Oops Alpha, Wrong Luna-Chapter 22

Aria’s POV.

The moment I saw Celeste standing by the entrance of the Shadow Claw packhouse, my stomach twisted like someone had tied it in a knot.

Her dark hair was perfect, her smile too bright, like she was hiding something nasty behind it. The dawn light made her look sharper, meaner, and I knew trouble was coming.

Alpha Kael stood beside me, his hand firm on my back, his onyx eyes hard as he stared at her.

"Ignore her, Luna," he said, his voice low, rough from the smoke we’d escaped in the Fang Pack fire. But I couldn’t.

Celeste was my sister, my twin, and I knew how crazy she could be. Her sweet act was a trap, always was, and I wasn’t about to let her sneak up on me.

"I need to talk to her," I said, my voice steady despite the fear crawling up my spine.

Kael’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing, but I looked up at him, pleading.

"Maybe there’s trouble at home. I have to know." It was a lie, and he knew it; I could see it in his face; but I was playing the part, pretending to be Celeste, the Luna he thought I was.

If I didn’t face her now, she’d find another way to mess with me, and I couldn’t risk that.

Kael sighed, his hand dropping from my back. "Fine," he said, his voice hard. "I’ll be in the room, Luna. Don’t be long." He gave me a long look, like he was trying to tell me to be careful, then marched into the packhouse, his boots heavy on the stone steps.

My heart pounded, my chest tight, but I turned to Celeste, her smile widening, her eyes glinting with something dark.

"Let’s go," she said, her voice smooth, too sweet.

She started walking, not toward the living room like I expected, but down a side hall, her steps quick, her dress swishing.

"I know a better spot. More private." Her words sent a chill through me, my inner wolf Kyra growling low, her hackles up.

I hesitated, my feet stuck to the ground, but Celeste glanced back, her smile sharp. "Come on, sister. Don’t be scared."

I swallowed, my throat dry, and followed, my hands clenching. I was on high alert, my eyes scanning every corner, every shadow.

Celeste was dangerous; I’d learned that growing up, taking her hits, her cruel words, her plans to keep me small.

Kyra growled again, urging me to turn back, but I couldn’t. I had to know what she wanted, what game she was playing.

We reached a guest room, the door plain wood, half-hidden in the dim hall. Celeste pushed it open, stepping aside to let me in first.

My heart raced, panic clawing at me. What if she locked me in? What if she hurt me?

She sneered, like she could read my mind. "I’m not going to kill you, Celeste," she said, mocking my fake name.

"Not yet. Not here. Too messy—someone might find you." Her laugh was cold, sharp, and it made my skin crawl.

She stepped into the room first, her bag swinging, her eyes daring me to follow. "See? Safe."

My breath slowed, but only a little. I walked in, my steps careful, my gown dragging on the floor. I reached for the door, acting like I was shutting it, but left it open a crack, just in case.

If Celeste tried anything, I’d scream, run, fight—whatever it took. I folded my arms, my hands still shaking, and faced her.

"What do you want, Celeste?" I asked, my voice sharp, my eyes locked on hers.

She stepped closer, too close, her smile twisting into something mean. She reached out, her fingers brushing my hair, stroking it slow, like a predator playing with prey.

My stomach churned, my fists clenching tighter. "How was the Fang Pack, sister?" she asked, her voice soft but nasty.

"Did you have fun with Kael? Did you sleep with him?" Her eyes gleamed, like she was digging for something to use against me.

I stepped back, my heart pounding, my face hot. "That’s none of your business," I said, my voice shaking but firm.

"My life with my mate is private." I hated her for asking, for making it sound dirty, like my bond with Kael was something she could twist.

Kyra growled, her anger mixing with mine, urging me to shove Celeste away.

She laughed, loud and cruel, her hand dropping from my hair. "Your mate?" she said, her voice dripping with scorn.

"I gave him to you, Aria. I gave you my life. You owe me." Her words hit like a slap, my breath catching.

She knew I was pretending, knew I was Aria, not Celeste, and she was holding it over me like a blade.

I scoffed, my anger rising, my hands trembling. "Is that why you’re here? To ask if I slept with Kael?" My brows arched, my voice sharp.

"That’s pathetic, Celeste." I wanted to scream, to tell her to leave me alone, but I kept my voice steady, hiding the fear clawing at my chest.

She raised her hands, her smile softening, but it was fake, like always. "Calm down, sister," she said, her voice smooth.

"I’m just curious. Tell me about the fire. Heard it was bad." Her eyes glinted, watching me close, like she was waiting for me to crack.

I froze, my heart stopping, my eyes narrowing. The fire. The guest house burning, the locked door, Kael’s bleeding arm.

Kyra growled louder, her warning from last night echoing in my head.

"You started that fire, didn’t you?" I shouted, my voice breaking, my fists clenching so hard my nails bit into my palms.

"You wanted me dead!"

Celeste’s smile didn’t fade, but her eyes turned cold, hard. "Easy, tiger," she said, her voice low, mocking.

"Yes, I wanted you dead. But I didn’t start the fire. Trust me, I wish I had." She laughed again, the sound sharp, like glass breaking.

My blood ran cold, my chest tight with rage and fear. She was a monster, my twin, my mirror, but so different, so cruel.

"How can you say that?" I whispered, my voice shaking, my eyes burning with tears I wouldn’t let fall.

"We’re sisters." I hated her, hated sharing her face, her blood. I wanted to scream, to hit her, but I stood still, my hands shaking at my sides.

She stepped closer, her grin widening. "You need to leave, Aria," she said, her voice soft but mean. "Get out of the packhouse. Now."

I shook my head, my heart racing. "No," I said, my voice firm.

"You leave. This is my home, my mate’s pack." I stepped toward the door, ready to shove her out, but she laughed again, louder, her head thrown back.

"I’m not going anywhere," she said, her eyes gleaming.

"I got a job here, Aria. Thanks to Elder Thanos. He’s got a thing for Mom, you know. He’ll do anything to make her happy." Her words hit like a punch, my mind reeling, my breath catching.

A job? Here? In the pack house?

"You’re lying," I said, my voice shaking, but her smile told me she wasn’t. My heart sank, fear twisting in my gut.

She was staying, worming her way in, and I knew why. She wanted to ruin me, to take everything; Kael, my place, my life.

"I wasn’t joking," she said, leaning closer, her voice a whisper, sharp and cold.

"I’ll work hard to make Kael hate you, Aria." Her eyes locked on mine, her grin pure venom.

"I’ll tell him," I snapped, my voice loud, desperate. "I’ll report you to Kael, to the pack!" My hands shook, my chest heaving, but Celeste just laughed, her voice echoing in the small room.

"Go ahead," she said, her eyes glinting. "Tell them. Let’s see who leaves first. I’m sure everyone will love to know the real you." Her words cut deep, my breath hitching.

She knew my secret, knew I was Aria, not Celeste, and she’d use it to destroy me.

"You can’t do this," I said, my voice breaking, my eyes burning. "You won’t win."

"Oh, I already have," she said, her grin widening. "I’ll make him hate you to the core."

The door swung open, and my heart stopped. Kael stood there, his tall frame filling the doorway, his eyes dark, his face hard.

"Hate who?" he asked, his voice stern, booming in the quiet room.

My breath caught, my body frozen, fear choking me.

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