Welcome, Luna.

Cathy's POV

I woke up with a dull headache. My stomach felt queasy and it hurt to open my eyes.  

I was being carried, I think. Something rumbled in the distance and it took me a while to recognize the sound as thunder.   

My eyes flashed open when another boom hit the skies. The roof of a car stared down at me. I sat up quickly, gripping the seat with all my strength, so I wouldn't fall off.  

“What's going on?” I croaked.  

“And you're awake. Good,” 

I knew that voice. The Messenger. He sat in the passenger’s seat while the man driving looked ahead. Rain poured down the windshield, and there was the cracking of lightning across the sky in the distance.  

It revealed a tall huge castle up ahead.  

“Where's Camille?” I glanced around, trying to find out what was going on. Where was my sister? Why was I in the messenger's car? What had happened last night.  

Images flashed through my head. Camille giving me a drink. The stranger. I could hear his gravelly voice loud and clear.  

Hello Mate! 

Mate? Who's mate? I didn't have a mate. I was not destined to have a mate. That had been clear the day I was born.  

Too bad I couldn't remember what he looked like. All I could remember were glowing eyes and a tattooed fang on his chest.  

Chest? When did I see his chest? Oh my goddess, tell me I didn't sleep with someone last night! 

“Where's my sister?!” I asked again, louder this time. 

“And how would I know?” The messenger scoffed. “You were dropped off in the car this morning. Asleep and reeking of alcohol, might I add. You cannot appear before the King dressed like.”

“What do you mean appear before the King? I doubt he'll be interested in meeting his sister in law,” I grumbled.  

The messenger and the driver exchanged looks and burst into laughter.  

“Sister in law? Little girl, I hate to break it to you, but you are the Lycan’s King bride.” 

My stomach dropped in horror. My eyes rounded and I clutched my head when the headache pounded harder.  

“What are you talking about? I'm Catherine. Camille's my older sister. She is supposed to be the Lycan King's bride. Not me.” 

The Messenger shrugged and I really was getting tired of seeing those shoulders rise and fall. “You parents promised a daughter in exchange for the Lycan's King protection. Older or younger, it doesn't matter. A daughter is a daughter.” 

“No, this has to be some sort of mistake-”

“Shut up!” He bellowed. The temperature dropped even lower and I shivered, rubbing my arms over my shoulders to warm myself up. Tears stung the corner of my eyes as he ranted on. “Do you not realize what has happened? Your sister has abandoned you. She chose you to replace her. You have been betrayed by your own kind. How does that feel?” 

No. Camille would never.  

I closed my eyes trying to replay last night in my head. She had dragged me in a bar. Poured me a drink. I felt weak and groggy after that drink.  

“Oh my goddess,” I whispered. “She drugged me. Camille drugged me.” 

The car pulled up before the castle abruptly just then.  

“We're here,” 

Dread coursed through my veins as several soldiers surrounded the car instantly. One of them opened the door and they bowed their heads waiting in the rain for me to step out.  

“Welcome Luna,” 

No. I wasn't their Luna. I was Catherine Lionheart! I had to find my parents’ murderer. I couldn't do that shackled to a man who only wanted to use me as a womb to produce his heirs!

“I'm not stepping out! I will not be his bride!” 

The Messenger did that annoying shrug with his shoulders and whipped out a silver dagger from his belt.   

“Then I'm afraid you'll have to die,” 

“W-What?” I croaked.  

“Your choice, princess. You either get married to the Lycan King, or you die a traitor for breaking your parents' oath.” 

We glared at each other for a while before I conceded defeat.  

I was led into the huge castle by the soldiers. I had hoped the interior would be warmer but it was just as cold and quiet. Maids moved lightly on their feet, bowing as they welcomed me into the household.  

I had expected to be brought before the Lycan King immediately. Instead the messenger, whose name I had come to learn was Damon, assigned a maid to me and led me to my room in the east wing.  

The maid, Mia, helped me run a hot bath. 

“What is he like?” I asked her, watching her fill the bathtub with rose petals.  

Mia cast a furtive glance at the door, then back at me. “We are not allowed to speak of the King,”

I frowned. “Why not?”

“Enjoy your bath ma'am,” she said quickly and scurried out of my room.   

I sunk into the bath, pinching the bridge of my nose as I tried to make sense of everything that had happened.  

My parents were dead. Camille had betrayed me. She was supposed to be here. Not me. Why me? 

The tears I had held back all throughout yesterday came pouring down. I clasped a hand over my face, weeping furiously.  

Mate! 

My head snapped up. I could swear I had just heard that stranger's voice in my mind just now.  

Come to me.  

I looked around the bathroom, there was no one there. Why was I hearing his voice in my head?! What the hell was happening?  

Come, my love.

My face flamed up and I climbed out of the bath. I needed sleep. Once I slept, everything would be fine when I woke up. I walked past a mirror and froze when I noticed something very familiar yet so strange. 

There was a tattooed fang on my neck.  

Along with two bite marks.