My Brother's Fiancée is My Mate

Elara POV

"The Alpha is coming for you. Be ready by first light."

My hands vibrated violently that I nearly dropped my phone on the ground. The message stared at me like if it was a death sentence.

"No, this can't be happening."

I read it again. And again. Each time, the words stayed the same like if it was mocking me.

"Elara?" My weak mother's voice drifted from the bed, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

She tried to push herself up, but the effort cost her. Her arms tremble and her breathing because shallow. Three months ago, she could walk to the market. Now, she could barely lift her head and I was the only one here to help her.

"You sold me," I said, "You actually did it. You sold me to some Alpha like if I'm nothing."

"Elara, please let me explain"

"Explain what?" I asked," That you sold away your daughter to someone I've never even met? What could you possibly say that would make this okay?"

Tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Your father, before he died made an arrangement in order to pay off his debt," she said.

"Dad's been dead for three years and you never thought to mention that he promised me to some stranger?"

"It wasn't supposed to happen like this," She dissolved into coughing, "We needed the medicine. The pack council said if I signed the papers, they'd provide the medicine."

"You needed medicine because you gave everything we had to Elena!" The words exploded out of me. "Your precious firstborn, who left the second things got hard. Who sends a check once a month like that makes up for anything."

"Don't talk about your sister that way."

"Why not? She's not here, is she? Where is Elena right now, Mom? In her nice apartment working her nice job, while I'm here watching you die slowly."

The second the words left my mouth, I wanted them back but I couldn't reverse it.

My mother turned her face away. "I never wanted this for you."

"But you did it anyway," I sank onto the edge of her bed, suddenly exhausted, "Who is he? This Alpha?"

"Silas Vane. The Alpha of Black Ridge Pack."

I had heard of Black Ridge before. It was one of the oldest and most powerful packs in the northern territories.

"How long have you known about this?" I asked.

"Two months."

"You've known for two months that I was going to be shipped off and you said nothing?"

"I was trying to find another way. I contacted Elena, begged her to... "

"To what? Take my place? And let me guess, she said no."

My mother's silence was answer enough.

I stood there with my legs unsteady.

"When are they coming for me?"

"Today at first light," she said as she continued crying again.

I looked at the window. The sun was already painting the horizon pink and gold.

I called Elena three times before she picked up.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?" She said with irritation, "Some of us have jobs, Elara."

"Get to the house. Now."

"Excuse me?"

"Mom needs you." I said as I shoved my clothes into my backpack, not caring what I grabbed. The herbs I used to mask my scent went in carefully wrapped in cloth.

"I'm leaving."

"Leaving? Where are you going?"

"Apparently to become someone's bride.

"Did you know when mom called and begged you to take my place, did you know what she was asking?"

"I couldn't..."

"Save it. Just get here now. She can't be alone."

I hung up.

I tucked the small vial of herbs into my pocket, which was a insurance against anyone detecting what I really was and what I was always hiding.

The silver scent which was the mark of a Lunar Mate, the kind that only appeared once every few generations.

I had been masking it since my first shift at sixteen. My father had taught me how to do it and made me swear never to tell anyone. "It'll make you a pawn in games you can't win," he would always say.

Guess he made me a pawn anyway.

A knock at the door made my heart stop.

"Miss Vance?" A male voice spoke, deep and formal. "We're here on behalf of Alpha Silas."

I looked at my mother one last time. She managed to sit up fully.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

I didn't answer. If I opened my mouth, I'd either scream or sob.

I opened the door.

Three wolves stood on our porch, all radiating the kind of power that came from strong bloodlines.

The center one, was tall and with intelligent dark eyes stepped forward.

"Elara Vance?"

"That's me."

He studied me with an unreadable expression, "I'm Darius Kane, Beta of Black Ridge Pack. I'm here to escort you to your new home."

New home. As if I had any choice in the matter.

"Lead the way."

He didn't show surprised by my lack of resistance. He simply gestured to the black SUV that parked in our driveway.

I didn't look back as I walked toward it. I didn't let myself think about my mother alone in that bed, or Elena who probably wouldn't show up until noon.

