***Henry****
I shook my head, trying to get up, but the pain in my leg was too intense. But I somehow managed to stand up, gritting my teeth through the pain. I wish I could just lie down and rest and not have to do anything else for the rest of the day. The throbbing ache in my leg was a constant reminder of the pain and abuse that had happened to me earlier. A cough broke from my mouth as I leaned to pick up the dirty laundry from the ground that Cody and his friend had crushed under their boots. I winced as I straightened up, the weight of the laundry causing a sharp pain to shoot through my ribs. I knew I had to finish this chore or I might not get any dinner tonight. The thought of a warm meal waiting for me was the only thing keeping me going as I pushed through the pain and exhaustion. I somehow managed to go to the laundry room and put the clothes in the washer before collapsing onto the couch. My body is aching, and my mind is foggy, but at least the laundry is started. I’ll rest for a bit before tackling the next step of folding and putting everything away. Before I knew it, my eyes got heavy as sleep overtook me, the exhaustion finally winning out. ******* “Henry…” Xavier's voice called out softly as I saw a 10-year-old Xavier running behind him, a smile on his face. “Brother…” a 5-year-old Henry called back, his own smile mirroring Xavier’s. The two brothers embraced, the weight of exhaustion lifting as they found comfort in each other’s presence. Xavier scanned Henry’s face, noticing the bruises and scratches on it. “What happened to your face, Henry?” Henry shrugged. “Just playing rough with the other kids in the neighborhood.” Xavier chuckled, ruffling Henry’s hair affectionately. “You know, Hendry, you are never good at lying; tell me what really happened.” Henry hesitated before finally confessing, “I got into a fight with Cody. He said I should bow down to him because I am Omega and he is a warrior wolf.” Xavier’s expression darkened, his protective instincts kicking in. “You don’t have to bow down to anyone, Henry. You are strong and brave just the way you are.” Henry’s eyes lit up with gratitude as he hugged his brother tightly, feeling safe and loved in Xavier’s presence. “Am I, but everyone says I am an omega, not an alpha like you?” Xavier smiled reassuringly. “Being an omega doesn’t make you any less important or valuable. You have your own unique strengths that make you special.” Henry nodded, feeling a sense of pride and acceptance wash over him. “And next Cody fight is going to regret ever crossing paths with you,” Xavier added, his voice filled with determination. Henry’s confidence grew as he thought about standing up for himself in the upcoming confrontation. With Xavier by his side, he knew he could face any challenge head-on. Henry nodded his head, hugging Xavier. “I know you will always have my back, no matter what.” Xavier brushed away Henry’s hair. “Always, buddy. Always. After all, you have an Alpha as your brother.” “Hhheee...” Henry chuckled. “I love you, brother.” Xavier smiled, “I love you too. Let’s show them what we’re made of." Henry nodded in agreement, feeling grateful for his brother’s unwavering support. That day, Henry beats the shit out of Cody and his friend, proving that no one messes with his brother. Xavier stood proudly by Henry’s side as they walked away from the confrontation, knowing that their bond was unbreakable. Henry felt a sense of relief and empowerment, grateful to have a brother like Xavier who always had his back. “Brother...” Henry mumbled as a lone tear escaped his eye, overwhelmed with emotion. It was that day, and now, so much has changed that brother, who once stood by his side, now hates his presence and avoids him at all costs. Henry is left feeling lost and betrayed, wondering how their unbreakable bond could have deteriorated so quickly. He can’t help but reminisce about the days when Xavier was his rock, longing for the connection they once shared. ***** “Wake up, you fool!” a voice shouted, snapping me out of his slumber and back to reality. As ice-cold water was thrown on me, I jolted awake, realizing I had fallen asleep while doing laundry. “What the fuck do you think you are doing?” The voice continued, full of anger; it belonged to one omega of his pack members, who, like everyone else, thinks himself superior to me. I scrambled to his feet. “I am sorry... I...” I shuttered, trying to come up with an excuse for my mistake. The omega’s eyes bore into mine, filled with disdain and superiority, making me feel small and insignificant at that moment. He pulled my hair roughly, forcing me to stand up straight and face him directly. “Just because you are the Alpha’s