Mated to my Stepbrother

Selene

I was once the cherished youngest daughter of the Alpha. The comfort of that time is now a distant memory, one I often visit with a pang of longing. After my father's tragic death, everything changed. My mother and I were left isolated, our former pack turning their backs on us when we needed them the most.

Years later, my mother chose to remarry, and we joined the Nightfang Pack. Our new protector, my stepfather Philip, is the brother of the Alpha King. Despite the circumstances, I am grateful for him. He has provided the stability we definitely needed.

My mother's decision to remarry didn't surprise me. She is a strong, independent woman who believes in the joy a man can bring, a sentiment I don't share. The boys at college only reinforce my disdain, their drunken escapades and vulgar behavior starkly contrasting with the men I grew up around.

I know my mom wishes for me to start dating again, especially after being rejected by my childhood sweetheart and mate, Zack. But frankly, I have no interest in anyone. The pain of his rejection still lingers, a wound that has yet to heal.

As a new member of the Nightfang Pack, fitting in has been a challenge. I graduated college right before we left, and next week, I’ll be starting my internship at LycCorp.

I did manage to meet new people during the three-day orientation, their names are Makayla and Sam. Without initiating it, they sat beside me while the instructor went on and on about how LycCorp’s main focus is to conceal the existence of werewolves from the rest of the world.

As we finally leave the building, Makayla and Sam walk beside me.

"You're going tonight, right?" Sam asks, his hands stuffed into his hoodie.

I grimace. "I have no choice. My mom's making me go for Alpha Philip’s sake."

Tonight, there is a significant banquet. I have no real interest in attending. After my father was killed in a rogue attack, I was supposed to be the next Alpha. However, according to pack laws, only males can inherit the pack. So, my Uncle Jacob was chosen instead, and now I have no interest in pack politics.

I'm not salty about it or anything, but our old pack treated us horribly when Jacob took over. Zack's rejection when he discovered that I couldn't become Alpha only made things worse. I was so relieved when we left that toxic environment behind. Every day, it felt like I was suffocating beneath the shunning and hushed judgement.

Makayla grins mischievously. "I don't want to go as much as you don't, but maybe we'll meet some hot men with power, or better yet, our mates."

Although I feel a pang in my chest, my face remains stoic. They don't know I was rejected by my mate, and I prefer nobody here know that. It's painful enough waking up each day knowing that my soulmate didn't want me, and chose another mate the same day, after I've been in love with him since I was ten years old.

"That's true. I would love to do what you did, Selene. Just move to a new pack and start over. New pack, new me. I'd choose a whole other personality," Sam replies.

I didn't have a choice.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, relief washes over me when I spot my driver pulling up to the curb. I say goodbye to my new coworkers/potential friends and once my driver opens the door, I get in the backseat. I guess being the King's brother's stepdaughter has its perks, which includes my driver letting me blast rock music the entire way home to the packhouse. Philip and Mom get annoyed when I play it in the house, they say it's just "noise".

"Hey, Mom, I'm home," I announce loudly enough that her and her new husband have time to cover up, unlike last time.

I shudder at the memory.

Mom appears out of the kitchen with her clothes disheveled, her hair a tangled mess. Her face is flushed, and her lips are swollen.

"Hi, honey. How did orientation go?" she asks, sounding slightly out of breath.

"Uh, Mom, your shirt is inside out," I murmur, unable to conceal the disgust in my voice.

She blushes harder. "Oh, thank you for pointing that out. Must've put it on wrong this morning. How boneheaded of me."

I purse my lips. "Mhmm."

It's like she's a horny teenager all over again. I get it, Dad died five years ago, but Moon Goddess, I'm going to throw up if I ever see them naked on the kitchen table again.

"Hey, Selene. Are you prepared for the banquet tonight? I need us to look like a unit," Philip says as he walks into the room, his demeanor intimidating and authoritative.

I gesture to my outfit, a tight red top and jeans. "Uh, sorry, Philip. This is the best I can do."

His face twists with displeasure. "That's the best you can do?" he repeats, a hint of frustration in his voice.

I nod, holding his gaze. I'm not one to dress up; I enjoy being comfortable.

Philip sighs, rubbing his temples. "Selene, this banquet is important. You can't go looking like that," he says with disgust. He hands me a credit card. "Take this and buy yourself a new wardrobe. I also don't want you showing up at my company like that next week, it’s bad enough that you went to orientation dressed unprofessionally. Do better, Selene."

I cross my arms. "I'm not trying to make a fashion statement, Philip. I just want to be comfortable."

Mom steps in, her expression softening. "Selene, please. It would mean a lot to us if you attended."

I look at her, seeing the plea in her caramel eyes. It's not just about the banquet; it's about trying to make us get along, to make this new life work. I sigh, relenting.

"Fine," I grit out, shoving the card into my back pocket.

A satisfied smile tugs on Philip's lips. "Perfect, and Phoenix shall also be attending tonight. If he knows better, he'll show up on time."

"Who the hell is Phoenix?" I mind-link Mom, keeping a stoic expression so he can't see.

"Oh yeah, sorry. I forgot to mention that Philip has a son," she replies, a hint of hesitation in her voice.

"I'm sorry, what now?" She forgot??? How do you forget to tell me that I have a stepbrother? Not that it's a big deal because I doubt we'll interact much, but she's been with Philip for almost a year. It sounds like even she didn't know he existed.

"Don't give me that look, Selene. I know what you're thinking, and I did give Philip a good talking to about hiding it from me. I guess they have a strained relationship and since he was always getting into trouble in his teens, Philip sent him away to werewolf training camps. It's been two years since they've seen each other, and he's finally returning home."

My mouth drops open, but I manage to keep my protests inside the confides of my skull. "So, you're saying that some random guy is moving in here?" I ask telepathically.

I could tolerate living with Philip, but not two guys. That's twice the testosterone, twice the obnoxious Alpha male energy in here. This is not what I agreed to when I came along with Mom.

"Not some random guy," she corrects me. "Your stepbrother."

As my mother speaks, the door creaks open, and there he stands.

My stepbrother.

The moment he appears, something shifts inside me. His presence is commanding, his blue eyes captivate me. His rebellious aura is unmistakable, no thanks to the biker gear, yet there's an undeniable magnetism about him.

As our eyes meet, the world around us seems to freeze. The connection is instant and intense, leaving me stunned as my body burns from the inside out with something I can't quite comprehend.