Semua Bab My mate is my brother-in-law and the alpha: Bab 1 - Bab 10

10 years later…10 years later…The Winter Hill estate is asleep, but I’m very much awake, which is not a good thing for my sanity. The night outside looks like it came straight out of a horror movie—black as ink, cold enough to freeze your soul, and eerily quiet. Even the wind is whispering ominous nonsense. My thin sweater is doing as much against the cold as a wet tissue would against a fire, but hey, fashion over functionality, right?I bolt.Not jog, not walk—run. My legs pound the frozen ground like my life depends on it, and let’s be real, it kind of does. My ribs scream with every step where Nick’s fist made contact last night, but that pain is a vacation compared to staying inside that house. The wind slaps my face like an overdramatic soap opera villain, but I welcome it. Anything’s better than the four walls of hell I live in.Let me clarify something: I’m twenty years old. By now, every other Lycan I know has had their first shift, discovered their inner wolf, and probably

I stumble into the garden.The air is cold, sharp enough to cut through the fog in my mind, but not sharp enough to prepare me for him. He’s standing there, tall and broad, his long dark hair pulled into a messy bun. Loose strands frame his face, and he looks like he’s just stepped out of some gothic romance novel. The moonlight dances across his bare chest, highlighting muscles that could have been sculpted by the gods.And then I notice the tree.The poor thing looks like it’s been through all of his problems. Its bark is cracked, bits of splinters littering the ground. He’s panting, fists clenched, and I can practically feel the heat radiating off him even from a distance.So naturally, I say the first thing that comes to mind.“What did the tree ever do to you?”He freezes mid-breath. Slowly, he turns to face me, his dark, brooding eyes narrowing. For a second, I think I’ve made a horrible mistake. Maybe he’s some kind of forest guardian, and I’ve just insulted his life’s work.But

As I reenter the ballroom, the brightness and noise hit me like a freight train. I plaster on a smile so forced it hurts my cheeks.My eyes dart to Lilly, who’s laughing beside Luis, completely unaware of the chaos swirling in my head. Nick appears out of nowhere, his eyes narrowing when he sees me. “Where have you been?” “Strategizing,” I reply breezily. “You know, how to outshine Lilly on her big night. Think I’ve got a solid plan.”He doesn’t even crack a smile. Typical.“Well, stop whatever you’re doing and get up front,” he snaps, grabbing my arm. “It’s time to meet the Vanderwilsons.” Fantastic. Just what I needed—another round of awkward introductions with him staring at me like this is a soap opera and he’s the star.As I’m dragged toward the front of the room, I can feel Luis’s eyes burning into my back like twin lasers of regret and awkwardness. It’s the kind of look that says, Yep, I messed up, but let’s pretend this isn’t the absolute trainwreck it is. I keep my chin up, tr

1 week later...The pain hits me like a wrecking ball, but I don’t even flinch anymore. I’m getting so used to it, I’m practically numb. Nick’s fist crashes into my ribs, and I stumble, gasping for air, but it’s no use. I’m pretty sure he’s aiming for the record of "Most Times Agatha Has Questioned Her Life Choices" with every punch.“Worthless piece of trash!” he spits, and it’s a surprise he doesn’t choke on the venom. “Can’t even clean a damn bowl right.” He glares at me like I just committed a crime worse than stealing his last beer.You know what’s the worst part about being punched by Nick? It’s the look on his face as if he’s the victim here. Like I’m the one who ruined his precious porcelain bowl. Spoiler: I didn’t. But who am I to question the logic of a man whose best friend is his reflection in the mirror?I stagger to my feet, ignoring the pain pulsing through my ribs like a bad beat in a song that won’t stop. I bend down to clean up the mess. You know, because I’m really g

Amelia is in the fridge again, shuffling through it like she’s hunting for treasure. I glance at Luis, standing quietly in the corner, and my stomach does flips. He’s been silently judging me from that spot for what feels like forever. I’ve been avoiding him since I got here, and now, without any distractions, the tension between us could cut through butter.Luis clears his throat, making me jump out of my skin. Seriously, how does he make a noise so quietly terrifying? "So, Agatha... are you excited for your first day at university tomorrow?"What kind of question is that? Like I don’t already have a million things to worry about. I blink and finally look at him. The moment our eyes meet, I swear the air around us crackles. I can’t breathe for a second. His gaze is laser-focused, like he’s trying to figure out the secret code to my brain. It’s... unnerving.I quickly swallow and try to act cool. Cool, Agatha. You’ve got this. "Uh, yeah. I guess. I’m, like, a tiny bit nervous, though."