A Pretender

GINA 

I was dragged into the room where I was originally taken from. 

“Now you'll stay here and do exactly as you are told to.”

I was pushed to the ground and the door was shut behind me with a loud bang.

I winced in pain as I tried to get up and sit on my bed. My back was bleeding profusely. I could feel the rusty smell of my blood and my dress sticking to my open flesh. 

“Argh… I screamed loudly as the pains only seemed to have intensified. 

Why am I feeling so painful? I felt a burning pain and that pain was associated with what was coated with silver. If the whip was coated with silver, then these people would be cruel. 

I can't believe they would punish an offender with a silver-coated whip. I cried bitterly. I still can't imagine just how low I've sunk. I've always thought my parents would be with me for a long time, but the sudden attack on my neck happened, and in the twinkle of an eye, I lost everything that meant a lot to me.

“Mom, Dad, what am I going to do without you?” I lamented. 

I'd never been beaten before, most especially with a silver-lined whip, and so I couldn't bear the pain I felt and instantly passed out. 

*********

I flipped my eyelashes open, but the bright sunlight sparkled into my eyes, causing me to shut them instantly.

“She's awake!” I heard someone whisper. I creased my brows, wondering why I seemed to be hearing voices.

“You think she would walk?”

“I don't know. It's hard to go through the whip and walk.” 

Who are these people? And why are they in my room?

At first, I wanted to keep my eyes shut, so they wouldn't know I was awake, but there's no need to do that because I can't sit still for a very long time. 

I opened my eyes slowly this time, so they could adjust to the bright light from the outside. 

“She's awake!”

I darted my eyes to the direction of the voice and saw a girl, almost my age. She had that curly brown hair with honey brown eyes that gave her an innocent look. Beside her was another girl, with light blond hair and deep blue eyes. They both looked like maids due to how they were dressed. 

“Hello, Diane, it's a pleasure to meet you,” The one with the brown hair said, giving me a cheeky smile. 

“H…hi, why are you here in my room, I asked, almost immediately.

They both took quick glances at each other before taking their gaze back up at me. 

“We…uhm, we were sent here by the Luna to inform her when you're awake. I think she has something to tell you.”

Not again. I've had more whips that could kill anyone, but I survived through it. Now she's going to question me again?

********

Just some minutes after I had woken up, Luna Trish strode into my room, and, of course, with my sister. 

It seemed as though my sister only walked with the Luna, since she would become the next Luna, after getting married to the Lycan king. 

"Oh, poor sister, you're finally awake,” Diane said, giving me this sympathetic look which was nothing but fake. 

“How lucky you are to have a sister like, Gina. I had wanted to send you to the servant's quarters where you'd serve the pack for what you did, but your kind sister here pleaded on your behalf.” The Luna stated. 

I wished I could let out a chuckle at the mention of a “kind sister”

Diane is never kind. In fact, now that I recall the past, she has never been kind to me, even though people in my pack looked up to me, since I was the scarlet witch. I had never in any way treated her badly in our entire existence. 

But that was never the case with Diane. No matter how nice I am to her, no matter the good things I share with her which were given to me as a gift, she never called me sister or loved me like a sister should. She always isolated herself and made it seem like no one actually cared for her, even though each one of my pack members cared for her. 

“Do you accept your fault and be ready to do as told to clear your sins?” The Luna asked me. 

I shut my eyes and took in a deep breath. Perhaps this is my fate. My parents are dead, and I still don't know those responsible for their deaths. To find out those who caused the destruction of my pack, I need to stay alive and find out who they are, no matter what. 

“Yes, I accept, I said in a low tone.”

“Good! From today henceforth, you'll be working with these two maids. You're an Alpha's daughter, but you did that which you aren't supposed to do. After this punishment, if you actually repent of what you've done, I'll set you free.” Luna stated. 

“Thank you, Luna,” I bowed in respect from my bed. 

“You don't need to thank me, the person you should thank is your compassionate sister, who still loves you and does not wish for you to suffer more punishment.” 

I raised my gaze up to my sister, who faked a sad expression. I clenched my hands into fists, and gritted my teeth in annoyance, but tried not to show my frustration. This way, I wouldn't be punished even more. 

"T..thank you for showing me mercy,” I said to my sister, whose eyes lit up in delight. 

“Oh sister, you know you're the only family I've got,” Diane sat on the edge of my bed and held my hands. The anger in me only increased, I could feel my powers emanating from her, the powers she stole from me.” 

I took my gaze up at her and forced a smile, even though I was dying inside. 

“I know you did what you did out of desperation, it's just a little work with the maids. When you're done, you'll be treated as the Alpha's daughter whom you are, sister.”

“What a compassionate Luna you'll be, Gina,” the Luna praised. I blinked back the tears that threatened to fall off my eyes. 

“My parents have always taught me to be compassionate, for me to lead,” Diane lied under her breath. 

“Good! Your parents are indeed the best in their time.” 

I slowly took my hands off Diane's, I just couldn't bear her pretenses while she was holding me. 

“I guess you're okay now after staying in bed for a week. You'll have to join the other maids to prepare for the wedding ceremony of Alpha Cain and our new Luna.” 

The Luna said the words which almost crushed my wolf and me. 

My mate is about to be married to my sister under the pretense of my identity. What kind of mate is he? How can he not tell the difference?