My twin sister killed me on the night of the full moon.

When she pushed me off the cliff, my blood bled into the Moonlight River, and my wolf let out its final howl.

Three months later, my sister sat on my bed wearing my skin, waiting for my Alpha to return.

She didn't know that Alpha Kaden's crimson eyes could see through all lies.

My spirit hovered in the bedroom, watching my sister Lila fidget on the bed in my favorite silk nightgown, waiting for Alpha Kaden to return.

Every so often, she reached up to touch the shallow, fake scar on her neck—the mark left when Kaden claimed me years ago.

To mimic it perfectly, Lila had a pack healer burn an identical mark into her skin using wolfsbane. She'd also been drinking scent-masking potions for three months, forcing her natural scent into something fir-like—close to mine, but not quite.

The moment the door swung open, Lila flashed my signature faint smile, her voice dripping with tenderness. "Kaden, you're finally back."

Kaden was drenched, cold rain still dripping off him. His black combat boots left dark wet prints on the hardwood floor.

He'd just returned from a border mission hunting rogues. His dark combat uniform was still stained with fresh blood, his damp hair plastered to his forehead, and those crimson eyes glowed unnervingly in the dim light.

He stood motionless in the doorway, his nose twitching slightly—sniffing for something.

Lila stiffened almost imperceptibly before composing herself. She rose and walked over, reaching to help him out of his coat. "The rain was heavy today. I had the kitchen prepare hot soup for you. You should—"

Before her fingers could even brush his sleeve, Kaden slapped her hand away.

The force sent Lila stumbling backward. She looked up at him in disbelief. "Kaden?"

"Did you change the bath salts?" His voice was ice-cold, his gaze fixed on her neck—sharp enough to pierce through the fake scar.

Lila's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her face calm. "Yes, the old one ran out. The herbalist said the new evening primrose blend is better for the skin. What's wrong? Don't you like it?"

"It's too strong." Kaden frowned, his gaze sweeping across the bedroom as if searching for something. "It's three times stronger than what she used before. Change it back next time."

Lila breathed a sigh of relief and nodded quickly. "Alright, I'll have someone replace it tomorrow."

I floated beside Kaden, watching his crimson eyes, my chest tight with something I couldn't name.

He'd said "she." Not "you."

Deep within my soul, my wolf Thorn let out a low whimper. Three months ago, when Lila pushed me into Moonlight River, Thorn had exhausted its last ounce of strength to protect my soul. Even now, it remained in a semi-dormant state, only occasionally stirring with faint sounds.

Kaden didn't look at Lila again. He turned and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Lila pumped her fist toward the bathroom, a smug grin spreading across her face.

She thought she'd fooled him—after all, even the pack elders hadn't recognized that she wasn't me when they saw her two days ago.

But she didn't know that Kaden's crimson eyes were the rarest among wolfkind—the Truesight—capable of seeing through all disguises and illusions.

She also had no idea that our mate bond had begun fluctuating violently three months ago. He couldn't possibly have failed to sense my death.

Running water echoed from the bathroom. I hovered by the door, watching Kaden's blurred silhouette through the frosted glass.

Three years ago, I met Kaden on Mating Night. His wolf, Raven, let out an excited howl the moment it saw me. That very night, he left his mark on the side of my neck. The next day, we held a grand mating ceremony, and I became the youngest Luna of the Shadowfang Pack.

Everyone thought I was incredibly lucky—chosen as the Fated Mate of the most powerful Alpha. Only I knew that Kaden never had any real feelings for me. He simply needed a Luna with a clean background and sufficient ability to stabilize the pack.

We spent three years as polite strangers. He was stationed at the border year-round while I handled pack affairs. We barely saw each other, and even the Mind Link was rarely used. If not for the mark still burning on my neck, I might have forgotten I even had a mate.

Three months ago, I received a message from my mother—Lila had been attacked by rogues near Moonlight River. She urged me to help immediately.

Without much thought, I rushed over with just two warriors—only to find not my injured sister, but a trap. Set by my parents and Lila together.

They cornered me at the edge of the cliff. Lila stood there in clothes identical to mine, a venomous smile on her face. "Ella, you've occupied my position for three years. Time to give it back."

Only then did I realize Lila had also attended that Mating Night. But her wolf was too weak to sense the presence of a Fated Mate. By the time she realized Kaden was mine, I'd already accepted his mark.

For three years, she had meticulously imitated my speech, my mannerisms, even my eating habits—going so far as to drink scent-masking potions that damaged her Wolf Spirit—all so she could one day replace me as Luna.

"Why?" I stared at my parents behind Lila, feeling as if my heart had been torn open. "I'm your daughter too."

My mother turned her face away, her voice cold. "Your sister was born to greatness. You're nothing but an accidental second daughter. Three years living her life was more than you ever deserved."

My father drew the silver dagger from his waist. "Enough talk. Let's end this so we can get back for Lila's succession ceremony."

They swarmed me. My warriors were dragged away by ambushers hidden in the trees. Surrounded, I never saw Lila lunging—until her palms slammed into my chest and sent me over the edge.

As I fell, the mark on my neck erupted in blinding red light. Kaden's voice tore through the Mind Link, raw with panic: "Ella?! Where are you?"

I wanted to answer, but the icy river swallowed me whole. Thorn let out one final howl—and everything went dark.

When I woke again, I was this—a spectral form, tethered to Lila, utterly unable to leave.

True Luna: My Twin Killed Me for My Mate — Chapter 3

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