My Sister Stole My Mate, And I Let Her Chapter 46 TWO OF A KIND

SERAPINA’S POV

I hadn’t ant to get close to them. Swear to the Moon, I hadn’t.

I was more than happy to leave Kieran and Celeste alone to rehash their twisted relationship dynamic, but my injured ankle held back.

And even though I didn’t want to see them, I was just slow enough to catch another group joining them. Oh, fantastic—Celeste’s bitchy little crew.

The sa pack of vipers who’d tornted since high school. They sward her instantly, gushing congratulations—Kieran was finally back where he belonged.

Fuck! I jerked my gaze away, the scene sickeningly familiar. I should leave. Now.

Then I saw Maya.

Slim, athletic, exuding confidence like a second skin, wild curls bouncing around her like a halo of fire. No doubt about it—it was Maya.

My hand shot up automatically, a grin spreading as I started toward her. Finally, she’d dare to show off the mate she’d kept hidden for so long. Maybe now I could tease her about—

The man beside her shifted to show his full face.

And my world stopped spinning.

It was like getting slamd in the head with a sledgehamr. My vision blurred, and the ground tilted beneath .

This couldn’t fucking be real.

When Ethan’s familiar blue eyes locked with mine, I knew—I wasn’t dreaming.

Oh god. Maya’s mate... was my disgusting brother, Ethan.

"Maya?" I croaked out. My pulse was hamring so hard I could taste it.

She turned at the sound, face lighting up. "Sera!"

She was glowing in a slit dress that made every man look twice, radiant and smoking hot—but all I could focus on was the hand pressed against my brother’s chest.

"He’s your mate?" The words scraped out from between my clenched teeth, my body starting to sway. Why was the Goddess always cruel to ? Maya and Ethan? Oh damn, I hoped it wouldn’t cost my rare friendship with Maya.

Maya’s smile faltered the instant she saw my face. Her gaze darted between , Ethan, and Celeste—no denying the Lockwood features we all shared, no matter how hard I’d tried to erase the na.

"Fuck!" She yanked herself out of Ethan’s arms, stumbling back like she was seeing him clearly for the first ti, her eyes full of shock and... disgust? "He’s your brother?!"

Her voice cut through the air like glass.

Ethan’s expression darkened instantly.

"Maya!" He reached for her, but she shoved him off violently.

"Don’t fucking touch !" she snapped, her voice could’ve frozen hell. "Why the fuck didn’t you tell ?!"

Ethan’s face turned pitch-black.

"Seraphina!" He turned on , fury boiling in his tone. "Are you trying to ruin this, too? Just like you ruined things with Celeste and Kieran?"

The accusation hit like a silver blade between the ribs. Of course. Once again, I was the villain—without lifting a finger. They really were experts at making the scapegoat.

A cold laugh escaped . "Stay the fuck away from , Ethan." I t his gaze, baring my teeth in a challenge. "Oh yeah? Then you’d better be careful—because I will do exactly that."

His face contorted instantly, pupils narrowing like a beast struck on the tail. His Alpha pressure exploded, the air freezing around us for a split second—

"SERAPHINA!" he growled, a thunderous rage under his voice.

I tilted my head, baring my teeth in a taunting grin. "What’s wrong, brother? Scared?"

His pupils shrank, fists clenching so tight his knuckles turned white.

"You dare—!"

He took one thunderous step, his Alpha aura saturating the air thick enough to choke on—

Then Maya moved.

A flash of wild curls and fury, she planted herself between us like a she-wolf guarding her cub.

"Lay one fucking finger on her," she snarled, "and we’re done. Hear , Ethan? Fucking done!"

Ethan froze mid-step, his expression like soone had punched him in the gut.

"Maya..."

"Shut up!" she snapped, her eyes burning with a rage I’d never seen before. "You knew she was your sister and said nothing? What the fuck kind of disgusting ga are you playing?!"

Sha and rage warred across Ethan’s face, but he didn’t deny it.

Maya gave a bitter laugh and grabbed my wrist so tightly I thought she’d snap the bone.

"We’re leaving!"

Her voice brooked no argunt as she yanked away.

"Oooh, Ethan~!"

That sickeningly sweet voice cut through the tension like a knife.

Celeste had slithered over, her face plastered with that saccharine, pitying smile I knew too well.

"What a sha," she sighed, fluttering her lashes. "Looks like your little mate’s been contaminated by the plague too~"

Ethan whirled on her, eyes blazing like he was ready to tear her throat out.

"Shut your fucking mouth, Celeste!"

Kieran frowned and grabbed her arm. "Enough, Celeste. Let’s go."

