Three Days Later,
“Miss Katherine! We’re going to be there in five.” The old chauffeur said, glancing at me through the rearview mirror. I gave him a weak smile when our eyes met, but it quickly faded as soon as he turned his attention back to the road. I sighed, trying to quell the nervous flutters in my stomach. My fingers fiddled with the hem of my shirt, and I looked out the window, trying to absorb the new environment. Washington was much greener and wetter than the dry town where I spent my teenage years. The lush trees lined both sides of the winding road, their leaves glistening under the soft drizzle that had begun to fall. The air was cool and smelled of pine, a stark contrast to the dry, sun-baked earth I was used to. I’d always dreamed of visiting a place like that, but now that I was here, all I could feel was dread. My heart pounded against my chest as the feeling of unease consumed me. I was moving in with seven stepbrothers, none of whom I had ever met, and without my mom there to make me feel welcome. My highly anti-social self was about to be thrust into a house full of strangers—boys, no less—in their territory while my mom was enjoying her vacations in Europe with their dad. It was my fault, to be honest. I was the one who declined the invitation to their wedding. I could have met the whole family back then, and it was quite apparent that Derek wanted me there. There were two flight tickets along with the invitation, and yet, I chose to stay behind, making excuses about school and work. Now, I was paying the price. The car pulled up outside a gigantic mansion, and my breathing quickened. I stared at the white and gray structure with wooden panels and vast glass walls in places. It was one of those modern mansions with a flat roof and huge balconies, loaded with overgrown potted plants. It was a nice-looking house, but the contrast against the forest seemed odd to me. My only experience with a mansion was from Dad’s estate in London, and it was a Victorian mansion with acres of open fields all around. This felt... odd, almost too structured, like something out of a architecture magazine. I stepped out of the car, tucking the loose strands of my copper hair behind my ears and looking around nervously. There were four sports cars—a Lamborghini, an Audi, and two Porsches—parked in the driveway. They gleamed under the muted sunlight, and from inside the house, I could hear Taylor Swift blasting through the walls. “That must be Alex. He likes to annoy his brothers by blasting loud music,” the chauffeur said, rolling my bag out from the trunk. He chuckled before continuing, “He’s around your age. All the others treat him like a king. You’ll either love him or absolutely hate him.” “Do you love him, or hate him?” I asked, trying to gauge what kind of person Alex was. “Probably hate,” he said with a laugh. “He’s spoiled and wastes money like water. But don’t judge him based on my feelings.” I nodded, “Okay.” As the old man knocked on the door, I felt my anxiety spike. I wasn't ready to meet them, yet, the door opened almost immediately, and a handsome man came into view. He had black hair and big brown eyes, hidden behind thick glasses. He looked older than me and seemed slightly surprised to see me standing there. I forced out a polite smile for him as the chauffeur carried my bags inside the house. The man returned the favor with a weak attempt of his own, and suddenly, it was just the two of us standing awkwardly on his front porch, waiting for the other to say something. Unable to stand still or look him in the eyes, I let my gaze drift inside the house, taking in the spacious entryway and modern décor. Maybe sensing my discomfort, he broke the silence. “We’re not going to kill you if that’s what scares you,” the man said with a friendly smile. Though I could sense he was joking, I couldn't help but look at him in confusion out of habit. “Don’t have much interest in humor, got it. Anyway, I believe you’re Katherine, right? I’m Dev. Come inside.” He leaned against the door frame, and I let out a sigh of relief, ready to leave the awkwardness that was dancing around us. “Don’t like meeting new people?” he asked, noticing my actions. I shook my head, staring at the floor. “Well, there are only seven of us. It won’t be that hard.” He joked again, but I could only offer him a tight-lipped smile in return. Talking to strangers for the first time has always been