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Chapter 8

Selene

I rush to my room, feeling flushed and feverish. Who the hell does he think he is? Talking to me like I'm one of his whores or something?

He's sick in the head. He has to be. Nobody could say filthy things like that to their stepsister and not be insane. But even as I try to shake off my thoughts of him, a shameful heat blooms inside me. Yeah, this could only be my heat cycle. There's no other reason a man like him would be able to affect me this way.

If you want my cock in your filthy mouth so badly, all you have to do is get on your knees.

The arrogant smirk on his face flashes in my mind, and I hate how it makes me feel. The possessiveness in his icy, blue eyes, the way he gripped my chin, sending pleasurable electricity coursing through my body. I can't tell if I want to slap him or kiss him until we're both breathless.

I throw myself onto my mattress and scream into my pillow. My stepbrother is a forbidden fruit, one I know I should stay far away from, but he keeps appearing, as if he gets off on taunting me.

Why does he have to be here? I just hope he leaves soon. Maybe Mom will kick him out. She has to fear for our safety after the huge tantrum he had last time, right? She might be ensnared in Philip's trap, but she isn't stupid. She knows something's going on, and that if Philip can disown his own son, there must be something wrong with Phoenix.

He's dangerous. Unpredictable. A threat to us. He needs to be sent back where he came from.

At least then, I could think clearly. My wolf has been going crazy since he came into the house, his scent and commanding aura flooding my senses.

It's just my heat coming, I tell myself. I don't actually want to fuck my stepbrother. But I need to stay away from him just in case.

Suddenly, the door creaks open, and there he is, leaning against the door, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Thinking about me?" he taunts, his voice deep voice making me shudder.

I stiffen, instinctively pulling my blanket over my body even though I'm fully dressed. "What are you doing here?" I demand, my voice trembling despite my attempt at bravado.

He steps inside and closes the door behind him. "Just wanted to let you know I'm moving into the room next to yours."

I gape at him. "No the fuck you're not!" I exclaim in disbelief.

He can't move in. He just can't.

He chuckles, a sound that sends a mix of fear and excitement through me. "Why do you look so afraid, little wolf? Afraid you won't be able to resist me?" he taunts, his eyes never leave mine.

I glare at him. "Yeah, afraid I'll punch you in the face," I snap.

He sits on the edge of my bed, looking unfazed. "That's not a very nice thing to do to your brother. Your mom didn't teach you how to get along with other kids growing up?"

I smirk. "Actually, she taught me exactly how to deal with bullies. Keep fucking with me and I'll give you a demonstration."

He yawns, actually fucking yawns in my face. Like I'm boring him. "You know, our parents just told me they want us to get along. It will only work if we both put in the effort," he drawls.

My eyes narrow. "Who told you that?"

He shrugs, smirking. "Does it matter? It must be hard, being rejected by your mate. No wonder you're so...guarded."

My eyes widen with realization. Mom. She was coming down the stairs when I was heading to my room and must've spoken to him. I love the woman to death, but she can't hold water for anything. I just can't believe she would tell him something so personal about my life.

No one from this pack knows I've already found and lost my mate. But I remember it like it just happened:

It was my five years ago, a few weeks after my father died and the day the Council would decide if I would become Alpha or not. I knew for certain it was between me and Uncle, but I was ready to take the position.

Zack was my childhood sweetheart and when I turned eighteen and we found out we were mates, we were both so happy. But for some reason, he refused to mark me, refused to seal the bond. It didn't make sense, since we had been having sex for years, but I never argued with him about it.

During the hearing with the Council, when they announced my uncle as the new Alpha, Zack walked out. I had to wait until everything was over to chase after him, and I found him at the packhouse with all of his things packed.

"What's going on?" I asked him, my voice small.

He refused to look at me, as if I disappointed him. "I need some time, Selene," he murmured.

I furrowed my brows. "Time for what? Where are you going, Zack?"

Without answering, he pushed past me and headed down the stairs, towards the truck waiting outside for him.

"Talk to me!" I shouted, tugging on his elbow . "Tell me what I did wrong!"

He stopped on the porch, refusing to turn around. "You're just not who I need, Selene. This isn't going to work between us," he replied coldly.

I laughed incredulously. "Are you serious right now? Is it because I can't become Alpha? Because that's the only thing I can think of that has changed between us in the past twenty-four hours."

I hear him sigh heavily. "It's not about that. I just wanted us to be a powerful couple. I'm about to go to the police academy, and what are you doing? Sitting on your ass crying over your dad every day. It's...pathetic. I thought you were going to become Alpha, and now you're nothing."

His words felt like a bullet straight through my heart. "What are you talking about? I'm about to go to college," I retorted, my body starting to tremble with rage.

What did he expect from me? The Council said I couldn't be Alpha because I'm a she-wolf. And I was training when grief wasn't kicking my ass. Apparently, that wasn't enough for him.

Dropping his box into the back of the truck, he slowly turned around, his olive eyes finally meeting mine. They're filled with a coldness I've never seen from him before.

"I, Zack Parker, reject you, Selene Warner, as my mate," he states with conviction.

I stepped back, pain rippling through me as our bond instantly shatters. I collapse to my knees, tears relentlessly streaming down my face. "Don't do this, Zack," I pleaded.

He wiped a single tear from his cheek and turns away. "I'm sorry, Selene," he said as he got into his truck and drove away.

End of flashback*

I push the memory aside, ignoring the ache in my chest. "You don't know shit about me," I growl at my stepbrother, who's still sitting on my bed.

He leans in, his voice a low rumble. "I know enough. And I'm here if you need anything, Selene. Anything at all."

His words hang in the air, and I can't tell if he's mocking me or being sincere. Either way, it's too much. "Get out," I manage to say, my voice trembling with emotion.

Phoenix stands, smirking as he heads towards the door. "Remember, little wolf. You might be my sister, but nothing or no one will stop me from making you mine if I decide to."

With that, he leaves, and I'm left staring at the door like an idiot.

I hope to Goddess he's joking.

He has to be, right?

I bury my face in my pillow again. Either way, I need to stay strong, keep my distance. But deep down, a part of me is afraid I won't be able to resist him if he does decide to pursue me.

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