Raven POV

“You’ll do this or never enter these walls again,” my mother’s voice is harsh, unyielding, and her expression is thunderous.

My sister Marissa is speechless. For as long as I can remember, our mother has never spoken to her in that way. She had always been doted on, treated like a fragile porcelain doll that may break from the merest touch. She grew up spoiled, the centre of MaryAnne Sinclair’s world, and firmly believed the world revolved around her. This was, therefore, quite shocking to her.

“Do you think that I spent all this time teaching you, grooming you to become the perfect wife, was in vain?” our mother breathed, rising smoothly from her chair and regarding Marissa with narrowed eyes.

For once, the focus was on my twin sister rather than me. My mother’s eyes softened, and her tone suddenly became more cajoling. “This isn’t just anyone, Marissa. It’s Alpha Hades of the Blood Moon Pack that wants an alliance with our pack and you as his contract bride.”

Alpha Hades. It was rumoured that he had killed his own father to take over the role of Alpha of Blood Moon Pack. Within just a few years, he had built a massive empire, growing his pack, amassing a large amount of wealth, and extending his territory until he became the most powerful pack in the country. Not an easy feat when his pack had been one of the weakest to begin with. It was said he was cold, ruthless, and willing to kill anyone who dared to offend him or even look at him wrong. I would rather die than be married to a man with that kind of reputation. He might also be reputed to be one of the most handsome Alpha’s to exist, but good looks certainly were not enough to forget everything else. Marissa was more than welcome to him.

“Alpha Hades,” Marissa’s voice is filled with wonder. “Isn’t he worth billions?” Her voice rises in excitement.

I knew she would only be thinking of the money. Marissa was, quite literally, the very stereotypical dumb blonde, and that was putting it politely.

“Exactly,” our mother relaxed, “and he wants you as his Luna. He needs an heir. He has no living relatives that I know of and he doesn’t want his bloodline to die out. Think of the power you’ll hold as the Luna of the strongest pack in the country? Everybody will have to respect you, and whatever you want will be at your fingertips. This is the best possible marriage you could have hoped for.”

“When do I leave?” Marissa seems to have entirely forgotten her previous protests in her sudden excitement at the prospect of getting her greedy little hands on Alpha Hades’s money.

“Tomorrow morning. He’s expecting you. You’ll become officially engaged first, and then a wedding will be held. I’m warning you, Marissa,” our mother’s voice turns hard, “you need to behave exactly as I’ve taught you and be the very example of the perfect lady. That means no mistakes. Until you’re marked, there is always the possibility of Alpha Hades breaking the contract. You have to do your best to win him over, using all your tricks and looks.”

It’s a warning not to become complacent or depend entirely on the marriage going forward without some sort of effort coming from Marissa. There was no disputing the fact that she was abhorrently lazy.

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