brother, don’t think of yourself as invincible,” he sneered, his grip tightening on my hair. “You are nothing but a weak link in this pack. Remember your place.” With a final yank, he released me and walked away, leaving me feeling humiliated and powerless in his wake. “No dinner for you tonight,” he called back over his shoulder, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. “NO…. wait..,” But before I could finish my words, he was already gone, leaving me alone with the weight of his words echoing in my mind. I stood there, trying to shake off the feeling of defeat that threatened to consume me. My stomach was groaning in hunger, but I knew that the ache of emptiness inside me was nothing compared to the ache of shame and helplessness that lingered after his cruel words. I didn’t even have lunch or breakfast today as there were no leftovers after everyone’s meal, and now there is no dinner to look forward to either. The emptiness in my stomach mirrored the emptiness in my heart, both aching for something to fill the void left by his harsh departure. And pain in my body only intensified the pain in my heart, a physical reminder of the emotional turmoil I was experiencing. I don’t think there will be a day in my life when I have peace after that incident changed everything, taking away everything that was once familiar and comforting. I lost my parents, my brother, and my home all in one fell swoop, leaving me feeling utterly alone in the world. The only thought that is left now is the constant ache in my chest, a constant reminder of the deep loss I have endured. It is a pain that seems to never fully heal, a wound that will always be a part of me. And to make things worse, the abuse I endured before the tragedy only adds to the weight of my sorrow. Despite the darkness that surrounds me, I hold on to a glimmer of hope that one day I will find peace and healing amidst the pain.****Xavier*****“Did you find the culprit behind the incident?” I asked, brushing my hair in front of the mirror. “No, not yet,” my beta replied with a worried expression.“Five years have passed since the incident, and we still have no leads,” he added, his tone filled with frustration. “Maybe you should let go of the past and focus on the present,” he suggested, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.I closed my fist, turning my head towards Dean, my eyes filled with determination. “I will rest until I catch the one responsible for what happened,” I declared, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. “Just do what you have asked to do,” I stated, wearing my shirt and heading out the door, ready to start my day.Dean bowed his head in understanding, knowing that I was not going to give up until I found the one who ruined everything in my life.As I walked out into the morning sun, staring at the horizon with a steely gaze, “What day is it?” I asked, walking towards my car.Dean opened t
***Henry****A new day, a new beginning. I thought of pushing myself out of bed even if I didn’t want to. My body is still aching from the abuse from last night, and the lack of food only increases my fatigue. But I know that I have to get up and do my work or I might get punched yet again, and I don’t think my body is strong enough to handle any more abuse. So, I take a deep breath, muster up my strength, and slowly start my day, hoping for a better tomorrow.I took a cold bath in the common bathroom that is shared by the entire floor, feeling the chill seep into my bones; it was so cold that I could barely feel my fingers. I wish I could have warm water for a change, but that luxury is far out of reach for me. Despite the discomfort, I remind myself that this is just a temporary situation and I must stay strong.I made my room, changing and wearing the same clothes that I had been wearing for days now, but I didn’t have any other options at the moment. As I look around my small, dim
****Xavier*****“Mate,” my wolf growls, recognizing the scent before I do.But my world shook as a similar face came into view—the one I thought I would never see again. My heart raced with a mix of emotions, unsure of how to react after all this time apart.