Chapter 1

Freesia’s POV

“‘Dear Diary, Zarek kissed me, his tongue is soft and wet...’”

My heart stopped. “No, please! Stop it!”

I looked over to my stepbrother, Zarek, who shot me an icy glare in return.

My face burned with shame. I knew better than anyone that I could never be with Zarek. This was my deepest secret—and now the diary that held it was in the hands of my biggest bully, who also happened to be my brother's girlfriend, Alexis. I had no idea when she'd snuck into my room.

After my parents died when I was ten, Zarek's father took me in—a wolf-less Omega. We weren't related by blood, but to the pack, we were practically family. I'm sure Zarek only thinks of me as his little sister, too. He must think I'm disgusting.

“Just stop reading!” I begged to Alexis. This was torturous.

“‘He kissed me deeply as he entered me...’”Alexis ignored my pleas, stifling her laughter as she continued.I lunged for my diary, but she dodged my attempt with a sly grin.

“‘This is absurd. It’s wrong, I know,” Alexis was practically cackling now, “Thank god it was only a dream, though a part of me can't help but wish it wasn't.’”

“That’s enough, Alexis,” Zarek snapped.

Alexis obeyed without hesitation. She whipped the diary shut with a flustered look, then returned her attention to me.

“You can’t be serious. You…and Zarek?” Alexis mocked. “Get a grip, Freesia. That’s your stepbrother!”

“Poor Freesia. No one wants her, so she had to resort to fantasizing about her own stepbrother.” Alexis turned to Zarek with a smirk. “Babe, hurry up and introduce her to a guy in the pack who can’t find a mate.”

Hot tears welled in my eyes. I wanted to run away, but my body wouldn’t move.

Zarek stood up and grabbed the diary. He ripped out page after page, tearing them to shreds and throwing them in my face. His expression was one of pure disgust.

I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore. This was the most mortifying moment of my life. How would I ever be able to face my stepbrother again?

“You’re delusional, Freesia.” He didn’t look at me as he spoke. “Don’t ever think about shit like this again.”

Alexis chuckled as he left the room. “Don’t cry. I’m sure you’ll find a guy on your own level one day.” She followed Zarek, but I stood there in shame for a long time.

–

Two years have passed since that humiliating day. I was 19 now, but I was convinced that the memory would haunt me for the rest of my life.

Not long after that incident, Alexis joined Zarek’s long list of ex-girlfriends. She must have been left heartbroken, because my embarrassing secret never spread through the pack. Thank god. But ever since that day, Zarek never showed me any kindness. Both his actions and his words toward me were cruel until the moment he left for university. On top of that, he didn’t contact me during the entire two years he was gone.

I wasn’t prepared to see him again, but there would be rumors if I didn’t attend his welcome party. And that was the last thing I needed.

The party was lively; the pack had been eagerly awaiting Zarek’s return. A mixture of anxiety and excitement flourished inside me, knowing he’d arrive any minute.

Suddenly, the double doors to the gathering hall swung open and revealed Zarek. Somehow, he’d become even more handsome while he was away. His dark brown hair was shorter now, accentuating his sculpted jawline. His collared shirt hugged his defined chest, and his forearms tugged at his sleeves. I swallowed dryly. He looked incredible.

And then my heart dropped. A tall, slender woman with long, shiny golden hair followed behind Zarek and took his arm. She was the epitome of elegance, and it was clear that both her looks and demeanor were worthy of a future Alpha like Zarek.

I knew my nightmare was about to begin again.

Zarek introduced the woman to the pack as his girlfriend, Isabella. As they mingled with the others, they were intimately affectionate with one another, sparing no opportunity to show off their relationship.

I silently observed as Isabella told stories of her childhood to the crowd. Isabella was a high-born Alpha daughter from a noble family, gifted with endless wealth and countless opportunities. She didn’t need to say it; anyone could tell just by looking at her.

I snuck a glance at Zarek, only to find he was already watching me. I froze. His gaze moved slowly, tracing my body from head to toe. He wasn’t looking at me with disgust…it was something else. But just as quickly as I noticed him, arrogance masked his face once again as he pulled Isabella closer toward him. It took all of my strength not to let Zarek discern my anguish.

Isabella shifted her attention toward me. “And you must be Freesia,” she beamed. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

I didn’t have time to think about what she might have heard about me. “It’s nice to meet you,” I managed a meek smile back.

"I hear you're at the top of your class." She was right; after Zarek left for school, I decided to concentrate on my studies. I'll be receiving my acceptance letter from a top university soon—it's my one and only pride.

I was just about to say "thank you", but she said in a condescending tone: "When I was your age, all I could think about was dating with boys! But I think you don't need to worry about things like that, who would ever like you?"

She laughed, playfully tugging Zarek’s sleeve.

“You Got it.” It was Zarek. “A chubby, wolf-less Omega like Freesia. She’ll remain a virgin forever.”

His words stung like daggers, reminding me of the humiliation I faced two years ago. I made a promise to myself that I’d never face the same fate again.

“Actually, Zarek,” The words left my mouth before I had a chance to think. “I had a boyfriend just last year.” I caught a brief twinge of shock in his eyes. “And I was the one who dumped him.”

“You’re lying.” Zarek sneered.

“Am I, Zarek?” Heart pounding, I matched his gaze. He was testing me, and I wouldn’t back down. “Why would you care anyway?”

I could see it in his eyes–I was getting under his skin. The confident, carefree expression he typically sported was nowhere to be seen. I wanted to push him some more, but he spoke first.

“You’re right,” his cavalier gaze returned once more. “I don’t care. Let’s go, Isabella.” He took her by the arm as I watched, my stomach knotting as he slipped further and further away.

–

I stared at the moon from my bedroom window, listening to the crickets chirp in the night. After tossing and turning for hours, I gave up on the idea of getting sleep tonight. Knowing Zarek is in the room across from mine is enough to have my head spinning all night.

Out of nowhere, a burst of hunger emerges in my stomach. It struck me as odd, since I had plenty to eat at the party. I tried to ignore the urge, but it grew until it turned to pain.

I crept downstairs. I opened the fridge, and the sight of food transformed my hunger into an insatiable desire. I devoured leftover chicken and pasta from the party, ate crackers and bread from the pantry, and washed down my meal with milk and juice. I was in a daze. It was like a hungry beast took control of my body, one that couldn’t be satisfied.

Eventually, the storm in my stomach subsided, allowing me to relax again. I felt mildly ashamed, but even more confused about what just happened. I hurriedly cleaned up my mess and headed back upstairs.

The floorboards creaked below me as I made my way down the hallway. I paused between Zarek and my doors. His was cracked ajar. I knew I shouldn’t peek at my stepbrother…But I couldn’t help myself.

I peered through the crack, scanning the room until my eyes found Zarek.

There, resting against his headboard, was Zarek, stroking his cock with rapid movements. Oh my god. His flushed cheeks glistened with sweat as he aggressively jerked himself off. I forced my eyes shut, guilt steadily seeping in.

Just as I was about to slip away, I heard mounting breaths coming from Zarek. I hesitantly glanced back toward him, observing how his movements had become even more eager.

“Freesia…”

Oh my god. Did he notice me? No, he couldn’t have. What is happening?!

“Ah…Freesia!” His face burned with arousal as milky white fluid seeped from his erection. Holy shit.

Zarek was masturbating. My stepbrother was masturbating while thinking about…me? I couldn’t move. My legs felt unsteady as I took a panicked step back.

The wooden floor panel grated beneath me, echoing in the space between us. I shot a glance at Zarek, praying he didn’t notice.

But he just filled gaze locks with mine—catching me spying.