The Beta's Rejected Daughter (Fiona) novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3

They resumed talking about wolves, mates, strength, and everything I lacked.

Damon laughed at something Lance said through mind-link, a conversation they knew I could never hear because I don’t have an inner wolf yet. I chewed slowly, pretending invisibility didn’t sting.

When I finished eating, I stood to leave.

“Where are you going?” Father demanded.

“Back to my room.”

“I don’t know what is wrong in your head today, but be aware the Alpha and Luna are visiting tonight, so behave well and don’t be a disgrace today.” he blurted and hissed

I flinched, my jaw dropping at what he said.

Behind me, Lydia’s voice floated gently, perfectly timed.

“I’ll talk to Lydia later in the evening before the Alpha’s arrival. We will make peace.”

My heart dropped into my stomach this time. It became crystal clear everything was already happening again.

These were her exact words she said in my vision, same tone and same promise, before her staircase fall stunt.

The future was really repeating itself already so I have to find a way before I end up dead again. This time there won’t be a third chance.

Lydia’s POV

Something was wrong with Fiona today.

She didn’t lower her head like before, neither did she flinch or apologize easily like she used to do, and that was new and dangerous at the same time.

Fiona was supposed to remain small and easy to overshadow. But today she spoke with courage and clarity, and clarity threatened my control.

Tonight was supposed to be flawless because of what I planned during the Alpha and Luna visit. The plan to fake a fall and accuse her of trying to murder me.

The accusation would stick and before she could blink twice, the Beta title would become mine and she would be out of this world. But her defiance today had introduced risk and for the first time, I felt fear and uncertainty.

Why today?

“Don’t go near her alone in the name of seeking peace, especially as she doesn’t look stable this morning.” Jake leaned closer to me and said those words and I felt a bit relief.

If they all believed she doesn’t look stable, then the accusation wouldn’t need any investigation or evidence to be believed.

Perfect.

I softened my expression before replying. “Don’t worry, I will be careful and call if she act violent. I only want peace between us because she is like a sister to me”

Damon nodded with a huge smile on his face. “You’re our pride so don’t let anything happen to you. Not a slight scratch.”

Lance grinned and added. “You’re too good for this family sometimes and I hate that we have Fiona as the biological daughter..”

Exactly the responses I needed.

Their protection, validation and loyalty.

By the time Fiona realized what was happening, it would already be truth in everyone’s eyes and she would be sent to jail.

Maids prepared the house for royalty while I selected my dress—pale blue for innocence, and white for purity because Image mattered more than words.

Just then the house bell rang and the announcement of their presence followed.

The Alpha and Luna had arrived.

I picked up the small voice recorder and turned toward Fiona’s room with a smirk. Tonight, I would end her forever.

Fiona’s POV

I heard her footsteps before the soft, careful knock, followed by that tiny pause she always took outside my door when she wanted to appear gentle.

In my vision, this was the moment she came to talk to me, to smile and pretend it was for peace, when she only came to light up the fuse that destroyed me.

Not this time.

I took out the phone I had stolen from Damon’s room when I was cleaning it this evening. It has no SIM card, also has a bad screen so he doesn’t care about it.

It took me a lot of effort but I was able to open the camera. I set it in a perfect position beside the staircase, the exact place she would fake the fall.

I just hope it happens just as my vision.

The knock came again and I opened the door.

Lydia stood there wrapped in pale blue silk, hair tied with a ribbon, eyes lowered like humility had chosen her as its home. For a second, her gaze searched my face, measuring as if probing for cracks but I gave her none.

“May I come in?” she asked softly.

“You always do.” My reply was blunt.

She stepped inside, letting her shoulder brush my arm like an accident.

“I wanted to talk,” she began. “About breakfast… about us.”

“About what exactly?”

Her lips trembled on cue. “I don’t like this distance. You’re my sister, Fiona. No matter what.”

Once, those words would have disarmed me and made me feel a wave of guilt but now they only revealed how polished her lies had become.

“The Alpha and Luna are coming,” she continued carefully. “Father wants everything to be perfect and I just… want peace between us.”

“Sure,” I said with a smile and it made her eyes brighten. She reached for my hand and I let her take it then she led me out.

We walked toward the stairs together and I could hear voices and laughter floating from below.

The Alpha is here and I could already hear them asking about Lydia—how beautiful she’d grown, how proud they were. The house already revolved around her before she even stepped into the sitting room.

At the top of the staircase, she stopped walking and her tone changed.

“Why won’t you listen to me?” she asked loudly, hurt swelling into her voice. “Why do you always twist what I say?”

I stared at her in silence, watching how her eyes sharpened and the performance escalated.

“You threatened me,” she cried out loud. “Why? I’ve only been good to you!”

I could see heads turned from downstairs, chairs scraped as Damon rose. Jake moved closer too.

Father’s voice thundered from below. “What is happening up there?”

This was the exact point in the vision where I had panicked and reached for her, unknowingly making it look like I pushed her.

This time, I did nothing but stood with folded arms yet Lydia stepped backward onto the curve of the stairs, hand grazing the rail.

Her eyes flicked to mine one last check before she stumbled and fell heavily.

She didn’t need my touch.

“Fiona—!”

Her scream sliced through the hall as her body pitched forward, arms flailing in perfect choreography.

Gasps erupted and I could hear a goblet shattered on the marble floor while Jake shouted her name, Lance jumping and Damon cursing as they all rushed to her.

Chapter 4