difficult for me… unless I was drunk, of course. The night from three days ago flashed before my eyes, and a pang of sadness settled in my chest. I still remembered everything about that night, about Lucas, and those memories stung. The next morning, I had woken up in an empty bed. Lucas had left while I was still sleeping, leaving only a note behind, nothing else. “I-I will be okay. Just some time, I’ll adjust,” I answered honestly, trying not to let my sadness show. “That’s nice to hear,” Dev said in an encouraging, friendly voice. “Come on, let me show you around.” His warm tone made me feel slightly better, but the anxiety still gnawed at me as I followed him through the entryway. The inside of the mansion was even more impressive than the outside. High ceilings, large windows letting in natural light, and sleek, modern furniture made it feel both luxurious and strangely impersonal. “This place is huge,” I muttered, more to myself than to Dev. “Yeah, it’s easy to get lost in here,” he replied with a chuckle but noticing the hint of fear in my eyes he added. “But don’t worry, you’ll find your way around soon enough.” We passed by a room with the door slightly ajar, and I peeked inside to see a guy lounging on a beanbag chair, his eyes glued to a video game on the big screen. He had silver dyed hair, and his features were sharper, more intense than Dev. He looked up and met my gaze for a split second before returning his attention to the game, not saying a word. “That’s Ian,” Dev said in a low voice as we continued walking. “He’s… quiet. Don’t take it personally if he doesn’t talk much.” I nodded, trying to remember the name and the face that went with it. We walked into another sitting area, and it was even larger than the previous one, which I assumed was the entrance hall. The space was overwhelming, making me feel even smaller and more out of place. Dev glanced back at me, catching the awe in my eyes. “This is the family room,” he said with a slight smile, trying to ease my nerves. I was immediately enveloped in an aura of modern luxury. The charcoal-gray furnishings at the center of the room were seamlessly blended with ivory-colored rug, creating a sophisticated contrast. Sunlight streamed through the massive windows above and the sliding doors that opened to the backyard, casting a golden glow on the polished marble floors beneath my feet. Gilded accents caught my eye—from elegant chandeliers that hung gracefully overhead to a meticulously crafted coffee table in the room's center. Everything in the room screamed wealth and careful curation, from the plush cushions on the couches to the abstract paintings adorning the walls. As we walked further in, I noticed a stunning water feature on the left, starting from the end of a conversation pit and flowing into the pool outside. I had never seen anything like it before. There was an art installation at the corner of the pit, a series of sleek metal sculptures that seemed to dance in the sunlight. Intrigued, I drifted closer, wanting to examine it further. Just as I was about to reach out and touch one of the sculptures, I jumped back, startled by the sight of a man sprawled on the sofa. His presence had gone unnoticed until he shifted slightly, his disheveled hair falling over his eyes. He groaned softly, stretching his arms above his head as he slowly woke up. His voice, thick with sleep, filled the room, “Is that our little sister?”“Little sister!” I thought about the word and repeated it in my head, but it never felt authentic. It was weird listening to him call me ‘little sister’ when we were not siblings. While it was true that our parents got married, I never gave much thought to that new relationship. Frankly, I didn't know if I wanted to because I wasn't blood-related to them. The whole idea of being part of a family I barely knew still felt foreign. “Yeah, that’s Katherine,” Dev replied, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. He then turned towards me and added, “And this lazy guy over here is Neel.” Neel sat up, rubbing his brown eyes before offering me a lopsided grin. “Welcome to the madhouse, Kat. Can I call you Kat?” “Y-yeah,” I said hesitantly, feeling a bit awkward under his sleepy gaze. “Relax, we’re not murderers here—well, apart from Ian.” “Neel,” Dev warned, glaring at his brother, who looked exactly like him. They had the same facial structure, height, complexion, and eye colour.
