My Beta Mate Never Touched Me: He Marked My Half-Sister Instead

The marble floors of our penthouse gleamed under the afternoon sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows. I should have been at the spa for another two hours, but the anticipation of surprising Gavin for our third anniversary had made it impossible to sit still through another facial treatment.

Three years. Three years of marriage, and tonight would finally be perfect.

I clutched the small velvet box containing the vintage Patek Philippe watch I'd bought him—a piece that had cost more than most people's cars. But Gavin was worth it. He'd been so patient with me, so understanding about my... condition.

The penthouse felt unusually quiet as I slipped off my heels, padding barefoot across the cool marble. Gavin's car was in the garage, so he had to be home. Maybe he was in his study, working on pack business as usual.

"Gavin?" I called softly, not wanting to startle him.

No response.

I made my way down the hallway, past the gallery of our wedding photos—images of what I'd believed was the perfect love story. Gavin's study door was slightly ajar, which was unusual. He was meticulous about his privacy when handling pack affairs.

As I approached, I heard the faint rustle of papers from within. He must be reviewing documents for tomorrow's council meeting.

I pushed the door open gently, a smile already forming on my lips. "Surprise, I'm—"

The words died in my throat.

Gavin wasn't at his desk. The room appeared empty, but something was wrong. Papers were scattered across his usually pristine workspace, and the hidden panel behind his bookshelf—the one I wasn't supposed to know about—hung open.

My heart began to race as I stepped inside. These weren't pack documents. The letterhead on the top sheet made my blood run cold: "Crescent Family Asset Transfer Agreement - DRAFT."

With trembling fingers, I lifted the document. My name was typed at the bottom, but the signature line remained blank. The terms were laid out in stark legal language—a complete transfer of my maternal inheritance, including the mining rights that had made my family wealthy for generations, to one Gavin Lodge.

A bitter taste flooded my mouth. This had to be some kind of mistake. Maybe it was a contingency plan, something the lawyers had prepared just in case...

But then I saw the stack of letters underneath.

The first envelope bore elegant handwriting I didn't recognize, addressed to "My Beloved Gavin." My hands shook as I unfolded the cream-colored stationery.

*My darling,*

*I know this charade grows tiresome, but we must be patient just a little longer. That fool actually believes you abstain from her bed out of love—as if her pathetic, unawakened blood deserves such consideration. The thought of you touching that weakling makes my skin crawl, but I remind myself it's all temporary.*

*Once she signs the transfer documents, we'll have everything we need. The Crescent mining fortune will fund your campaign for Alpha, and I'll finally take my rightful place as your Luna. Then