“Honey. You're back.” Melinda asks enthusiastically, running for Cassian's arms.

I quickly break out of his arm as if scorched to give way for their lovely reunion after hours apart.

I glance at Brother's face, feeling betrayed, hurt, and angry.

Just when I thought living with him wouldn't be as bad as I'd imagined, he had a big surprise waiting for me.

To think he lied to Mom about Melinda leaving.

I watch as Melinda jumps into his arms, and he catches her, and she seals his lips in a passionate kiss.

An eternity later… They finally pull apart.

How sweet. I sneer inwardly, filled with contempt.

“Oh, Angela… You're here?” Melinda mumbles, looking confused as if she wasn't expecting to see me here, as she breathes heavily from the mind-blowing kiss.

I roll my eyes, unable to hide my anger and disdain.

I round Cassian, reach for my suitcase, and make my way into the house.

"To think she even has the key to his house." I scoff disdainfully under my breath.

He had taken out his key earlier. Does that mean he didn't know she's here? Was I quick to jump to conclusions?

Well, to hell with them, I don't care anymore! My thoughts race as I lift my suitcase, each step I take up the stairs.

The moment I enter my room in my brother's house, I slam the door shut and run for the bed, slumping on top and taking off my glasses.

“Ahhhh!” I scream into the mattress while hitting it repeatedly. “I hate you, Cassian Ironveil, even more than I hate that clingy, beautiful girlfriend of yours!” I shout, my tears falling out at last.

It hurts.

It hurts so bad that I hate myself.

For crying out loud, he is my brother, not even a step-sibling.

Mom and Dad will kill me if they ever find out.

I know this is wrong, but I can't help it. I try to convince myself it's only lust, but I know I'm just deceiving my heart.

For me to hate my brother this intensely in just a day, there’s only one explanation.

Goddess, help me. How do I stop this madness?

I don't want to destroy this family of mine with my forbidden emotions.

Knock

Knock

“Who's there?” I ask because I am not going to allow Melinda in. In fact, I won't allow Brother in either. How do I explain my tears to him?

However, the door clicks open the moment my question leaves my lips.

I didn't have to turn to know it's him; his cold and domineering presence commanded the space, like a grip around your neck, both pleasurable and deadly.

I don't move, since he must be here to deliver the medicine he got me.

“You just put it on top of the nightstand.” I murmur into the mattress, my voice sounding muffled.

However, seconds turned to minutes, and I didn't hear my door opening and closing.

I turn, putting on my glasses, and there he stands, leaning against the wall with his one hand casually tucked into his pocket.

Shameless me begins to check him out instead of rebuking him.

The few undone buttons of his black shirt that expose his intricately inked chest. I should probably stop checking out my brother, but I look further downward, and the front of his pants at his groin is full.

He has a boner, and it's because of Melinda.

That realization knocks me out of my reverie, and I look away.

“Why stop so soon? Go on, I know I'm good-looking.” He mutters with a hint of mischief, and my head snaps at him as I glare at him with eyes that shoot daggers.

“What do you want, Cassian?” I ask harshly. But he pulls off the wall, like his back has been pricked by needles.

“Say it again,” he demands, and I roll my eyes. He was acting out of character. Did I say something wrong?

“I ask you why you're still here; your girlfriend must be sick and lonely, waiting for you,” I inform him, sarcasm dripping from my tone. I look away.

I hear him sigh heavily, and then, the next second, I feel the bed dip from his weight.

“You… why are you sitting down?” I stutter.

He doesn't answer me but replies with a question of his own.

“Why were you crying?” I turn to look at his face at his soft voice. It's been months since he last used that voice, but that doesn't mean I forgive him for deceiving me about Melinda.

“The reason I cried is because I hate you. I don't want to be here. I want to be with my boyfriend!” I yell in his face, the action bringing our faces close.

My breath catches in my throat.

“You hate me?” he asks hoarsely through clenched jaws as he grips my chin, bringing our faces closer.

I think I felt our lips brush; maybe I'm wrong.

I look into his eyes, drawing me in like a magnet, my emotions overwhelming me, my eyes stinging with tears.

“Yes, Brother, I hate you.” I state firmly, and he nods so calmly, but his face says otherwise.

“You would rather be with that loser than stay here?” He asks in a deceptively calm tone, but this time I've already seen through his guise.

He's angry, very angry; I can feel it rolling off him in waves.

Why the hell is he angry?

He should know why I hate him; he should know why I would rather stay at Brandon's place.

“Yes. I would rather stay at his place!” I let out a cry, and his grip on my chin tightens. I can see how he's trying to control his anger but is failing.