“You guys know each other?” Leo questioned, looking between the two of us, unaware of the storm raging in my heart. The moment Lucas' eyes met mine, something unspoken passed between us—a flicker of recognition that sent a jolt through my entire body. The memory of that night came rushing back, the way he had made me feel both exhilarated and terrified at the same time. I never imagined I’d see him again, much less in my new home, as my stepbrother. For a few agonizing seconds, we just stared at each other, both too stunned to speak. His expression shifted from confusion to something darker, his gaze narrowing as if he were trying to piece together the situation. “What happened? Are you guys going to answer me?” Leo's voice cut through the tension, oblivious to the atmosphere between us. He tilted his head, eyes darting between Lucas and me. Lucas recovered first, masking whatever thoughts were running through his mind with a charming smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah
“What do you think of me, Leo?” Lucas asked, narrowing his eyes at his brother. Leo, still comfortably perched on Caspian’s lap, shrugged nonchalantly. Lucas clenched his jaw and said, “I don’t flirt with every girl I see.”“That’s hard to believe,” Neel commented, entering the room from what I assumed was the kitchen. I could see a kitchen island behind him, though everything else was hidden behind a wall separating the two rooms.“Then don't believe.” “What were you doing in the kitchen?” Caspian asked, absently scratching Leo’s head like a caring mother. The chauffeur wasn’t kidding when he said the other brothers treat Leo like a king. “I told you not to have snacks before dinner.”Neel rolled his eyes and took a seat on the armchair in front of the fireplace. “I just had a single cookie. I was starving.”“Because you skipped lunch. How many times do I have to tell you to eat lunch?” Dev shook his head, making me feel even more uncomfortable sitting there.“Skipping meals is not
My eyes widened at the revelation. I stared at Caspian in disbelief, trying to process what he had just said. “Derek is on the Board and your family founded St. Louis?” I repeated, my voice filled with astonishment. Caspian nodded, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. “Can’t believe they didn't tell you? I thought you knew it all along.” “I didn't,” I admitted, feeling a mixture of surprise and relief.“I thought he was just a businessman, had no idea about St. Louis.” Caspian leaned back on his chair, observing my reaction. “Dad doesn't like to talk about himself much, but I thought your mother would have told you. Anyway, just know, dad has always been more focused on making sure everyone around him is taken care of and now that includes you too.” I couldn't help but feel warmth spread through my chest at his words. “Thank you, all of you for doing so much for a stranger.” “You are not a stranger.” He leaned forward and took my hand on his own. I had goo
Our eyes locked, and for a moment, the air between us became heavy with something unspoken, something I was too afraid to acknowledge. Every rational thought screamed at me to step away, to put distance between us, but my body refused to obey. I was trapped in the storm brewing behind his eyes, a storm I had no business being in. Harry’s gaze was intense, searching, as if he could see right through me, peeling back the layers I was so carefully constructing to save myself from them. My pulse quickened, each beat echoing in the thick silence, and I became acutely aware of how dangerously close we were. The warmth radiating from his body, the faint scent of his body wash mingling with the dedrant, made it hard to breathe, let alone look away. “What are you staring at?” His voice, low and teasing, snapped me out of my daze. There was an edge to his tone that made the air around us feel charged, like something was about to ignite. I gulped, trying to steady the wild flutter in my ches
“Hey, Little Wolf.” The familiar voice sent a shiver down my spine as I grasped the doorknob, hesitating. His usual playful nickname carried a different weight now, layered with the tension from earlier in the evening. Since I skipped dinner, I thought he would assume I was tired and already asleep. “Are you going to let me in?” he asked, his hand resting on the door. He didn’t push it open—just held it, waiting. I took a deep breath, summoning the courage to open the door all the way. He stood on the other side, dressed in a loose shirt and shorts, looking unexpectedly younger in his casual attire. I tried to look but the dim hallway light made it difficult to read his expression. “Lucas, what are you doing here?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the slight tremor I could hear. He leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. His gaze swept over me before settling on my eyes. "Don't tell me you forgot about our midnight meeting," he sai
