46 Chapter 46 TWO OF A KIND
Ethan froze mid-step, his expression like someone had punched him in the gut.
I snorted. “She’s not that bad.”
Then I saw Maya.
“Everything I said back there was bullshit.” I cut her off again. “I just wanted to see Ethan’s face twist in pain—”
“Maya?” He reached for her, but she shoved him off violently.
And even though I didn’t want to see them, I was just slow enough to catch another group joining them. Oh, fantastic-Celeste’s bitchy little crew
I blinked, and she gave me a bright smile. “Celeste will never win my favor. Ethan’s my mate. But I swear to the moon goddess-if that bitch crosses me again, I will tear her
apart.”
A flash of wild cunts and fury, she planted herself between us like a she-wolf guarding her
cub.
I grabbed her hand, looking into her eyes. “Listen to me, Maya. Seriously. I know what finding your mate means Fated mates are incredibly rare now. I don’t want you to get hurt because of me. I’d rather be stabbed ten times by Ethan than watch you give up your mate because of me.”
She stood at the edge of the cobblestone path, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with malice.
I shook my head and stopped her “What happened between Ethan and me shouldn’t affect what you have with him. And besides…” I swallowed hard. “Ethan is… a good Alpha He’d be… a good mate*
Now I had Lucian
The same pack of vipers who’d tormented me since high school. They swarmed her instantly, gushing congratulations-Kieran was finally back where he belonged.
“Shut your fucking mouth, Celeste
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“SERAPHINA!” he growled, a thunderous rage under his voice.
I stumbled back, heels slipping on the slick grass, arms flailing.
But she shook him off with a graceful flick.”Oh, relax, Kieran! I’m just looking out for my brother.” Her gaze slid to me, venomous. “We all know how… contagious Sera’s jealousy and manipulation can be. Who knows what she’s told her friend?”
Fuck! I wasn’t ready.
It was like getting slammed in the head with a sledgehammer. My vision blurred, and the ground tilted beneath me.
His face contorted instantly, pupils narrowing like a beast struck on the tail. His Alpha pressure exploded, the air freezing around us for a split second-
I froze. Every ounce of warmth drained from my body, replaced by that familiar, sickening sting. The echoes of the pack’s jeers after that night came roaring back-husband-thief, lovewrecker, worthless.
The accusation hit like a silver blade between the ribs. Of course. Once again, I was the villain-without lifting a finger. They really were experts at making me the scapegoat. Kieran’s expression darkened. Ethan’s eyes locked onto mine-a silent warning flashing in their depths.
Maya raised a brow. “Oh really? Name two redeeming qualities Celeste has. Just two.” Maya gave a bitter laugh and grabbed my wrist so tightly I thought she’d snap the bone. I chuckled softly and gently pushed her back. “I don’t give a shit what they think anymore.” I tugged her hand. “Come on. Lucian’s probably looking for me.”
But as Maya’s grip tightened around mine, all I felt was gratitude.
My hand shot up automatically, a grin spreading as I started toward her. Finally, she’d dare to show off the mate she’d kept hidden for so long. Maybe now I could tease her
about-
His pupils shrank, fists clenching so tight his knuckles turned white.
“What a shame,” she sighed, fluttering her lashes. “Looks like your little mate’s been
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contaminated by the plague too~”
I saw Emma’s eyes go wide as Maya’s Beta aura slammed down on her.
Her voice trembled against my ear. “Oh, dear. They have no idea how fucking amazing you are. Losing you is the biggest mistake of their lives!”
My back hit the water. My head followed, and in the next second, icy cold swallowed me whole as I plunged beneath the surface of the koi pond-
“Back off, Emma,” I said calmly. “Ethan never chose you. Maya or not, that was never going to change. And you know that.”
A low growl rumbled in Maya’s throat as she stepped forward, but I gently blocked her. moving between them. My friends shouldn’t always have to fight for me-I could protect
them too.
“You dare-!”
Maya burst out laughing, slinging her arm around my shoulder. “Exactly what I fucking thought.”
She stumbled back, hands raised in mock surrender. “Fine,” she muttered-then pivoted to me with a vicious grin.
“Well, well,” she sneered. “Two of you. Sluts always come in pairs when chasing what’s not theirs.”
She turned at the sound, face lighting up. “Sera!”
“We’re leaving!”
Celeste had slithered over, her face plastered with that saccharine, pitying smile I knew too well.
I shook my head. When Maya chose me over Ethan, I knew-I couldn’t let her.
Maya’s smile faltered the instant she saw my face. Her gaze darted between me, Ethan, and Celeste-no denying the Lockwood features we all shared, no matter how hard I’d tried to erase the name.