“Henry...” I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. The memories flooded back, both painful and beautiful, as I struggled to process the sudden connection that had reignited between us. Henry’s eyes held a mixture of regret and longing, mirroring my own conflicted feelings.Henry is my mate. How can this be possible? I thought to myself in disbelief. The bond we once shared seemed unbreakable, yet here he was, standing before me. As our eyes locked, I could sense that he, too, was grappling with the same overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume us both.But before I could say anything, Henry ran away from me, leaving me with an overwhelming thought of our new connection and the unanswered questions that lingered in the
***Henry****“It’s you,” Xavier whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of the pouring rain outside as his lips connected with mine in a soft, gentle kiss. For a moment, my mind went numb with shock and disbelief. The feeling of his touch sent shivers down my spine, making me forget about everything else at that moment. His smell fills my nostrils, making my wolf howl in approval, recognizing its mate.But the human in me knew this was wrong and dangerous. I pushed Xavier on his back, breaking the kiss abruptly, and took a step back, trying to regain my composure. “What are you doing? This... this doesn’t seem right,” I stammered, my heart racing with conflicting emotions. “We can’t do this.”Xavier rubbed his chin, a smile playing on his lips, his eyes dark with desire. “I know it’s wrong, but I can’t fight this pull between us,” he whispered, stepping closer. “I need you.”Xavier’s words made my mind race with desire and confusion. Despite knowing the consequences, I coul
****Herny****Tears started forming on my face as I struggled to hold back the flood of emotions overwhelming me. Xavier’s words: “You are bound with me forever; I will not mate, but also not allow you to mate with anyone else. You are mine, and that is not a choice you get to make.” Echoes through my mind, leaving me feeling trapped and suffocated by his possessiveness. The weight of his declaration settled heavily on my shoulders, making me question if I would ever be able to break free from his control.I lowered my head, trying to hide the tears streaming down my face, as I realized there was no escape from Xavier’s possessive grip. His words echoed in my mind, haunting me with the realization that I may never truly be free from his control.I always wanted a mate, and I always wished that my mate would be loving and supportive, not suffocating and controlling like Xavier. Not someone who is my stepbrother, not someone who hates me for reasons I can’t understand. I yearned for a l
****Xavier****“Reject me….” Henry’s voice echoes in my mind as I struggle to comprehend the pain in his words. His eyes, filled with hurt and disappointment, pierce through me, leaving me with a sense of regret and longing. And the bruises on his body who could have hurt him so badly? And the bloodstains on his shirt, evidence of the physical violence he endured. My heart aches at the thought of someone causing him such harm, and I vow to punish whoever is responsible for hurting him in such a cruel way.But even so, why do I care if he rejects me or not? Why does it matter so much? Was it because we are mates or because, deep down, I know he is the one who truly understands me like no one else ever could? His rejection feels like a betrayal of the bond we share, making me question everything I thought I knew about our connection.“You looked stressed...” Dean’s voice broke through the silence in the car, bringing me back to reality.“It’s nothing serious,” I replied, forcing a smil
*****Henry****A whole day has passed since the last time we spoke. And his words still echo in my mind: “I will make you feel rejected and unwanted every day if that’s what you truly desire.” What does he mean by that?And why is he soon keen about the mate bond? He hates me more than anyone else. But he still wants me, his stepbrother, to be his mate, even though the thought of it digs me.It’s not like I don’t feel any bond with him; I do, and my world is jumping and howling when he smells our mate bond. But the idea of being with Xavier in that way is unsettling. It’s a confusing and complicated situation that I’m not sure how to navigate.If there was anything that I wanted more than anything, it was someone to love me, a mate who would cherish me and make me feel complete. But the thought of being with Xavier in that way makes my stomach turn. I’m torn between my desire for love and my discomfort with the idea of him as a mate. I don’t even know why he is back in my life after f
****Henry*****The wolf’s eyes glowed in the darkness, its snarl revealing sharp teeth that glistened in the moonlight. Cody and I exchanged a look of silent understanding before slowly backing away, knowing that our chances of survival had just become even slimmer.“Rogues...” I mumbled under my breath, recognizing the dangerous predator in front of us. Cody’s grip on my arm tightened as we continued to retreat, hoping to escape without triggering an attack.