All Chapters of My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 years later…The Winter Hill estate is asleep, but I’m not. The darkness outside is suffocating, the chill sharp enough to slice through my thin sweater. My breath clouds in the icy air as I slip out the back door, the world eerily silent, save for the faint whistle of the wind. It’s the kind of quiet that clings to you, heavy and oppressive.I run.I tear through the estate grounds like something is chasing me, though nothing ever is. The pounding of my feet against the earth drowns out the chaos in my head. Pain flares in my ribs where Nick’s fist landed last night, but I push harder. The burn in my lungs, the ache in my muscles—it’s all better than the suffocating weight of my life.I don’t have a wolf. At twenty, I’m still waiting for what every other Lycan gets at twenty. No shifts. No heightened senses. Just me—ordinary, broken, and alone. I’ve spent years chasing the impossible, running until my legs nearly give out, praying to feel that spark of connection. Nothing. Not a wh

I stumble into the garden.The air is cold, sharp enough to cut through the fog in my mind, but not sharp enough to prepare me for him. He’s standing there, tall and broad, his long dark hair pulled into a messy bun. Loose strands frame his face, and he looks like he’s just stepped out of some gothic romance novel. The moonlight dances across his bare chest, highlighting muscles that could have been sculpted by the gods.And then I notice the tree.The poor thing looks like it’s been through all of his problems. Its bark is cracked, bits of splinters littering the ground. He’s panting, fists clenched, and I can practically feel the heat radiating off him even from a distance.So naturally, I say the first thing that comes to mind.“What did the tree ever do to you?”He freezes mid-breath. Slowly, he turns to face me, his dark, brooding eyes narrowing. For a second, I think I’ve made a horrible mistake. Maybe he’s some kind of forest guardian, and I’ve just insulted his life’s work.But

As I reenter the ballroom, the brightness and noise hit me like a freight train. I plaster on a smile so forced it hurts my cheeks.My eyes dart to Lilly, who’s laughing beside Luis, completely unaware of the chaos swirling in my head. Nick appears out of nowhere, his eyes narrowing when he sees me. “Where have you been?” “Strategizing,” I reply breezily. “You know, how to outshine Lilly on her big night. Think I’ve got a solid plan.”He doesn’t even crack a smile. Typical.“Well, stop whatever you’re doing and get up front,” he snaps, grabbing my arm. “It’s time to meet the Vanderwilsons.” Fantastic. Just what I needed—another round of awkward introductions with him staring at me like this is a soap opera and he’s the star.As I’m dragged toward the front of the room, I can feel Luis’s eyes burning into my back like twin lasers of regret and awkwardness. It’s the kind of look that says, Yep, I messed up, but let’s pretend this isn’t the absolute trainwreck it is. I keep my chin up, tr

1 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 I

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