Slim, athletic, exuding confidence like a second skin, wild curls bouncing around her like a
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halo of fire. No doubt about it-it was Maya.
Her voice brooked no argument as she yanked me away.
Maya flipped them off before dragging me away. Whatever. They always needed their dramatic performances, their carefully staged villains. The old me might have crumbled.
Kieran frowned and grabbed her arm. “Enough, Celeste. Let’s go.”
I opened my mouth-and immediately shut it.
This couldn’t fucking be real.
“Fuck!” She yanked herself out of Ethan’s arms, stumbling back like she was seeing him clearly for the first time, her eyes full of shock and… disgust? “He’s your brother?!”
“Maya?” I croaked out. My pulse was hammering so hard I could taste it.
“Oooh, Ethan~!”
Hard.
The man beside her shifted to show his full face.
“Oh, please,” Emma scoffed, flipping her black hair over her bare shoulder. “You snagged Ethan, and Sera here has already proven herself a master at stealing someone else’s
man.” Her lips curled. “You’re a perfect match.”
The rest weren’t worth a single tear.
“Shut up!” she snapped, her eyes burning with a rage I’d never seen before. “You knew she was your sister and said nothing? What the fuck kind of disgusting game are you playing?!”
Daniel was no longer the only one by my side.
Maya stiffened beside me. “Excuse me?”
SERAPINA’S POV
Shame and rage warred across Ethan’s face, but he didn’t deny it.
Emma.
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“Maya…”
I tilted my head, baring my teeth in a taunting grin. “What’s wrong, brother? Scared?”
Ethan whirled on her, eyes blazing like he was ready to tear her throat out.
I hadn’t meant to get close to them. Swear to the Moon, I hadn’t.
“You’d better shut your fucking mouth while I’m still feeling generous,” Maya warned, her voice razor-sharp.
Maya ripped her arm from mine and stalked toward Emma. “Say one more word, bitch, and I’ll yank out your teeth and wear them as a fucking necklace at my wedding to
Ethan.”
“Lay one fucking finger on her,” she snarled, “and we’re done. Hear me, Ethan? Fucking
done!”
Oh god. Maya’s mate… was my disgusting brother, Ethan.
Her throat bobbed. “But I know what he did to you. How he-”
“But-” Maya started to protest.
“I can’t lie to you, Maya.” I hugged her, forcing a soft smile. “I can’t let my experience ruin your happiness. You’re my precious friend.”
Her laugh held no humor. “Oh, spare me. You have the nerve to say that? Or did you forget that Kieran never chose you either? And yet you stole the mate your sister was chosen for-like the shameless whore you are.”
Emma only smiled-cold, cruel-locking eyes with me. “Oh, did I hit a nerve? It’s hard to preach loyalty when you wrote a whole book about betrayal, isn’t it, Sera?”
That sickeningly sweet voice cut through the tension like a knife.
“He’s your mate?” The words scraped out from between my clenched teeth, my body
starting to sway. Why was the Goddess always cruel to me? Maya and Ethan? Oh damn, I hoped it wouldn’t cost my rare friendship with Maya.
Her voice cut through the air like glass.
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Ethan’s expression darkened instantly.
As soon as we made it into the garden, Maya turned to me again. “I’m sorry, Sera. I didn’t
know…”
A cold laugh escaped me. “Stay the fuck away from me, Ethan.” I met his gaze, baring my teeth in a challenge. “Oh yeah? Then you’d better be careful-because I will do exactly
that.”
“Oh fuck me,” she sighed, crushing me in a tight hug.”You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to defend him. Even for me.”
Fuck! I jerked my gaze away, the scene sickeningly familiar. I should leave. Now.
And my world stopped spinning.
He took one thunderous step, his Alpha aura saturating the air thick enough to choke on
And Maya.
Without warning, she shoved me.
Ethan’s face turned pitch-black.
“Don’t fucking touch me!” she snapped, her voice could’ve frozen hell. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?!”
Then Maya moved.
I was more than happy to leave Kieran and Celeste alone to rehash their twisted relationship dynamic, but my injured ankle held me back.
She nodded and took my hand, looking into my eyes. “I won’t betray you, Sera.”
When Ethan’s familiar blue eyes locked with mine, I knew-I wasn’t dreaming.
She was glowing in a slit dress that made every man look twice, radiant and smoking hot -but all I could focus on was the hand pressed against my brother’s chest.
We were still goofing off when someone stepped into our path.
6/7
<
46 Chapter 46 TWO OF A KIND
“Seraphina!” He turned on me, fury boiling in his tone. “Are you trying to ruin this, too? Just like you ruined things with Celeste and Kieran?”
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