"Fate does not care about your plans."

When I looked into Alessia's eyes, a warmth spread through my body like a wildfire.

I could hear my wolf's excitement and I could feel the love he already had for the female in front of me. He never showed any interest in Isabel, yet he was infatuated by a girl he knew as his mate for ten seconds.

Her eyes were shining more than usual as she looked at me. First, shock was displayed on her face, then confusion, and lastly sadness.

I could see her struggle to keep her tears in. Alessandra Romano has never cried in front of me before and I was suddenly grateful that I didn't have to witness such a thing. My chest filled with pain as I saw a lone tear streak down her soft cheek.

She knew the love I used to carry for her sister. She knew this would lead to rejection. She knew and it broke me because everything running through her mind was most likely true.

I couldn't love her, I just couldn't.

It's not even about Isabel at this point. I will not love anyone ever again. I want to live my life and it's not possible with one woman. Yet when I saw the sadness that covered her exquisite features I felt as if someone had ripped my heart out and put it back in the wrong place. What hurt the most was that I was the reason for her sadness and the thought alone broke me.

She quickly concealed her emotions and excused herself.

"Where is she going? She didn't even have the cake! It's her favorite!" exclaimed her mother.

"I'll go check on her," said Jaden.

"No, I will," I said in a tone that meant it was final. He hesitated before turning around and leaving to grab a drink.

Walking up the steps of the Romano residence was something I had been doing since I was a pup. But most of the time I ended up in Isabel's room or Ricardo's. The last time I was in Alessandra's room it was because I was going to prank her.

That dye was there for weeks.

Reaching the mahogany door with the letter "A" engraved on the top was foreign to me. I couldn't remember if I had ever been to Alessandra's room since we became teens. Twisting the door open I was met with her back facing me as she took off her jewelry.

Her eyes connected with mine and she left a stoic expression on her face.

"Aless-"

"Leave."

"I know this is tricky-"

"Zane, please." The desperation in her tone shocked me. I shut my mouth and admired her from afar as she proceeded to take off her accessories. She just looked at me and rolled her eyes while continuing what she was doing. As she got to her necklace she began to struggle but the stubborn woman refused my help.

Alessandra was never one to ask for help. She always felt as if she needed to go through everything alone and had to find solutions herself. This was a trait we both shared and right now I could see it as clear as day.

"Alessandra the clasp is stuck, you won't get it off,"

"Hmph, watch me."

That's another thing about Alessandra Romano. The woman never turned her back on a challenge. It was admirable, actually, I have never seen this woman fail at anything.

"I know you're angry but there's no need for your necklace to suffer because of it,"

I approached her slowly and waited for her retaliation. It never came.

I brought my hands to the bottom of her back and slid them up to her neck. It was obvious our wolves were influencing our decisions because our eyes were both glowing. I could feel the need to mark her taking over me.

Before I could comprehend what was happening, my lips were at her neck in a vicious assault that was sure to leave a mark in the morning. I know I should pull away, but how could I? This beautiful woman was allowing me to kiss her delicate skin and I couldn't bring myself to pull away.

The air was getting heavier and I could feel our wolves trying to push through. The sneaky bastards wanted this to happen because after the marking there is no going back.

"Stop me, Ally."

"I can't,"

"I can't control it, Alessandra."

My canines elongated and I ran them up and down the length of her neck ready to lay my mark on her. My wolf could barely contain his excitement and I could practically feel him looking at her neck like it was his last meal. In an instant, she pushed me away and ran out the door using her werewolf speed. Fuck, that was too close.

But I really want it to happen again.

After Alessandra was gone, I decided to go on a run to clear my head. I needed to remind myself why I could never do this. She was the twin sister of the girl I once loved and it would just never work out. Thank the moon they aren't identical twins, that would have been awkward. I didn't think it would be this way when I met my soulmate. After breaking up with Isabel, I expected to fuck around and then find my mate once I was alpha and had my life together. Obviously, that didn't happen because the only words to describe my current situation are a chaotic mess. This will cause drama in the pack that's for sure.

I shift back into my human form and untie the clothes bound to my ankle. Once I have them on I retreat back towards the packhouse.

"Zane?"

"Isabel."

"Is she your mate?"

"Who?"

"My sister, is she your mate?"

Her eyes were glowing with anger and I could tell it was only a matter of time before she figured it all out. Isabel was observant like that, she could easily pick up on lies as well. Thankfully, after years of dating her, I have mastered the art of lying quite well.

She couldn't actually expect me to remember all our anniversaries.

"Why would you even think that?"

Her eyes lower their glow but it is still there.

"You seem awfully concerned about her wellbeing."

"And you aren't?"

"Of course I am. She is my after all."

The word sister rings in my ear. Alessia is the sister of the woman I loved for the majority of my life.

I was in love with Isabel for quite some time, I think I know what love is.

Really? Then tell me, how do you know what love is?