FATEBOUND: Mated to my step-brother

Gianna

I had finally landed back in New Orleans - just that I wasn't going back to the same home anymore.

Can I even call it that now?

The moment I stepped into arrivals, I spotted my mum waving a huge cardboard sign that said "Welcome Home, Gia Honey!!!" in bright glittery letters. I rolled my eyes. Classic Olivia Vale - dramatic and way too sweet for her own good.

Before I could even process, she ran straight into me, wrapping me in one of those suffocating hugs.

"God, these months felt like forever!" she breathed, squeezing tighter.

"Mum- I can't breathe," I gasped.

She finally pulled back and kissed both my cheeks like I was still five.

"Jesus, Mum, that's enough," I muttered, rubbing my face.

"Glad to see how much you missed me," she said, pouting playfully.

"Of course I missed you," I said, and she beamed as if I'd just handed her an award.

"Come on, come on, everyone's waiting for you! I can't wait for you to see the house, and Marcus, and Nina-she's the head caretaker-"

She rambled on as we walked toward the car park.

I didn't share her excitement, and I knew she could tell. But that was the thing about my mum - she talked through awkwardness like it didn't exist. So I said nothing and followed her to the car.

When she opened the driver's door, I frowned.

"You didn't bring any of your drivers?"

"Nope," she said, sliding in with a grin. "I knew how much you'd love some privacy."

Okay, fair. I actually appreciated that.

"So," she said as she started the car, "how was the program, honey?"

"It was good," I replied. "You should know - you called me almost every day."

She sighed dramatically. "God forbid a mother just wants to check if her daughter's okay."

I smirked. "Yes, yes. You're the best mum in the world."

"Finally, some credit," she muttered, and we both chuckled.

"You make any friends?" she asked.

"Just one. Rue."

"One?" she echoed, disbelief written all over her voice. But she didn't push it, for once.

Then, after a beat, she said, "And your mate? Did you meet anyone?"

"Not this again, Mum," I groaned, staring out the window.

"What do you mean, not this again? You're eighteen, Gia. You should have found your mate by now."

"Well, I don't want to."

"Why?!"

I turned to her slowly, meeting her eyes. "You need to move on Gia-" she began.

"You're not the one with the scar, Mum!" My voice cracked.

"you're not the only one left with a scar, mine isn't just physical"

The air went heavy. I looked back out the window, jaw tight.

She knew how much I hated talking about that night.

A few minutes later, she cleared her throat softly.

"Okayyy, we're here," she said, trying to lighten the mood.

The car rolled to a stop in front of what could only be described as a mansion.

It wasn't too much, but it screamed money - white stone walls, tall pillars, and a stretch of green that looked like it hadn't seen a single weed in its lifetime.

A butler came out immediately to grab my luggage.

"Come on," Mum said cheerily, and I followed her inside.

Marcus Wolfe was in the living room, reading the paper like he was born to pose for magazine covers.

When he noticed me, he stood and smiled warmly. "Welcome, Gia. It's good to finally have you home."

He offered his hand; I shook it, forcing a polite smile. "Likewise, Marcus."

"Where's Ivan?" Mum asked, glancing around.

Ivan. The name I'd been hearing in every single phone call for the past six months.

Marcus replied, "He's supposed to be here to welcome Gianna, but he's probably by the pool."

"Okay, honey." Mum leaned in to give Marcus a soft kiss, then turned to me. "Come on, Gia. You have to meet him."

We stepped through the glass doors leading to the pool.

And there he was.

"That's your stepbrother, Ivan," Mum said with a proud smile.

He was sitting by the edge, his legs dipped lazily in the water, a cigarette dangling from his lips. The breeze ruffled his hair - white, almost silver, rare and wild.

For a second, I couldn't look away. And I hated that.

Because I knew, right there and then, that I hated him.

I hated men who smoked. I hated what cigarettes and alcohol turned people into.

Because of my father.

Because of the scar below my ribs that reminded me every single day of what monsters could hide in the men we love.

And yet... something in my chest burned when his eyes lifted and met mine.

