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Chapter 16: A Breath of Freedom
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2024-11-08 00:01:02With just a week until my 21st birthday, I’d expected a quiet countdown to the inevitable disappointment. But nothing has gone as I thought it would. Everything has shifted unexpectedly, thanks mostly to Matt.
Luis’s brother has been a surprising source of comfort and ease in a world that often feels cold and isolating. We’ve been spending almost every day together after school, slipping away from the Vanderwilson mansion to find small pockets of peace in our own little world. I haven’t been able to explain the kiss that happened after Lilly’s wedding night; it lingers between us, unaddressed but impossible to forget. I’ve caught Matt’s eye lingering on me a few times, his lips twitching as if he’s about to bring it up, but he hasn’t. And for that, I’m grateful.
School itself has felt lighter too, an u
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I stare at him, a dozen questions spinning through my mind, but none of them make it to my lips. My anger softens, just a little, replaced by a kind of dread I can’t ignore.“So, that’s it then?” My voice is quieter now, almost hollow. “You married Lilly because it was necessary… to protect the pack?”He nods, his face etched with a weariness I hadn’t noticed before. “My father insists on it. He doesn’t understand any other way to strengthen our standing. He won’t let the pack be vulnerable to outside threats. Not again.”The weight of his words settles into me, dragging me down with it. I realize that this isn’t just about Luis or Lilly or me; it’s about something much bigger. An entire world I barely understand, with power plays a
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I double over, clutching at my sides as an overwhelming heat courses through me, radiating outwards, consuming every inch of my body. My bones feel as if they’re shifting, bending, molding into something else. The realization hits me like a punch to the gut—I’m shifting.The room around me fades as my vision blurs, replaced by a hazy mix of pain and power, a rush so intense that I can barely breathe. Gasps erupt around me, but I barely register them. All I feel is the raw force exploding within me, taking control, claiming every part of me.Nick stumbles back, his face twisted in shock as he realizes what’s happening. But Luis doesn’t falter. He watches me, eyes wide with awe, his Lycan form standing tall and ready.I meet his gaze, feeling a strength I’ve never known—a power that’s mine and mine alone. And in this moment, in the midst of chaos, I know that I’m no longer the weak girl they all thought I was.
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 19: Shadows and Bonds
I move into my new dorm room with the bare essentials. The university feels distant and unfamiliar after all that happened back at the mansion, the cold reminder of the attack still clinging to me. It wasn’t long ago that I’d looked forward to the quiet of these halls, the endless nights of study sessions, getting away from my old pack, getting away from Nick, the carefree laughs with friends, and the steady rhythm of a life separate from the Vanderwilson pack.But now? Everything is different.Caroline, my Lycan, is quiet this morning. It’s odd since she’s usually chattering or throwing sarcastic comments my way. Ever since she arrived, she’s been a shadow I can’t shake off—and surprisingly, I wouldn’t want to.“Oh, come on. Just because I like to talk doesn’t mean I’m a shadow. Besides, admit it—you’d miss me if I went silent.” Caroline’s voice is a playful hum in my head.I let out a soft laugh. She’s right. In an odd way, Caroline’s presence has been my lifeline, especially sinc
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My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 1: The Wolves' Eyes
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My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 2: Running from Shadows
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My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 18: Awakening the Storm
I double over, clutching at my sides as an overwhelming heat courses through me, radiating outwards, consuming every inch of my body. My bones feel as if they’re shifting, bending, molding into something else. The realization hits me like a punch to the gut—I’m shifting.The room around me fades as my vision blurs, replaced by a hazy mix of pain and power, a rush so intense that I can barely breathe. Gasps erupt around me, but I barely register them. All I feel is the raw force exploding within me, taking control, claiming every part of me.Nick stumbles back, his face twisted in shock as he realizes what’s happening. But Luis doesn’t falter. He watches me, eyes wide with awe, his Lycan form standing tall and ready.I meet his gaze, feeling a strength I’ve never known—a power that’s mine and mine alone. And in this moment, in the midst of chaos, I know that I’m no longer the weak girl they all thought I was.
