Chapter 1

The full moon hung like a bloody promise over the Kane mansion, and Nora Kane knew she had just walked straight into hell.

Crystal chandeliers cast sharp light across the crowded ballroom. Nora smoothed her simple black dress and tried to blend into the crowd. She had not stepped foot in this world for five long years. Now she was back for what should have been a quick appearance at her stepfather's birthday gala. 

She kept her head down and moved toward the side exit. 

"Nora."

The deep voice stopped her cold. She turned slowly. There they stood, Blake and Drew Kane, watching her like wolves that had finally caught the scent of their prey.

Blake stepped forward first, tall and commanding in his tailored suit. His dark eyes locked on hers. "Look at you. All grown up and still trying to run."

Drew flashed a sharp smile beside him, his lighter hair catching the light. "Little sister. Or should we say little wolf? You came back."

Nora's heart slammed against her ribs. She forced her voice steady. "I'm only here for the gala. Then I'm gone. Don't make this complicated."

Blake laughed low. "Too late for that. We've waited years for this night."

He grabbed her wrist before she could pull away. His grip was firm but not painful. Drew moved to her other side, blocking any escape route through the crowd. Guests laughed and chatted around them, completely unaware.

"Let go," Nora hissed. "People are watching."

"Then come with us quietly," Drew said, his tone playful but edged with something darker. "We just want to talk. Old family business."

She had no choice. They steered her through a side door into a quiet wing of the mansion. The noise of the party faded behind thick walls. Moonlight streamed through tall windows, painting everything silver. Blake locked the door with a soft click.

Nora backed up until her shoulders hit the wall. "What is this? I left this family. I left you two."

Blake stalked closer. "You think you can just walk away after what happened when you were twenty two? That night changed everything."

Drew circled to her left. "We marked you once. The bond never broke. Feel it, Nora. It's still there between us."

Her skin tingled where they had touched her. She hated how right he was. "Stay away from me. Both of you. This is insane."

Blake's voice dropped to a growl. "Insane is pretending you don't want this. Your heart is racing. I can hear it."

He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face. Nora slapped his hand away, but Drew caught her other wrist.

"Stop fighting," Drew said softly. "The moon is full tonight. It's time to finish what we started years ago."

Nora's breath came fast. "You are crazy. Let me go or I will scream."

Blake smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Scream then. No one will hear you here. And even if they did, they belong to our family. They won't interfere."

Drew leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. "Remember how we called you little wolf? That was not just a nickname. We knew what you could become for us."

Nora twisted between them. "I am not your anything. I am human. You two are monsters."

Blake's eyes flashed with something inhuman. "Monsters who need their mate. Watch."

Right there under the moonlight, his bones began to shift. Nora gasped as fur rippled across his arms and his teeth lengthened into fangs. Drew did the same beside him, faster and with a low chuckle.

"See?" Blake said, his voice rough and deeper now. "We are alphas. And you belong with us."

Drew grabbed her chin gently but firmly. "The ritual will bind you properly this time. No more running."

Nora's voice shook but she lifted her chin. "I said no. You cannot force me into your sick games."

Blake pressed closer, his body heat surrounding her. "This is not a game. The bond calls to all three of us. Feel it pulling you."

He kissed her then, hard and demanding. Nora tried to push him back, but her hands met solid muscle. Drew moved behind her, his hands sliding around her waist.

"Blake, wait," she gasped when he pulled back for air. "This is wrong. We are family."

"Step family," Drew corrected, nipping at her neck. "No blood between us. And even if there was, the moon does not care."

Nora's head spun. Part of her wanted to fight harder, but the bond they spoke of hummed under her skin like electricity. "Please. Just let me leave."

Blake shook his head. "Too late for please. You came back. That means you feel it too."

Their hands moved with purpose. Drew whispered against her ear, "Good girl. Stop fighting what you need."

Nora moaned despite herself as they stripped away her dress. The cool air hit her skin, but their bodies warmed her immediately. Blake lifted her easily, pressing her against the wall.

"Tell me you want this," he demanded.

"I hate you," she shot back, but her voice cracked.

Drew laughed softly. "Hate us all you want. Your body says something else."

They took turns kissing her, their mouths hot and insistent. Blake's hands explored her curves while Drew held her steady. Words flew between them in heated bursts.

"Look how she trembles," Blake said.

Drew replied, "Because she knows she is ours."

Nora gasped, "You two are impossible. This changes nothing."

"It changes everything," Blake growled.

The ritual began in earnest. They lowered her to a wide couch bathed in moonlight. Blake positioned himself first, his eyes glowing. "The bite will seal it."

Nora cried out as he entered her in one smooth thrust. The pleasure mixed with sharp fear. "Blake!"

"Take it," he said through gritted teeth. "Take all of me."

Drew watched with hungry eyes, stroking her hair. "You are doing so well. Let him claim you."

Their voices filled the room. Blake moved with powerful strokes, whispering, "You are mine. Say it."

"Never," Nora panted, even as her hips rose to meet him.

Drew took his turn next, flipping her onto her hands and knees. "My turn, little wolf. Feel how deep this goes."

He pushed inside her, drawing a sharp moan from her throat. "Drew, oh god."

Blake knelt in front of her, lifting her chin. "Look at me while he takes you. This is what you ran from."

The rhythm built fast and relentless. They traded places again and again, words spilling out in the heat.

Blake said, "So tight for us. Perfect."

Drew added, "She was made for this. For us."

Nora's resistance crumbled under wave after wave of sensation. "I can't. It's too much."

"You can," they answered together.

The claiming bites came under the brightest beam of moonlight. Blake struck first, sinking his teeth into her shoulder. Pain flashed, then pleasure so intense she screamed. Drew followed on her other side, marking her as his.

"The bond is complete," Blake said, voice rough with satisfaction.

Drew kissed the fresh mark. "Now you cannot run far."

Nora lay between them, breathing hard. "What have you done to me?"

Blake stroked her back. "Saved you. Made you ours."

They stayed locked together for long minutes, bodies tangled. Conversations continued in low, intense tones.

"Why now?" Nora asked weakly.

Drew answered, "Because the pack needs you. We need you."

Blake added, "And you need us. Admit it."

She stayed silent, but the new bond pulsed warmly inside her chest.

Hours passed in a blur of touches and words. They spoke of old memories, of the hunger they had hidden for years. Nora argued back at every turn.

"You had no right," she said at one point.

Blake replied, "We had every right. You are our mate."

Dawn light began to creep through the windows. Nora felt exhausted but alive in a new way. Something stirred inside her already, the first spark of life from their union.

She waited until they both dozed in the early light. Moving carefully, she gathered her torn clothes and slipped toward the door. Her body ached, marks burned on her skin, but she forced herself to move.

Blake stirred. "Nora?"

She ran.

Down the quiet halls, out a side door, and into the waiting woods behind the mansion. Her bare feet pounded the ground. She did not look back.

Wounded, terrified, and carrying their child, Nora Kane ran for her life as the sun rose on a changed world.

She knew one thing for certain. This was only the beginning.