"We are here."
The coachman's voice pulled Nina from her thoughts as the family's carriage rolled to a stop.
House Vermont was the epitome of beauty. Stunning in a way that felt unreal.
On both sides, carefully trimmed flowers lined the pathway, swaying gently in the cool evening breeze. Three great fountains rose from the grounds at strategic corners, their waters glittering under lantern light.
The Vermont mansion stood tall against the night sky, glass windows catching shadows instead of reflecting light. There was something eerie about it. Beautiful, yes, but unsettling in a way Nina couldn't name.
She dragged in a shaky breath as she stepped out of the carriage. The air was crisp, sharp against her lungs. The sun had long disappeared behind the clouds, but the moon was absent too, leaving behind a strange, lightless void.
As though even the sky wanted no part of what was about to happen to her.
"Hurry up, Nin—Sabrina."
Marjorie called, and Nina's eyes lifted to meet her stepmother's gaze for only a second. Her lips pressed together, but she said nothing.
She had half-expected Sabrina to expose her earlier. To run to Marjorie and tell her about her plan to reveal the switch to the Alpha's family.
But Sabrina had said nothing.
Because she knew. If she spoke, Marjorie might panic and send her in Nina's place. She couldn't risk that, it was better to gamble with Nina's life than risk her own.
Nina wasn't surprised. Sabrina had always cared only for herself. She wouldn't mind if the Alpha punished her for it, as long as everyone was going down with her.
A guard approached and greeted them with a stiff bow, then led them toward the mansion.
The moment they reached the large front doors, two more guards approached carrying a large iron box.
"All personal items must be placed into the box," one intoned."
Nina frowned in confusion as she took off her wristwatch and placed it in the box. Her parents followed suit.
Why did they need to do that?
She wondered but she didn't ask as they were immediately led into the building..
Nina stiffened as Marjorie suddenly hooked their arms together, her grip firm, her face arranged into a mournful expression. As though she hadn't gleefully sent Nina here to die.
Nina glanced at her but kept her expression still. Her jaw tightened, but she didn't pull her hand away.
They moved forward, following the guard. The hallway stretched long and high above them. Ancestral portraits of the Vermont bloodline lined the walls on both sides.
They climbed a grand staircase which looked like they were hand carved from marble stone. At the top, a set of double doors swung open to reveal a bright, spacious living room.
A fire crackled in the massive stone fireplace, casting warm light across the room. By the hearth sat an old woman. A servant stood behind her, massaging her shoulders with slow, careful movements.
The woman looked to be in her eighties. Her hair was completely white but still full, swept back elegantly from her face. Her skin was pale and lined like delicate paper, yet she carried herself like royalty. Not a single strand of hair out of place. Her blouse and skirt shimmered faintly in the firelight, and there was an aura about her—grace and danger woven together.
She looked exquisite. And terrifying at the same time.
The moment she heard their footsteps, her eyes opened. A slow smile curved her lips as she rose, leaning on a polished walking stick. Her movements were deliberate, regal. She commanded the room without effort.
"The Storm Family," she said warmly, her gaze sweeping over their faces. "Welcome. I am Lady Eloise, the Matriarch of House Vermont."
She extended her hand.
Jonathan stepped forward quickly, taking her hand in both of his.
"Thank you for having us, Your Grace. We are most grateful for this opportunity."
His voice was overly eager, almost breathless.
The Matriarch's smile faded at his enthusiasm. Her gaze slid from him to Nina, then back again.
Nina lowered her head, staring at the polished floors. She could feel the old woman's eyes on her, and she held her breath.
Jonathan seemed to realize his mistake. He cleared his throat and tried again, his tone more measured this time. "We are most grateful that our daughter has been found worthy of becoming a Luna. We earnestly wish she lives a long, fulfilling life."
The Matriarch moved closer, her eyes raking over Nina carefully. Despite the rich fabric of her dress, Nina looked pale. Almost malnourished. Her hands were clasped behind her back, her head still lowered, her shoulders tense.
Something about her made the Matriarch pause.
Her eyes flickered between Jonathan and the girl, her frown deepening. There was a resemblance between them, certainly. The same bone structure. The same shape of the eyes. But something didn't feel right.
She couldn't place it.
"Your daughter is beautiful," she said finally, forcing warmth back into her voice.
Nina curtsied low. "I am most honored to be here, Your Grace."
"Good." The Matriarch nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Dinner will be ready shortly. The Alpha and the rest of the family will join you then."
Nina's head lifted slightly, her eyes widening before she could stop herself.
The Alpha? Wasn't it said that no one had ever seen him? Would he really show himself so easily?
The Matriarch caught the flash of surprise in her eyes but she just smiled and gestured toward the chairs arranged near the fireplace. "Please, sit. The servants will bring tea while you wait."
Marjorie immediately unhooked her arm from Nina's and moved toward the chairs, lowering herself onto one of the velvet cushions with obvious delight. She looked around the room like a child in a candy store, eyes gleaming at the expensive furniture, the artwork, the chandeliers.
Only after sitting did she notice that Nina was still standing near the Matriarch.
The old woman's brows knit faintly as she regarded her.
Marjorie waved quickly, her voice artificially sweet. "My dear, come. Come sit with me."
Nina's throat tightened. She dragged her feet across the plush rug and lowered herself into the spot beside Marjorie, her body stiff, her hands folded tightly in her lap.
The Matriarch studied them a moment longer before turning and leaving the room. Her walking stick tapped softly against the floor with each step.
The moment she was gone, Marjorie leaned in close to Jonathan, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"This place is magnificent! The stories don't do it justice. It's absolutely stunning."
She glanced around again, drinking it all in, "But honey, I thought no one had ever seen the Alpha. They say he's so hideous he refuses to allow mirrors in his own chambers. Why would he agree to meet us?"
Jonathan nodded, keeping his voice low. "I heard the same. Perhaps since we are to be family now, he doesn't feel the need to hide himself."
Marjorie giggled. "Can you imagine? Our family, connected to the Vermonts. The wealth. The power. The status!"
"Once she's gone," Jonathan murmured, glancing briefly at Nina, "we'll have access to everything. The dowry alone will set us up for life."
Nina sat stiffly, listening to her parents discussing her death like it was a business transaction. A minor inconvenience on the path to riches.
She had known they didn't care about her. But hearing it so plainly, so casually, still made her chest twist painfully.
She pushed the feeling down. She couldn't afford to feel anything right now.
"The Alpha is here."
A guard's voice rang out across the room, and they all scrambled to their feet.
The double doors swung open.
Everything seemed to move in slow motion.
He walked in like he owned the room. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Sharp-featured. His long black hair fell past his shoulders, slightly disheveled, a few strands brushing against his jaw.
But it was his eyes that caught her.
Grey. Pale grey, like winter frost. Cold and piercing, framed by dark lashes. They swept across the room, assessing, dismissing, until they landed on her.
Nina's breath caught in her throat.
There was no ugliness. No disfigurement.
There was only a face so striking it made her breath stop.
He moved with the kind of presence that made the air feel heavier, like the room itself bent to accommodate him.
And he was looking directly at her.
Nina's knees threatened to buckle. Her heart stuttered in her chest, then seemed to stop altogether.
This was no monster. No.
This was the most beautiful man she had ever seen.