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 17: Shadows of the Awakening
I stare at him, a dozen questions spinning through my mind, but none of them make it to my lips. My anger softens, just a little, replaced by a kind of dread I can’t ignore.“So, that’s it then?” My voice is quieter now, almost hollow. “You married Lilly because it was necessary… to protect the pack?”He nods, his face etched with a weariness I hadn’t noticed before. “My father insists on it. He doesn’t understand any other way to strengthen our standing. He won’t let the pack be vulnerable to outside threats. Not again.”The weight of his words settles into me, dragging me down with it. I realize that this isn’t just about Luis or Lilly or me; it’s about something much bigger. An entire world I barely understand, with power plays a
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 16: A Breath of Freedom
With just a week until my 21st birthday, I’d expected a quiet countdown to the inevitable disappointment. But nothing has gone as I thought it would. Everything has shifted unexpectedly, thanks mostly to Matt.Luis’s brother has been a surprising source of comfort and ease in a world that often feels cold and isolating. We’ve been spending almost every day together after school, slipping away from the Vanderwilson mansion to find small pockets of peace in our own little world. I haven’t been able to explain the kiss that happened after Lilly’s wedding night; it lingers between us, unaddressed but impossible to forget. I’ve caught Matt’s eye lingering on me a few times, his lips twitching as if he’s about to bring it up, but he hasn’t. And for that, I’m grateful.School itself has felt lighter too, an u
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 15: Shadows beneath the Surface
The Vanderwilson estate glimmers with an unsettling beauty tonight. Crystal chandeliers throw a gentle cascade of light over the finely dressed crowd, illuminating a scene fit for royalty. Every inch of the space is swathed in elegance, roses and lilies intricately woven together to symbolize the unity of two powerful families. Yet beneath the polished perfection, unease permeates, a tension too thick to ignore. Even the small groups gathered in laughter seem subdued, glancing around nervously as though expecting something terrible to happen at any moment.The recent news of rogue wolves attacking our pack members hangs heavily over us all, like a dark cloud looming over the light-hearted celebration. Whispers ripple through the hall, and though no one dares speak too loudly, the tales of bloody attacks are inescapable, traded between guests who think no one’s listening. The guards stationed by every doorway and the furtive glances between guests make it clear—the wolves are not as
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 14: Shadows of the Heart
The morning begins with a cold bite in the air, seeping through the walls of the mansion and settling like a chill in my bones. Today, Lilly will stand at the altar with Luis. It’s the culmination of every whispered plan, every carefully orchestrated lie, and every pang of heartbreak I’ve endured since the moment I realized I would never be enough. I’m expected to play my role, to wear my smile like a mask while they speak their vows. I’m just another shadow in a room flooded with light.As I walk down the hallway, I hear snippets of laughter and conversation. Guests are already arriving, bustling in with their dresses and jewels, their faces lit up with joy and anticipation. It’s all so... painfully normal. I force my shoulders to relax, trying to ease the tightness in my chest, but every step feels heavy, like I’m dragging a weight too unbearable to carry.
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 13: A Flicker of the Past
01:01 am…The kitchen is dimly lit, shadows stretching across the floor as the silence thickens between us. Luis and I stand there, facing each other, and I feel the weight of all the unspoken words, the truths neither of us can bring ourselves to admit. The space around us seems to shrink until it’s just the two of us, locked in this moment, connected in ways I can’t fully understand but feel deep in my bones.A soft sigh escapes me, and my voice comes out in a whisper, filled with a vulnerability I rarely allow myself to feel. “Sometimes, in moments like this… I miss my dad. It’s like I still hear his voice, especially when things get too hard.” I pause, looking down as a wave of emotions I’ve held back for years begins to rise. “He was my everything. Losing him felt like… losing myself.”
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 12: The Night Before
11:49 pm…It’s the night before Lilly’s wedding, and sleep eludes me. I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing with everything that has happened in the last few days. The anticipation, the secrets, the lies—every single moment weighs on me. I toss and turn, trying to ignore the ache in my chest that grows stronger with each passing second.The last three days have been a whirlwind. The house has been a constant flurry of people, all bustling with excitement, the air thick with the scent of fresh flowers and expensive perfume. Everywhere I go, I hear laughter, music, and the endless chatter about the “perfect union” between the Winter Hill and Vanderwilson packs. But every word spoken feels like a lie I can’t escape.Despite everything, Lilly and I… bonded. Really bonded. For t