It was like recognition. Like fate whispering a secret I wasn't ready to hear.

The air changed. My pulse kicked. Something inside me stirred-a rush I couldn't explain.

One look and the bond snapped into place like it had been waiting for us

"Mate" Rory my wolf immediately said.. My pulse heightened more. It couldn't be. It can't be.

"I have to go unpack," I blurted out, before my brain caught up with my mouth.

"Wait, Gia-" Mum called, but I was already gone, disappearing into the hallways.

After almost getting lost, a woman-Nina, the head maid-found me and guided me to my room.

The moment the door shut behind me, I shoved in my AirPods and blasted music. Anything to drown the noise in my head.

The room was huge, too huge. Everything screamed money.

I wasn't used to this life.

I'll be fine, I told myself.

By the time I was done unpacking, it was already dark so I decided to freshen up.

I peeled off my shirt, ready to shower. My eyes caught the mirror. My hand instinctively went to the scar beneath my left breast-the ugly, jagged reminder of what my father had done.

The memories came rushing back.

The screaming.

The smell of alcohol.

The pain.

I blinked away the tears and turned away.

After the shower, I threw on an oversized shirt and lay on the bed. My throat was dry. I reached for the glass of water on the nightstand-but the jug was empty.

Sighing, I got up.

Guess I'd have to find the kitchen.

Gianna.

The kitchen was quiet when I walked in, just the hum of the refrigerator and the soft creak of the wooden floor under my feet. I reached for a glass and filled it with water, watching the ripples settle as I drank.

That was when I felt it.

That strange, almost electric awareness crawling up my skin. Someone was there.

I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. His presence filled the room like heat - heavy, deliberate, impossible to ignore.

"Hasn't anyone told you it's rude to stare?" I asked, still facing the counter.

I could almost hear the smirk in his voice when he replied, low and unbothered,

"I don't think staring at my mate is a problem."

My heart skipped. The glass nearly slipped from my fingers.

I turned slowly, and there he was - Ivan Wolfe.

His electric-blue eyes caught mine, unwavering, like he already knew every thought running through my head. There was a quiet confidence in the way he stood, hands in his pockets, white hair catching the light.

Before I could speak, my mother's voice broke the silence.

"Did I just hear mate?"

I spun toward her, panic flashing through me.

"Mum, I-"

She cut me off with a teasing tone that made my stomach twist.

"Gia has refused to find her mate, Ivan."

Relief washed through me - at least she hadn't heard what he really said - but irritation followed just as quickly.

"Let it go, Mum," I muttered, placing the glass down a little too hard before turning and walking out.

She just said that out loud like it wasn't a personal decision

"Wait, Gia-" she called after me, but I didn't stop.

I needed air.

Outside, the night breeze carried the faint scent of rain and sand. I walked to the pool and sat at the edge, letting my legs dangle in the cool water.

I couldn't swim, but I'd always found peace around water - it was quiet, reliving, still.

I tried to breathe, to calm the mess in my chest. Mate. The word replayed in my mind like a curse.

I knew it too. The moment I saw him I knew. The connection was too strong to ignore. Too strong.

"Why don't you want your mum to know ginger?"

His voice again - calm, curious. He'd followed me.

I didn't turn immediately. Of course he had.

Is a little bit of privacy too much to ask? I thought, but kept it to myself.

He sat beside me, close enough that I could feel his warmth even through the night air. My body tensed, but I refused to move away.

"That's none of your business and my name isn't ginger," I said quietly, staring at the water.

He didn't respond right away. Instead, he pulled out a cigarette, placing it between his lips. The sharp smell hit me before the smoke did.

"Can you not?" I asked, my tone sharper than I intended, disgust laced in every word.

He glanced at me, eyes unreadable, then exhaled - directly at me, his eyes boring into mine, as the trail of smoke hit my face.

For a second, all I saw was my father - his drunken rage, the broken glass, the burn of pain as blood ran down my skin. I exhaled inwardly trying to steady my breathing.

"Fuck you," I muttered, pushing to my feet.