But she shook him off with a graceful flick."Oh, relax, Kieran! I’m just looking out for my brother." Her gaze slid to , venomous. "We all know how... contagious Sera’s jealousy and manipulation can be. Who knows what she’s told her friend?"

Kieran’s expression darkened. Ethan’s eyes locked onto mine—a silent warning flashing in their depths.

Maya flipped them off before dragging away. Whatever. They always needed their dramatic performances, their carefully staged villains. The old might have crumbled.

But as Maya’s grip tightened around mine, all I felt was gratitude.

Daniel was no longer the only one by my side.

Now I had Lucian.

And Maya.

The rest weren’t worth a single tear.

As soon as we made it into the garden, Maya turned to again. "I’m sorry, Sera. I didn’t know..."

I shook my head. When Maya chose over Ethan, I knew—I couldn’t let her.

"Everything I said back there was bullshit," I cut her off again. "I just wanted to see Ethan’s face twist in pain—"

"But—" Maya started to protest.

I grabbed her hand, looking into her eyes. "Listen to , Maya. Seriously. I know what finding your mate ans. Fated mates are incredibly rare now. I don’t want you to get hurt because of . I’d rather be stabbed ten tis by Ethan than watch you give up your mate because of ."

Her throat bobbed. "But I know what he did to you. How he—"

I shook my head and stopped her. "What happened between Ethan and shouldn’t affect what you have with him. And besides..." I swallowed hard, "Ethan is... a good Alpha. He’d be... a good mate."

"Oh fuck ," she sighed, crushing in a tight hug."You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to defend him. Even for ."

"I can’t lie to you, Maya." I hugged her, forcing a soft smile. "I can’t let my experience ruin your happiness. You’re my precious friend."

Her voice trembled against my ear. "Oh, dear. They have no idea how fucking amazing you are. Losing you is the biggest mistake of their lives!"

I chuckled softly and gently pushed her back. "I don’t give a shit what they think anymore." I tugged her hand. "Co on. Lucian’s probably looking for ."

She nodded and took my hand, looking into my eyes. "I won’t betray you, Sera."

I blinked, and she gave a bright smile. "Celeste will never win my favor. Ethan’s my mate. But I swear to the moon goddess—if that bitch crosses again, I will tear her apart."

I snorted. "She’s not that bad."

Maya raised a brow. "Oh really? Na two redeeming qualities Celeste has. Just two."

I opened my mouth—and imdiately shut it.

Maya burst out laughing, slinging her arm around my shoulder. "Exactly what I fucking thought."

We were still goofing off when soone stepped into our path.

Emma.

She stood at the edge of the cobblestone path, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with malice.

"Well, well," she sneered. "Two of you. Sluts always co in pairs when chasing what’s not theirs."

Maya stiffened beside . "Excuse ?"

"Oh, please," Emma scoffed, flipping her black hair over her bare shoulder. "You snagged Ethan, and Sera here has already proven herself a master at stealing soone else’s man." Her lips curled. "You’re a perfect match."

A low growl rumbled in Maya’s throat as she stepped forward, but I gently blocked her, moving between them. My friends shouldn’t always have to fight for —I could protect them too.

"Back off, Emma," I said calmly. "Ethan never chose you. Maya or not, that was never going to change. And you know that."

Her laugh held no humor. "Oh, spare . You have the nerve to say that? Or did you forget that Kieran never chose you either? And yet you stole the mate your sister was chosen for—like the shaless whore you are."

I froze. Every ounce of warmth drained from my body, replaced by that familiar, sickening sting. The echoes of the pack’s jeers after that night ca roaring back—husband-thief, lovewrecker, worthless.

"You’d better shut your fucking mouth while I’m still feeling generous," Maya warned, her voice razor-sharp.

Emma only smiled—cold, cruel—locking eyes with . "Oh, did I hit a nerve? It’s hard to preach loyalty when you wrote a whole book about betrayal, isn’t it, Sera?"

Maya ripped her arm from mine and stalked toward Emma. "Say one more word, bitch, and I’ll yank out your teeth and wear them as a fucking necklace at my wedding to Ethan."

I saw Emma’s eyes go wide as Maya’s Beta aura slamd down on her.

She stumbled back, hands raised in mock surrender. "Fine," she muttered—then pivoted to with a vicious grin.

Without warning, she shoved .

Fuck! I wasn’t ready.

Hard.

I stumbled back, heels slipping on the slick grass, arms flailing.

My back hit the water. My head followed, and in the next second, icy cold swallowed whole as I plunged beneath the surface of the koi pond—