Chapter 1 Jenna and Rylee

My first love with Neil ended up shitty when I turned 18.

Now a year has passed. 

Today is Jenna's and my 19th birthday. Our Alpha father has prepared a big party.

Of course, not for me, but for his precious daughter, Jenna. 

Jenna had not found her mate yet. So father invited all the young wolves from the surrounding packs, to see if Jenna can find her mate among these guys.

As for me? Well, father hated me.

Mom said I was born at midnight, with crows crying outside of the delivery room. That reminded dad of Vampires, werewolf’s arch enemy. 

Jenna was born after me at dawn. The moment she was born, the crows dispersed.

So she was the gifted daughter, whereas I was the cursed one. 

And as the cursed one, I kept my head down at all times to avoid trouble. People ignored me so I haven’t met my mate since.

Turning 19, Jenna was no different than usual. She was still as cocky and impulsive as ever, and she still loved bullying me.

Jenna barged into my bedroom, rudely throwing open my closet and turning my neatly organized closet upside down.

"Can't you just knock?" I asked.

She tossed my clothes out one by one and said, "Should I? I don't think that's necessary."

After almost emptying my closet, Jenna finally picked one she was happy with. And she put on the yellow dress.

That dress was my favorite.

Jenna was always like this. She loved to take everything that I liked from me. Clothes, makeup, our parents…

And even my boyfriend.

Wearing my clothes was something Jenna always did before going on a date. Because this way, she would have my scent on her.

I had a scent. I smelt like the most expensive rose that has been carefully cultivated, but Jenna? She didn't have any scent.

So, plundering my scent was the easiest solution for Jenny.

After fixing her makeup, Jenna left my bedroom humming.

I sighed, gathered my clothes, hung them back in the closet, and then went downstairs to help mom prepare for the party.

Jenna had gone off to date her 5th boyfriend after Neil, while I worked late into the night.

In the kitchen, mom was finalizing the party's menu with Beta's wife, Kelly.

When Kelly saw me approaching, she smiled and greeted me, "Jenna! Luna Diana was just telling me about you. We're going to make your favorite mango pie!"

"That's Rylee, not Jenna," Mom clarified.

Mom was amazing. Others mixed us up all the time. They could only tell who is who by our scents.

But Mom always got it right with a simple look.

Mom beckoned me over. "Rylee, come and cut the mangos."

I was allergic to mangos.

I huffed, "Did you forget that I'm allergic to them?"

Mom pushed me to the chopping board. "I know, but Jenna only likes to eat the mangos you cut up. Besides, you're fine as long as you don't eat them. Your skin will only be a little little bit red and swollen. Anyway, it'll go away in a while."

I obediently picked up the knife and cut the mango. My fingers itched from the allergic reaction as soon as I touched the fruit.

I didn't argue with mom because I knew how the conversation would go.

If I tried to argue, she would say, "I told you not to fight with Jenna on small things. You're the big sister. You take care of your sister unconditionally. She doesn't have a scent, you should understand her."

Mom always did that, and so did Father.

I knew they disliked me since I was born. Who would like a jinx? So, even though we were twins, Jenna was Alpha's precious daughter while I was a nobody.

My hands were red and swollen, and it was painful and itchy.

However, Mom didn't notice that, or perhaps she just ignored it. She instructed Kelly a few words and then left.

Few minutes after she left.

-"Did you hear that the Alpha of Blood Shadow Pack will come?"

-"Seriously? Lionel Garcia? The one who’s gonna be the new Alpha King?"

-"Yes! That's right! Him!"

The maids around me whispered, catching my attention.

-"But hasn't he always hated parties?" One of the maids asked.

-"Bah, isn't it obvious? He's here for Miss Jenna! The two of them are very compatible in both looks and status!"

Did Jenna find her mate? Did she just get a new boyfriend this month?

"Enough! Get back to work!" Kelly also heard it and ordered.

After sending the maid back to work, Kelly said to me, "Rylee, could you get some coal from the warehouse?"

"Okay," I agreed and left.

The party had already started, and elegant music was playing in the hall.

As I was walking through the hall, I caught a whiff of a particular odor. It smelled like pine, rich, cold, and more captivating than anything I had ever smelled, making my body hum with electricity.

What... was that?

I stopped and turned to look around, but all I could see was a big crowd of people.

"What are you doing here?"

I looked back and saw Mom standing behind me.

"I was going to get some coal from the warehouse."

"Don't be lazy, go and come back quickly. We have great news to announce later." mom's eyes flashed with excitement. "It's about your sister."

I smiled bitterly. "Okay. I'll be right there."

*** 

The coal soiled my clothes and dirtied my hands. I dusted the soot off as I made my way up the stairs to change.

"Oh my god! How could he be so handsome?! He's taking my breath away!"

"Ahhh! That’s Alpha Lionel! Right?"

Screams rang out in the crowd. I looked up and saw a young man walking downstairs. He was tall and straight in build, with a very handsome face. 

He wore a black suit, a deep-blue shirt buttoned all the way to the top and a rose-shaped gold brooch on his delicate bow tie.

I stared at him blankly.

A smell wafted from his side, making my heart flutter and my legs go weak!

My wolf, Rina, growled lowly, "MATE!"

He was my mate!

A girl in a yellow dress ran over to him and threw herself into his arms.

It was Jenna. She embraced the young man.

The man took Jenna's hand, smiling tenderly at her.

What... was going on?!

I felt like struck by lightning, dizzy, and the scene seemed to coincide with my memory of a year ago.

The man led Jenna to the center of the ballroom and came to a stop next to father.

Father looked at their tightly held hands and smiled gratified.

A wave of unspeakable sadness and pain rushed through my heart.

I looked at the harmonious scene before me. It hurt, like a knife ripping apart my heart. The jealousy was driving me insane. 

I couldn't help but take a few steps forward, wanting to ask them what the hell was going on.

The closer I got, the stronger the scent. My heart beat faster as I walked, racing crazily in my chest!

Meanwhile, the man frowned, too. 

With his nose fluttering, he started to look around. 

Then he found me.

His hazel green eyes became brighter when they met mine, with an unmistakable surprise in his gaze as I approached.

The look in his eyes told me that he had just realized something too.

He stepped forward, trying to reach me.

Right this moment, father held him back.

Father raised up the hands that Jenna and the man were holding together. With a big smile, he announced in a booming voice:

"Everyone, please congratulate my daughter. She has found her mate—the Alpha of Blood Shadow Pack, Lionel Garcia!"