8. A Failed Plan

ROXY’S POV

     “Arrrgh!” I screamed, sweeping everything off the table in one violent motion, feeling the hot surge of rage burn through me. My mother was at my side in an instant, placing a steadying hand on my shoulder.

“Roxy, honey,” she said, her voice calm. “Losing your temper won’t solve anything. I know how much this means to you, but you have to keep a cool head. This isn’t the end of the world. You’ll have plenty of chances to get Alpha Miles to sleep with you.”

I turned to her, frustration written all over my face. “But why didn’t this work, Mom? I’m starting to think Miles doesn’t feel the way he says he does. He’s acting strange—he wouldn’t even let me use his bathroom this morning, wouldn’t lay a hand on me, and just stayed glued to his bed!”

“Maybe he was just tired, sweetheart,” my mother offered, trying to soothe me. “Being an Alpha isn’t exactly easy work. All you need to do is stay patient until you’re officially Luna of the pack.” She leaned in, her tone lowering. “Once you have that title, everything will fall into place.”

I shook my head, feeling the frustration bubbling back up. “I’m going to tighten my grip on him, make sure he only wants me. He is still hung up on that girl who saved him that night—I'll use that to my advantage. But something’s not right. I practically had to get him drunk to stay with me, yet somehow, I ended up passed out on the couch. I’m certain I didn’t drink enough for that to happen.”

Mom’s brows knit together as she processed this, her gaze sharpening. “I gave Rhea the drink, Roxy. She was supposed to be the one knocked out for the night, just like last time.”

I paused, the pieces starting to fall into place. “Are you sure she actually drank it, Mom? That girl’s more of a schemer than we give her credit for. She might have…” My voice trailed off as I sank onto the couch, thinking back over every moment of last night.

I knew I had been careful, pacing myself, just a few sips here and there. Sure, it would get me tipsy, but not enough to make me lose control, throw up, or pass out on the couch. Could Rhea have switched our drinks?

Mom and I had done everything to keep Rhea from taking my place. The servants had been whispering all night that Alpha Dennis was planning to name her as Miles’ mate, the real Luna of the pack, and I couldn’t let that happen. I had asked Mom to send Rhea away, ensuring she wasn’t anywhere to be found when Alpha Dennis was supposed to introduce her to the pack. When the time came, they had no choice but to hand over the Alpha staff to Miles without her by his side.

Even Luna Lisa asked me if I had seen Rhea—disgusting how they adored her. Rhea deserved nothing, yet somehow, she always ended up with everything, starting from the moment she took all of Dad’s love and attention.

“I hate Rhea,” I whispered, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

My mother sat beside me, gently rubbing my back. “I know, baby. But we have to keep this between us. Not even your friends can know that you two aren’t actually twins, understand? That way, no one will suspect us of anything.”

I scoffed, crossing my arms. “Technically, we are twins. We were born on the same day, the same father—just not the same mother.”

“Yes,” she said firmly, “and that’s why I’ll make sure you get everything you deserve. Rhea’s been stealing what’s rightfully yours since day one. It’s time to take it all back. Don’t let her come between you and Miles. I don’t care what that mate bond says.”

I nodded. “Speaking of Rhea, where is she? I didn’t see her at the packhouse this morning, and she’s not here either. We need to keep an eye on her. You said it yourself—look what the mate bond did to Dad. I don’t want Miles being drawn to her like that.”

At that moment, the front door opened, and Rhea walked in, looking disgustingly calm and put together. It was like she hadn’t had a single sip of wine last night. She was composed, her hair perfect, her face unreadable.

“Where have you been?” Mom demanded, rising from her seat, her tone filled with suspicion.

“At the packhouse,” Rhea replied casually, already heading toward her bedroom.

“Hold it right there. I’m not done with you,” Mom snapped, her voice icy. Rhea paused, reluctantly turning back to face us. “Where were you last night? Where did you sleep?”

I could’ve sworn I saw Rhea’s face go pale for just a second, her eyes flicking to me briefly before she refocused on Mom, her voice steady.

“I got drunk and went to the library. Ended up passing out there.”

Relief washed over me. At least she hadn’t been near Miles. Now, if she would just go ahead and accept his rejection, the mate bond would be broken, and I wouldn’t have to worry about them being forced together by that ridiculous destiny nonsense.

Mom’s eyebrows arched. “Are you sure about that?”

“You can ask the servants,” Rhea replied. “They saw me there this morning.” She turned to leave, but then paused, looking back at Mom with a sudden flash of defiance. “Luna Lisa mentioned that they were looking for me during Alpha Dennis’ handover to introduce me as the official Luna of the pack, but I was nowhere to be found. Was that why you sent me home? To get me out of the way?”

Mom let out a soft, amused laugh. “What nonsense are you talking about? How could I ever do such a thing to my own daughter?”

I couldn’t believe that Mom was trying to pacify her. I stood up. “Mom, what are you doing? It is me that Miles loves. I am the one with his necklace, not her. I should be his Luna, not her.”

Rhea’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, you mean the necklace you stole from me?” she shot back, her voice dripping with contempt.

“Oh, shut up, Rhea,” I retorted, crossing my arms defiantly. “Miles loves me for who I am, not because of some silly necklace. I’m fit to be Luna. I’ve done more for this pack than you ever have—or ever will.”

Rhea scoffed. “Why don’t you try telling him the truth? Let’s see if he still ‘loves you for you’ after that.”

Before we knew it, our exchange had escalated into a full-blown argument. Mom was caught in the middle, attempting—futilely—to mediate. This was how it had been since Miles’ return: one clash after another. Rhea used to let things go, every time she sensed I had my interest in it, always letting me have my way. But now, with Miles, she had drawn a line. Even after all my lying and manipulations, she still wanted to be with Miles, and I couldn’t stand it.

She may have gotten everything she wanted before, but not this time. Miles would be mine if it was the last thing I did.