Goddess help me, because I can see I'm truly testing his limits, and I’m anxious about what he might do next.

But I simply couldn't relent.

“You don't want to provoke me, Ella.” He drawls in a low growl, and my skin crawls from the intense glint in his bloodshot eyes.

He has lost it.

Great, this is what I need, to finally have a valid reason for staying away from him. So I say something, anything, to rile him up more.

If I'm lucky, he might hit me, but I doubt that my brother will ever raise a hand on a woman.

But I really hope he will.

Because if he does, I will use that to guilt-trip him the rest of his life.

“I wish I never met you, Cassian. I hate you. I hate your perfect girlfriend, and I hate that you're…”

He seals my lips, cutting me off.

I sit there, my body stiff, my eyes wide with shock, with only the sound of my heart thumping wildly in my chest ringing in my ears and the feel of his soft, velvety lips moving against my lips.

Cassian is kissing… me? Oh, goddess, my big brother is kissing me.

My mind, which has gone blank from shock when Cassian seals my lips with his, begins to register what is going on, and goddess.

The kiss is exactly what I've imagined, nothing short. I raise my hands to wrap around his neck, my lips parting as I grant him entry.

He wasted no time in plunging his tongue into my mouth, exploring every nook and cranny.

I moan into the kiss.

Moon goddess, please help me. I cannot let what happened in the past repeat, because I will be the one left hanging again.

I push him away with all my strength, and jumping out of bed, I create a significant distance between us, my body trembling with emotions.

“Why did you kiss me? It’s not dark in here for you to confuse me with Melinda.” I ask, adjusting my crooked glasses on my face.

He rises to his feet, a grin spreading across his face as he seriously licks his lips, like a food critic savoring a meal.

“I’m a werewolf, an alpha no less. We have the ability to see in the dark, baby sis. As for why I kissed you, it’s to shut you up. You’re not leaving here, and that’s final.”

What does he mean by "he can see in the dark"? Is he making fun of me for not being able to see even in daylight without my glasses?

How could he of all people be so cruel to me? The thought leaves a bitter taste in my throat, and also my heart squeezes painfully.

How pathetic am I?

It's clear I'm the only one refusing to move on from the past. And thinking too much of his actions. He's changed a lot.

“You're not the boss of me; I'm leaving!” I shout after him as he turns to walk away.

He halts and turns to face me with his brow crooked, the words “Are you sure?” written all over his face.

Of course he's my boss. What was I thinking?

“Fine, you’re my boss, but I’m not a child; I can take care of myself!” I countered furiously.

“You’re staying here, Ella, and this conversation is no longer up for debate,” he mutters coldly before exiting and slamming the door.

I open my mouth, but…

“Achoo…!” I sneezed.

“Dammit!” I curse, lifting the lamp on the nightstand as anger surges within me to toss it at the door as I scream, “That crazy bastard! How dare he…” The remainder of my words catch in my throat as the door swings open, making me pause my action when his annoyingly handsome face comes into view.

“Take a hot bath and come down in twenty minutes," he instructs me, then glancing at the lamp in my hand mid-air, he adds provocatively, “Slam it against the wall for better results.”

“Ahhh! Get lost already!" I yell, hurling the lamp at him, but the bastard doesn’t flinch.

My heart was in a frenzy as I watched in horror, the lamp heading directly for his face.

“Please dodge!” I gasp, covering my face with my shaking hands, my body trembling from panic.

I opened my eyes, and the lamp was in his hand, but there was also a scratch on his face.

“Cassian…” I ran toward him, hugging him tightly, burying my face in his chest.

“I'm sorry. I… I really didn't mean to hurt you.” I cry, apologizing to him. He tosses the lamp away and hugs me back.

“It wasn't serious. Look, I'm already healed.” He murmurs after passing a hand over my hair, but I don't move to look. I've missed him, his warm embrace, and his intoxicating masculine scent.

It's been so long since he hugged me like this.

“What happened? I thought I heard something break.”

The sound of heels clicking hurriedly against the porcelain floor and Melinda's worried voice makes me finally pull away from him.

Brilliant, how did she appear right at this very instance? I scowl internally as I force a smile at her and reply,

“Nothing serious, just broke my lamp by accident,” I explain, looking up at Brother’s face. The scratch has already healed, so I left them immediately, as I’m suddenly filled with another urge to sneeze.

I stand behind the door after closing it, straining my ears and listening to them.

“My love, are you alright? She's having a cold, and you've been so close to her; I'm worried you might…” Melinda is saying, but Brother interrupts her curtly.

