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Chapter 8: A shattered escape
Last Updated:
2024-10-23 00:00:001 week later...
The pain comes fast—too fast for me to react. Nick’s fist slams into my ribs, knocking the wind out of me, leaving me gasping. I double over, clutching my side as a sharp, searing agony radiates through my chest. It feels like my bones are breaking under the weight of his blow, like shards of glass are being driven deeper into my skin with every breath. My vision blurs, and all I can think about is how much it hurts. But the pain is nothing new. I stagger, trying to catch my breath, as Nick steps back, towering over me with that familiar look of disgust. His lips curl into a sneer, and his voice drips with venom. "You worthless piece of trash," he spits, glaring down at me. "You can’t even handle a simple task, can you?" I don’t respond. I’ve learned not to. Speaking only makes things worse. Nick’s hand flies up, striking me hard across the face. My head snaps to the side, and IRelated chapters
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 9: A New Beginning
2 days later…The cab rumbles beneath me, the sound of the tires rolling against the road lulling me into a strange sense of peace. I clutch my bag tighter on my lap, staring out the window as the scenery flies by. My heart beats in a rhythm I can’t control—part excitement, part fear.The Vanderwilson mansion is just a few minutes away now, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I’m free. Free from Nick’s grip, free from the abuse, free from the darkness that has been suffocating me for years.But the freedom comes with its own weight.I can still feel the rush of adrenaline in my veins from earlier, the way my body trembled when I finally stood up to Nick. Ten minutes before the cab was supposed to arrive—that’s when I told them. Mom and Nick. I didn’t give myself time to think, didn’t give Nick a chance to stop me.I can still see the look on his face when I told him I was leaving for Vanderwilson."What do you mean
Last Updated : 2024-10-25My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 10: Unspoken Connections
The dining room is bathed in the soft glow of candlelight, casting flickering shadows on the table as I sit between Amelia and Luis. The room is warm, the hum of conversation casual and light, but I can’t seem to relax. The air feels thick, almost suffocating, and it has nothing to do with the cozy atmosphere or the delicious scent of food. It’s him. Luis. He’s sitting directly across from me, his presence looming over everything, even though he hasn’t said much since we sat down. I can feel him watching me, his eyes burning through my skin, and it takes everything in me not to meet his gaze. My heart is racing, pounding in my chest like it’s trying to escape. I try to focus on Amelia’s animated chatter as she talks about some ridiculous gossip from the pack. Something about one of the neighbors and their new pet dog. But I can’t hear her. Not really. Her words are a distant murmur, drowned out by the sound of my own heartbeat. The burning sensation around my neck intensifies, l
Last Updated : 2024-10-27My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 11: The Silence Between Us
2 weeks later… The three weeks leading up to Lilly’s wedding pass in a blur. Everything is happening so fast, and yet, it feels like I’m moving in slow motion. College hasn’t been the fresh start I hoped for. Instead, it’s been... isolating. I had imagined that starting university would be this big, exciting chapter of my life. New people, new experiences, a chance to escape Nick and everything back in Winter Hill. But now that I’m here, nothing feels right. I haven’t made a single friend, and the loneliness is suffocating. Even Amelia, who was so warm and bubbly when I first arrived, has become... different. She acts like a completely different person when we’re on campus. At first, I tried to ignore it, brushing it off as her just being distracted or having a bad day. But it’s more than that. She’s rude, cold, and makes these snide, backhanded comments that leave me feeling like I’m walking on eggshells around her. And I swear she’s targetin
Last Updated : 2024-10-29My 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
Last Updated : 2024-10-31My 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.”
Last Updated : 2024-11-02My 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.
Last Updated : 2024-11-04My 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
Last Updated : 2024-11-05My 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
Last Updated : 2024-11-08
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My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 28: Detective Agatha and Sidekick Caroline
It’s been three days since my awkward run-in with Luis’s father, and his words still echo in my mind. “We value respect and honesty in this house.” The irony of it burns like fire in my chest. If honesty were truly a virtue here, this mansion wouldn’t feel like a tomb stuffed with secrets.But right now, I have a bigger problem: my sister, Lilly.The conversation we had yesterday plays on a loop in my head like a bad soap opera. She’d cornered me in the kitchen after dinner, her voice soft but her eyes suspiciously red. “Agatha,” she started, her tone too careful, too measured, “how do you feel about Luis?”How do I feel about Luis? What does that even mean? He’s the man who saved me from my horrible stepfather, yet he’s also the guy who looks at me like I’m an unfinished puzzle missing the one piece he’ll never find. And now, I’m living under his roof with my sister—his wife.“Uh, he’s...fine?” I’d said, trying not to look as uncomfortable as I felt.Her lips pressed into a tight lin
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 29: The Price of Secrets
The journal sits heavy on my lap like it knows its secrets might crush me. I flip through its pages, scanning my father’s meticulous handwriting. His words are calm, measured—a stark contrast to the chaos spinning in my head. The more I read, the clearer the pieces become, but it’s a puzzle I’m terrified to finish.If Luis’s father was involved in my father’s death, does that mean Luis knows?The question feels like a slap. And then there’s Lilly. Could she really be oblivious to something so monumental? Or has she, too, been playing her part in some dark family conspiracy?Caroline speaks up, her voice sharp and biting. “You’re spiraling again. This is why we don’t do detective work at night. Go to sleep before you have an existentia
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 27: Shadows in the Hall
