Alpha's Regret After I Mated to His Brother

The heavy metal doors of Silver Creek Containment Facility creaked open. After five long years, I was finally stepping out into freedom. The bitter winter wind slapped my face, carrying with it the scents of my past—pine trees, snow, and the unmistakable musk of werewolves.I paused at the entrance, my thin jacket offering little protection against the cold. At twenty-six, I felt decades older. Five years ago, my life had shattered like glass when I discovered I wasn't the true daughter of Richard and Vivian Stone, Alphas of the prestigious Stone Pack. I was a Rivers—a nobody, switched at birth by my biological mother who had been the pack's omega.A sleek black SUV waited in the distance. Even from here, I could smell him—Mike Stone, my former brother. My heart clenched painfully in my chest.I clutched my small bag of belongings and started walking. Each step felt like lead. My once-strong wolf whimpered inside me, weakened by years of exposure to the wolfsbane that permeated the

I watched her there, trembling like a pathetic wounded animal. Elara Rivers. The woman who had once been my promised mate. The woman who had humiliated me five years ago.My wolf surged within me, its hatred burning like acid through my veins. The memory of that night flashed before my eyes—finding her in bed with another wolf, her scent mingled with his in the most primal betrayal possible."You can't even look me in the eyes, can you?" I growled, grabbing her chin and forcing her face up.Those emerald eyes—once proud and defiant—now held only fear. Good. She should be afraid."Please, Damon," she whispered. "I've told you a thousand times—I was drugged. I would never have betrayed our mate bond."I laughed, the sound harsh even to my own ears. "Save your lies, Elara. The evidence was clear."My wolf snarled, demanding I remind her of the shame she'd brought upon me. Upon the Thorne name."Do you know what they called me after your little stunt?" I leaned closer, my voice drop

The moment I regained consciousness in my hospital bed, I could sense the tension in the room. My father Richard, mother Vivian, and Mike stood around me with grim expressions. Damon paced by the window, radiating fury."What's wrong?" I asked, my voice deliberately weak. "Where's Elara?"Damon's head snapped toward me, his blue eyes flashing dangerously. "She escaped.""What?" I gasped, summoning tears that began to roll down my cheeks.My wolf, Bella, readily supplied the appropriate whimpers to accompany my performance. We'd perfected this act over the years."She ran away last night," Mike explained, his hand squeezing mine supportively. "Dr. Walker says her wolf was too weak for the transplant anyway."I let my lower lip tremble. "I knew she wouldn't help me. Even after everything she stole from me."Mother immediately rushed to my side, brushing my blonde hair from my forehead. "Don't upset yourself, darling. We'll find another donor.""But I needed her kidney," I whisper

The room froze as Lucian Thorne stood on the balcony. His powerful presence made everyone still. Even Damon lowered his eyes in submission. The air felt thick with tension, making it hard to breathe."I'll handle this," Damon said, his voice suddenly weak compared to his earlier confident tone.Lucian swept his cold blue eyes across the room before turning away. His gaze lingered on me for a moment, sending chills down my spine. Once he was gone, Damon seemed to breathe again, his shoulders relaxing slightly."Mrs. Davis," he ordered, wiping sweat from his forehead, "take them to the servants' quarters in the east wing."The housekeeper looked shocked, her mouth dropping open. "But sir, those rooms are barely habitable! The plumbing is—""Just do it," Damon snapped, glancing nervously toward where Lucian had disappeared. His hands were trembling slightly, I noticed.I held Ethan closer, feeling him shake against me. His small fingers clutched my shirt tightly. Everyone knew about

Hours later, Edward burst through the door. His usually composed face was flushed with urgency."Sir, I just received critical information," he said, slightly out of breath. "Sarah Foster has confessed."I turned sharply, my wolf instantly alert. "Confessed what exactly?"Edward cleared his throat. "About that night six years ago. It wasn't her who entered your room."My fingers tightened on the edge of my desk. "Who was it?""Madeline Bell, sir."The name hung in the air between us. Madeline Bell—daughter of one of the most influential werewolf families in Ocean City, and the woman who had been pursuing me relentlessly for years."Explain," I demanded, my voice dangerously quiet."Sarah claims she was paid to drug your drink, but the female who was supposed to enter your room afterward was Madeline. She was meant to... seduce you while you were vulnerable."My hand came down on the desk with such force that a crack appeared in the polished wood. "Are you telling me this was a