The vehicle's leather seats were nicer than any furniture we had ever owned. I slid across them, tucking myself against the far window. Darius took the seat beside me, while the other two wolves climbed into the front.

"It's a four hour drive," Darius said as we pulled away, "If you need anything just let me know"

"The Alpha is he honorable? Because honorable men don't buy brides."

"It's complicated."

"I'm sure it is," I closed my eyes, "Wake me when we get there."

"Miss Vance..."

"It's Elara. And I don't want to talk about it."

Darius fell silent. The SUV's engine hummed as we left my pack's territory behind.

I should have been terrified or be planning escape routes but I just sat down there doing nothing.

Four hours until I met the man who'd bought me like property.

When I finally opened my eyes, the landscape had changed entirely.

"We're entering Black Ridge territory," Darius said quietly. "Another twenty minutes."

Through the window, I caught glimpses of wolves running parallel to the road. Probably they were patrol guard.

"What's he like?" The question slipped out.

"Alpha Silas is dedicated to his pack. He puts their needs above everything else."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one I can give," His dark eyes met mine, "You'll meet him soon enough."

The road curved, and suddenly we were passing through massive gates. Beyond them, the pack house rose from the forest.

It wasn't just big. It was a massive estate of stone and timber and it had tall windows that reflected the sun. I could see wolves moving around the grounds, training, talking and living their lives.

The SUV pulled up to a massive front entrance.

Elara POV

"Elara," Darius voice gentled, "I know this isn't what you wanted. But I promise you'll be safe here."

"Safe," I repeated hollowly, "Right."

I got out before he could say anything else with my boots crunching on the gravel drive.

"This way," Darius gestured toward the doors.

I followed him up the steps. The doors swung open before we reached them, operated by wolves in formal uniforms I didn't recognize.

"The Alpha is in his study. He's expecting you," One of the uniformed wolves said.

Of course he was.

My hands started shaking again and I shoved them into my pockets. My fingers brushed the vial of herbs. No one had detected anything unusual about my scent.

We walked through hallways that seemed endless. Finally, Darius stopped before a heavy oak door.

He knocked once, "Alpha. I've brought Elara Vance."

"Enter."

The voice that answered made something in my chest move. It was deep and commanding.

Darius opened the door and gestured for me to go ahead.

I stepped into the study and my entire world caught fire.

The mate bond slammed into me like a physical blow, stealing the air from my lungs. Every cell in my body suddenly knew, with absolute certainty, that the man standing behind the massive desk was mine.

Alpha Silas Vane looked up from his papers, and his ice blue eyes locked onto mine.

I watched his hands grip the desk edge so hard the desk vibrated.

He felt it too.

For one perfect, impossible moment, neither of us moved. The bond pulled between us like a golden thread.

Then his expression shuttered completely.

"You're not her," he said, his voice devoid of emotion, "You're not the firstborn."

"What?"

"The contract specified Elena Vance. The eldest daughter." His jaw clenched, "Who the hell are you?"

The mate bond screamed at me to go to him, to cross the space between us and press myself against his chest until the ache subsided. Instead, I dug my nails into my palms hard enough to draw blood.

"I'm Elara Vance. And I was told I was the one being collected," I said.

Silas moved around the desk. Everything about him radiated Alpha dominance.

"Darius, explain," He said as he kept his gaze on me.

The Beta stepped forward, and I caught the confusion on his face. "The contract named the Vance daughter as settlement for the debt. There was no specification."

"The agreement explicitly stated his firstborn child. Elena Vance is twenty-five years old. This girl can't be up to..."

"I'm twenty-two," I said, interrupting his sentence, "And this girl has a name."

His eyes flashed with something that seemed like anger.

"Where is your sister?"

"Living her best life somewhere else," I said, "She was invited to take my place but she declined."

"Invited?" Silas's expression darkened, "By whom?"

"Our mother. It doesn't matter. I'm here now and Elena's not."

"This is a problem," he said.

"Really? I'm so glad we're on the same page," I crossed my hands over my chest.

"You don't understand," He stepped back, "The contract binds me to the firstborn. Not you. This entire arrangement is void."

"So I can leave?"

"No."

