Torn Between Two Alpha Brothers

SERENA'S POV The door to my room burst open, and I shot up from the bed in fear. My heart slammed against my chest. What did I do this time? "You are nothing but a useless maid. I regret ever meeting you. If it were up to me, I would have killed you a long time ago," Lucia spat, grabbing my hair in a painful grip. A gasp escaped my lips. My whole body trembled, but I didn't dare fight back. I knew better. If I said the wrong thing, it would only get worse. "I'm sorry... I won't do it again," I cried. She shoved me violently, and I crashed to the floor. Pain shot through my body, but I clenched my jaw, forcing myself not to break. Not now. Not in front of her. "You should count yourself lucky," she sneered. "If I were you, I would have run away long ago. Let's end it all. Your father will be dead, and you'll finally be free from me." My breath hitched. I crawled forward and grabbed her legs, desperation taking over. "Please don't kill him! I beg you don't hurt my dad. He's the only one I have left. Please..." She kicked my hand away like I was nothing. "I'm sure your father would prefer death," she said coldly. "Why are you so foolishly worried about someone who can't even walk or take care of himself?" Tears streamed down my face. Dad was the only reason I was still here. Lucia had taken everything from us. He was once the richest man in town, respected and powerful. But the moment he fell sick, everything changed. She took control of his wealth, his home, and his life. Now, nothing belonged to him anymore. Not even his own name. "I'll do anything," I said quickly, my voice breaking. "I'll clean, I'll cook, I'll do all the chores. Please... just don't hurt him. We can move to the smaller room. I don't mind." "I'll take care of him myself," I added, my hands shaking. "You don't have to do anything." She stared at me like I was beneath her. "You think your words mean anything to me?" she scoffed. "I know exactly what you're trying to do, waiting for a chance to take what is mine." My chest tightened. "Your father stays where he is," she continued. "And I will deal with him... until he dies." My heart dropped. "And as for you," she added, her voice turning deadly, "I want you out of the picture. By any means necessary." Fear wrapped around my throat. She meant it. Every single word. Lucia let out a long sigh, as if bored. "I'll be having visitors today. Stay out of the main house. I don't want trash like you wandering around." I lowered my head immediately. "Yes... I understand." She gave me one last disgusted look before storming out. The door slammed shut. And just like that, everything inside me broke. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. This was my life. And maybe... this was how I was going to die. Alone. ** A while later, I heard voices outside. Laughter and Movement. The visitors had arrived. Curiosity stirred inside me despite everything. Slowly, I climbed onto the small bench in my room and peeked through the window. That was when I saw him. A man stood with his back facing me. Lucia was beside him, and Emma my stepsister stood close, far too close. Emma stared at him as she had already claimed him. Like she always did with men. But this time. Something felt wrong. A strange feeling twisted inside my chest. Why did it bother me? Why did it feel like I had just been betrayed? I frowned, confused by my own reaction. This wasn't like me. I shouldn't care. But I did. Before I could stop myself, I climbed down and quietly slipped out of my room. I needed to see his face. I covered myself with a cloth and moved carefully, hiding behind trees as I got closer. My heart pounded harder with every step. Then I felt it. His scent. It hit me all at once. It's warm, rich, and intoxicating. My breath caught. My wolf stirred violently inside me, restless and excited. What was happening to me? I moved closer, slowly, cautiously. From the side, I could already tell he was breathtaking. Just a little closer... "Serena!" My body froze. Lucia. Her voice cut through the air like a whip. My eyes widened as her furious gaze locked onto mine. Then he turned. Our eyes met. Everything stopped. Time, Breath, and Thought. Recognition flashed across his face. "Mate..." The word slipped from my lips before I could stop it. Emma immediately slid her hand into his. And he didn't pull away. My chest tightened painfully. Are they... together? Why isn't he reacting? Why doesn't he look happy? I looked down at myself, barefoot, dirty, completely unworthy. A bitter lump formed in my throat. Of course. Why would he want someone like me? "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" Lucia's voice thundered. I flinched. I had never seen her this furious before. If looks could kill I would already be six feet under. Lucia stormed toward me and grabbed my arm harshly. "You're in for a lot of punishment!" she snapped. But for some reason... I wasn't scared anymore. I didn't care what she wanted to do to me. The only thing on my mind was him. Why was he here? Why was he holding Emma's hand like that? And most importantly, why didn't he say anything about the bond? Was I wrong? Was I the only one who felt it? Tears slipped down my cheeks as the thought hit me. I lifted my gaze slowly, only to meet his eyes again. This time, he was glaring at me. My chest tightened painfully. He doesn't want me. And honestly... who would? I looked away, swallowing the lump in my throat. I didn't have nice clothes. I didn't have beauty. I was nothing compared to Emma. Wiping my tears quickly, I let Lucia drag me along without resisting. My mind was so clouded that I didn't even register the insults she kept throwing at me. All I wanted was silence. But I knew I wouldn't get that.