“Let go.”

“Okay.” Melinda answers.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding after they left, and I made my way to the bathroom to take a bath.

~~~

I wake up from the sunlight on my face.

“Great, I survived the night.” I mutter sarcastically, then I stretch my limbs, yawning.

I reach for my glasses from the nightstand, putting them on when I notice a dark figure on my sofa. “Oh, my! Big brother.” I yelp in fright when I see clearly who it is. “What in the world are you doing in my room this early?”

“To check on you,” he answers flatly, looking at my face like I'm the one thinking too much about him being inside my room this early.

My skin crawls, making me aware of the fact that I am exposed, but I don't dare look, because his eyes might follow my gaze.

He abruptly rises, and I jump out of fright. What's wrong with him? He's fond of that.

He approaches me, stretching a hand toward my forehead, but I back away.

“I'm perfectly fine.”

“Great. I…” he begins, but is interrupted by the sound of knocking at the door.

Knock…

Knock…

“Who is it?” I ask, but instead of a reply, the door is pushed open, and Brandon peeks his head through.

“Hello, love.”

“Brandon…?” I murmur, surprised he is here. Did Brother call him over because of yesterday? I ponder, glancing up at Brother's face. However, from the thunderous look plastered on his face, he sure as hell has no knowledge about it.

“Brandon. How are you here?” I ask, getting out of bed and hurrying toward him. What got into his mind for him to come here without an invitation from my brother?

He steps inside holding a bouquet of my favorite orchid flowers and a basket of fruits. I couldn't help but smile at that; he's so thoughtful.

That's why I love him; he's the second person to treat me better aside from my brother.

“I met Melinda this morning, and she mentioned you having a cold, so here I am, your one and only personal doctor for today.” He says playfully, smiling contagiously, and I smile back, holding his gaze as he hands me the bouquet.

I take a whiff of the flowers.

“It smells nice. Thank you.” Brandon opens his mouth, but…

“Who gave you the permission to step foot in my house?” Brother's icy and menacing tone from behind makes me freeze in place.

“Get lost!” he growls in his alpha command, releasing an oppressive pheromone that affects even me, an alpha. Imagine Brandon, who is a Delta.

Well, we're doomed. How did I even forget about him being here?

“I let him come in, honey.”

I glance sideways past Brandon at the voice to see Melinda standing at the doorway, looking stunning in a white silk slip midi dress with a cowl neck.

She's truly a beauty.

It's no surprise that Brother is completely captivated by her.

Will he ever notice me? If I should dress as elegant as Melinda does? What the heck am I even thinking? I snap back to reality when Brother hisses from behind me, I flinch.

“How dare you?” I believe he's referring to Brandon until he adds, “Just because you’re my girlfriend doesn’t give you the right to let anyone into my house at your own discretion!” he yells, his face as dark as the blackest abyss.

Yeah, I get why he's upset.

Cassian had always hated when people intruded into his personal space; it has always been like that. That's why, even as the alpha, you don't see omegas working here in his house.

The only person with that privilege is our nanny, Ruth; she’s also the only one who doesn't seem affected by the plague—she ages.

Apart from that, Cassian interacts nicely with each and every pack member, and that also doesn't make them love him less; everyone values their privacy, which is completely normal.

“Cassian, love. I'm sorry I acted without consulting you first. But I also know how much you love your little sister. I thought you'd appreciate me doing this for her.” Melinda pauses, inhaling sharply, before adding.

“Angela loves Brandon so much, and what better medicine than having the person you love by your side?” She explains in her soft voice, like a feather, with an abandoned expression on her face, and damn, she looks like it's taking all her willpower not to shed tears.

“Please, honey. Don't be angry at me for that.” She sniffs, her shoulders slumped in despair with her head lowered, and I roll my eyes.

‘How fake, but I guess it works on Brother.’

That aside, why do I feel there is something off with her statement? What's she insinuating?

I turn to Brother, who already has his eyes fixed on me intently, instead of the drama his queen is performing for him.

“Can he stay a little longer?” I ask, pressing my thumb and index fingers together towards him, a small playful smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

“Absolutely not. He leaves this instant!” He insists, not changing his mind. What I didn't anticipate was Brandon speaking up. He has always been a bit naive; can't he recognize the elephant in the room?

“Alpha, you're being unfair to Ella. She's not a child and can make her own decisions…”

“You fucking don't tell me what to do with my sister!” Brother growls furiously, and I watch, my face turning ashen as his hand flies past me, his knuckles connecting with Brandon's left eye, making him stagger back.