“We don’t know how many they are or where they might be hiding,” Cody whispered, his voice barely audible over the rustling of leaves. “Let’s stick together and stay alert,” I replied, my heart pounding with fear as we navigated through the moonlit forest.I nodded my head. No matter how much Cody bullied me or hurt me, I knew that he was a warrior, and trusting him right now was best for our survival. Letting go of my fear and placing my trust in Cody’s instincts, we pressed on, determined to make it out of the forest safely.“S
Xavier***The air was thick with tension, charged with an electricity that sparked every inch of my skin. Our bodies were impossibly close, the space between us nothing but a memory. His breath came in ragged, desperate gasps, trembling against my neck, as his hands moved over me, shaking with need. Each touch of his fingers felt like a demand, a silent plea for more.“Xavier...” His voice cracked, raw and needy, sending a shiver down my spine. His mouth hovered just above mine, lips trembling with hunger and desperation. The heat between us was unbearable, a storm of desire neither of us could escape. I could feel the pulse of his heartbeat against my chest, fast, frantic, matching mine in its urgency.My hands moved, yanking at his clothes with a ferocity that matched the hunger surging through me. There was no hesitation now. I didn’t wait for permission for the lingering doubts. I needed him. I wanted him, and I wasn’t going to stop until he was mine. His body quivered beneath my
Xavier***Henry’s breath came in short, ragged gasps, his forehead pressed to mine as if grounding himself. His body trembled against me, heat rolling off him in waves, caught in the torturous pull between restraint and the desperate hunger written in his storm-gray eyes."Xavier..." he breathed, my name a fevered plea against my lips. His fingers curled into my shirt, knuckles white as if holding onto me was the only thing keeping him from unraveling. His heat burned through the fabric, his body trembling with unspoken need, every inch of him drawn taut with longing.I cupped his face, tilting his head up, forcing his gaze to lock with mine. "You don’t get to be afraid," I murmured, my thumb pressing against his cheekbone, firm, unyielding. "You’re mine, Henry. Every breath, every shudder—you belong to me."His lips parted, uncertainty flickering in his eyes, but beneath it, the hunger pulsed stronger. For a moment, I thought he would retreat, but then—he lunged. His mouth crashed ag
Xavier****Alone in the room, away from the chaos of the world outside, I watched Henry take a deep breath and close his eyes. He seemed to seek solace in the quiet stillness, a brief moment of peace amidst the storm raging within him.A small smile on my lips looking at him, I couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over me as well. It was as if his serenity was contagious, bringing a sense of tranquility to the room. The threat is lurking in the shadows, but for now, we found solace in each other's presence, finding comfort in the shared silence. The darkness outside seemed less daunting with Henry by my side, a flicker of hope amidst the looming uncertainty.The tension in the room hung thick, suffocating in its intensity. Henry’s storm-gray eyes, darkened with fear and uncertainty, searched mine, and my heart pounded in response. His words had rattled me, leaving a crack in the carefully built walls I’d maintained. I could feel it, the weight of the darkness he carried, a shad
Xavier***The silence after Dean’s departure was suffocating, a void swallowing the room whole. It loomed between us, heavy and oppressive, daring us to speak, to breathe, to resist its pull. Henry’s breaths came in sharp, uneven gasps, his shoulders trembling under the crushing weight of a truth too monstrous to ignore. The flickering candlelight carved harsh shadows across his face, each flicker a glimpse into the turmoil twisting inside him—a war waged in silence, one he wasn’t sure he had the strength to win.Fiona stepped forward, hesitant, her fingers trembling as they reached for Henry, but she stopped just short of touching him. A flicker of doubt crossed her face, her shoulders tightening as if weighed down by the unspoken fears clawing at her. Her lips parted, but no words came—just a silent plea swimming in her eyes, a mother’s love battling the terror that threatened to consume her. Diego, ever the pillar of strength, stood rigidly beside her, his jaw clenched so tightly I
