Fated To My Cruel Step-Brother and His Enemy

“The idea of having a step-brother irks me out. I swear, I'll hate Mum after this!”

The rust-eaten car door groaned as I slammed it shut. It made such a jarring sound that only reminded me of the agitation roaring like a hurricane inside of me.

The Alpha’s mansion stood before me with its dark stones shading the weak afternoon sun. It wasn't welcoming. It was more like a fortress guarding some unknown treasure. And like hell, I hated it!

I could not wait to rat both of my wolf’s ears out once we were alone. This wasn't Ravenwood Pack– my home. No, this was a place that reeked of cold power and city nonsense.

"This is insane, Mom," I grumbled, throwing my hands in the air. "Why do you have to take this Luna position? We were perfectly happy back in Ravenwood."

My mom turned to me with pleading eyes. "Honey, this isn't just a position. It's an honor being chosen as Luna by the Alpha Council."

"Honor?" I scoffed. "More like a cage I am being forced into. Ravenwood is good. It's small. We only have werewolves living within a radius but this is a city full of humans and probably vampires, Mum!”

My gaze swept over the mansion again. "And what about me? I have friends in Ravenwood, a life there. Here, I'll be just another outsider, a social pariah with a lame name like Nimue."

Mom chuckled but only succeeded in worsening the irritation on my skin. "Nimue is a beautiful name, honey. It means 'great wave,' strong and powerful. Besides, you'll make new friends. This could be a good thing, a fresh start."

“A fresh start? You're getting the words mixed up there, Mom. The keyword is: ‘forced start’. Everything I know, everyone I love is left behind because of a one-way ticket to who-knows-where, huh?”

Mom wouldn't answer. She walked up ahead. With a sigh, I shouldered my backpack and followed her towards the mansion.

She squeezed my shoulder. "You'll make new friends, Nimue. Besides, you're turning eighteen soon. A fresh start might be just what you need."

A fresh start, my foot.

Just as my internal rant was about to reach a pitch, the huge doors of the mansion creaked open.

And holy sweetness, it spewed forth a figure scoured in the rays of the noon sun. My breath almost became ragged at the sight of him. Mum didn't tell me there were beautiful men in this pack. She always put the first things last!

He was tall, with dark hair that fell across his forehead in a chic bang, hiding away a pair of eyes that I could only describe as ‘deadly serious’.

Every muscle in my body tensed as an awareness I didn't understand slammed into me. This guy— he would certainly be an interesting personality. Interestingly dangerous… I mean, gorgeous.

Something in me stirred. My Luna wolf stirred. She purred.

“I like him, Nimue.” She gasped.

However, my Umbra wolf said he was trouble. If he was trouble, I couldn't deny that he was the most captivating kind at that.

Oh. Do not be surprised. I am a unique she-wolf with two different kinds of wolves. Apparently, one of my wolves seemed to like this sinfully good-looking guy, and the other was— erh, not a fan.

He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw us and his gaze did a quick scan of Mom's face, sussing out her vibe before landing on mine. And then, recognition struck his face, followed by a look that practically shouted ‘disgust’.

“They smell filthy… as supposed," he spat with disdain. Then, without another glance, he turned to leave.

Oh. My. Good. Godly. God.

What the hell just happened? Did Mr. Handsome face just turn into a body of spite?! Like hell, I wouldn't tolerate disrespect from anyone. Be it a good-looking guy or a jerk.

“Excuse you, Mr. High-and-Mighty!” I hissed. Before Mom could grab my arm, I was striding towards him with an icy glare.

"Did you just call us— filthy?" I demanded, hands on my hips.

He paused, his back stiffened, and slowly turned his head. Geez, I took in a big gulp. Up close, his features were even more striking – a strong jawline, a perfectly sculpted nose, and those eyes…

…they were seafoam green. They seemed to nibble at something inside of me. What was this feeling?

A sluggish smirk curled a corner of his lips. "Isn't that obvious?" he growled in a way that sent goosebumps erupting all over me. "You waltz in here, uninvited, and expect some grand welcome? From me?”

"Uninvited?" My voice rose high. "We're here because my mother is the new Luna!" I gestured towards Mom, who looked like a deer caught in headlights.

He finally deemed it fit to look at her with an empty expression. "Figures," he muttered.

My momma deserved so much better than this arrogant A-hole!

“Take that back!" I yelled, steepling my fingers dangerously. "My mother is the most kind, most honorable woman I know, and soon to be your Luna, you basic rascal!”

He chuckled. "Spare me the dramatics," his eyes raked over me with a coldness that made me feel exposed. "Maybe back in your… whatever it is you came from, manners aren't a thing. Here, you learn to respect your superiors."

S—superiors?!

Who?!

Before I could retort, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the mansion, leaving me fuming. Superior? Hell, this man's respect level is on negative infinity, and he's here talking to me about one?

Pfft!

Mom placed a shaky hand on my arm. "Don't mind him, Nimue. He's just… Kieran. He'll come around eventually."

"Eventually?" I scoffed. "Well, if ‘eventually’ means never, then I can live with that just fine."

“Let's just go in.”

“Not until you tell me who that arrogant jerk is!”

Mom sighed, shaking her head. “Well, t-that’s your new brother.” She said.

New… what?! New brother? Mine? My new brother? That douchebag?

Argh. I knew I didn't like this place for a reason. I knew I wouldn't like it. We were barely thirty minutes here and were already in this bloody mess?

Pipe me!

“Look, Mom.” I turned to meet her gaze. “I know it's an honor and blah blah blah. You've fallen for the Alpha here and you have envisioned a new life with him, but I don't think this would end well. I can practically feel it. Too much bad energy around.”

My mum only rolled her eyes and turned to proceed with opening the door. By now, the guards within the compound were already shooting us curious glances.

“I never knew you were now a prophesier, Nimue.” She joked.

Frustration crawled in my veins, making me press my lips together. I just couldn't imagine living with that clown who had just left. Thus, I grabbed her hands. “Let's just go back, Mum. Please.”

“Let go of me, Nimue!” She yanked her hands off mine. “Quit being a child and grow up for once! This is your new home and your new reality. The sooner you understand that, the better! Sooner or later, you will come to understand why this is important and has to be done.”

With that, she opened the door and strode in, leaving me standing in the entryway with my jaw and fists clenched. Why this was important you say, mum?

What other importance was there except that you're so eager to meet the love of your life?!

Argh. It was as if there was an unseen force, pulling at me and giving me the creeps about this place. I couldn't explain it but it seemed as if I was standing by the doorstep of a new becoming. If that made any sense at all. You know what?

Fuck it. I walked inside and shut the door. As if to complement the shutting of the door, my mouth fell open at what was before me.