CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46 TWO OF A KIND

SERAPINA’S POV

I hadn’t meant to get close to them. Swear to the Moon, I hadn’t.

I was more than happy to leave Kieran and Celeste alone to rehash their twisted relationship dynamic, but my injured ankle held me back.

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.

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.

Fuck! I jerked my gaze away, the scene sickeningly familiar. I should leave. Now.

Then I saw Maya.

Slim, athletic, exuding confidence like a second skin, wild curls bouncing around her like a halo of fire. No doubt about it—it was Maya.

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—

The man beside her shifted to show his full face.

And my world stopped spinning.

It was like getting slammed in the head with a sledgehammer. My vision blurred, and the ground tilted beneath me.

This couldn’t fucking be real.

When Ethan’s familiar blue eyes locked with mine, I knew—I wasn’t dreaming.

Oh god. Maya’s mate... was my disgusting brother, Ethan.

"Maya?" I croaked out. My pulse was hammering so hard I could taste it.

She turned at the sound, face lighting up. "Sera!"

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.

"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.

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.

"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?!"

Her voice cut through the air like glass.

Ethan’s expression darkened instantly.

"Maya!" He reached for her, but she shoved him off violently.

"Don’t fucking touch me!" she snapped, her voice could’ve frozen hell. "Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?!"

Ethan’s face turned pitch-black.

"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?"

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.

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."

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—

"SERAPHINA!" he growled, a thunderous rage under his voice.

I tilted my head, baring my teeth in a taunting grin. "What’s wrong, brother? Scared?"

His pupils shrank, fists clenching so tight his knuckles turned white.

"You dare—!"

He took one thunderous step, his Alpha aura saturating the air thick enough to choke on—

Then Maya moved.

A flash of wild curls and fury, she planted herself between us like a she-wolf guarding her cub.

"Lay one fucking finger on her," she snarled, "and we’re done. Hear me, Ethan? Fucking done!"

Ethan froze mid-step, his expression like someone had punched him in the gut.

"Maya..."

"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?!"

Shame and rage warred across Ethan’s face, but he didn’t deny it.

Maya gave a bitter laugh and grabbed my wrist so tightly I thought she’d snap the bone.

"We’re leaving!"

Her voice brooked no argument as she yanked me away.

"Oooh, Ethan~!"

That sickeningly sweet voice cut through the tension like a knife.

Celeste had slithered over, her face plastered with that saccharine, pitying smile I knew too well.

"What a shame," she sighed, fluttering her lashes. "Looks like your little mate’s been contaminated by the plague too~"

Ethan whirled on her, eyes blazing like he was ready to tear her throat out.

"Shut your fucking mouth, Celeste!"

Kieran frowned and grabbed her arm. "Enough, Celeste. Let’s go."

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?"

Kieran’s expression darkened. Ethan’s eyes locked onto mine—a silent warning flashing in their depths.

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.

But as Maya’s grip tightened around mine, all I felt was gratitude.

Daniel was no longer the only one by my side.

Now I had Lucian.

And Maya.

The rest weren’t worth a single tear.

As soon as we made it into the garden, Maya turned to me again. "I’m sorry, Sera. I didn’t know..."

I shook my head. When Maya chose me over Ethan, I knew—I couldn’t let her.

"Everything I said back there was bullshit," I cut her off again. "I just wanted to see Ethan’s face twist in pain—"

"But—" Maya started to protest.

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."

Her throat bobbed. "But I know what he did to you. How he—"

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."

"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."

"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 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!"

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."

She nodded and took my hand, looking into my eyes. "I won’t betray you, Sera."

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."

I snorted. "She’s not that bad."

Maya raised a brow. "Oh really? Name two redeeming qualities Celeste has. Just two."

I opened my mouth—and immediately shut it.

Maya burst out laughing, slinging her arm around my shoulder. "Exactly what I fucking thought."

We were still goofing off when someone stepped into our path.

Emma.

She stood at the edge of the cobblestone path, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with malice.

"Well, well," she sneered. "Two of you. Sluts always come in pairs when chasing what’s not theirs."

Maya stiffened beside me. "Excuse me?"

"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."

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.

"Back off, Emma," I said calmly. "Ethan never chose you. Maya or not, that was never going to change. And you know that."

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."

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.

"You’d better shut your fucking mouth while I’m still feeling generous," Maya warned, her voice razor-sharp.

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?"

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."

I saw Emma’s eyes go wide as Maya’s Beta aura slammed down on her.

She stumbled back, hands raised in mock surrender. "Fine," she muttered—then pivoted to me with a vicious grin.

Without warning, she shoved me.

Fuck! I wasn’t ready.

Hard.

I stumbled back, heels slipping on the slick grass, arms flailing.

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—