Mated To My Supposed Brother

All Aria wanted was to be mated. It shouldn’t have been this hard. She hadn’t found a mate on her eighteenth birthday, and now she was pinning her hopes on the Blood Moon. The Blood Moon was just this evening, and Aria couldn’t think of anything else. She longed to be mated to a good, loving man—someone who would take care of her, someone they could one day have children with. Tying her blonde hair into a ponytail, she slipped on a simple gown. She didn’t want to get too excited, but she couldn’t help it. After the disappointment of not being mated at eighteen, she hoped the Moon Goddess wouldn’t overlook her again this time. Aria stepped out of her room, sighing when she saw her step brother Liam sitting casually at the table, looking out the window with his fingers drumming against the panes. Growing up with Liam had been hard, not because he was difficult but because he rarely spoke to anyone. He didn’t interact with others—not even their parents. Only Aria seemed to be able to draw him out, making her feel like the most important person in his world. “Hey,” she greeted, leaning down to kiss his cheek. He smiled at her briefly before wiping the kiss away. “Ah!” she protested, laughing, and he grinned. His gaze swept over her, making her blush. “Don’t you like it?” she teased. “It’s not what I’ll be wearing tonight. I need to go to the store and get the dress I’ve been eyeing.” He nodded. “I’ll accompany you.” Aria's heart fluttered at his simple words. He rarely spoke, but when he did, she couldn’t help the butterflies in her stomach. It was so wrong. “Really? Are you sure—” “Dammit, I said I’ll accompany you,” Liam said, standing to his full height and towering over her. “You don’t need to pull the height card. I heard you,” she said, rolling her eyes. Liam just grinned and walked her out to the car. The drive to the store was mostly silent, with Aria making small talk while Liam stared out the window, drumming his fingers on the dashboard. He would have preferred to drive, but she’d managed to convince him otherwise this time. When they arrived, the store was bustling with shoppers. Aria giggled excitedly like a child, overwhelmed by the options, while Liam tagged along in his usual quiet manner. He pointed at a blue dress inlaid with gold, but when he noticed she wasn’t looking in that direction, he grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around to face it. “That will look good on you, Aria,” he said, his voice calm but firm. She blinked, taken aback. He rarely called her by her name. “You think so?” “I know so,” he replied, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. She hesitated but then smiled, warmth filling her chest. They picked out the dress, and when they approached the counter, the woman behind it barely acknowledged Aria. Instead, she gave Liam a flirty smile. “Hello, handsome. What can I help you with?” she asked, completely ignoring Aria. Liam’s eyes darkened, and his voice turned cold. “You must’ve forgotten this isn’t a*****e for men. I’m here for my sister, so talk to her, not me.” The cashier’s mouth dropped before she quickly masked her surprise. “Of course. What can I do for you?” she asked Aria, though her attention still wavered toward Liam. They paid for the dress, and despite the cashier’s attempts to flirt, Liam ignored her, barely sparing her a glance. Aria smiled to herself, knowing that anyone who thought they could win over Liam so easily was going to be disappointed. By the time they returned home, the sun was already beginning to set. The Blood Moon would soon rise, and Aria rushed to her room, eager to prepare. She prayed that this time, the Moon Goddess would grant her a mate—a good man who would love her. After a quick shower, she let her hair fall to her waist and unwrapped the dress. But as she struggled to put it on, she heard a voice behind her. “Need help with that?” She spun around, her heart racing, to see Liam standing in the doorway. He looked devastatingly handsome in his dark suit, and she knew the women would flock to him tonight, just like they always did. “I… I…” she stammered, feeling exposed in her underwear as his gaze lingered, unbothered by her lack of clothing. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to cover herself. Liam chuckled as he approached her. “Stop being childish, Aria. I’ve seen it all before.” Aria blushed but smiled. “It wasn’t what it is now,” she shot back playfully. He helped her slip into the dress, his hands lingering on her skin longer than necessary. “It’s beautiful,” he whispered, and she gasped, feeling a twinge of something forbidden in his words. “Don’t say that, Liam. It’s wrong,” she whispered back, more to herself than him. He zipped up the dress and stepped back, his eyes locking with hers. “You look good enough to turn heads,” he said, fishing something out of his pocket. “I bought this for you.” Aria’s eyes softened as he revealed a necklace with a wolf-head pendant. “Oh, Liam. You didn’t have to…” “Can you stop whining? I know you like getting new things,” he said, rolling his eyes. She smiled warmly as he brushed her hair aside and clasped the necklace around her neck. His touch sent a shiver down her spine, and she bit her lip, trying to calm the tingles that coursed through her body. “Good luck finding your mate, sister,” he said quietly before turning and leaving her room. Aria stood there for a moment, staring after him, her heart beating far too fast for comfort.