Valeria’s plan was simple: Endure living in the same house as her notoriously sexy stepbrothers. Make it through the last months of high school. Leave the Red Ridge Pack—forever. And things were going quite well until the first thing her wolf - Hazel - screamed on her eighteenth birthday was, “Mates!” To her horror, she looked up and saw it wasn’t just one—but all four of her stepbrothers. Alerion, the cold and calculating leader. Caius, the cute geek Zane, the Casanova, who made her heart race and her head spin. And Lysander, the quirky one who had sworn to make her life in school difficult Each of them is determined to stake their claim, but Valeria has no interest in being part of their game. With her stepfather pressuring her into an arranged marriage and her mother turning a blind eye to her struggles, Valeria has one goal: to escape and never be found. But the bond between mates is impossible to ignore, and when secrets unravel and tensions ignite, Valeria finds herself caught in a dangerous web of jealousy, desire, and betrayal. Her freedom was all she ever wanted, but will she risk losing her heart to the ones she vowed to leave behind?
View MoreValeria POVEight Months later…I struck a day off the calendar sighing with content – three more days until my eighteenth birthday. Three days until I could finally escape this prison.I had even planned everything: a small apartment in the city, far from Red Ridge Pack, I’d already gotten a job at a bookstore, and thankfully since I was no longer vying for the affection of my stepbrothers, I’ve been able to save.Not only that, I was supposed to have gotten my wolf at 14 but I am almost 18, everyone has assumed I am human but for me, it was the best thing ever. No wolf meant no pack bonds to break, no mate to pine for, no ties to sever except the already fragile ones binding me to this family that had never wanted me.The only problem was my stepfather, Alpha Cassian was growing impatient.A month ago, I’d overheard him telling my mother, that as soon as I turn 18, I’ll be mated off.His voice had been calm but it was laced with disdain as if it was my fault that I had no wolf.“She
Valeria POVThat evening, I sat at my desk calculating my remaining savings which had dwindled significantly after my recent attempts at buying my step-brothers affection.My mother’s words from breakfast some days ago echoed in my mind. “You should focus on building relationships between yourself and your brothers. Don’t just give up because they’re not being receptive yet.”I had tried to explain to her about the gifts and lunches, about my efforts to connect with them but my mother had insisted I wasn’t trying enough.“If they’re not receptive, you’re not trying hard enough. They’ll be Future Alphas one day and are perfect examples of grace and refinement. The problem must lie with your approach.So, I kept trying. I learned all of their favourite food, spent hours browsing the stores for perfect gifts, and offered help with tasks before being asked but each of my attempts was met with the same polite dismissal, each gift redirected to another person and today… I couldn’t believe t
Valeria POVMy step-brothers went easy on me for the rest of the week.They treated me like I was invisible but that was fine since they were no longer bullying me. Maybe they finally had a rethink. So, I decided to take my mother’s advice.The sound of sizzling oil filled the kitchen as I carefully arranged the honey-glazed chicken inside a lunch box. I tried to copy the movements of the chef whose tutorials I had seen, cutting the vegetables into perfect shapes – carrots carved into delicate flowers, cucumbers rolled into a beautiful spiral.The clock in the kitchen read 5:30 Am but I have been awake since four, determined to make the perfect lunch for my Oldest brother, Alerion.Three weeks of living in the Packhouse has taught me to treasure these quiet morning hours before the maids arrived, before my step-father’s critical gaze – although he rarely speaks to me except when he wants to organize my life the way it pleases him and wants to inform me, still I couldn’t help but feel
Alerion POVI and my brothers gathered in the library later that night after I was done with my work for the day.We all took our usual spots, with me sitting at the chair next to the mahogany table, my back against the high-backed leather chair, my fingers drumming against the armrest rhythmically. Caius was nearby, leaning against a bookshelf with his usual calm demeanour adjusting his glasses now and again with a bored expression on his face.Zane was sprawled on the couch, his muscular frame taking up more than half of it and Lysander, the youngest, lounged by the window, his eyes gleaming with their usual mischief.We only gathered in the library whenever we wanted to talk about something that bothered us and tonight’s discussion was about Valera and her mother. Well, mostly Valeria.Her mother seemed to be pushing the right buttons with my father, making her out of our reach, at least for now.“She’s just like her mother,” Lysander sneered, crossing his arms over his chest. “She
