The villa felt eerily quiet after last night’s confusion emotions. Mia sat on her bed, staring at the sunlight filtering through the curtains. Her heart was still racing from the overwhelming feelings she had experienced with her stepbrothers. Each one of them had stirred something inside her, something she wasn’t ready to face.Her mother’s happiness depended on her keeping things normal. I can’t ruin this for her, Mia thought, biting her bottom lip. She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. She needed space, a way to clear her mind and distance herself from the brothers.The sound of muffled voices outside her room caught her attention. Peeking out, she saw Victor talking to Aiden, Liam, and Zander. “The rival packs are moving faster than we thought,” Victor said, his tone serious. “We need to handle this now.”“We can’t leave her alone,” Aiden protested, glancing toward her closed door.“She’ll be fine,” Victor said firmly. “We’ll be back before she even notices.”Mia’s hear
Mia sat on the edge of Emma’s couch, her knees pulled close to her chest as she stared out the window. The warmth of Emma’s home did little to calm the storm inside her. She had run away to clear her thoughts, but her mind was just as tangled as before. Her stepbrothers’ faces, their touches, their words they haunted her, leaving her confused and overwhelmed.Emma walked into the living room holding two mugs of tea. She placed one in front of Mia and sat down beside her. “You’ve been quiet since you got here. Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”Mia sighed, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. “It’s... complicated.”Emma gave her a pointed look. “Complicated is when you can’t decide what to wear for a date. Running away from home without telling anyone? That’s not complicated that’s serious.”“I needed space,” Mia muttered. “That’s all.”Emma frowned. “Space from what? Your new fancy life? Those gorgeous stepbrothers of yours?” She paused, then her eyes widened. “Wait. Did th
Mia stood in the middle of the living room, her heart pounding. Aiden, Liam, Zander, and Matthew surrounded her, their expressions a mixture of concern and frustration. She had expected them to be angry, but the intensity of their emotions left her speechless. The air between them felt thick, every second stretching painfully.“Mia,” Aiden finally spoke, his voice firm but calm, “why did you leave without telling us?”“I needed space,” Mia replied, trying to steady her voice. “I needed time to think.”“Think about what?” Zander demanded, stepping closer. His tone was sharper, more direct, and his piercing gaze made her feel exposed.Liam placed a hand on Zander’s shoulder, as if to calm him. “Mia, we’re not trying to control you. We just want to understand why you felt the need to run away.”Mia looked down, unable to meet their eyes. How could she explain the storm of emotions inside her? She couldn’t tell them about the way her heart raced whenever they were near, or how their touch
The evening breeze carried a gentle chill, rustling the leaves in Emma’s backyard. Mia and Emma stood near the wooden fence, chatting softly. Emma was trying her best to steer Mia’s thoughts away from the tension of earlier events. She had just managed to get Mia to smile when the sound of hurried footsteps caught their attention.Emma’s eyes widened in surprise as a familiar figure emerged from the shadows. “Oh no,” she whispered under her breath.Mia turned toward the approaching figure and blinked in surprise. “David?”David Miller, one of Mia’s classmates from her previous university, stood a few steps away, looking slightly nervous but determined. His sandy brown hair was neatly combed, and he clutched a bouquet of red roses in his hand.“I-I hope I’m not interrupting,” David said, his voice shaking slightly. He looked between Mia and Emma, his gaze lingering on Mia with an expression of admiration.Emma stepped back instinctively, her heart racing. She glanced nervously toward t
David sat on the wooden bench, his hands clasped tightly as he stared at the empty pathway in front of him. The soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze filled the air, but his heart was pounding too loudly to let him focus on the serene surroundings. She was coming. Mia. The girl who had been his quiet muse for years, the one who had unknowingly stolen his heart the moment he laid eyes on her back in university.The confession he had made to her earlier had been a mix of courage and desperation. Seeing her after so long, he couldn’t hold it back anymore. And now, she had agreed to meet him here, alone. He told himself it meant something that she cared enough to hear him out.When he finally spotted her approaching, David’s breath caught in his throat. Mia always had this effortless glow about her. She wore a simple dress, her hair flowing loosely, and yet she looked like she belonged to another world. But there was something in her cautious steps, the way she glanced around as th