“Oh my goddess!” I exclaim, stunned by how fast the situation has escalated out of hand.

He raises his hand, ready to deliver another blow, when I scream.

“No! Big brother. How could you treat my guest like this?” I demand. The hurt and disbelief evident in my voice and face.

“Your guest should learn when to keep his rotten mouth shut…”

Slap!

Okay, I realized what I did after my palm made contact with his face.

“Angela. Are you crazy?!” Melinda lets out in a shrill voice different from her usual ladylike tone, as she moves past me, pushing me even. I almost fell.

I look at Cassian's face, his jaws clench, and the oppressive aura he's emitting. I want to apologize, but I'm speechless, reeling from the aftershock of my action.

I can't believe I slapped him.

“Brandon, could you please wait for me outside? I—I will change into something quickly and join you.”

“Okay,” he replies, smiling softly at me, then passing me the fruit basket.

“Thank you.” I tell him, trying to force a smile, yet it doesn't reach my eyes.

He nods and leaves.

After he left, I turned to go and change out of my nightgown, but…

“Get out!” Brother hisses.

My eyes widened. ‘He's kicking me out. Fine. I don't even want to stay here.’

“Let me just change and grab my luggage.” I say, looking at his face expectantly.

He won't be that petty.

“I said get the fuck out!” He growls, his eyes glowing.

I gasp, turning to flee his presence.

One thing I know is not to disrespect Brother once his wolf surfaces.

But then, he swiftly seizes my arm, halting me, and turns to Melinda standing next to him.

“What are you waiting for?” he demands icily.

Melinda's expression turns deathly pale at the realization Brother has been speaking to her all along.

She rushes out.

Cassian follows her and locks the door after her, and turning to face me, his dark, frosty blue eyes fill with emotions I can't identify.

My heart thumps as a crushing wave of dread envelops me.

“I'm sorry.” I apologize, and Brother has never looked this terrifying, the icy aura surrounding him, the unnerving disquiet that has settled between us, overwhelming and suffocating.

Suddenly the room feels so small.

“You slapped me. Because of him!”

“I really didn't mean to. My hand moved on impulse; you insulted my boyfriend first.” I explain, taking shaky steps back when he starts to stalk towards me.

“What about the fact that he disrespected me after invading my privacy?”

“He… Ahhh!” I cry out in panic as I collide with the bed, losing my footing and falling backward. I sit up quickly, dragging myself until my back meets the headboard.

“He didn't disrespect you. He spoke the truth. I'm not a child, and you're also not my parent to fucking control me!” I declare, trying to sound bold, but my voice falters under his intense, unwavering gaze.

“Is that what you think?” He inquires, smirking menacingly, and the next second, he's on the bed. He grabs my leg, pulling me to him, and hovers over me.

My breath hitches inside my throat as I try not to breathe, my palm settling on his toned chest and pushing, but he is unyielding as a wall.

“Brother…”

“Shut your tiny mouth,” he whispers in a deceptively calm tone, his eyes fixing on my lips. “I told you not to provoke me, Ella, but you have to do just that.” He grips my chin firmly, lifting my face so I look directly into his eyes.

I gulp at the intensity in his eyes.

“I punish those who provoke me accordingly,” he declares in a menacing tone as his hand rests on my thigh at the same time.

My body shivers involuntarily as goosebumps rise on my skin.

How can I be so sensitive to just his touch?

“Brother…” I swallow dryly, my heart beating wildly in my ribcage, and I know he hears it. But then, I've always been curious growing up, despite everything I've heard about the consequences of curiosity.

In a trembling voice, I ask,

“So, h-how do you intend to punish me…”

"Shhhhh," he hushes, blowing softly on my face with his breath like fine wine that leaves me drunk, and my mind in a haze, as his hand moves up slowly, slipping under my nightgown, pushing the fabric higher, and drawing circles as it nears my inner thighs, causing my body to tremble with a whirlwind of emotions.

He pinches the inside of my thighs, and I moan, arching into him just as he spreads my legs with his knee.

All my senses are heightened now, my hardened nipples against his chest, his hot breath on my face, his dark eyes searching mine, as if looking for something.

And my mind wasn't helping me process anything or think straight.

Is this how Brother punishes people who provoke him?

Including even me, his sister?

His fingers lurch forward, and they press against my soaked panties; he rubs his fingers in a circular motion against the thin fabric that separated his fingers from penetrating my pussy.

I bit inside my cheek to keep myself from moaning.

He moves his fingers up my clit and gives it a firm squeeze as he grins, causing me to moan loudly.

“Cassian!…” I squirm from the pleasure, just as

Bang!!