I didn't know when—or how—my brother and I became enemies. One day, it was as if we simply woke up and declared war on each other. From that moment on, every battle between us only grew worse, driving us further apart until we stood on opposite poles of the world.
Sometimes, I wished we shared a bond—a true connection, the kind twins are supposed to have. But deep down, I knew we never would.
It amazed me how someone who looked exactly like me could be so utterly different in spirit, in heart, and in soul.
I sighed, catching the sorrow in my mother's eyes. It must have torn her apart to see us hating each other this way.
But it wasn't her fault.
It was simply how things were.
The bell rang, and I smiled when I remembered Evelyn. I couldn't wait to see her. I couldn't believe a mate bond would be this strong. It felt as if we had known each other forever.
I opened the door, and when I saw her, my eyes filled with joy, my heart swelling with affection.
"Hi."
"Hi," she said shyly. She sounded so sweet—like the kind of good girl you wanted to settle down with.
"How was the trip?" I asked, welcoming her in.
"Good."
She glanced around the room, amazed, taking in every detail.
"Wow," she gasped. "This is beautiful and huge."
"This is where we usually spend our free time. But since you'll be moving here with me for the week, my mom will let us have some privacy. I thought you'd want a private room, so you can choose whichever one you like best on the second floor—it's dedicated to guests."
She blushed lightly, probably thinking about the reason behind my offer. Her reaction made me smile. She was so pure, and I loved that about her.
"Here's the kitchen and dining room."
I gave her a quick tour of the castle. She took her time to observe each portrait hanging on the high walls. She stopped in front of one. It was of me and my twin together. We were children, staring at each other in the painting—back when we still cared about each other, when everything was easier.
"This is beautiful," she said, frowning slightly, probably wondering if that was the twin I had told her about. I nodded.
Then she walked to the portrait on the left and pointed at my father.
"He looks like you. Is that your dad?"
I nodded again. "Yes, it is."
She smiled.
I caressed her hand and held it.
"We—"
The word caught in my throat as the air shifted, heavy and sharp, crawling over my skin like static. Evelyn's smile faltered, her eyes darting toward the long hallway.
---
EVELYN'S POV
All of a sudden, I felt it. My skin shivered, and my stomach dropped. My heart drummed powerfully in my chest, as if it were about to explode. Joy and excitement filled me, and I trembled. My knees threatened to give out, my fingers tingled, and my head went light.
Finally.
The feeling I had desperately longed for—the Wolf bond. My wolf stirred and groaned, recognizing it.
I looked down at my bracelet, glowing as confirmation of what I already knew. It was him.
I smiled, my eyes shining, and with trembling lips I whispered, "You're my mate."
But suddenly, the castle trembled, walls groaning.
My heart skipped a beat.
"What was that?" I whispered.
He opened his mouth to reassure me, but stopped as the castle's windows shattered.
The bond intensified until I could feel the blood in my veins racing, my heartbeat pounding harder.
Deliberate footsteps echoed from the shadows of the castle.
My wolf went wild, searching for the presence.
I swallowed hard. I was wrong. The bond wasn't with Kale… It was with someone else—someone who was breaking in.
A storm of emotions crashed through me.
Until a voice shattered all my doubts.
"Showing her around, brother?"
My blood ran cold.
We turned in unison, searching the room, but he was nowhere—like a ghost speaking from the walls.
My wolf inhaled his scent as if it were addicted.
Was this fate's cruel joke? Was I truly mated to the wrong twin brother?
Could life be any more unfair?