Mia felt like an outsider in her own life. Every step she took in the Hawthorne estate felt heavy, as though the weight of four pairs of eyes was constantly on her. The brothers weren’t making things any easier. Their presence was suffocating yet magnetic, drawing her in despite the overwhelming tension simmering between them.Aiden was the most obvious about it, his protective nature showing in the way he hovered around her, always finding excuses to stay close. Whether it was offering her a glass of water when she didn’t ask or positioning himself in the room like a silent guardian, his actions spoke louder than words. Mia appreciated his kindness, but his watchful gaze made her feel like a fragile doll under constant surveillance.“Do you always have to keep such a close eye on me?” she finally asked one evening, unable to keep the question to herself anymore.Aiden looked at her, his eyes softening. “I just want to make sure you’re okay, Mia.”“I’m fine,” she insisted, though her
The Hawthorne mansion buzzed with an energy that was both intoxicating and unsettling. In the living room, the four brothers sat together, a rare sight that spoke volumes of the gravity of the situation. Aiden leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, while Liam lounged back, a smug grin tugging at his lips. Matthew, calm and composed as always, tapped his fingers rhythmically against the armrest of his chair, and Zander stood by the window, staring out into the night with a scowl.“She’s our mate,” Aiden said finally, breaking the tense silence. His voice carried a mixture of awe and frustration, his hands clenched into fists.“No,” Liam corrected, his grin widening. “She’s not just your mate. She’s our mate.”Aiden shot him a glare. “This isn’t something to joke about, Liam.”“I’m not joking,” Liam said, his tone light but his eyes serious. “It’s the truth, whether you like it or not.”Matthew sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “This complicates everything. She’s our steps
The night was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that made Mia feel uneasy. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to shake off the feeling that something was wrong. Her wolf stirred restlessly inside her, a sensation she hadn’t quite gotten used to. It was as if her instincts were trying to warn her of something.The distant sound of howling broke through the silence, sending a shiver down her spine. She bolted upright, her heart pounding. It wasn’t the playful howls she’d occasionally heard in the woods. These were guttural, aggressive and warning of danger.Mia threw off the blanket and rushed to her window. The moonlit grounds of the Hawthorne estate stretched out before her, but what caught her attention was the shadowy movement near the treeline. Her breath hitched as figures began to emerge from the darkness wolves, but not like the ones she’d seen before. Their eyes glowed with malice, and their massive forms moved with deadly intent.Her door burst open, and Aiden stor
The aftermath of the attack left a heavy silence over the Hawthorne estate. The once-vibrant yard was now marred with signs of the battle, broken furniture, and bloodstains that told stories of pain and struggle. Wolves, both in human and beast form, moved around, helping the injured and cleaning up the chaos. The air was thick with tension, grief, and an unspoken fear of what might come next.Mia stood on the side, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. Her clothes were torn, her body bruised, but it was the weight in her chest that hurt the most. She felt like she didn’t belong, like she had somehow been the cause of all this. Her wolf, restless and agitated, stirred within her, whispering words of comfort she couldn’t understand.“Keep moving! We need to secure the perimeter!” Aiden’s commanding voice snapped through the stillness, jolting Mia from her thoughts. He stood tall and fierce, barking orders to the pack members, his eyes blazing with determination.Liam walked over to
Early in the morning, sunlight poured through the large windows of the dining hall, casting a golden glow over the polished wooden floors. The air seemed calm, but no one anticipated the storm that was about to hit.Sarah and Lord Victor entered the room hand-in-hand, their faces glowing with excitement. Mia was already seated at the dining table, quietly sipping her coffee, while the four brothers Aiden, Liam, Zander, and Matthew sat silently, their usual brooding demeanor filling the space.Victor cleared his throat, his deep voice breaking the silence. “We have an announcement to make.”Sarah beamed, her eyes twinkling as she glanced at Victor. “Victor and I have decided to get married,” she said, her voice filled with happiness. “And the wedding is happening in a week!”The brothers froze. Time seemed to stop for a moment. Aiden’s coffee cup hovered mid-air, Liam’s knife paused over his plate, and Zander, who rarely showed emotion, narrowed his eyes dangerously. Matthew leaned bac
Matthew stood in the doorway, his tall frame silhouetted against the dim light of the hall. His dark eyes flickered with something unreadable, a mix of frustration and something deeper, something softer. Mia didn’t know if she wanted to let him in or slam the door shut.“Mia,” he said again, his voice gentler this time.“What do you want, Matthew?” Her voice wavered, betraying the storm of emotions she was trying so hard to hold back.“We need to talk,” he replied, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.She crossed her arms, retreating a step. “About what? About how much you all hate me? About how you think my mom and I are ruining your lives?”Matthew’s jaw tightened, and he sighed, dragging a hand through his messy hair. “It’s not like that.”“Then what is it like?” she snapped, her voice rising. “Because from where I’m standing, it sure feels like you all despise me.”He closed the door behind him and leaned against it, his usual calm demeanor cracking. “Mia, you don’t