“Lucas…” I whispered, my voice a mixture of plea and surrender. I wanted him to stop, but at the same time I wanted him to keep going, faster and harsher. “Shhh… let me take care of you, little wolf,” he murmured, his breath hot against my neck. He pressed closer, his lips grazing the sensitive skin between my neck and collarbone. I grabbed his shoulder as his actions sent shivers down my spine. “You're beautiful when you’re vulnerable like this, love,” he added, his voice low and intimate.Lucas's fingers moved expertly, igniting a fire deep within me that I had tried so hard to suppress. His touch was both familiar and foreign—a dangerous mix of desire and forbidden thrill that left me trembling. My mind raced with the implications, but my body betrayed me, responding to him with a need that was impossible to deny.“Lucas!” I moaned, my voice trembling as he added another finger, quickening his pace. It was exactly what I wanted him to do, and even though it hurt a little at the fi
The morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. I woke up feeling a strange mix of emotions—guilt, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of regret. My body was aching and mind was still foggy from the events of the previous night, but as the memories slowly resurfaced, my heart began to race. I pushed myself up from the bed, the sheets tangled around my legs. I went to the bathroom to throw some cold water on my face because it felt like I was burning. The water did little to nothing to make me feel better, but when I saw my reflection in the mirror I let out a scream. Blue and red spots were scattered all aroundy neck and chest, big and small. I threw some water and tried wiping them off with the help of towel thinking they were not real. How could they be? The hickies Camilia had shown me proudly after her first night with Phineas were nothing like those. How had I let things go so far? I had promised myself that I would keep my distance, th
“She wouldn't play with Dad like that, would she?” His question made me uncomfortable because Mom was doing exactly that. She was with Derek because of his money and she claimed he knew that too and was fine with it, but I didn't know if I could pass that information to Leo or not. Whatever agreement they had was between them, and I believed it wasn't my place to share that with his sons. Thus, I hid the truth but didn't tell him lies about Mom either. “I don't know her enough to comment about that. She hasn't been around much and you know she dated a lot of men between my Dad and yours.” “Still, she's your mother,” Leo tried to pull out any information, it was understandable that he was worried about Derek. “You must know something.” “I know that she's not the most responsible person on the planet, and didn't care about her daughter for years,” I said, remembering how I wanted to leave with her when Dad and her divorced. “Apart from that, she's just a stranger to me. I guarant
“Leo likes Kat's friend, and we just had a little disagreement about it,” Derek explained to Mom while she came to stand behind him. He was still sitting on the stool idly tracing a pattern on the marble top while trying to gather his thoughts. He looked older that morning, weighed down by the events that took place the night before. His brows were furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line, and his eyes were fixed somewhere far beyond the kitchen. “Oh! you didn't tell me about him?” Mom turned to look at Leo with curled lips. “Wait, is he the guy you've been texting recently.” Leo looked away, embarrassed. “And you told me it was someone from the class.”“You knew about it, yet didn't tell me anything?” Derek said suddenly and his voice carried that heavy, parental mix of frustration and concern. Though he didn't sound angry. “You should have told me earlier.”“I wasn't sure about it myself. Besides, I thought he was someone Kat was interested in,” she said, turning to look at me. “I
“Actually, Dad, I like Diego.” “No, you don't!” Derek almost laughed as he said those words. “You are too young to understand love.” “I'm an adult, and I'm talking about liking him and not being in love with him.” Leo walked to give Caspian a side hug and stood by his side instead of looking at Derek while he spoke. “I can do what I want.”“You don't have my permission to date some random guy you picked from the roads.” The kitchen felt like a pressure cooker, the air around us suddenly became too thick for comfort. I could feel it—the tension that hung between everyone, and how each breath sounded heavier than the last.I was standing by the island, pretending to look at the coffee mugs lined up on the shelf, but my mind was a swirl of thoughts. I could feel the shift, the quiet unease. Something was wrong, and it wasn’t just the way Derek responded to Leo, but something else was going on. I didn't know what it was, but I could feel it in my bones. The moment had been creeping u
My eyes fluttered open slowly, and I saw the sunlight streaming through the balcony in my bedroom. I groaned tiredly, my whole body was heavy with exhaustion from the previous night. For a brief, disoriented moment, I wondered if it had all been a dream—the party, the argument, the fight, the tension hanging so thick in the air it almost made me feel suffocation. My heart lurched as a thought shot through my mind. Caspian. ‘Is he still here?’ I questioned myself and turned my head quickly, scanning the room for any sign of him. The bed beside me was empty. No lingering warmth, no trace of his presence anywhere. I once again melted under the covers as a wave of relief washed over me. Though it mingled with a strange, inexplicable disappointment. I wasn’t sure which emotion was stronger; the relief of not being caught with him or the disappointment of not waking up in his arms. I touched my lips, remembering the way he kissed me in the tree house. His hands tenderly played with my
