Claimed by my stepbrother

I never wanted a new family. Yet here I stood, in front of a massive modern house that looked more like a private resort than a home. It had pristine white walls, towering glass windows, and a sleek black gate that probably cost more than everything my mother and I had ever owned combined. My mother, Elena, squeezed my hand and smiled excitedly. “Isn’t it beautiful, Lila? This is our new life.” I forced a small smile and nodded, even though my stomach was tied in knots. Three weeks ago, she had married a wealthy businessman named Richard Draven. I barely knew the man, and I knew even less about his son. Apparently, I was about to meet him. The front door opened, and a tall man in his late forties stepped outside. Richard Draven looked polished, wealthy, and slightly distant as he leaned over to kiss my mother's cheek. “Welcome home,” he said before turning his attention to me. “You must be Lila.” “Yes, sir.” “Just call me Richard.” He stepped aside. “Come in. Your room is already prepared.” The inside of the house was even more breathtaking. High ceilings, dark marble floors, and the quiet elegance of true luxury surrounded me. It was the kind of place that made me feel as though I didn't belong. I followed them up the wide staircase, pulling my small suitcase behind me. “Your room is the second door on the left,” Richard said. “Kai’s room is directly across from yours.” Kai. That was his son's name. I'd heard my mother mention him a few times. According to her, he was around my age, attended the same private school I would soon be transferring to, and was "a little distant." At the time, I hadn't thought much about it. My new bedroom was spacious and elegant. The walls were painted a soft shade of grey, a large bed sat neatly against one wall, and a wide window overlooked the sparkling backyard pool. It was beautiful. But it didn't feel like home. I was still standing near the doorway when I heard footsteps in the hallway. Then a deep voice spoke behind me. “So you're the new stepsister.” I turned around. The guy standing in the doorway stole my breath for a moment. He was tall—at least six-foot-two—with broad shoulders and a lean, athletic build. His black hair fell carelessly across his forehead, and his sharp jawline looked as though it had been carved from stone. But it was his eyes that held me captive. Dark. Cold. Unreadable. He leaned casually against the doorframe with the effortless confidence only the most popular guys seemed to possess. A fitted black T-shirt stretched across his chest, and an expensive watch rested on his wrist. This had to be Kai Draven. The most popular guy at school. The one every girl talked about. The playboy who never stayed with the same girl for long. And now... My stepbrother. “Lila,” I said softly. “My name is Lila.” He studied me for a long moment. His gaze travelled from my face to my simple clothes before returning to my eyes. Something unreadable flickered across his expression before his face settled back into cold indifference. “Kai.” That was all he said. He didn't smile. He didn't welcome me. He simply stared, as though trying to figure me out. The silence between us became almost unbearable. I cleared my throat. “I... just moved in today.” “I can see that.” His voice was deep and smooth, but completely devoid of warmth. He pushed himself away from the doorframe and took a step closer. The instant he did, something strange happened. A faint tug stirred inside my chest. It was subtle, yet impossible to ignore. Like an invisible thread had suddenly tightened between us. Kai stopped a few feet away. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, as though he'd felt it too. For the briefest second, his cold expression cracked, revealing something darker... Something far more intense. Then it disappeared. “Stay out of my way,” he said quietly, “and I'll stay out of yours.” Before I could respond, he turned, walked into the room across the hall, and closed the door behind him with a soft click. I stood there, still gripping the handle of my suitcase, my heart beating much faster than it should have. What was that? I shook my head, trying to ignore the strange sensation lingering in my chest. I was probably just nervous. A new house. A new school. A new stepbrother who already seemed to hate me. That had to be the reason. Later that evening, after unpacking my belongings, I went downstairs to get a glass of water. The house was silent. My mother and Richard had gone out for dinner, leaving Kai and me alone. I hadn't expected to see him again so soon. But the moment I stepped into the kitchen, I found him leaning against the counter with a bottle of water in his hand. He was on the phone, speaking quietly. “…I don't care what the pack thinks. Just handle it.” Pack? I must have made a noise because he turned and looked straight at me. The moment our eyes met, the strange pull returned. This time, it was even stronger. Kai ended the call without another word. “You're quiet,” he said. “I didn't want to interrupt.” He watched me for several long seconds before pushing himself away from the counter and walking towards me. My back brushed against the refrigerator as he stopped directly in front of me. Too close. Close enough for me to catch the scent of his cologne, mixed with something darker... Something wild. His gaze slowly traced every inch of my face. “You feel it too, don't you?” he murmured. My heartbeat lurched. “Feel what?” Kai didn't answer. Instead, the corner of his mouth lifted into a faint, humourless smirk. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice even further. “Interesting.” Then he stepped back, picked up his bottle of water, and walked out of the kitchen without another word. I remained frozen, my fingers gripping the edge of the counter. Something was wrong with him. Or maybe... Something was wrong with me. Because even after he left, that strange pull inside my chest refused to disappear. And deep down... I already knew. Living under the same roof as Kai Draven was going to be dangerous.