Chapter 3 3

Mindy

I turned my head to check myself in the full-length mirror at Jack's salon. I couldn't hold back the squeal that came out of me.

"Wow, Jack! I look adorable! Thank you so much, sweetie. That's one of the reasons I love you." I grinned at him and winked.

Jack whistled low. "You look like a princess. Duncan won't be able to take his eyes off you. I'm sure of it."

"You really think so?" I made a cute puppy face. "I don't get why he never sees me like a woman. He just looks at other women. I wish-just once-he'd notice me the way I want him to." My voice dropped. I sighed, feeling the familiar sadness and frustration settle in my chest.

Jack stepped closer and wrapped me in a hug. He pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. "Honey, it's not easy for any Alpha to see his little sister that way. Don't blame him. Maybe he does know how beautiful you are... but he can't let himself see you as anything more than family. Maybe he's fighting the mate bond too. Maybe he's doing everything he can to hide how he feels."

I knew he was right. It made sense. But it still hurt.

Still... it wasn't impossible. Werewolf history had stories of siblings being mates. It wasn't encouraged, but it wasn't completely forbidden either. One of them could reject it if they wanted. But in ancient times, even the king was mated to his sister. So why couldn't it happen to me?

These new rules the packs made up felt wrong. I believed in the Moon Goddess. And I believed in love. If the Goddess paired us, if she thought it was okay, then why should I hide it? Why should I keep it from Duncan?

I needed answers. But deep down, I knew I'd never give up. I was too stubborn. Too in love. Maybe too crazy. I told myself I'd claim him someday. I knew we were dancing on the edge of something dangerous. Crossing lines that couldn't be uncrossed. But what else could I do? My heart was sick without him.

The only cure was Duncan. Being near him. Seeing him. Touching him. He was my addiction.

No other woman could ever love him the way I did.

He was the air I breathed. The sun in my day. The moon in my night. My motivation. My everything.

If I lost him, I'd lose myself. I'd rather die than live without him.

I loved him in a way he could never understand. I was sure he had no idea I saw him as my mate-not just my big brother. How could he miss it? Every time I touched him, my skin burned. My heart raced. My wolf howled inside me.

Was he really that blind?

The only way to make him mine was to do something big. Something he couldn't ignore. That's why Jack and I had spent years planning. Every party I crashed. Every boyfriend I paraded in front of him. Every sexy dress. Every jealous glare he gave me.

So far, nothing. He still saw me as his little sister.

Sometimes I thought about just telling him. Confessing everything. But Jack always stopped me.

He was right to. If I told Duncan the truth, he might push me away forever. He wouldn't hurt me-he'd never hurt me-but he might build new walls. New rules. New distance.

And I couldn't survive that.

Still... his reactions gave me hope.

The way he got so angry when I was with other guys. The way he watched me. The way he acted overly protective. It felt like more than just brotherly love.

Or maybe I was just seeing what I wanted to see.

"Hey, girl! Snap out of it!" Jack snapped his fingers in front of my face. "We still have to get you dressed. Come on, show me how you look in that sexy dress. Let's get this party started. You don't want to be late."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the dressing room.

A few minutes later, I stepped out. White sleeveless mini dress-low-cut, showing half my chest, barely covering my thighs. High heels that made my legs look endless. I fluffed my hair and spun for him.

"What do you think?"

Jack whistled again. "Well... I think you might pass."

I glared at him. "Just pass? You're ruining my mood."

He laughed and took my hand. "Baby, I'm kidding. You're 100% gonna win tonight. I just hope your boyfriend looks half as good as you do."

I rolled my eyes. "I hope so too. But honestly? Derek's hot... but he's no Duncan."

Jack's eyes widened. "Wait-are you falling for him or something? If you think your new boyfriend is better than Duncan, why not just stay with him and forget about your brother?"

I sighed and put my hand over my heart. "No. I love Duncan. No one will ever take his place. No one."

Jack softened. "Then let's make sure tonight is the night he finally sees it."

I nodded. "Let's do this. Call Derek. Tell him not to be late. Tuxedo. No excuses."

Jack grinned. "On it."

I stared at my reflection one more time. Tonight, I wasn't just going to a party.

Tonight, I was going to war for my mate.

And I wasn't giving up. Not ever.