Chapter 1: Hunger

“Morning, Michael," I greeted my big brother Michael with a smile as I watched him stir something in the pan in the kitchen.

That morning had begun like any other. I headed to the kitchen intending to eat breakfast before bathing and preparing for school.

But before Michael could answer, another voice greeted me.

“Good morning, Lily.”

That familiar deep, warm, and undeniably sexy voice wrapped around me. My breath caught as I looked up in surprise, only to find Sebastian sitting at our dining table, smiling at me.

“Sebastian?”I blinked several times, almost wondering if I was still dreaming.

“I-I didn't know you were back in the pack,” I stammered.

“Actually, he got back late last night, you were already asleep, ” Michael answered. 

“I had him stay in our guest room. ”

“Oh?” I asked before I could stop myself. “Is everything okay?”

Sebastian was the Alpha's son. I knew his family’s grand mansion was far more comfortable than our small simple home and I wondered why he would choose to be here instead.

“He's taking a break from his Alpha training for a little while,” Michael explained. “He can't go back to the estate just yet. Alpha Edward would be furious if he found out Sebastian left his training early.”

“So he'll be staying with us for a while,” Michael added with a grin.

Sebastian was my brother Michael's best friend, and the future leader of our pack. As long as I could remember, he was the one who had held my heart in silent, unspoken reverence since childhood.

Michael and I had lost our parents years ago, and ever since then, he'd taken on the roles of both brother and guardian, sacrificing so much to raise me. Sebastian had been there too

Growing up, I admired Sebastian from afar. He was handsome in a way that effortlessly drew attention, but his appearance was only part of what made him remarkable. He was strong, disciplined, compassionate, and fair, possessing every quality a future Alpha should have.

Unsurprisingly, women admired him everywhere he went.

Like so many girls my age in the pack, I secretly had a crush on him. And because he was Michael's best friend, I had more chances to see him than anyone else, and that small privilege always filled me with quiet happiness. 

Even so, I knew I was nothing more than his best friend's little sister.

I had long accepted that someone like me could never compete with the beautiful she-wolves constantly surrounding him. Powerful families hoped to win his favor, and countless women dreamed of becoming the future Luna. Both he and Michael had always had a steady stream of female companions.

“I hope my staying here won't be a problem for you, princess?” Sebastian asked, looking straight at me with a faint teasing smile.

“Oh! Not at all. You're always welcome here,” I said quickly, and could not hide the bright rush of joy that filled me.

I tried my best to appear calm as I walked over to the table while I caught Sebastian's eyes slowly traveling from the top of my head all the way down to my bare feet, as if he were quietly taking in every detail of me.

Only then did I notice what I was wearing. I had on nothing but a thin tube top that clung close to my skin and bared my shoulders, stomach, and navel. My sleep shorts were so thin they barely covered the tops of my thighs. 

Heat flooded my skin beneath his gaze.

“Come on, eat before you get ready for school,” Michael said cheerfully, still focused on the stove.

“Okay...” I managed to say. My cheeks burned as I slipped quickly onto a chair.

Something had changed recently.

Ever since I turned eighteen, Sebastian no longer treated me as though I were invisible. 

Sometimes I'd catch him watching me with an intensity that made me feel strangely precious, as if I were something he wanted to keep all to himself.

But every time I looked back, he'd casually glance away, making me wonder if I'd imagined it all.

“Finish your breakfast and get ready. I'll drive you to school,” Michael said as he slid two strips of bacon and a fried egg onto my plate.

“I can get there by myself,” I muttered through a bite of toast.

“Uh-uh. We've already talked about this. That kid at your school needs to know you've got an older brother. Maybe then he'll finally stop chasing after you.”

“What kid?” Sebastian asked suddenly. He had already finished the breakfast on his plate.

“Lily's little admirer,” Michael answered. “Some guy from the choir. He's been following her around lately.”

Ever since puberty, my body had slowly changed. My body had softened into curves in all the right places. I had grown tall and graceful and truly become a woman. Even at school, boys had begun asking for my attention.

But none of them interested me.

I nervously watched Sebastian, wondering how he'd react.

“You've got to face reality, bro,” he said at last and my heart skipped as I looked at him.

“Lily's grown into a beautiful young woman.” His gaze lifted slowly from my lips to meet my eyes. “Sooner or later, she's going to date someone.”

Heat flooded my skin under Sebastian’s gaze.

“She's only eighteen, ” Michael replied casually. “Until she finds her mate, those little brats at school aren't getting anywhere near her while I'm around.”

“I'm not a child, Michael,” I retorted playfully. “I'm a young lady now, so stop treating me like one and teasing me all the time.”

“Alright, alright.” Michael raised both hands dramatically in surrender. “My apologies, princess.”

Michael laughed, and Sebastian joined in but his eyes never left me.

—

The next few days, my mind was entirely consumed by Sebastian and those lingering looks. I thought of nothing else during class but him and the way we had looked at each other that morning. 

Knowing we were living under the same roof felt like the most beautiful dream I had ever dared to dream.

The moment classes ended each afternoon, I hurried straight home.

Our high school usually finished around 3 pm. I'd hang out with my best friend Georgia, and I always made it home before dinner.

Lately the entire pack had been busy preparing for the annual Mating Ball. The streets were livelier than ever, and Georgia complained nonstop that I refused to go shopping with her.

She finally forgave me when I promised to treat her to coffee at the new café that had just opened over the weekend.

That Saturday afternoon, I arrived at the café right on time.

After waiting a few minutes, my phone buzzed. Georgia had sent me a message saying she'd come down with a stomachache and asked if we could meet another day instead.

I texted back a quick ‘Okay’ before heading home.

“Michael? Sebastian?” I called as I stepped through the front door.

No one answered.The house was completely silent.

I headed upstairs while humming softly to myself and carrying my bag slung over one shoulder and a stack of books tucked under my arm, fully intending to enjoy a quiet afternoon at home.

When I passed the guest room, I suddenly heard faint sounds coming from inside.

Sebastian's home? I wondered, slowing to a stop outside the door.

 The door stood slightly ajar, curiosity got the best of me so I leaned in to peek.

My breath caught hard as I heard low, guttural groans and ragged, heavy breaths pouring out—thick, hungry sounds of pure pleasure and strain. I peered through the gap and what I saw made my entire body burn.

There he was. Sebastian. He was fucking his fist hard and fast over his huge, throbbing cock. His muscles coiled tight and glistened with heat as he pumped himself wildly. 

I caught sight of thin fabric wrapped snug around his length. It was pressed right against his thing as he dragged his hand up and down. 

He groaned deep and ragged, utterly lost in pleasure.

My blood turned to fire when I realized exactly what he held so close. Those were my panties!!

He threw his head back and roared his pleasure, stroking his thick shaft harder and faster while his voice turned rough with need.

“Fuck… ” He moaned, grinding my lace against his throbbing tip with every desperate thrust of his hand. 

“You feel so good, Lily… ”

Hearing him say my name like that and knowing he was imagining me and craving me this much made my face burn and my knees go weak. 

I could barely breathe. I had never thought he wanted me this way or that he thought of me like this when he was alone.

My heart hammered so hard I thought it would burst right out of my chest. 

My fingers went numb and before I could stop them, my bag and books slipped and crashed loud onto the floor.

The noise cut through the air instantly. His eyes snapped open and locked straight onto mine through the crack. 

His gaze was dark, wild, and full of filthy hunger, pinning me right where I stood frozen and caught red-handed.