David stood in the middle of Emma’s living room, his hands balled into fists at his sides. The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating. Across from him, Mia’s four step brothers Aiden, Liam, Zander, and Matthew stood in a line, their imposing figures casting long shadows against the dimly lit walls."So, you’re the guy," Aiden said, his voice calm but laced with an edge that hinted at his annoyance. His piercing gaze drilled into David, who refused to look away.David squared his shoulders, refusing to be intimidated. "Yes, I’m the guy. The one who cares about Mia enough to stand here and talk to you, even though you’ve clearly decided you don’t like me."Zander let out a low chuckle, stepping forward with a smirk. "You think you care about her? You barely know her. We’ve been protecting her . Where were you then?"David’s jaw tightened, but he held his ground. "I’ve known her long enough to see the kind of person she is kind, selfless, and strong. And I care about her future
Mia stepped into the spacious living room, the soft glow of the evening light filtering through the tall windows. Her heart thumped loudly as she glanced around, only to find Zander lounging on the couch, his dark eyes fixed on her. Aiden was leaning against the doorway, his arms crossed, a faint smirk playing on his lips.“Mia,” Zander greeted, his voice low and smooth. The way he said her name sent a shiver down her spine.She swallowed hard, trying to maintain her composure. "Zander. Aiden. I thought you’d be busy."Zander’s smile deepened, and he patted the space on the couch beside him. "Come sit with us. We’ve been waiting for you."Mia hesitated. There was something in his gaze, something intense and almost predatory. She glanced at Aiden, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her since she walked in.“Don’t make him ask twice,” Aiden said, his tone teasing but firm.She walked slowly toward the couch, feeling the heat of their stares on her. Her body betrayed her, every nerve ending t
The house felt heavier than usual, as if the walls themselves could feel the tension brewing between the Hawthorne brothers. Mia sat on the couch, trying to steady her breath. She could sense something was about to happen, something she couldn’t stop. The brothers had been quiet since the previous night’s encounter, but their silence was loud with unspoken words.Zander leaned against the kitchen counter, his jaw tight. Aiden stood beside him, his arms crossed, eyes sharp. Across from them, Liam and Matthew sat at the dining table, their expressions a mix of frustration and concern. Mia felt the weight of their gazes, even though none of them were looking directly at her.Finally, Liam broke the silence. “We need to talk about last night.”Zander straightened, his body taut like a bowstring. “What about it?”“You know what,” Matthew said, his voice calm but firm. “This isn’t just about you or Aiden. It’s about all of us.”Mia’s stomach twisted. She didn’t want to hear this. She didn’t
Mia sat between Aiden and Liam, her hands resting on the table, still trying to process everything that had happened. The mate bond was real. She could feel it in every breath she took, in every beat of her heart. It was no longer a lingering thought in the back of her mind; it was a truth she could not ignore. She lifted her gaze, looking at her stepbrothers one by one. Aiden, with his sharp eyes, was watching her closely as if waiting for her to say something. Liam’s fingers drummed lightly on the table, his usual calmness masking the storm within him. Zander leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his lips pulled into a small smirk as if he already knew what was coming. And Matthew, silent yet observant, was waiting just like the rest of them. Mia took a deep breath. “I accept it,” she finally said, her voice steady. “I accept the bond.” The room fell into a heavy silence. Then, Aiden’s chair scraped against the floor as he stood, his intense gaze locked onto hers. “Say it
Killian’s sharp eyes locked onto Mia just as her body swayed dangerously. He saw it before anyone else did the way her breath hitched, the way her pupils dilated as the overwhelming force of the mate bond crashed into her like a tidal wave. Her legs buckled. Before she could hit the ground, he moved. In one swift motion, Killian closed the distance, catching her before she collapsed. His arms wrapped around her trembling body, his grip firm yet careful, as if holding something both fragile and powerful. Aiden, Liam, Zander, and Matthew barely had time to react before Mia’s body went completely limp against Killian’s chest. A deep growl rumbled from Aiden’s throat, but Killian didn’t flinch. His wolf was already on edge, instincts screaming at him to move, to protect. He tightened his hold around Mia and shot the brothers a sharp look. “She can’t stay here,” he stated, his voice calm but laced with authority. “She needs rest.” Liam took a step forward, his entire body tense.
