Caged By The Alpha [His Fiery Eyes , My Messy Life]

❤️ Love & Disobey: The Unruly Stepbrother Prompt 1: She moved in with her mother to her stepfather's house, and encountered the most popular playboy in school who also happened to be her stepbrother. If her classmates found out about this, her peaceful life would become a mess! At school, she tried to distance herself from her stepbrother to avoid becoming the enemy of all the girls. But he locked her in his arms, gazed at her with fiery eyes, and growled, "Mate!" Chapter 1: The New Normal The sprawling, modern house smelled faintly of expensive cologne and old leather—a stark contrast to the cozy, slightly chaotic apartment Elara and her mother, Sarah, had left behind. Elara adjusted the strap of her backpack, feeling impossibly small as she stood in the marble-floored foyer. Her mother had just married Liam Vance, a successful architect, which meant Elara was now officially living with Liam and his son. The son she knew far too well. “Rhys should be down soon, honey,” Sarah chirped, already unpacking boxes with an excited, newlywed energy. “He knows you’re here.” Elara’s stomach twisted. Rhys Vance. The name alone sent a low-frequency buzz of panic through the halls of Crestwood High. He wasn’t just popular; he was the center of the universe, a gravity well of perfectly tousled dark hair, piercing grey eyes, and a reputation for breaking hearts faster than a cheap phone screen. And now, he was her stepbrother. She tried to focus on her room—a vast, sunlit space with its own balcony. Stay calm, she coached herself. This is temporary. At school, we are strangers. At home, we are polite, distant acquaintances. Just as she placed her textbook on the new desk, the door to her room swung open without a knock. Rhys stood framed in the doorway, a smirk playing on his lips. He wore a crisp white t-shirt and dark jeans that seemed custom-made for him. “Well, well. Look what the cat dragged in,” he drawled, leaning against the frame. Elara tensed. “Rhys. Please knock. And for the record, I was ‘dragged’ here by my mother’s legitimate marriage.” He ignored her sharpness and took a step closer, his eyes raking over her with an intensity that felt less like sibling scrutiny and more like... something predatory. "Don't get your wires crossed, Elara. This is my house, and you're the new variable." “Then let’s set the rules now,” she said, straightening her spine. “Rule number one: At school, we don’t know each other. I'm not interested in becoming target practice for your fan club." A low, rich laugh escaped him. “You think I'd expose my pristine, playboy reputation by hanging out with the quiet girl who reads books at lunch?” He pushed off the doorframe, advancing slowly until her back hit the wall. The scent of his cologne was suddenly overpowering. “Good,” she whispered, trying to keep her breathing steady. He didn't move away. He caged her between his body and the wall, his face inches from hers. The playful smirk vanished, replaced by a dark, burning intensity that made her entire body buzz. His fiery grey eyes narrowed, looking deep into hers as if searching for something only he could see. His chest rose and fell heavily as if he were fighting an invisible battle. Then, his voice dropped to a low, raw growl—a sound that vibrated deep in her chest and felt utterly primal. He locked his arms around her, pressing her tight against his solid frame. The sudden closeness stole her breath. "You really think you can stay away from me, little one?" His voice was rough, laced with a strange, possessive heat. He pulled back just enough to graze her ear with his lips, his voice dropping to a near-silent rumble that shook her to the core. “Mate!”