"Gianna," he said, standing as well. His tone wasn't harsh - it was teasing, he was enjoying this. "If you don't want your mum to find out, I can reject you."

I froze.

Rejected by my mate. What a disgrace.

But did I care? Not even a little.

I turned to him, chin lifted. "Does it look like I care? I'd have preferred not finding out about you at all."

Something flickered in his eyes - surprise, maybe a hint of anger - before his jaw tightened. He took a step closer, not threatening, but enough to make my heart race.

"Be careful how you talk to me, Gianna," he said softly, almost like a warning, but there was no venom in it - just a strange tension I couldn't name.

I met his gaze, refusing to back down. "Wow, threatening already? You're really nailing the whole stepbrother charm thing."

"you'd be a fool to mistake me as charming"

"oh I wouldn't dare"

For a long moment, neither of us moved. Just the quiet rush of the wind, the reflection of the moon in the pool, and that unbearable pull between us.

Then I turned and walked away, refusing to look back even though I could feel his eyes on me - steady, searching, burning holes into my back.

*****

I smelled her before I saw her.

Sweet. Warm. Wild.

The scent hit me so hard my wolf, Kyle, practically slammed against my ribs.

Mate.

The word rolled through me like thunder, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.

Then she walked in - ginger hair catching the light, freckles dusting her cheeks, hazel eyes that looked like they couldn't decide between curiosity and annoyance.

She didn't look as thick as the girls I usually fooled around with, but I couldn't tell exactly because of the hoodie she wore, but damn if she had the perfect shape.

My dad was saying something polite, introducing her, but I barely heard a thing. All I could think about was how good she smelled. How my name would sound coming out of her mouth.

She met my eyes by the pool - just one glance - and Kyle growled so loud in my head it made my fingers twitch.

Ours.

I ignored it like I always did when he got possessive but this time it didn't fade.

She turned away quickly, mumbling something about unpacking, and I couldn't help the grin tugging at my lips.

Cute.

Later that night, I found her in the kitchen. She was standing by the counter, half-asleep, filling a glass with water. Her shirt hung off one shoulder, hair a little messy, scent flooding the room like a damn spell.

I leaned against the doorway, watching her.

"Hasn't anyone told you it's rude to stare?" she said without turning around.

I smirked.

"I don't think staring at my mate is a problem."

She froze. Turned slowly, eyes wide. Her lips parted, like she wanted to speak but couldn't decide if she'd heard me right.

Then her mum's voice broke the silence, saving her. Or maybe saving me.

But the moment she left the room, I followed Gianna out to the pool. She sat there, legs in the water, moonlight on her skin. I didn't even try to stay away.

"Why don't you want your mum to know ginger?" I asked, stepping closer.

She ignored me, staring ahead. I pulled out a cigarette.

"Can you not?" she muttered, voice sharp, irritated.

But when was I ever one to listen?

So I lit it. Took a long drag. Let the smoke curl into the air - and maybe a little too close to her face.

Her expression darkened instantly. I saw the flicker in her eyes - something deeper than just disgust. Pain.

She hates it, Kyle murmured, quieter now. It hurts her.

I should've cared. Instead, I pushed, just to see how far she'd go before snapping.

She stood abruptly, muttering a sharp "fuck you," and started to walk off.

I caught her wrist.

She yanked free, glaring. The contact was electric, her scent hitting me again, dizzying.

"If you don't want your mum to find out," I said, low enough for only her to hear, "I can just reject you."

She laughed, cold and brittle. "Does it look like I care? I'd have preferred not finding out about you at all."

Ouch.

That one stung more than it should've.

I smirked anyway, leaning closer just to see her flinch. "Careful. You talk to me like that again, and you might not like what happens next."

"You're really nailing the whole step-brother charm"

She glared back, fire in her hazel eyes. Then she turned and left, and for the first time, I realized how much trouble I was really in.

Because Kyle wasn't whispering anymore.

He was claiming.

Gianna.

I woke up staring at the ceiling, sunlight leaking through the curtains. My body felt heavy, like I hadn't actually rested.

