FATEBOUND: Mated to my step-brother의 모든 챕터: 챕터 1 - 챕터 5

Gianna.I had finally landed back in New Orleans — just that I wasn’t going back to the same home anymore.Can I even call it that now?The moment I stepped into arrivals, I spotted my mum waving a huge cardboard sign that said “Welcome Home, Gia Honey!!!” in bright glittery letters. I rolled my eyes. Classic Olivia Vale — dramatic and way too sweet for her own good.Before I could even process, she ran straight into me, wrapping me in one of those suffocating hugs.“God, these months felt like forever!” she breathed, squeezing tighter.“Mum— I can’t breathe,” I gasped.She finally pulled back and kissed both my cheeks like I was still five.“Jesus, Mum, that’s enough,” I muttered, rubbing my face.“Glad to see how much you missed me,” she said, pouting playfully.“Of course I missed you,” I said, and she beamed as if I’d just handed her an award.“Come on, come on, everyone’s waiting for you! I can’t wait for you to see the house, and Marcus, and Nina—she’s the head caretaker—”She r

Gianna. I woke up staring at the ceiling, sunlight leaking through the curtains. My body felt heavy, like I hadn’t actually rested.A knock came at the door.“Be down in five, Gia!” Mum’s voice sang, and then her footsteps faded.I groaned and dragged myself out of bed. After brushing my teeth and pulling my hair into a messy bun, I headed downstairs.Ivan was already there with Marcus and Mum. The first thing I noticed—packed suitcases.Mum went over to Marcus, wrapping her hands around his shoulders. “So, if you’ve forgotten, the heat period’s starting. Marcus and I are going away for a while so we don’t… disturb you guys.”The heat period.That time of the year every wolf dreaded. When instincts took over logic and our bodies demanded what our hearts might not be ready to give. It was nature’s way of reminding us that we were animals before anything else.For unmated wolves like me, the urges were usually mild—just a little restlessness, a few sleepless nights. Manageable.But now

Gianna. My whole body ached.Not the normal kind of ache. The kind that came from heat — from memories I couldn’t shake. The kind that still burned even after the fire was gone.I turned on my side and groaned. The sheets still smelled like him. My skin still buzzed, and no matter how many times I told myself to stop thinking about it, the memory of his touch kept slipping in — uninvited, unstoppable.It wasn’t supposed to happen.It wasn’t supposed to mean anything.I ran a hand down my face. “Get a grip, Gia.”I pushed out of bed and dragged myself into the bathroom, brushing my teeth like it could scrub the thoughts out of my head.Just as I rinsed my mouth, my phone began to buzz across the counter.“Hey, Mum,” I said, grabbing it and stepping out of the bathroom.“Hey, baby! How are you?” Her voice was bright, light, carefree. She sounded happy — happier than I’d heard her in a while.“I’m okay,” I said, forcing a small smile. “How’s the vacation?”“It’s going really well.” I co