chapter 5

Sunlight streamed through the curtains as Mia stirred awake. A heavy arm draped across her waist, pulling her flush against a warm chest. Her eyes flew open as Matthew's hand slid under her shirt, his fingers tracing patterns on her bare skin.

Her breath caught. This wasn't right. Where was Aiden? The protective cocoon from last night had transformed into something else entirely.

"Morning, little mouse." Matthew's voice rasped against her ear, his touch becoming bolder.

Mia jerked away, but his arm tightened. "Stop-"

A knock at the door froze them both. "Mia? Why is your door locked?"

"Mom?" Panic shot through her veins. Sarah never found Mia's door locked - it was an unspoken rule between them since childhood.

Matthew released her instantly, rolling off the bed. His footsteps barely made a sound as he slipped into the adjoining bathroom.

"Just a minute!" Mia's voice cracked as she scrambled to straighten her twisted pajamas.

"Honey, are you okay? You never lock your door." Sarah's worried voice carried through the wood.

Mia ran her fingers through her tangled hair. "I'm fine, Mom. I just- I wanted some privacy last night. Still getting used to the new house."

She opened the door to Sarah's concerned face. "Are you sure you're alright? You look flushed."

"Just woke up." Mia forced a smile. "The silk sheets are different from our old cotton ones. Took me a while to get comfortable."

Sarah's eyes swept the room, and Mia's heart hammered against her ribs. But the bed looked normal enough, if a bit rumpled, and Matthew had left no trace of his presence.

"Well, breakfast is ready whenever you are." Sarah kissed her forehead. "I'm glad you're settling in."

Mia waited until her mother's footsteps faded before sagging against the door frame. The bathroom door clicked open behind her.

Matthew emerged from the bathroom, his smirk sharp as a blade. "Thanks for the cover story, little mouse." He sauntered past her, pausing at the doorway. "Oh, and I found something interesting in your nightstand."

Mia's blood ran cold. Her pills. She lunged for the drawer, yanking it open. Empty.

"Looking for these?" Matthew dangled the orange prescription bottle, the pills rattling inside.

"Give those back." Her fingers curled into fists. "I need them."

"Do you?" He cocked his head. "Or is this just another way to hide what you really are?"

Her wolf stirred beneath her skin, clawing at her restraint. "Please, Matthew. You don't understand-"

"I understand perfectly." He pocketed the bottle. "A wolf who can't control herself without chemical help? Pathetic."

Mia followed him into the hallway. "Those are prescribed. You can't just-"

"Watch me." He disappeared down the stairs.

Hours crawled by. Her skin itched, her wolf growing restless. She found Matthew in the library after dinner, sprawled across a leather armchair.

"Had enough?" He pulled out his phone. "Nice pictures, by the way. You look cute when you sleep." He turned the screen toward her - photos of her curled against him that morning, her shirt riding up.

"Delete those." Her voice shook.

"I will. And you'll get your pills back." His eyes gleamed. "Strip."

"What?"

"You heard me. Or should I show Sarah these cozy shots of her daughter in bed with her new stepbrother?"

Mia's stomach lurched. "You wouldn't."

"Try me." He rattled the pill bottle. "Clock's ticking, little mouse. How badly do you need these?"

Her wolf snarled, demanding release. Without the medication, she'd lose control soon. Her fingers trembled as they reached for her top button.

Mia froze, her shirt half-unbuttoned. She scanned the room for an escape, but Matthew blocked the doorway, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "Go on, little mouse. Let's see that body of yours."

As her panic rose, her wolf clawed closer to the surface. She desperately needed her medication. With shaking fingers, she continued undoing the buttons, her eyes fixed on the floor.

"That's it." Matthew's voice dropped to a purr. "Slowly. I want to enjoy the view."

The last button slipped free. Mia's hands balled into fists at her sides, hesitating. She inhaled sharply, steeling herself, and then tugged the shirt off her shoulders, letting it drop to the floor.

Matthew's eyes raked over her, his smirk widening. But as she stood there, trembling, something shifted in his gaze. The smirk faltered, his eyes widening as if he were seeing her for the first time. A muscle in his jaw twitched.

Mia wrapped her arms around herself, hugging her elbows tightly. She couldn't bear to meet his eyes, knowing the power she'd given him.

Suddenly, he swore. His hand flew to his neck, fingers seeking the familiar scar they had all received on their eighteenth birthday, a ritual that branded them with their fated mate's mark. Mia's eyes flicked up, her breath catching as she saw his hand covering the exact same mark on his neck that she bore on hers.

They were mates.

Matthew took a stumbling step back, his face paling. "No. This can't be right."

Mia jerked her shirt off the floor, pulling it on hastily. "What's wrong?"

He shook his head, eyes wild. "You can't be. This isn't possible."

Mia's heart sank as she realized the horror of their situation. "We're mates?"

He backed away, shaking his head fervently. "No. This can't be true. Not after everything—"

Matthew's laptop chimed from the desk, breaking their stunned silence. An audio file popped up on the screen, automatically playing through the speakers.

"You know the rules, little brother." Aiden's voice filled the room, cold and sharp. "Dad made it clear - she belongs to me. Your games end now."

Matthew's face drained of color. He lunged for the laptop, but not before Zander's laugh crackled through the speakers.

"Better listen to big brother, Matt. Remember what happened to the last girl who caught your eye?"

The audio cut off. Matthew slammed the laptop shut, his hands shaking.

Mia backed away, her shirt still hanging open. "What was that?"

"Nothing." Matthew's voice cracked. "It's nothing."

"Didn't sound like nothing." Her fingers fumbled with her buttons. "What did Aiden mean?"