"What do you mean, no? You just said..."

"The debt still exists. Your father borrowed significant resources from my pack. That debt must be settled," His eyes moved over me, "But I can't marry you. The contract won't allow it."

Something in my chest cracked at those words. The bond twisted, turning painful.

"Then send me home," I said quietly, "What do you want from me?"

The question hung in the air between us. I watched something flicker across his face.

"Darius, have her shown to the guest quarters in the East Wing. Make sure she has everything she needs," He turned back to his desk, dismissing me like I was nothing, "I'll contact the Vance family and sort this mess out."

"You'll contact Elena?" The realization hit me like a slap, "You're going to bring her here instead."

He didn't answer.

The bond shrieked in protest as I turned toward the door. My wolf clawed at my insides, begging me to stay and make him see that we were mates but he already knew. He just didn't care because of some piece of paper my dead father had signed.

"Elara."

I stopped at the door but didn't turn around.

"I'm sorry," Silas said, "This isn't what I wanted."

Darius led me through East Wing and many hallways. We finally stopped at a suite. It was twice bigger than the house I lived in.

"This is temporary," Darius said, " You'll be staying here for the mean time until the Alpha figures out the contract situation."

"Right. Temporary." I dropped my backpack onto a bed that looked like it cost more than a year's rent. "How long does sorting out a contract usually take?"

"That depends on a lot of factors, " He moved to the window, "The original agreement was made between Alphas. Breaking it isn't simple.

"But he has to marry Elena because she's the firstborn," he added, "The contract specifies..."

"I know what it specifies, you don't have to explain it again."

Darius was quiet for a moment "You felt the bond."

"What?"

"When you walked into his study. I saw your face. And I've known Silas since we were children. I saw his face too."

"Doesn't matter what I felt. He made his position pretty clear."

"Did he?" Darius moved closer, his voice dropping, "Because the Silas I know doesn't apologize. And he definitely doesn't look at people the way he looked at you."

"Well, he can't keep me. Contract won't allow it, remember?"

"He won't let you leave," Darius said it with such certainty that I turned to face him, "The debt aside, Silas won't let his mate walk away."

"He doesn't have a choice."

"Everyone has choices," he headed for the door, "Dinner is at seven. Someone will come collect you,so try and get some rest."

After he left, I collapsed onto the bed. The mate bond hummed under my skin pulling me toward Silas even though he was somewhere else in this massive house.

This couldn't be happening. I couldn't be mated to a man who was contractually obligated to marry my sister. The universe couldn't be that cruel.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

Elara POV

"Come in," I called, expecting a servant to work in.

Instead, Elena walked through the door.

I sat upright from the bed so fast I nearly fell off it, "What are you doing here?"

My sister looked perfect, as always. Her honey-blonde hair fell in glossy waves, her designer clothes fit like they'd been tailored specifically for her body.

"Hello to you too."

She closed the door behind her. "Nice room. Much better than that home we grew up in."

"I called you four hours ago. How are you already here?"

"I was already on my way. The Alpha's people contacted me two days ago and asked me to come discuss the contract situation."

He'd known about the mix-up for two days and hadn't said anything when his people picked me up this morning.

"So you knew they were coming for me, and you just let it happen."

"I didn't 'let' anything happen. You're the one who answered the door," Elena sat on the edge of a chair like she owned the place, "Besides, I needed time to prepare. First impressions matter."

"Prepare for what?"

"For meeting my future husband, obviously," she said, "The Alpha of Black Ridge Pack. Do you have any idea what kind of opportunity this is?"

The bond in my chest twisted violently

"You can't marry him."

"Actually, I can. I'm the firstborn. The contract is quite clear on that point. I understand you met him already. Tell me, what's he like?"

I wanted to tell her that Silas was mine, that the bond had claimed us both the moment we laid eyes on each other.

But the words stuck in my throat. The bond didn't matter, the contract did.

"He's cold," I said instead, " and arrogant."

"Perfect," Elena headed for the door, "That means he'll understand the value of a proper alliance."

She paused at the door and for just a moment, something like regret crossed her face. Then she was gone, leaving me alone with a mate bond that was slowly tearing me apart and the crushing realization that I was about to watch my sister marry the man fate had chosen for me.