Mia slammed her door shut and leaned her back against it, sliding down until she sat on the floor. Her heart was racing, her lips still tingling from Liam’s kiss. She touched them with trembling fingers, replaying the moment in her mind. The way he had grabbed her, his intensity, the heat of his breath it was too much. She buried her face in her hands, her emotions a tangled mess.“What is happening to me?” she whispered to the empty room, her voice breaking.Her wolf stirred, urging her to embrace the connection she had been denying. But Mia shook her head firmly. "No," she muttered. "Mom’s happiness comes first. I can't ruin it for her."Her mother’s laughter echoed faintly in her memory, a reminder of how rare those moments of joy were for Sarah. How could she, Mia, take that away from her by giving in to the chaos her stepbrothers stirred inside her?She stood up, pacing the room like a caged animal. “I just need to breathe,” she whispered to herself, but the air felt too heavy, l
The alarm had barely faded when Aiden and Zander stormed outside, their faces hard with focus. The tension in the air was thick, and the growls of wolves in the distance sent a shiver down Mia's spine. Liam stayed behind, pacing the living room like a caged animal, while Matthew pulled Mia by the wrist toward a safer part of the house."Stay here," Matthew said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument as he led her into the secure room on the far side of the mansion. The heavy door shut with a loud click, and he turned to face her, his expression serious."No, I can't stay here!" Mia snapped, her hands balled into fists. "I’m not some fragile doll you can lock away while everyone else fights. I can help!""You don’t understand," Matthew said, his voice softening but his eyes still stern. "This isn’t just about protecting you. It’s about keeping you alive. Ryker’s after you, Mia, and we can’t risk anything happening to you."Mia’s chest heaved with frustration. Her wolf was restl
Aiden couldn’t sleep. The night was quiet, but his mind was loud. His thoughts kept circling back to Mia. Every time he closed his eyes, her face appeared, her soft features, her bright eyes, and the way she had smiled at him earlier. It was enough to drive him insane.He got out of bed, pacing the length of his room. His wolf stirred within him, restless and agitated. It had been whispering to him all day, urging him to go to her, to make sure she was safe, to stay by her side. Aiden ran a hand through his hair, growling under his breath. She was in her room, just a few steps away. She was fine. He didn’t need to check on her. But the pain was unbearable.“Damn it,” he muttered, unable to fight it any longer. He grabbed a shirt, throwing it on as he quietly left his room.The hallway was dark, the moonlight spilling through the windows casting a faint glow. Aiden’s footsteps were silent as he reached Mia’s door. He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the doorknob. Was he c
It was past midnight, and the mansion was eerily quiet. Mia lay awake in her room, staring at the ceiling, unable to shake off the turmoil in her mind. The events of the past days played over and over in her head the tension, the warnings, and the undeniable pull she felt toward her stepbrothers, especially Aiden. She felt trapped, both by the bond and her emotions. Her wolf stirred restlessly, craving something she couldn’t quite put into words.Meanwhile, in his room down the hall, Aiden paced back and forth. His wolf was relentless tonight, its voice loud in his head. Aiden leaned against the wall of his room, his arms crossed as he stared at the empty space in front of him. His mind was a pool of emotions, and his wolf prowled restlessly within him, urging him to claim what was his. The pull toward Mia was relentless, a tether that grew tighter every second she was away from him.He had spent the past days suppressing his instincts, trying to maintain control, but it was getting
Mia woke up with a start, her breathing shallow and uneven. The room was silent, except for the distant hum of the house, but her mind was anything but calm. Her skin felt too tight, and the strange, throbbing sensation deep inside her was more intense than ever before. It had been growing over the past few days, this feeling. The pull of her wolf side, the primal force she could no longer ignore. It was there, in her blood, in the way her senses heightened and her heart raced at the slightest hint of danger or... desire.She dragged herself out of bed, trying to calm her nerves. The mirror reflected the same face she’d known all her life: pale skin, dark hair, soft, fragile features but her eyes. Her eyes were different now. Glowing. Not just the typical gleam, but an unmistakable intensity, like something wild was waking inside her."Mia," she whispered to herself, shaking her head. "Get it together."She didn’t want to accept it. Her wolf side, seductive and dangerous, had always b