Xavier****The weight of Dean’s words pressed down on me like a boulder, suffocating, unrelenting, crushing the very air from my lungs. The revelation didn’t just linger—it invaded, seeping into my bones, wrapping around my heart like an iron chain. The room felt smaller, the walls closing in, as if the universe itself recoiled from the truth, holding its breath, waiting for me to grasp the sheer gravity of what had just been spoken.Henry and I weren’t just mates. We were bound by something deeper, something that defied explanation, something that sent a cold shiver crawling down my spine.We were something beyond mortal comprehension. Something tethered to the abyss itself, lurking in the shadows of fate, waiting to consume us whole.Kin, bound by blood and destiny. A fate intertwined not just by love or the pull of the mate bond, but by something ancient, something dark—something that whispered in the marrow of my bones, waiting, watching, lurking just beyond the veil of my underst
Xavier****The silence that followed Dean’s words was suffocating, thick with the weight of revelation and dread. My grip on Henry tightened, his body unnervingly still in my arms. His eyes—those eyes—held something I had never seen before. Not just fear. Not just pain. But understanding.He knew.Diego exhaled sharply, his fists clenched, knuckles whitening as barely restrained fury coiled beneath his skin like a caged beast. Fiona stood rigid beside him, her posture a picture of composed defiance, but her eyes—those fractured pools of maternal love—betrayed her. A flicker of horror, the silent war of a mother trapped between denial and the suffocating weight of an inevitable truth, trembled in their depths.“What do you mean?” I growled, forcing my voice to remain steady, though the ground beneath me felt as if it were crumbling. My pulse thundered in my ears, my breath shallow, uneven. “What the hell are you saying, Dean?”Dean’s smirk deepened, his ember-like eyes flickering with
Xavier****The storm had not passed. It lingered, restless, as if it too sensed the battle was far from over. Thunder rumbled in the distance, a fading echo of the chaos that had unfolded below. The sky churned with swollen clouds, heavy with the weight of the battle’s aftermath. Rain had thinned to a whisper, yet the battlefield remained drenched—soaked in blood, in loss, in the echoes of war that refused to be silenced.Henry lay motionless in my arms, his breaths shallow but steady—each fragile inhale a reminder of how close we had come to losing him. The weight of his body against mine grounded me, an anchor against the storm of blood and ruin surrounding us. He had fought harder than any of us, given everything to keep us standing. And now, his body bore the cost of that sacrifice. My fingers trembled as I brushed damp hair from his forehead, caught between the relief that he was alive and the gnawing dread of what lay ahead. The abyss had not just claimed Dean—it had opened a do
Xavier***The storm does not yield.But neither do we.The battlefield is a wasteland of shadows and ruin, the echoes of our struggle still vibrating in the air like the last notes of a funeral dirge. Rain seeps into the fractured earth, pooling in the craters left by our war. The scent of damp soil and blood lingers, thick and inescapable.I hold Henry against me, my arm wrapped around his trembling form, feeling the erratic rhythm of his breath against my chest. His body is wracked with exhaustion, his strength nearly spent, but he is here. He is free. And yet, the weight of what has been lost—what has been taken—clings to us like a specter, whispering reminders of those who will never stand beside us again.Dean stands before us, changed beyond recognition. The abyss clings to him, winding its tendrils through his soul, weaving into the fabric of his being. His presence is wrong, a distortion of something that was once human. The light in his eyes has been devoured, leaving behind
Henry***The storm does not yield.Lightning splits the sky, illuminating the battlefield of destruction I have created. The shadows coil tighter around my body, venomous whispers growing more insistent, more cruel. The abyss does not wish to let me go. It does not fear Xavier's words or his unwavering belief. It only craves ruin.But Xavier does not move from where he kneels, battered and bleeding, his body trembling under the force of my blows. His breath comes in ragged gasps, but his gaze remains locked onto mine. There is no hatred in his eyes, no fear. Only that same unbearable resolve."Henry," he murmurs again, voice hoarse yet firm. "I know you're still in there. I know you can fight this."The shadows recoil, thrashing at the edges of my mind, furious at his audacity. A pulse of agony surges through me, sharp and unrelenting, as the abyss fights to reclaim me.I clutch my head, stumbling backward, my breaths coming in desperate pants. "Stop—stop talking, Xavier. You don’t un