and I heaved a sigh. For a second, I was wondering where my real sister was.

“I know. Do you think I liked being in your shoes? It hurt. Literally.” I said with a frown on my face.

“Ugh! Why did the Alpha have to choose you?” Alessia rolled her eyes and sighed with disgust.

“We share the same face. Go figure.” It was my turn to roll my eyes. “I never wanted this anyways - -”

“And you won't.” Mother cut me off mid-sentence. She's been doing that lately.

“What do you think they mean?” I asked, confused.

Mother rose from the couch with a small vial in her hand and I took a step back.

Was she going to kill me now because her favourite child didn't get chosen?

Mother approached me with the vial. The glass shimmered under the golden light and for a second, I thought it was pretty. That's until I saw the blue content swirl on its own.

I let out a yell and stepped back. “What the hell is that?”

“A sleeping drought.” Mother replied calmly like that was a normal thing to say in this day and age.

“Sleeping draught?” I gasped.

Alessia finally lost her cool. “Oh my Goddess, will you shut up, Skylar?”

“Why should I? Mom's holding a sleeping draught! What's that supposed to do to me? Make me another sleeping beauty?”

Mother yelled, calling my attention. “Listen up, Skylar!”

That got my attention.

“The Alpha invited you to his chambers tomorrow and he did that to mate with you…” Mom said in a whisper as if it would prevent the maids from overhearing it but I knew those suckers had super hearing and are probably eavesdropping.

Dad took over from her. “Listen to me, Skylar, when the Alpha invites you to his chambers, pour this sleeping draught into his drink but preferably his wine. It'll ensure he falls into a deep sleep. That way, you'll be safe.”

“Deep sleep? Safe?”

“So he doesn't touch you, Skylar.” Alessia rolled her eyes. “I thought you're such a smart ass.”

Father continued. “Never forget that you're just there to hold the spot for Alessia. Don't screw this up.”

Screw this up? Sure. That's the only thing they know how to tell me.

My eyes water but I clenched my fists at my side and nodded quietly. I had no choice but to agree to their plan.

Night fell and as planned, I went to Alpha's Quarters.

Each footstep sent a shiver down my spine and I nearly ran for the hills. I felt like I was a lamb walking into the wolf's den.

The hallway was brightly lit with golden lights on the wall and casted warm shadows as I walked by.

The guards flanking the Alpha's chamber door tried to stare me down with a glare but I told them the Alpha summoned me.

Then without a word, they gave me a polite but knowing look and opened the heavy door.

Once two into the Alpha's chambers and I was transported into my favourite fantasy novel.

His chamber was magnificent.

The fireplace outlined with gold, burnt brightly, the walls adorned with rich tapestries reminded me how average my family was in the wealth ladder.

My eyes fell on the massive masterbed and I gasped. “Goddamn.”

I quickly reached my father's words and scanned the room for a bottle of wine and two glasses.

I found them sitting on the glass table beside the bed.

“Thank Goddess.” I heaved a sigh of relief and paddled to the table.

All of a sudden, my heart began to hammer in my ribcage. I reached for mom's ‘sleeping draught’, a tiny vial I had hidden in my blouse.

I stared at the two empty glasses. Then I swallowed hard.

My hands moved on autopilot as they uncorked the bottle of wine and poured it into each drink.

Then my eyes fell on the fancier glass, which I supposed was the Alpha's.

‘Pour it into his drink.’

‘Just pour it and leave everything to fate.’

I told myself.

Having found that strange confidence, I uncorked the vial and emptied the swirling blue liquid into his glass. I tried to stir it properly with my finger but I don't trust myself. I might end up putting it in my mouth. Before I could pull out my hairpin and stir with it, the blue liquid disappeared into the red wine without a trace.

I gasped. “What the - -”

The door creaked open and I turned sharply.

The Alpha stepped in, dressed in a tailored black suit that fitted his muscular frame. His silver-grey eyes tapped mine in an intense stare and I gulped nervously.

“You're early.” He began in a sotto .

“Y - yes, my Lord.” I dipped my head in a bow, cursing myself for stuttering.

“I see.” Then he walked past me to where the drinks were at the center table.

‘Take the wine and go to sleep.’ I prayed silently.

Unfortunately, he didn't.

‘What the hell are you doing?’ I screamed internally.

He turned to look at me., his silver eyes now filled with concern. “You're trembling.”

I dared not lift my head. “N - No.”

Almost immediately, I felt a hand tuck a stray hair behind my ear and I was forced to look up. Then his fingers moved down, brushing against my cheek.

“You…”

“Do I sacred you?” he asked.

Yes.

“No.”

He stepped closer, his scent - a mix of pine and sandalwood and like my favourite book, it lived rent-free in my head.

He leaned closer, his lips nearly kissing my ears. “Do you like it when I'm this close to you or are you afraid, Skylar?”

My knees would give out any second if he doesn't stop. How could my name sound so sexy in his lips?

Before I could answer, he pulled me closer until there was no space left between us.

“Alpha… I..”

His lips captured mine in an intense kiss and I returned it.

My mind screamed for me to remember my father's warnings.

My brain yelled at me to step away from the Alpha, shove the wine down his throat, do anything… but I couldn't. I felt like I was under some kind of spell and I didn't want to break it.

The Alpha's hands gripped my waist and pulled me closer.

I moaned into his mouth and something primal in him awakened. He lifted me into his arms and I wrapped my legs around his waist, forgetting the warning, forgetting the reason I was sent here.

Against my parent's warning, I let the Alpha claim me.