A knock came at the door.

"Be down in five, Gia!" Mum's voice sang, and then her footsteps faded.

I groaned and dragged myself out of bed. After brushing my teeth and pulling my hair into a messy bun, I headed downstairs.

Ivan was already there with Marcus and Mum. The first thing I noticed-packed suitcases.

Mum went over to Marcus, wrapping her hands around his shoulders. "So, if you've forgotten, the heat period's starting. Marcus and I are going away for a while so we don't... disturb you guys."

The heat period.

That time of the year every wolf dreaded. When instincts took over logic and our bodies demanded what our hearts might not be ready to give. It was nature's way of reminding us that we were animals before anything else.

For unmated wolves like me, the urges were usually mild, just a little restlessness, a few sleepless nights. Manageable.

But now... things were different. I had a mate. And not just any mate-he was living under the same roof as me.

I didn't know what to expect this time, but I had a feeling it wasn't going to be easy.

Ivan leaned toward me and whispered, "Ouu, the heat period."

I shot him a glare.

Mum's eyes darted between us. "You two already fighting?"

"Not at all, Olivia," Ivan said with that cocky grin. "We're getting along just fine." He stood, ruffled my hair, and added, "Right, ginger?"

I swatted his hand away.

"Take care of Gia. We're leaving her in your care," Marcus said, getting up.

"Sure," Ivan replied and walked off.

"I'll go make sure the car's ready," Marcus said, signaling the butler to grab their bags.

Mum turned to me, her expression softening. "Are you good?"

I smiled. "I'm good, Mum. You should enjoy your little vacation."

"If there's any problem, call me, okay? And be careful. The heat period can be... messy. Since you haven't found your mate, the urge will be mild. You'll be fine, right?"

"Aren't I always?" I joked.

She chuckled, kissed my cheek, and pulled me into one of her suffocating hugs.

"Get going now, Marcus must be waiting," I said, muffled against her shoulder.

"Just a little longer."

"Mummm," I groaned, and she finally let go.

"Okay, okay. Be good, alright? I love you."

"I love you too."

She left, and the house felt way too quiet.

I went to the kitchen. "Good morning, Miss," one of the maids greeted.

"Oh, hi."

"What would you like to eat?"

"Uh, anything's fine."

"Toast and bacon?"

"That'll work."

"I'll be back, mI need to shower."

She nodded.

After showering, I threw on grey joggers and a black shirt, tied my hair into a ponytail, and headed back downstairs.

That's when I saw them.

Three guys laughing, one girl perched on the couch, and another... sitting on Ivan's lap.

What the hell?

I walked straight past them to the kitchen, trying to ignore the noise. I sat and started eating, pretending not to hear their stupid laughter echoing through the house.

I grabbed my glass of orange juice and turned to leave-but as I passed behind him, my hand slipped, and the juice spilled. Right on him.

Ivan froze. "What the hell?"

The girl scrambled off his lap immediately.

"I'm so sorry," I said sweetly. "Didn't mean to interrupt."

His eyes narrowed with that knowing look. I didn't stick around.

Once I'd finished my drink, I went to drop the glass back in the sink-and walked right into him.

"What was that little drama for?" he asked, voice low.

"Drama? I wouldn't."

He stepped closer. "Don't play dumb."

I lifted my chin. "We haven't even started the mating process, and you're already cheating."

His brows rose. "When did you accept we're mates, ginger?"

"I didn't."

He smirked. "Hmm."

"Don't you have to get back to your girlfriend?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Who said she's my girlfriend?"

"Oh, so she's just some play toy? Another red flag," I muttered.

He leaned closer, voice dropping. "What do you mean another red flag?"

"Ivan, come onnn!" the girl's voice called from the sitting room.

"Looks like your presence is requested," I said, brushing past him.

I went up to my room and shut the door behind me, exhaling sharply.

Why did I feel so... uneasy?

Whatever. I'd binge-watch something and forget about it.

I closed the curtains, grabbed my iPad, and sank into bed.