Caspian’s hand was warm as he took mine in his own and led me through the creeping shadows of the forest. The branches of the trees above us whispered secrets to each other. And our only companion in that dark night was the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the branches that swayed under the spell of the wind. The sounds of the birthday party faded behind us; the hum of voices and the music became a distant murmur that we couldn't hear anymore. I felt a strange sense of anticipation, like we were sneaking away to a place that existed just for the two of us. He stopped in front of a large oak that stood tall near their house. Its branches stretched in all directions, and the trunk was so wide that it would require at least seven people standing hand in hand to fully encircle it. The bark of the tree was rough and weathered, telling stories of countless seasons that had passed. A ladder was nailed into it, and it disappeared into the darkness above. Caspian’s lips curled
The music from the sound system thumped gently in the background, blending with the laughter and chatter that floated through the cool, soothing air of Lake Willow.The fairy lights strung along the trees cast a warm, golden glow across the boathouse and the surrounding clearing. Everything was perfect, in a way I hadn’t expected it to be. But then again, it wasn’t the beautiful decorations or the tasty cake that made the night special. It was the people—my brothers, my family—finally feeling like they had a place to just be.I watched Harry moving through the dance floor, surrounded by his friends, with joy in his eyes. He was laughing; his arms were flailing in a carefree rhythm that made me smile despite the fear of what Dad might do tomorrow, eating away my brain cells. If he decided to throw us out, I had to take care of my brothers and provide them with necessities. To most of their cards, Dad still had access, and he could freeze their account whenever he wanted; thankfully,
I already knew about the surprise party; Harry did too. The way Kat, Dev and others had tried to be subtle, sneaking around and exchanging knowing glances, was almost comical. Leo couldn't be sneaky, even if it cost him his life. I heard him speaking about the surprise on the phone more than once, while Harry guessed it seeing the way others interacted with each other. Both me and Harry figured it out days ago, but neither of us said a word to anyone. Pretending not to know felt easier than watching their faces fall, realizing all their hard work would go to waste. They wanted the day to be special—for us. Despite everything—the strained dinner conversations and the silences that cut sharper than words—we didn’t want to ruin it for them. We didn’t want to ruin their mood and take away the one thing they thought would make our day special. They were already going against Dad by planning the surprise. As we walked toward the boathouse, the air was still dense due to the argument
“A surprise?” I nodded my head, forcing a small smile. “Yeah, a surprise for you and Harry. Come with us and I promise you, it will be better than this.” He laughed, “Anything in this world is going to be better than this.” Dev looked down to lock eyes with Ian and, in a soft, love-filled voice, said, “I am sorry for not doing anything and letting you go through all of this; let me and the others show how much we love you.” “Y-you don't have to show me anything, I know,” Ian took a shaky breath and nodded before wrapping his arms around Dev. Just then, Caspian and Lucas appeared with Harry in tow. They were laughing about something, but when they noticed Dev and Ian, they stopped. A veil of confusion covered their faces as they tried to figure out what happened. “What’s going on?” Harry’s brow furrowed, and his eyes flickered between us. “Are you okay?” “Yeah, it was Alaric, forget about him,” Ian said, pulling away from Dev and then turned towards the others. “Did they
I saw Diego standing near the entrance with a small bag in his hand as I tried not to look at the people checking me out. He had a tense smile on his lips and looked lost, I almost laughed seeing him looking for me. He pulled his phone out and stepped to the side, hiding away from the stolen glances he received from ladies near him. He looked sharp in the blue suit he was wearing and had his hair slicked back. My phone started to ring and I realised he was calling me. I was about to pick up the call when he looked in my direction, and our eyes met, I waved my hand, and with a faint smile, he walked towards me. He had a little jump in his steps that he was trying to hide, but when he looked at me completely, his jaw was on the grass. All the nervousness due to being in an event like that and the unease from before was gone. His eyes sparkled and I felt Caspian turning towards him. “Wow,” he said, mesmerized as he looked up and down. Weirdly, with Diego, I didn't feel creeped out li