Jasmine's life had always been a cage, and Alaric, her stepbrother, held the key. His control began subtly, a seemingly protective concern that slowly twisted into a possessive obsession. As the Alpha, his power was absolute. He dictated her friendships, forbade any romantic relationships, and stripped her of all personal freedom.
Her one hope was her twenty-first birthday—a milestone that promised to change everything. She fantasized about finding her true mate, breaking free from Alaric's suffocating grip, and finally living a life of her own. But destiny, it seemed, had a cruel sense of humor.
On the eve of her birthday, her hopes shattered. The person meant to be her one and only was the very man she despised—Alaric, her tormentor, her stepbrother.
The thought of being bound to him was a fate worse than death. How could she be mated to the man who had stolen her youth? A man who would stop at nothing to possess her completely? But in a world where love sours into possession and possession  draws blood, how far can one person truly run before they are forced to face the inevitable?

"I don't want this, Alaric," she whispered, her voice barely audible against her thick sobs. "Please. This is not right. I beg of you." She cried.


I leaned back slightly. "You don't have to want it, Jasmine. You don't have to feel anything for me. But you need to understand something."


My hand slid to her chin, gently turning her face back to mine. "You've stepped into a world you can't walk away from. You've opened a door that can't be closed. You're mine now, Jasmine. Whether you like it or not."


I couldn't believe it. My brother kissed me?


It felt like a nightmare, the kind you can't wake up from no matter how hard you try. My thoughts were a tangled mess, my chest heaving as I stumbled back, pressing my trembling hands to my lips. The taste of him lingered—mint and something darker, something I didn't want to name.


Chapter 24 - Chapter 24