The Wrong Brother

Chapter Twelve—Nova

The first night in Adrian Castellane’s penthouse felt like stepping into a hotel that didn’t want me there.

The sheets smelled of crisp linen and something expensive I couldn’t name. The walls were bare except for sharp-edged modern art that looked like it cost more than my mom’s annual salary. I’d fallen asleep after staring out the massive glass window at the city lights, pretending not to think about Bruno’s smug face or Adrian’s protective snarl when he’d told him to back off.

And now, sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows like it owned me.

I dragged myself up with a groan, padding barefoot into the silent hallway. Everything gleamed. The penthouse was quiet in a way that pressed against my chest — like a library where even breathing too loudly would get you fined.

Then I heard it.

A low, throaty huff.

I froze halfway into the kitchen. Standing in the middle of the glossy marble floor was a massive dog — black coat gleaming, chest broad, ears perked as if he’d been expecting me.

“Oh, hell no.” I backed up instantly, hand fumbling for the wall. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

The beast tilted his head, eyes sharp amber. His tail gave a single swish, like he knew my fear and thought it was hilarious.

“Sit,” a voice commanded from behind me.

I spun. Adrian, still in his black t-shirt and joggers, strolled in casually, coffee mug in hand. His hair was messy from sleep, his jaw shadowed with stubble. He didn’t look like a billionaire this morning. He looked like… trouble.

The dog obeyed instantly, lowering onto his haunches.

“What… what is that doing here?” I hissed, pointing accusingly at the animal.

Adrian arched a brow. “That is Zeus. My dog.”

“Zeus?” I echoed, half choking. “Of course his name is Zeus. Because God forbid you own a poodle or something normal.”

His lips twitched, and I couldn’t tell if it was amusement or irritation. “He goes wherever I go, Nova. You don’t. Adjust accordingly.”

“Adjust accordingly?” I stared at him, incredulous. “You invite me here for… what, protection? And forget to mention I’ll be sharing a penthouse with a wolf?”

“He’s a German shepherd.”

“Same thing!” I snapped, clutching the counter. Zeus’ gaze hadn’t moved. He was still sitting, still staring, like he was deciding if I was breakfast.

Adrian leaned against the island, sipping his coffee. His posture screamed patience, but his eyes danced with something else — a silent dare. “He won’t hurt you.”

“I don’t like dogs,” I muttered.

“You don’t like control you don’t have,” he countered smoothly.

That stung more than it should have. I glared at him, but he only raised his cup in mock salute.

Zeus, traitor that he was, chose that exact moment to stand and pad closer. My spine slammed into the counter.

“Nope. No. No way. Keep him back.”

“Zeus,” Adrian said calmly.

The dog stopped, now inches away from me. His nose twitched, sniffing the air like he could smell my terror.

“He’s curious,” Adrian said, voice annoyingly steady. “You’re new. He’s not used to new.”

“Well, I’m not used to him either!”

“Then maybe you’ll both adapt.”

Zeus sat again. His tail thumped once against the floor. My knees went weak.

I tore my gaze from the dog to Adrian, only to find him watching me with the faintest smile tugging at his lips. Not smug, not cruel — just… entertained.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered. “You think this is funny.”

“I think you’re dramatic,” he said.

My jaw dropped. “Dramatic?”

“You’re trembling.” His eyes flicked to my hands, gripping the counter so hard my knuckles were white. “Zeus can smell fear. That’s why he’s staring.”

I wanted to scream. Or laugh. Or both. “This isn’t fear. This is… healthy caution.”

“That’s what fear is.”

“Shut up.”

He chuckled — a low, rich sound I wasn’t used to hearing from him. It slid under my skin like heat.

Zeus suddenly stood again, tail swishing, and before I could protest, the beast trotted forward and shoved his cold nose against my leg.

I yelped.

Adrian didn’t move. He just watched.

And the worst part? Zeus didn’t growl. Didn’t snap. He leaned against me like I was some long-lost friend.

“Oh, come on,” I muttered, staring down at the dog pressing into my hip.

“He likes you,” Adrian said, voice quiet.

I shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass. “He’s defective, then.”

But my hand, traitorous thing that it was, hovered uncertainly above Zeus’ head. He looked up at me, eyes shining, tail wagging with cautious hope.

With a groan, I let my fingers brush his fur. Silky. Warm. Real. Titan let out a satisfied huff, pressing harder against me.

Adrian’s smile deepened, and for the first time since I’d known him, it wasn’t cruel or mocking. It was soft. Almost proud.

Something in my chest shifted uncomfortably.

‘Don’t read into it, Nova. He’s just a guy with a dog.’

But when Zeus rested his head against my thigh, I couldn’t deny the tiny spark of warmth spreading through me.

___

The rest of the morning passed with Zeus shadowing me like an oversized bodyguard. Every time I moved, he moved. Sit on the couch? He plopped down beside me. Try to sneak into the kitchen for a glass of water? He padded after me.

Adrian, of course, found the entire ordeal hilarious.

“He’s never done this before,” he mused, lounging on the opposite couch with his laptop.

“Great,” I muttered. “So I’m cursed.”

“Chosen,” he corrected.

I rolled my eyes. “You sound like a cult leader.”

He smirked. “Maybe Zeus knows something you don’t.”

My stomach twisted. I didn’t like the way that sounded.

By afternoon, I was ready to barricade myself in my room just to escape the constant dog presence. Zeus followed anyway, sitting faithfully outside the door like a sentry.

When I opened it later, he was curled up right there — massive body sprawled across the hallway rug. His ears perked, eyes lifting the second he saw me.

I sighed, rubbing my temple. “You’re not going away, are you?”

His tail thumped.

“No,” Adrian’s voice came from down the hall. He leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, watching the scene with open amusement.

I stiffened. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough to know you’ve got a new fan.”

“Don’t start.”

His smile tilted, not sharp this time. Quiet. Fond, almost. It threw me off balance more than the dog did.

“Goodnight, Nova,” he said simply, pushing off the wall.

I watched him disappear into his own room, Titan still camped at my door like I was royalty worth guarding.

And for the first time since stepping into Adrian’s world, I didn’t feel entirely alone.