I made it to the bathroom before I started screaming.

The bathroom tiles were cold against my knees.

One moment I was standing and the next I was on the floor with tears streaming down my face.

The mate bond felt like a living thing inside me. It was demanding me to go find him and claim him.

But the contract wouldn't allow it.

"Elara?" Darius's voice came through the door, "Dinner is in ten minutes. I can have something sent up if you'd prefer."

"I'll be down," I replied.

"I'll wait for you in the hallway."

Of course he would because apparently I couldn't be trusted to find my way through this maze of a house without an escort.

I changed quickly into the cleanest clothes I had which was a black dress.

The herbs in my pocket felt heavier than usual. I'd need to reapply them soon, but for now, the scent masking should hold.

Darius straightened when I came out of the room.

"You look lovely," he said.

"You're a terrible liar."

"I'm really not," He offered his arm, "Shall we?"

I ignored the gesture and started walking.

"Is Silas going to be there?"

"Yes."

"And Elena?"

"She's been invited as well," Darius said, "Elara, I know this situation is difficult, but..."

"But what? I should smile and play nice while I watch my sister seduce my mate?"

"The bond matters. My parents were fated mates and my father used to say that the bond was the Moon Goddess's way of choosing our other half. That she doesn't make mistakes."

"Then she made one with me and Silas."

We descended a grand staircase into a large dining hall. A massive table stretched the length of the room, wolves were already seated in various seates.

And at the head of the table, Silas sat like a king on his throne.

Our eyes met, and Elena swept in from a side door, and his attention shifted to her.

My sister had changed into a stunning emerald dress that showed her every curve.

"Ah, you must be Elara," An older woman with kind eyes approached me, "I'm Margaret, the head housekeeper. Come, dear, let me show you to your seat."

She guided me to a spot halfway down the table, far enough from Silas that I couldn't hear his conversations but close enough that I could watch him.

Darius took the seat beside me with a reassuring smile.

"The woman across from you is Dr. Reyna Solis, our pack physician," he said quietly, nodding toward a woman with silver hair, "Next to her is Marcus Thorne, head of security. And that's..."

"I can introduce myself, Darius," A man about Silas's age leaned across the table, extending his hand. " I am Kieran Voss, head of pack relations and you must be the infamous Elara Vance."

"Infamous?"

"Any woman who can make our Alpha look that unsettled is worthy of infamy," he said, "Tell me, is it true you're the younger sister?"

"Yes."

"Interesting." He sat back, studying me. "And how do you feel about your sister taking your place?"

"Kieran," Darius warned.

"What? I'm just making conversation."

"It's fine," I said to Kieran, "I feel exactly how anyone would feel about being traded in for a better model."

"I like you. You've got spine," he said as he grinned.

A sharp clink of silverware silenced the room. Silas stood at the head of the table, and every eye turned to him.

"Before we begin, I'd like to introduce our guests," His voice was controlled, "Many of you have already met Elara Vance, daughter of the late Alpha Marcus Vance. She'll be staying with us temporarily while we resolve a contractual matter."

Temporarily. The word landed like a punch to my gut.

"And this," he gestured to Elena, "is Elena Vance, firstborn of the Vance family and my intended bride."

The bond screamed in protest. I dug my nails into my palms under the table, focusing on the pain to keep me from making a scene.

Elena's smile was radiant, "Thank you all for welcoming me into your home. I look forward to getting to know each of you and serving this pack as your Luna."

She hadn't even been officially accepted yet, and she was already claiming the title.

"Now," Silas sat back down, "let's eat."

Servers appeared with plates of food that smelled incredible, but I couldn't taste anything. Every bite turned to ash in my mouth as I watched Silas lean close to Elena, murmuring something that made her laugh.

"You need to eat," Darius said quietly beside me, "You're turning pale."

"I'm fine."

"You're really not," He pushed my water glass closer, "At least drink something."

"Tell me about the contract. What exactly does it say?"

Darius hesitated for a while, "That's not really in my place to tell you."

"Please. I need to understand what I'm dealing with."