Mated to her stepbrother

“Why are there so many cars outside?” Elara asked as she walked into the living room. Confusion and fear danced in her eyes. “Alpha Roscoe is here,” Jean, the lead butler, replied, her voice tense. Elara’s eyes widened in shock. “The Black Cardinal?” she whispered, horror creeping into her voice. “Why?"Jean shook her head. “I don’t know." “Where’s my mom?” Elara asked, her heart racing. “She’s in the conference room with him. They’ve been talking for over an hour,” Jean said, biting her nails as she paced. “Do you know what they’re discussing?” Elara pressed, her anxiety rising. “I really don’t know, ma’am,” Jean replied, her voice shaky. The mere presence of the Black Cardinal was enough to keep everyone on high alert, especially since their own alpha had just died. After a while, Elara couldn’t sit still any longer. “I'm going in." “No! You can’t go in there. Your mother specifically said not to interrupt their meeting,” Jean protested. “What if she’s in trouble? Why would Roscoe be here? You know how much he hated my father. It’s only been a week since he died. Isn’t it absurd for him to show up now?” Elara’s heart pounded in her chest. “Yes, but I have orders, and I can’t go against them,” Jean insisted. “Fine. But you can’t stop me from going through that door.” “Elara, you can’t—” Before Jean could finish, Elara stormed down the hallway toward the conference room. She saw two large men guarding the door, their expressions fierce. She pushed passed them and threw the door open. The guards rushed after her. Her mother, Romania, sat at the head of the table, facing a massive man whose back was to Elara. His dark hair and suit radiated power and danger. Elara gasped. Romania looked up at the commotion. The guards grabbed Elara, trying to pull her back. “Let go of me!” she yelled, kicking at them to break free. “What the hell?” Romania snapped, anger flashing across her face. Alpha Roscoe stood up. He turned to face them, a sinister smile spreading across his lips. “And who are you?” he asked, his dark eyes locking onto Elara’s brown ones. “That’s my daughter,” Romania said, her voice dripping with disdain. “I ordered that no one should enter. How dare you defy me?” “I’m so-sorry,” Elara stammered, her confidence evaporating. The scared little girl inside her took over. “You little--" “Now, that’s enough, darling. I can’t have you cursing at someone who is about to become a member of my family,” Roscoe said, that wicked smile still on his face. Elara’s heart dropped. What did he mean by that? She glanced at her mother, but Romania glared back, furious. Roscoe waved his hand, dismissing the guards. “What is your name, little girl?” he asked. “Elara,” she replied, her voice trembling with fear. Roscoe stepped closer and gently touched her cheek. His touch was soft, but she could feel the threat lurking beneath it. “Why don’t you wait outside? Your mother and I still have a lot to discuss.” Elara nodded and hurried out of the conference room, her heart racing. She had heard stories about Alpha Roscoe’s brutal reputation, but seeing him in person was far more terrifying. She walked back to the living room on shaky legs. Jean stopped pacing when she saw Elara return. “Elara!” she exclaimed, rushing over to her. Jean gently led her to the couch and helped her sit down. “I should have listened,” Elara said. “Did you hear anything? Do you know why he’s here?” Jean asked. Elara shook her head. “They stopped talking as soon as I walked in. You know how much my mother hates me. I must have embarrassed her.” She sighed. “But there was something strange. Alpha Roscoe said something about me becoming a new member of his family.” “What?” Jean gasped. “s**t. It better not be what I’m thinking,” Jean said, looking pale. “What? What is it? Tell me!” Elara demanded. “You know how your mother has been trying to sell you off for years? Maybe she’s sending you to their pack to become one of them.” “No! I won’t survive a day there!” Elara cried. “You’ve heard how horrible those wolves are. They would chew me up and spit me out.” “Maybe you should reach out to your brother. He’s the only one who can come down here and talk some sense into her,” Jean suggested. Just then, the door to the conference room creaked open, and everyone stood up, looking anxious again. Elara could hear her mother’s footsteps alongside Alpha Roscoe’s as they walked down the hallway toward the living room. “Ah, Elara. A beautiful name for a beautiful girl,” Roscoe exclaimed. “Jean,” Romania called. “Yes, ma’am?” Jean replied, her voice steady. “Gather all the enforcers and elders. Roscoe and I have an announcement to make." Romania turned her gaze back to Elara, sizing her up. “Why don’t you run to your room, wash off that college sweat, and change into something nice?” Elara nodded, warily. As she walked to her room, her mind raced with thoughts about what the announcement could be. She remembered Jean’s warning and prayed to the moon goddess that they wouldn’t sell her off. Soon, she heard the bell signaling that everyone was outside and ready. She hurried down to the pavilion to join them. “Wolves of the Knight Pack!” Romania’s voice boomed, filled with authority. “I have gathered you all here in the presence of a very esteemed guest: Alpha Roscoe of the Black Pack, known as the Black Cardinal.” She gestured toward him, standing by her side. A hush fell over the crowd. Elara could feel the fear among the enforcers; they were all wondering the same thing: What was he doing here, and what did he want? “I know you’re all wondering why he has come to visit us unexpectedly. It’s been a week since my mate, your alpha, died. Some see us as weak now and think they have the perfect opportunity to strike. But I can’t let that happen.” “Isn’t he one of the people looking to destroy us? What does he want with us?” Duno, the pack beta, asked. “The right question, Duno, is what do I want with him?” Romania replied, her tone sharp. “As your alpha second, I have taken the necessary steps to ensure the safety of this pack and its wolves. Therefore, I have brought Alpha Roscoe here to form an alliance with him. Roscoe and I are getting married.” “No,” Elara whispered.