Chapter 6

Skylar’s POV

Just when I told myself I’d spend the weekend with my face buried in Legends of the Moonlit Realm: Volume III, the universe decided to pull a plot twist.

Three words could make me vanish faster than a rogue wolf in enemy territory: Dress. Hair. Makeup. And today, they were being thrown around like confetti.

The East Side pack buzzed with excitement, every maiden acting like she’d just stepped out of a fairy tale. Their eyes twinkled like stars, their smiles wide enough to power all of Alpha Quarters. Why? Because of the event—the Concubine Selection.

Everyone kept asking if I was excited. I barely looked up from my book, muttered something dismissive, and flipped a page. But of course, fate—or more specifically, Alessia—had other plans for me.

Here’s how it all started.

---

Heels clacked against the polished floor of the grand hallway as she made her entrance—Alessia Grayson, my identical twin and living embodiment of confidence.

Jaws dropped. Eyes widened. The girl could own a room just by walking into it.

She tossed her golden curls over her shoulder, her signature move, while I trailed behind her, nose buried in my book. The Midnight Howl of 1888—a gripping fantasy novel about… well, you can guess.

Our destination? Madame Cassandra’s Couture.

Our mission? Find the most dazzling gown in all of the East Side pack. One so breathtaking it’d make even the Alpha do a double take. (Spoiler: No such gown existed, but that wasn’t going to stop Alessia.)

We stepped into the boutique, Alessia practically vibrating with excitement while I was already strategizing my escape route.

Then, everything crashed and burned.

Alessia’s beaming smile flickered—then vanished.

I followed her gaze.

A petite brunette stood in front of a mirror, clutching the dress. Alessia’s dress. Sleek. Silver. Shimmering like starlight. The girl spun with it, giggling with her friends.

"Isn’t it beautiful?" she sighed dreamily.

"It is," they agreed.

I agreed too.

Alessia, however, was not in an agreeable mood. Her emerald-green eyes darkened, her hands curling into fists.

“That bitch did not just touch what’s mine,” she hissed.

Hell.

Had.

Just.

Broken.

Loose.

"Alessia, let’s not—” I started.

Too late.

She was already marching over, the heels of her boots clicking like a war drum.

"Excuse me," Alessia said sweetly—too sweetly. Dangerously sweetly. "That dress? It’s mine."

The girl blinked at her. "Uh, I don’t see your name on it."

Oh.

Wrong answer.

Alessia’s smile sharpened. "Sweetheart," she purred, "you wouldn’t know a good dress if it slapped you in the face."

Gasps.

Her friends stepped in, glaring. "Who do you think you are?" one of them snapped.

Alessia didn’t flinch. "Someone who doesn’t have time for amateurs."

Before anyone could stop her, she snatched the dress right out of the girl’s hands.

Silence.

Absolute.

Silence.

Then, a collective gasp from the store.

I buried my face in my hands.

Typical Alessia.

She shoved a wad of bills at the girl like it was some grand peace offering. "Here. Go buy something else."

And with that, she strutted out, her victory secured.

I trailed after her, shaking my head. "You’re ridiculous."

"Thank you," she said, flipping her hair.

---

Back home, the madness continued.

Mom gushed over Alessia’s gown like it was spun from pure moonlight. Dad grinned like he had already won the lottery, which, in his mind, he basically had.

“The Alpha won’t be able to resist you,” he said proudly.

I sat in the corner, munching on an apple, flipping through my book.

"Skylar, don’t slouch," Mom snapped.

"Sure, Mom." I straightened exactly one inch before sinking back into my book.

I was invisible in this house.

And I liked it that way.

But then...

Everything changed.

---

It started with a scream.

I bolted upright, nearly knocking my book to the floor. Rushed to the kitchen.

Alessia lay sprawled on the floor, clutching her ankle.

"What happened?" Mom gasped.

Alessia’s voice wobbled. "I— I twisted it!" Tears welled in her eyes.

Dad’s face paled. "She can’t go to the Selection like this."

Alessia wailed. "No! I can still do it!" She tried to stand—immediately fell back down.

I sighed. "Maybe don’t practice your stupid catwalk in heels next time."

Alessia shot me a murderous glare.

Then, the moment happened.

Mom turned to me. Eyes calculating. "Skylar…"

I blinked. "What?"

"You’ll go in Alessia’s place."

"What?!"

"What?!" Alessia and I shrieked in unison.

Mom was dead serious.

"No one will know," she continued. "You’re identical. You’ll do fine."

"Fine?" Alessia snapped. "She’ll ruin everything!"

"Thanks for the support," I muttered.

Mom folded her arms. "It’s settled."

I wanted to argue.

But arguing with Mom was like arguing with gravity. Pointless.

---

And that’s how I found myself standing in front of a mirror in Alessia’s dress.

Hair styled to perfection.

Face painted to look like a girl who actually wanted to be here.

I felt like a fraud.

Mom pursed her lips. "You look… acceptable."

A compliment. (Sort of.)

Alessia sulked in the corner, eyes throwing daggers at me. "Don’t mess this up."

I adjusted my glasses. "No promises."

---

The journey to Alpha Quarters was a blur of regret.

By the time we arrived, my stomach had fully twisted itself into a pretzel.

The palace loomed ahead—massive, towering, and utterly intimidating.

The doors opened. The moment had come.

I stepped inside, surrounded by dazzling girls, all waiting for one thing.

The Alpha.

And then…

I saw him.

Alpha Damon.

Tall. Powerful. Mesmerizing. His raven-black hair cascaded over his shoulders, his violet eyes sweeping the room with unmistakable authority.

My breath hitched.

I wanted to disappear.

The announcer called our names one by one.

Each girl stepped forward, curtsied, flirted.

Then…

My turn.

Heart hammering, I stepped forward.

"Name?"

"Alessia Grayson," I whispered.

"Speak up," he barked.

I swallowed. "Alessia Grayson."

Silence stretched.

Then, his eyes locked onto mine.

Piercing. Unreadable. Deadly.

"Why are you here?"

I hesitated. Alessia would’ve had a perfect answer.

Me?

I blurted out, "To prove something."

His eyes narrowed. "Prove what?"

I lifted my chin. "That sometimes the most unexpected people can rise to an occasion."

Something flickered in his gaze.

Then, to everyone’s shock, he said—

"I’ve made my choice."

The room froze.

He turned to his advisors. "Alessia Grayson will stay."

Gasps.

Whispers.

My knees almost buckled.

What. Just. Happened?