Eleven Nights to Ruin Me

’’Here it is, my lady,’’

Nina turned to the box in Moreen’s hand and took it.

She opened it, and her eyes fell on the moonstone ring in the middle of it.

She took out the ring and slid it onto her ring finger.

Nina drew a breath, her gaze growing dark as she stared at her reflection.

’’Bring my shoes.’’

She put them on and turned to the doors.

She crossed the room toward Rodrigo’s quarters.

’’My lady, you cannot see the Alpha before the coronation,’’ Moreen said.

Nina didn’t stop as she continued quickly, her fingers fisted in her dress, her heels sharp against the ground.

A few guards stood outside the quarters, and they bowed when they saw her.

’’Luna,’’ they greeted.

’’Where’s the Alpha?’’ Nina asked, her voice edged.

’’He’s left for the coronation, Luna.’’

Nina froze as her eyes stared at them. ’’How long?’’

’’Just now.’’

She turned around quickly, running down the hallway.

Moreen ran after her.

The staircase opened into the courtyard, where a carriage was waiting, white and gold, the horses already standing.

Nina’s feet came to a stop. Her eyes scanned everywhere.

He was gone.

Her hands folded into fists by her side, her gaze growing dark.

’’Luna, what is the problem?’’ Moreen asked as she reached where she stood.

Nina didn’t reply. She lifted her eyes toward the carriage, her mind working. She could still meet up if she left now.

’’Let’s go,’’ she said quickly, running ahead.

Two guards pulled the doors open as she approached. She stepped in without stopping. Moreen climbed in after her, and the door shut, and the carriage lurched forward.

Nina sat with her hands in her lap as she watched the estate disappear behind them.

’’Luna.’’ Moreen’s voice was careful. ’’Is anything the matter?’’

Nina said nothing, her eyes fixed outside.

What was she going to do if Sabrina got there before her and told everyone?

Her hand clenched on her skirt.

Would the Alpha cancel the marriage?

Nina shut her eyes.

How would she get the Vothraki?

Her legs shook as she tried to think of a way out of this.

If she was out of the Pack’s house, she was never getting the Vothraki.

The ride was long. Too long for a twenty-minute ride. Finally, the moon shrine appeared through the trees.

The carriage slowed and stopped.

A guard opened the door, and Nina stepped down onto the stone path. The shrine rose ahead of her, white and wide, flowers banked along the steps, candles already lit along every surface despite the morning light. The sound of voices carried from inside, the low murmur of a crowd already gathered.

Three priestesses came forward and bowed.

’’This way, Luna.’’

’’Where is the Alpha?’’ Nina asked, trying to keep her voice level.

’’He is already waiting inside, Luna.’’

Nina looked at the doors.

Her hands pressed together at her sides.

It was too late. The rites were already beginning; there was no more time to speak to him.

But even if she did, would he still choose to marry her?

’’Luna.’’ The priestess gestured gently toward the doors.

Nina looked at them for one moment longer.

Then she lifted her chin, smoothed the front of her dress with both hands, and walked forward.

The doors opened.

The shrine hall was filled with nobles. They all turned when the doors opened. Nina forced a smile onto her face as her eyes scanned the crowd for her parents.

Row by row.

Until her eyes landed on them.

They were in the front row. Her father was watching her with a blank expression, but there was a smirk on Marjorie’s mouth. Nina looked to their side.

Sabrina was not with them.

Nina knew what she was capable of, but there was no way out of this.

Her eyes lifted, and they locked with Rodrigo’s.

He was standing by the raised podium, his hands behind him. His grey eyes found her across the hall, and Nina’s breath slowed.

The noise in the room seemed to die all at once, and all she could see was him standing there, with his eyes on her.

There was only one way out.

Nina swallowed.

Him.

She had to hope, even in the lack of hope, that he would choose her.

That was the only way.

She stopped in front of him, and her eyes lifted to his face.

He was looking at her, his expression giving nothing away. Her eyes went back to the crowd, moving through the faces again. Sabrina was still nowhere to be found.

The high priestess, an aged woman with full grey hair, stepped forward and began to speak. Nina heard nothing.

Her eyes continued to scan the crowd.

’’Are you okay?’’ Rodrigo asked, and her eyes snapped to him.

She forced a nod. ’’Yes,’’ she whispered.

His gaze held hers briefly, and she looked away first.

The priestess opened a black box and brought it to him. Then she opened it. Inside was the moonstone crown.

Nina’s breath seized as she stared at it.

Gold and shiny diamonds of intricate details woven together. It was incredibly beautiful. She turned toward Rodrigo.

’’Alpha, take this crown and place it on the head of the woman you’ve chosen. With this bond, she stands as your Luna in strength, balance, and power—yours and hers—until death.’’

Nina’s heart thudded against her chest as she stared at the crown.

Her eyes lifted to him. He was looking at it.

But he did not move.

Her hands trembled by her side. Had Sabrina reached him first?

Her lips moved to speak, but the doors slammed open, cutting her off.

Nina’s eyes turned to the doors, and all the color drained from her face.

Sabrina stood at the doors, her chest rising and falling as her eyes fixed on her.

Her lips curved at the edge, and she smiled. Nina’s hands stilled by her side.

The crowd turned to the doors in surprise at the sudden intrusion.

Sabrina held Nina’s gaze for a fraction of a second, and then she took a step forward.

’’The Luna you are about to crown is a fraud.’’ She pointed at Nina. ’’She deceived the pack and lied about her true identity.’’

Nina’s lashes fluttered as the entire hall was thrown into disarray, chaos erupting as all eyes turned to her.

Nina wanted to disappear, but she held still. She dragged a slow breath as she schooled her expression, her eyes watching her sister.

’’She is not Sabrina Storm. I am.’’ She looked around the hall, turning so everyone could see her face.

The hall erupted in chaos at her words.

Nina stood rooted to the spot, her expression completely blank. The only sign that showed her real reaction was her hands, fisted by her sides.

All eyes turned to her and to her sister, and they began to murmur.

’’She took my place, and now she wants to become the Luna of the Vermont Pack under false pretense!’’

Sabrina yelled, a tear dropping from her eyes.

The noise grew louder in the hall—so loud, the only thing Nina could hear was the ringing in her ears.

Nina’s eyes stayed on her sister for a long second, and then she turned slowly back to him.

He was staring at her.

His eyes were fixed on her, his face unreadable. His gaze moved slowly over her face as if he were reading something, as if he were looking for something. Then his eyes dropped to her hand, to the shiny diamond on her finger, and they stayed there.

Nina held her breath.

’’I am the real Luna chosen by the pack,’’ Sabrina said.

’’Alpha, you did not choose that woman. I will not let her deceive the entire pack. It is my duty to tell the truth.’’

She folded her hands in front of her and waited.

The whole pack waited.

Nobody breathed.

Nina’s heart thudded against her chest as she stared at him. Her gaze blurred at the edges as tears clouded her eyes. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

She didn’t blink. She held still, her fingers digging into her skin until she felt wetness.

Then—

He turned.

He took the crown from the box and stepped toward her.

Nina’s heart beat once.

Then he placed it on her head.

There was a single second of silence, and then the hall erupted in chaos.