Valeria POVBy the time I finally arrived at the packhouse, it was too late.My feet ached as I trudged up the driveway, the sun was setting, casting long shadows across the manicured lawn and my heart was heavy with fear and sadness. I had gotten lost several while trying to track my way to the pack house, all I wanted right now was a warm bath and maybe food.But as I neared the packhouse, it was anything but welcoming. It felt like a prison.As the front door opened, I saw my mother pacing in the foyer, worry etched across her face. As soon as she saw me, she ran up to me.“Valeria! Where have you been? I’ve been calling you for hours. Lysander said he didn’t see you after school and came home thinking you had come ahead. What happened dear?”My eyes darted past my mom to where Lysander was lounging on the stairs, his pupils glinting with amusement. He was watching me intently, a slow smug smile curving his lips.He knew.He knew exactly what he had done, leaving me stranded at sch
Valeria POVThe drive to school was torture.I perched at the other end of the back seat, holding my breath while Lysander sat next to me, his presence feeling the entire car. Finally, the car pulled up, in front of a big gate that had the name ‘Moonhaven Academy’ embossed on the top.The school was such a beautiful architectural edifice with wrought iron barriers and wolf motifs adorning the entrance. As we drove through the gate, my eyes widened – impressed by the ancient stone building and modern glass structures that were the school.There was large, sprawling, neatly pruned lawns with flower hedges made up of different beautiful flowers. On the lawns were tall trees, pruned too – and serving as cover for the benches. I saw some students sitting on the grass, taking pictures, talking and laughing.Everyone dressed so impeccable, and looked so perfect… this was nothing like my former school which had overgrown grasses and hedges with students dressed as they wanted, here, although
Valeria POVThe pale morning light filtered through my curtains, casting a soft glow across my room. I lay in bed, motionless. The events of the previous night playing on repeat in my mind like a nightmare.The lingering scent of blood, Alerion’s icy gaze and the way his hand had wrapped around my throat – teased into my mind afresh hanging like a heavy cloud. I had barely slept, every creak kept me on the edge, as if something or someone could be lurking at the corner of my room, waiting for the perfect moment to strangle me in my sleep.I had to tell my mother – at least. Whatever Alerion and his family were doing it had to be illegal right?My hands hovered over my phone, fingers trembling as I considered calling my mother, after a moment’s hesitation. I dialed her number and had almost given up that she wouldn’t pick up when she answered.“Hey, sweetheart, good morning.” She said breezily.“Mom!” I started without a preamble “There’s something I want to tell you. Last night…”“Hol
Valeria POVI am now Alpha Cassian’s stepdaughter not just that, I also have four hot, dangerously sexy step-brothers – the kind of hotness that will make your pulse race just by standing in the same room with name and leave a wet patch in between your legs. Me… a girl who has been an only child all my life. It has just been me and my mommy and I loved the arrangement. I loved that I could not share her with someone else but my mother fell in love and although I know I have no say in her choices, I just wished she had chosen another species... maybe a human and not a werewolf.So, here I am, standing on the Private tarmac of the Red Ridge Pack Airport, waiting for a crew to hand us our luggage. Well, my step-father was not only a powerful Alpha, but he was also wealthy and had sent a private jet to pick up me and Mom.“Thank you!” my mother murmured gratefully to the Porter who finished loading all of our luggage as we turned and followed behind him.My mother glanced at her phone. “
Valeria POVI am now Alpha Cassian’s stepdaughter not just that, I also have four hot, dangerously sexy step-brothers – the kind of hotness that will make your pulse race just by standing in the same room with name and leave a wet patch in between your legs. Me… a girl who has been an only child all my life. It has just been me and my mommy and I loved the arrangement. I loved that I could not share her with someone else but my mother fell in love and although I know I have no say in her choices, I just wished she had chosen another species... maybe a human and not a werewolf.So, here I am, standing on the Private tarmac of the Red Ridge Pack Airport, waiting for a crew to hand us our luggage. Well, my step-father was not only a powerful Alpha, but he was also wealthy and had sent a private jet to pick up me and Mom.“Thank you!” my mother murmured gratefully to the Porter who finished loading all of our luggage as we turned and followed behind him.My mother glanced at her phone. “
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