The night air was thick with tension. Growls and the sound of clashing bodies echoed through the battlefield. Mia’s paws pounded against the earth as she tore through the enemy ranks, her wolf moving with an agility that startled even her. She didn’t remember ever fighting like this, yet every movement felt natural like her body had done this before.Her stepbrothers fought alongside her, their wolves just as fierce, their bond strengthening with every attack. She could feel it now, deep inside her, like a tether pulling her toward them. It wasn’t just a familial bond it was something more, something primal. The mate bond.It shook her to the core.Liam leaped at an enemy, his massive black wolf pinning the rogue to the ground before his sharp fangs ended its life. Aiden fought with raw power, his golden fur streaked with blood as he protected Mia’s side. Zander moved with deadly precision, dodging attacks effortlessly and striking with lethal force. They were in sync, their wolves co
A strange sensation jolted me awake. My body burned not in pain, but with something deeper, something alive inside me. My breath came in sharp gasps as I forced my heavy eyelids open. The room spun for a moment, shadows dancing across the walls, but that wasn’t what made my heart race.It was them.I felt them. Their presence, their emotions, their pain. Aiden. Liam. Zander. Matthew. The names whispered through my mind like a prayer, a force stronger than anything I had ever known pulling me forward. My chest tightened as an overwhelming sense of urgency crashed into me. They were close, but something was wrong. My hands trembled as I pushed myself up from the bed, my legs shaking beneath me. Every nerve in my body screamed for me to run. To find them. To reach them before it was too late.I stumbled to the door, gripping the handle so hard my knuckles turned white. My breath was uneven, my mind clouded with panic. Where were they? Why couldn’t I see them? The walls of the villa seeme
I woke up with a sharp gasp, my chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. My body felt heavy, my limbs weak, as if all my strength had been drained out of me. My head was throbbing, and a dull ache spread through my legs, making it hard to move.The room around me was dimly lit, unfamiliar. The walls fell too far away, and the silence pressed against my ears. I tried to sit up, but my arms trembled beneath my weight. Something was wrong.I swallowed hard, my throat dry and burning. "Aiden...?" My voice cracked, barely more than a whisper.No response."Liam? Zander? Matthew?" I called again, a little louder this time. My heart pounded against my ribs, a sickening panic curling in my stomach.Still nothing.I forced myself to sit up, ignoring the way my head spun. My body screamed in protest, but I gritted my teeth and swung my legs off the bed. My bare feet touched the cold floor, sending a shiver up my spine. I needed to find them. Now.Pushing myself forward, I stumbled toward the
Killian’s presence filled the room like a storm rolling in, unpredictable and charged with energy. He had always been like that loud without saying much, a force that could shift the balance in any room he entered. But now, there was something darker beneath his usual smug confidence. Something cold.Sarah met his gaze, searching for a trace of the boy she had once known. The one who had spent sleepless nights debating philosophy with her, who had dared her to break rules just for the thrill of it. But the man standing before her wasn’t just a reckless troublemaker anymore. He was a hunter. A killer. A weapon that Victor had just unsheathed.Yet, despite the years, despite the blood on his hands, Killian still had the nerve to smirk at her like nothing had changed.“You really haven’t aged a day, sweetheart. What’s your secret? Hate? Or just stubbornness?”Sarah huffed, folding her arms. “And you still talk too much.”Killian’s grin widened, like he enjoyed the challenge. “I’ll take
The silver coin shattered in Victor’s palm, leaving behind a faint, pulsing energy in the air. A signal. A call. A demand. Somewhere in the darkened lands beyond their reach, the Bloodhound would feel it. And he would come.Sarah watched Victor, her chest tightening. She had seen him like this before: calm, focused, deadly. It wasn’t just about revenge. It wasn’t even about justice. This was a war declaration.She swallowed, taking a step forward. “Victor…” Her voice was softer now, lacking the earlier anger. “If you bring Killian into this, there’s no turning back. He won’t just kill the ones responsible. He’ll destroy everything in his path.”Victor’s eyes flickered toward her. “Good.”Sarah shook her head, frustration burning in her veins. “I don’t want innocent blood spilled. Mia wouldn’t want that.”Victor’s jaw clenched. “Mia wouldn’t want to be lying in pain either, but here we are.”Sarah’s breath hitched. His words were cruel, but they were true. The reality was brutal. Someo
The silence inside the villa was thick, almost suffocating. Mia had fallen asleep in Sarah’s arms, exhaustion pulling her into an uneasy rest, but Victor, Aiden, Zander, Liam, and Matthew stood in the main hall, their expressions hard, their rage barely contained.Victor’s presence was suffocating, his Alpha aura pressing down on his sons like a weight, demanding answers. His jaw was clenched, his sharp eyes scanning each of them, and the air crackled with barely restrained fury.He had trusted them. He had left Mia in their care, believing that no force would dare touch her with them around. But now, she has been attacked. Someone had gotten past them. Someone had played them for fools.And Victor Hawthorne did not take betrayal lightly.His deep, rumbling voice shattered the silence.“You will tell me exactly how this happened.” His tone was not of a father but of an Alpha demanding answers. “Now.”Aiden was the first to step forward, his face twisted in frustration. “We don’t know.
The moment Victor stepped into the villa, his fury exploded. His eyes darkened, his jaw tightened, and his hands clenched into fists. The sight of Mia trembling in Sarah’s arms, her small body marked with bruises, was enough to break something inside him. He had trusted his younger brothers to protect her, to guard this house, and they had failed.His blood boiled as he reached out through the mindlink, his voice cutting through the connection like a blade.“Aiden! Liam! Zander! Matthew!” His tone was raw with authority, not as a brother but as Alpha Victor Hawthorne. “Where the hell were you?”There was a pause before his brothers responded.“Alpha?” Aiden’s voice came first, confusion lacing his words. “What happened?”Victor’s eyes flickered to Mia, who buried her face in Sarah’s shoulder. His rage intensified.“You were supposed to protect her! You were supposed to guard this house with your lives! But instead, she was attacked! She was left alone, scared because of you!”Silence