Standing at the doorstep of the Vanderwilson mansion, I grip the handles of my suitcases as though they’re the only things anchoring me to the ground. The cold air wraps around me, biting at my skin, but I barely feel it. My eyes are fixed on the sprawling mansion before me, its towering arches and intricate stone carvings practically dripping with opulence.“I would have never thought there’d be a day where I’d resent this place,” I mutter internally to Caroline, my wolf. “Is it too late to go back to campus?”Caroline snorts. “Oh, sure. Let’s run back to the campus crawling with rogues. Fantastic idea. You want me to call the ambulance now, or should we wait for the rogue to chew through your leg first?”“I’m just saying,” I grumble. &ld
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 26: Shadows of Desire and Danger
The deafening wail of the school alarm shatters the silence, yanking my attention away from Luis and toward the door. My pulse quickens as I hear faint but distinct police sirens approaching in the distance.“What the hell?” I whisper, my voice drowned out by the relentless blaring.Luis’s jaw tightens, his gaze darting to the window. “Humans must’ve seen the rogues,” he mutters, his tone laced with irritation. “We can’t deal with this here. If the police show up, we’ll have an entirely different mess to clean up.”“Fantastic,” I say, throwing up my hands. “Just what we need—rogues and cops.”Luis shoots me a sharp look. “Agatha, focus.”“Focusing,” I reply quickly, though my sarcasm doesn’t completely disappear.“Come on,” he says, grabbing my wrist and pulling me toward the door. His hand is warm, firm, and entirely too distracting.Caroline, my wolf, huffs in my head. “I wouldn’t mind if he held onto us forever.”“Not helping, Caroline,” I snapped internally.We slip out of the lib
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 25: Whispers in the Shadows
It’s been a few days since the Matt-kiss disaster, and the memory still burns brighter than a solar flare. Caroline hasn’t let me forget it either, gleefully replaying Luis’s scowl every chance she gets.“Do you think he was mad because he wanted to kiss us? Or because Matt actually did?”“Shut up, Caroline,” I mutter, brushing past a low branch as I stalk through the woods near the Vanderwilson estate.My wolf huffs, the sound full of amusement. “You’re no fun. You know, it’s been three days, and Luis is nowhere to be found. Maybe he’s stewing. Brooding. Imagining all the ways he could—”“Caroline!”“—ruin his brother's existence,” she finishes with a snicker.I roll my eyes and focus on the task at hand. The woods are unusually quiet today, the kind of silence that sets my teeth on edge. Luis may be ignoring me completely, but I’ve thrown myself into something much bigger to keep my mind busy: the rogue problem.They’ve been getting bolder, striking closer and closer to Vanderwilson
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 24 : Stolen Moments
The golden rays of the setting sun seep through the campus trees as I sit with Sarah, Ruth, Tyler, Leo, and Matt in the university’s open garden. The day has been filled with laughter and teasing, my friends ensuring I don’t slip back into the somber mood that has clung to me since the rogue attack on my birthday.I find myself smiling more than I expected, enjoying the warmth of their company despite the lingering anxiety in the back of my mind. Since that night, every shadow feels sharper, every sound more threatening. My Lycan, Caroline, has been restless too, pacing in my mind and reminding me that the world isn’t as safe as it seems right now.But for now, I’m choosing to enjoy this. Tyler is telling a story about his disastrous attempt at cooking dinner last week, complete with dramatic hand gestures and exaggerated voices for ever
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 23: The Return of the King
LUISThe morning air crackles with anticipation. Even before the whispers reach my ears, I can feel the energy shift in the packhouse. Something monumental is happening. By the time I step out of my room, the halls are already buzzing with pack members. Nervous glances are exchanged, whispers hissed under breaths."Alpha Conrad is back."The words hit me like a thunderclap. My father, the former Alpha of the Vanderwilson pack, the one who started a war and left us to fight it, has returned after years of absence. For a moment, I’m frozen. My heart pounds, and Mark stirs uneasily in my mind.Why now?Heavy, deliberate footsteps echo down the grand hall before I see him. The crowd parts like the Red Sea, and there he is—Alpha Conrad Vanderwilson. He’s even more imposing than I remember, his sheer presence dominating the room. His jet-black hair, streaked with gray, is slicked back, and his piercing gold eyes sweep over everyone like a predator surveying his prey. His aura is suffocating
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 22: The Weight of the Bond
LUISThe night air feels colder than usual, biting against my skin as I pace the balcony outside my office. Agatha.Her name echoes in my mind, unbidden, followed by flashes of her face—those fiery eyes that now burn with an intensity that wasn’t there before, the way she stood her ground against me the day she challenged my authority. And worst of all, that moment on her birthday when I caught her scent. It struck me like a thunderbolt.Mate.Mark growls in my mind, his voice heavy with frustration. You knew from the first time you kissed her.“I didn’t know,” I hissed aloud, gripping the balcony rail until my knuckles turned white.You’re lying to yourself. I felt it. You felt it. His growl deepens, filled with disappointment. And yet, you chose to ignore it. Look where that’s gotten us.I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block him out, but he’s relentless.Agatha is suffering because of you, and so is Lilly. This isn’t right, Luis.I slam my fist against the railing, the sound ech
My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha Chapter 21: Shadows in the Night
The words from the note echo in my mind: You’re not who you think you are.My hands tremble, the envelope slipping from my grip and floating to the floor like a feather, though it feels as heavy as a boulder in my chest. My breathing becomes uneven, a shallow rhythm that does nothing to quell the rising storm within me.“What does that even mean?” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.A chill creeps down my spine, and my thoughts scatter in every direction. Who sent this? One of the rogues? But why? What do they know about me that I don’t?I begin pacing, the four walls of the dorm room shrinking, closing in. My chest tightens, and it feels as if I’m suffocating. My fingers claw at my neck instinctively, but no invisible rope is choking me—it’s just panic taking hold.“Agatha, calm down,” Caroline’s voice cuts through the chaos in my head. It’s firm, but there’s a sharp edge to it. “Your emotions are all over the place, and it’s making it harder for me to t
