Mated to the Father, Claimed by His Son.

f you prayed too hard,

e the goddess has never been i

I kept my head down and my steps deliberate, p

ad learned, were

of lounging figures, tangling with my stride. My foot caught, and the g

The pack's favored sons-the Alpha's chosen-and their entourage had been waiting for somet

voice slow and cruel. "Di

elf small, though my tall frame and broad shoulders made the effort futile. I focused on the

lashes. My eyes locked, however briefly, with B

His voice was sharp now, c

nded in my chest. I wanted to scream, to tell him, "No, I didn't m

pped forward and drove his boot into my midr

u just glare at me?" Brian crou

*No, no, no. I didn't. Please don't." But it didn't

ute freak!" he sp

lessen the sting. But the world sti

's en

n it was undeniable. The future Alpha wa

in her hair. "She was glaring, Rio.

hing under his boots. His gaze moved over me, assessing me,

, my breath cau

ia," Rio said, h

slow to respond, the ache in he

tch! Didn't you

o know the venom in my younger sister's eyes. Jenny, always per

ens spilling from my arms again. I barely had a moment

small frame was coiled with smugness, and her lips cu

, to shout that I couldn't respond. I was *mute*. But Jenny knew

foot slammed into the back of

y sneered. "You'

ss in his tone. He sighed as though I was an inconvenience, dragging Jenny into a casu

me with *her*. I still don't know why Dad decided to keep her. They should'v

ords cutting deep

ne dripping with contempt. "No one's ever goi

reject her on sight. Hell, he mi

nd following me as Rio finally dismissed me

of humiliation burned hot on my cheeks as I made my way to the house. I kept my head

nipping at my heels like a persistent dog. It didn't

they were cruel. Together, in a way I'd never known. A pack of bullies,

gh fake and tinkling, but he didn't seem to mind. Brian slapped Jonah's

ed that

pressed heavier than ever. Dreams were dangerous things. They curled inside you, whispering about

be even a mate. A family to replace the one that barely tolerated me. But I knew better than to

my knuckles white. I didn't hear the do

ce chirped, high and sweet in a

t by bond-just by the technicality of raising me. She stood a

aid brightly, her gaze sweeping over me. I b

. "You've disciplined her perfectly

ed short. I couldn't tell if it was p

perfume was thick and floral, cloying enough to make my nose itch. Wh

comfort. I shoved the dirty linens into a bin and grabbed fresh ones. My body moved auto

rst. Always Jen

ffed with too much stock. Her room was a shrine to herself-pink and gold and obnoxiously perfe

it could al

't let myself think about that for long. Disappoin

fresh sheet when Mel's voice broke

believe you

the doorway, her arms crossed, her face s

her words clipped. "Gla

atically. *No. I di

retching across the room. "What h

, staring at the

with kindness. "You're grounded. No dinner to

n the corridor, leaving behind nothing but silence. I lingered there

did

-

away the cold. The space was dim and silent, yet slumber would not arr

ing myself to relax. How

like anything I'd had ever experienced. It envel

me the

at

ightened up, my heart pounding,

yet it wasn't coming from

wol

ly here.* I screamed inte

my wolf growled softl

again. The scent wasn't just my wolf's p

mat

ut a second thought. A wolf and a mate at the

illing my thoughts and rubbin

UST find

skin. Yet nothing matters. I didn't realize where

focating in its intensity. But it c

on-Rio and his group. They were talking,

s tone incredulous. "You shouldn't be able t

Rio replied, hi

. "Dude, Jenn

tched, his gaze narrowing as he scanne

rt sto

I saw the moment the

at

t his lips l