All Chapters of Mated To My Stepbrother : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Novah’s POVThe moon was high over the Moon-Star Packhouse, spilling silver light onto the cobbled paths and glinting off the polished windows. I walked slowly, dragging my feet, my shoes scuffing the stones as I made my way back from the gathering. My hands were clenched around the hem of my sleeves, pulling the fabric tighter around my wrists like it could shield me from everything.It couldn’t.It was cold—colder than it should’ve been in early spring. Or maybe that was just me.The porch light was still on, even though the inside of the packhouse was mostly dark now. Everyone had either gone to bed or passed out in some upstairs room, still laughing, still wrapped up in dreams that didn’t include people like me.I hovered by the doorway, not ready to go inside. Not ready to face the long walk down the hall to my tiny, boxy room that smelled faintly of old books and detergent. Not ready to stare at the ceiling again, pretending sleep would come.The door creaked open behind me.A f

Novah’s POV The scent of rain clung to the air as I sat on the windowsill of my tiny room, chin propped in my palm. Outside, the trees swayed in the wind like they were whispering secrets I’d never be meant to hear. The sky was heavy, gray, brooding—just like me.I didn’t want to leave my room. But I had to. Omegas don’t hide. At least, not for too long.Still, I lingered.I could hear movement downstairs. Plates clinking, someone laughing. Loveth, probably. Her voice had a sharpness that could cut glass, and yet people leaned toward it like moths to a flame. She was everything I wasn’t—tall, loud, proud.And loved.A knock at the door startled me.“Novah,” Camila’s voice called, light but distant. “You’re going to be late for your duties.”Of course.I scrambled up too quickly, nearly knocking over the cup of unfinished tea beside me. The cold splash hit my arm, but I didn’t flinch. I barely felt anything these days.“I’m coming,” I said quietly, though she was already walking away.

Novah’s POVThe morning dragged its feet.I stared at my closet for too long, hands unmoving, mind quiet in that heavy way—like someone had taken all the words out of my head and replaced them with clouds. My uniform hung limp, just like my hair, just like my thoughts. I slipped into it slowly, doing up the buttons like I didn’t know where I was going or why I needed to go at all.I wasn’t even sure if I was late for class. Or early. Or exactly on time.Not that it mattered.Downstairs, the packhouse was bustling. The familiar scent of toast, sausage, and something vaguely herbal floated through the air. Everyone had already claimed their seats, their voices rising and falling in patterns I’d memorized but never joined.I moved like a shadow—soft steps, no eye contact. No tray today. My stomach was hollow but not hungry. I sat at the end of the long wooden bench, folding my hands in my lap like I was waiting for something that wouldn’t come.Across the hall, Loveth's laugh rang out—lo

Novah’s POVThe packhouse felt quieter than usual the next morning, though I knew it wasn’t. The warriors were probably already out training, the younger wolves at their morning classes. But somehow, everything sounded muffled—like the world had lowered its voice just for me.I sat at the edge of the bed, still in my oversized sweater from the night before. My hair was tangled. My eyes were puffy. But I didn’t care. No one would notice. Or if they did, they wouldn’t say anything.They never did.“Novah?” Meredith’s soft knock came at the door. “You up, sweetie?”I hesitated. Then, “Yeah.”“You want me to bring something up for breakfast?”“I’m okay.”“You sure?”I didn’t answer. I didn’t have the energy to lie again.---When I made it downstairs, the kitchen was mostly empty. Just a few omegas, quiet and busy, cleaning up the remnants of breakfast.Meredith glanced up from the sink. “Didn’t eat last night. Didn’t eat this morning.”I slid onto a stool at the counter. “I’ll grab someth

Novah’s POVThe moon was high above the forest canopy, scattered behind a thin veil of clouds. I could hear the steady hum of cicadas outside my window, but I wasn’t really listening. I just sat there, curled on my bed, hugging my knees to my chest as the clock ticked on the wall.I hadn’t spoken to Ashton since that moment earlier in the courtyard.The way he walked off… like it hurt him to stay. Like looking at me made him uncomfortable.I don’t know why that still stung.A knock at the window made me jump.I scrambled off the bed, startled. My room was on the second floor. I peeked out from behind the curtain—and almost gasped.“Lucien?” I whispered, cracking the window open.He gave a half-smile, gripping the sturdy tree branch just outside. “Are you always this hard to find?”My heart thudded. “How did you—?”“I saw your light on. Figured it was worth the climb.”“You climbed a tree?” I blinked.“For you? Yeah.”I didn’t know what to say to that.He glanced over his shoulder, as