They Called Her Baby a Beast

The century-long war was over.

My sister and I were the Alpha's daughters. The strongest pack in the North. We were forced into a marriage alliance with the Evernight vampire kingdom.

A witch prophesied a powerful hybrid would be born to our family. A child destined to be king.

Soon, my sister and I were both pregnant.

I didn't care about giving birth to the prophesied ruler. I just wanted my child to be safe and healthy.

But I never expected what happened.

My sister, Liliana, gave birth to the hybrid king.

Her mate, the first prince, Damien, was immediately named Crown Prince.

And me? I gave birth to a monster. A beast born in its feral wolf form, all fangs and fury.

I was branded unclean. My mate, the second prince Kael, was executed for my "sin." Burned to ash.

Only in my last moments did I learn the truth.

The monster my sister had swapped for mine? It was hers.

It was all a scheme. A plot she and Damien hatched to hide a defect in his bloodline and steal the throne.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back. Back before everything went to hell.

And my sister was walking toward me, a smile on her face, a glass of juice in her hand…

I was reborn just days before I was due to give birth. And the woman who’d murdered me, my sister Liliana, stood right in front of me. In her hand was the glass of juice that had sealed my fate the first time.

Liliana set the glass down. She gently stroked her swollen belly, her brow furrowed with worry.

"Sera, I'm so worried. The healer says my baby is too active." She walked toward me slowly. "He was kicking all night. So strong I could barely sleep."

I leaned back against the headboard and watched her perform.

The exact same opening line as last time.

"That does sound rough," I replied gently.

"It's more than that." Liliana sat on the edge of my bed, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I keep feeling this strange energy. It's powerful, overwhelming, just like… just like the prophecy described. And I keep dreaming of a pair of eyes. Golden, glittering eyes."

I almost scoffed. The monster my sister had birthed flashed in my mind. She was already pretending to carry the hybrid king.

But I didn't call out her lie.

Her lie was a fortress. I couldn't tear it down with words alone.

I forced a smile. "It sounds like you're the lucky one, sister. The true future queen. Congratulations."

Liliana's feigned anxiety melted into a joyful smile.

But when she looked at me, I saw the cold calculation in her eyes.

She handed me the crystal glass. The deep red liquid inside smelled faintly of fruit.

"Pomegranate juice. It's good for the baby."

I took the glass but set it aside.

I knew what it was. A potion to knock me unconscious the moment