****

When I finally checked my phone again, it was 7 p.m. - wow.

Rue's name flashed on the screen.

"Forgotten me already, eh?" she said when I answered, her playful tone making me smile.

"It's been one day, Rue."

"Glad to see you don't care," she said, and I could practically see her pout.

Rue was my only real friend - we met during the exchange program, and somehow she got me to open up. Of course, she didn't know I was a werewolf. I wasn't about to scare her off.

"Okay, fine. I'm sorry I didn't call," I said.

"Better. So, how's the new family? And that Ivan your mum keeps yapping about?"

"It's... okay. Everything's weird. Ivan's... arrogant."

"Ouu, it's giving the start of a forbidden romance."

"He's my stepbrother, Rue."

"Which makes it all the more interesting."

"You're insane," I said, laughing.

"Whatever. Tell me, is he hot?"

"I don't know."

"Liar. He's definitely hot."

"Rueee."

"Oh please, don't miss the chance, Gia."

"Enough about me. How are you?"

"I'm good. I miss you-and I have a surprise for you."

"What's that?"

"Oh, I'll tell you later."

"Rue! You can't do that."

"I can and I will," she said, laughing.

"Very funny."

"Anyway, talk later. I have errands to run."

"Okay. Take care."

"You too, muah."

"Muah."

The call ended, and I walked to the window.

Ivan was outside.

In the pool.

The water shimmered against his skin, every movement sharp, confident. I didn't mean to stare, but my eyes... didn't listen.

He got out, water gliding down his chest, the light catching every curve of muscle.

And then-he looked up.

Our eyes met.

My breath caught. My chest tightened.

I dropped the curtain and exhaled shakily.

My phone buzzed again just as I was about falling on my bed. Rue.

I sighed but answered anyway.

"Don't tell me you missed me already," I teased.

"Missed you? Please." I could hear the background noise-car engines, chatter. "I'm at the grocery store and there's this guy who won't stop looking at me. So I called you to look busy before he tries anything."

I laughed. "You called me to be your human shield?"

"Exactly. Be useful for once."

"Wow. The audacity."

Rue giggled, clearly enjoying herself. "I mean, he's cute and all, but you know me. Eye contact equals awkward conversation, equals me wanting to disappear."

"You're unbelievable."

Before she could answer, a soft knock sounded on my door.

"Hold on," I told her, not ending the call as I stood.

When I opened the door, the words died in my throat.

Ivan stood there, shirtless. His hair was wet, the strands falling into his face, drops of water trailing down his chest. I blinked, and for a split second, my brain betrayed me. I wondered what it would feel like to run my fingers through that hair-

Careful, Gia, Rory purred in my head, smug. You're staring.

I swallowed hard. "What do you want?" I managed.

He smirked, slow and lazy. "You don't get to sound so feisty, not after checking me out at the pool."

I crossed my arms. "Don't flatter yourself, Ivan."

He took a step closer, and my heart tripped over itself. "But it's not flattery, ginger," he whispered, his voice deep and maddening. "It's the truth."

The air between us thickened, and I could smell his scent again-earthy, dark, addictive.

He finally stepped back, eyes glinting. "You should lock your doors," he said, tone shifting slightly. "The heat period can make people do things they wouldn't normally do."

I blinked, thrown off for a moment. "Goodnight, Ivan."

"Night, ginger."

I shut the door before my heart could embarrass me any further.

Rue's scream blasted through the speaker. "Oh my GOD! His voice! It sounded so raspy and sexy-gosh, what I'd give to be in your position!"

I groaned. "Your romance movies are already starting to mess with your head."

"Nooo, that conversation was totally heated! Lie it wasn't."

"It wasn't."

"Well, I technically told you to lie, so it was! Wait, what did he say about locking your doors? I didn't really hear him clearly."

"It's just him being a jerk," I lied.

Rue sighed dramatically. "Okayyy, goodnight. The weirdo has left the building."

"Bye."

I ended the call and tossed my phone aside. My pulse was still racing.

And even though I tried to ignore it, one thought refused to leave my mind-

Shit.