The mysterious knock at the door echoed in the large, silent house. Everyone in the room froze. Mia’s heart raced as she glanced at her brothers, who were already on edge. Aiden stood first, his eyes narrowing as he moved cautiously toward the door. The tension in the air was suffocating.“Stay behind me,” he instructed, his voice low and firm.Mia clutched her chair, feeling the unease spreading through her. The door creaked open, and a woman stepped inside, her presence commanding attention. She was tall, with sharp, elegant features, and her piercing blue eyes scanned the room as though she could see through them all.“Who are you?” Aiden demanded, his tone sharp.The woman smiled faintly. “I’m Celeste. I come with a message, one that concerns all of you—especially Mia.”The mention of Mia’s name sent a ripple of tension through the brothers. Liam moved closer to her, his protective instincts taking over. “What do you want with her?” he asked coldly.Celeste raised her hands in a g
The tension in the house was seen, hanging in the air like a thick fog. The brothers, who had been acting strangely distant and cold for the past few days, were now even more so. Their usual playful banter had turned into icy silence, and Mia couldn’t help but feel the weight of their coldness pressing on her. She tried to ignore it, but it was impossible not to notice. Every time she walked into a room, they seemed to freeze, like they were all hiding something, and no one was willing to talk about it.Mia had never felt more out of place in her life. She tried to find solace in the little things, but nothing seemed to help. The house, once full of warmth and comfort, now felt like a stranger’s home. The brothers, her stepbrothers, seemed more like distant relatives than family. They barely spoke to her, and when they did, it was only when necessary. Their eyes, once warm and welcoming, were now cold and distant. Mia wanted to ask them what was wrong, but every time she tried, they s
The news came early in the morning like a cold gust of wind through the tense halls of the mansion. The brothers and Mia sat around the dining table, the air heavy with unspoken words. Aiden, the eldest, read the message aloud with a voice strained by suppressed emotions: “Father and Sarah are returning in two days.” The words lingered in the room, thick and suffocating.Mia’s heart dropped. She glanced at the brothers, their expressions a mix of frustration and anxiety. Liam slammed his hand on the table, his jaw tightening. “Two days? That’s too soon,” he muttered, pushing back his chair with force. The sound of it scraping against the floor made Mia flinch. “We need more time."“There is no time,” Zander said, his tone clipped. He rubbed his temples, trying to focus. “We have to fix everything before they arrive. The house is a disaster, and Father cannot find out about what happened.”Matthew leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. “He’ll know,” he said
After the attack villa is in ruined. Shattered glass crunched under Mia’s bare feet as she slowly moved across the living room. Blood smeared the floor, torn furniture lay scattered, and the metallic scent of blood lingered in the air. The sight of her brothers, battered and bruised, pulled at her heart. She bit back a sob, her chest tightening.Aiden was the first to notice her standing frozen. His shirt was torn, blood seeping through the material on his shoulder, but he still managed to force out a reassuring smirk. “Don’t look at me like that, Mia. I’m fine,” he said, his voice strained but steady.“You’re not fine!” Mia’s voice broke as tears slid down her cheeks. She ran to him, her hands trembling as she touched his arm gently. “You’re hurt, Aiden. All of you are. This…this is all my fault.”Aiden cupped her face with his good hand, his thumb brushing away her tears. “It’s not your fault,” he said firmly. “None of this is your fault, Mia.”Zander stood nearby, his expression ha
The air in the room was heavy after the stranger’s ominous departure. No one moved for a moment, the silence broken only by the faint sound of the door clicking shut behind him. Mia’s heart raced as the reality of his words settled into her mind.Ryker wasn’t going to stop. He would come for her, no matter the cost, no matter who got in his way. And now, her family was in danger because of her.Aiden was the first to break the silence, his voice sharp as a blade. “We need to fortify the perimeter immediately. No one gets in or out without us knowing.”Zander nodded, already heading toward the phone to call their guards. “I’ll double the patrols. We’re not taking any chances.”Liam turned toward Mia, his jaw clenched. “You should go upstairs. Stay in your room until we figure this out.”Mia stared at him, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “I’m not hiding again, Liam! This is my fight too.”Liam stepped closer, his eyes blazing. “It’s not your fight! It’s our fight to protect you
The alarm had barely faded when Aiden and Zander stormed outside, their faces hard with focus. The tension in the air was thick, and the growls of wolves in the distance sent a shiver down Mia's spine. Liam stayed behind, pacing the living room like a caged animal, while Matthew pulled Mia by the wrist toward a safer part of the house."Stay here," Matthew said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument as he led her into the secure room on the far side of the mansion. The heavy door shut with a loud click, and he turned to face her, his expression serious."No, I can't stay here!" Mia snapped, her hands balled into fists. "I’m not some fragile doll you can lock away while everyone else fights. I can help!""You don’t understand," Matthew said, his voice softening but his eyes still stern. "This isn’t just about protecting you. It’s about keeping you alive. Ryker’s after you, Mia, and we can’t risk anything happening to you."Mia’s chest heaved with frustration. Her wolf was restl