Claimed by My Stepbrothers

The Academy

Saoirse

It was the academy day, and I even feel more uncomfortable for today. How can the homeless girl whose wolf isn’t even awakened yet is about to attend the academy full of powerful people with their wolf awakened?

My stomach twisted in knots as I stood by the door, waiting for the inevitable.

“You’re finally hanging out with your brothers in a car!” Mom said, her voice bubbling with excitement as she handed me my bag, like it was some sort of milestone.

I bit my lip to keep from snapping. “I don’t need your help,” I muttered, taking the bag from her but not even sparing her a glance. I wasn’t in the mood for her fake cheerfulness today.

The uniform I wore felt like a trap. A red blazer, white shirt, and a skirt that was far too short. I could almost feel the eyes of the world on me. The boys, on the other hand, looked effortlessly put together. Their red blazers, white shirts, and dark trousers fit them like they were born for them. And they wore it with an ease that made me sick to my stomach.

“Boys, I hope you make your sister feel welcome.” The Alpha reminded while looking at all of us.

Cain gave me a mocking grin. “She’ll probably be at the bottom of the class. No point in making her feel special. She’s gonna ended up getting bullied with no power.”

“More like she’ll be at the bottom of everything,” Cyrus mumbled, loud enough for both of us to hear. His words were laced with cruelty, and the laugh that followed sent a chill down my spine. I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my cool.

I didn’t need them to be right. I didn’t need them to get under my skin.

The driver’s voice echoed from the front door, breaking the silence. “Miss Risey, the car’s ready.”

I didn’t waste a second. I marched to the car, only to find Cain and Cyrus already lounging in the backseat, taking up all the space.

“Move over,” I said through gritted teeth, trying to keep my calm. But they didn’t budge, only shifting just enough to make room for me between them.

Cain’s eyes flickered up to mine as he grinned. “You’re not planning on being shy, are you?” His voice was laced with amusement, and that smirk—it drove me crazy.

Cyrus leaned back, his posture casual, but his eyes gleamed with something darker. “You’re gonna sit between us, princess. Might as well get used to it.”

I took a deep breath, sliding into the tight space, trying to ignore how my shoulder brushed against Cain’s. His scent was intoxicating, it smells dangerous but terribly good, and I couldn’t shake the way my skin burned where we touched.

“Someone’s a little too eager,” Cain murmured as I settled in, his thigh pressing against mine. I stiffened, but the way he casually leaned into me, the heat of his body seeping into mine, made it hard to ignore.

Cyrus’ hand brushed my arm, his fingers just barely grazing my skin, but it felt like an electric shock. “Looks like we’re stuck with you for the day. Better not let it get to your head.” His voice was teasing, but I could hear the undercurrent of something more in his tone, something that made my heart race in a way I hated.

My body screamed for space, but neither of them was giving it. They were too close—Cain’s arm resting on the back of the seat, his fingers dangerously close to my shoulder, while Cyrus’ leg pressed against mine. Every inch of the backseat felt like it was shrinking with every passing second.

I shifted uncomfortably, but Cain didn’t seem to care. “You know, it’s kind of funny. You’re acting like you’re not the one who wanted to sit here.” His voice dropped an octave, sending a shiver down my spine. “Tell me, little sister, do you like being so close?”

I held my ground. “I didn’t choose this,” I said through clenched teeth, my voice barely a whisper.

Cyrus’ eyes shifted to me, and I could almost see the smirk playing on his lips. “But you’re here now. And it’s not like you can leave.”

He leaned forward slightly, his arm brushing against mine as he adjusted, and I felt a shiver travel down my spine. “You’re gonna have to deal with us,” he added, his voice low and teasing.

My body went rigid when Cain’s lips brushed dangerously close to my ear. His voice was a low growl, barely a whisper, yet it seemed to fill the car, wrapping around me like a heavy fog. “I don’t want anyone to know we’re living under the same roof, understand?” His breath was warm against my skin, his words carrying an edge that made my stomach flip. “Because if you slip up… you’ll have to answer to me.”

I couldn’t help but shiver at the promise in his voice, every inch of my skin screamed in awareness, the closeness of his body making my heart race. His scent, intoxicating and wild, filled the space between us.

Beside me, Cyrus’s amused chuckle broke the silence. He leaned forward, his fingers threading lazily through his messy blond hair, a look of lazy confidence on his face.

“Nice one, brother,” he teased, but it was the way his fingers moved, playing with my hair, that made my breath catch in my throat. His touch was soft at first, but it lingered far too long as if he was savoring the reaction he knew it would provoke.

His fingers curled into my hair, tugging me slightly closer, and I couldn’t stop myself from flinching—partly from the shock, partly from how the warmth of his hand on my scalp made my body react against my will. “You know there’s always a price to pay, right?” Cyrus’s voice was dangerously smooth, the words spilling out with a playful tone. “We don’t care if you’re our sister. You’re not. And that means we can do whatever we want to you, princess.”

His fingers trailed down to the nape of my neck, that made my skin burn with something I couldn’t understand. It wasn’t just anger or discomfort—it was something else entirely, something primal that I couldn’t ignore.

My breath hitched when he tugged my hair again, leaning in just enough that his face was inches from mine. His lips parted slightly as if he were about to say something more, but it was the glint in his eyes, the way he studied my every reaction, that made my pulse spike.

“You’ll learn fast, princess,” he murmured, voice dropping lower. “We don’t play nice. And I don’t mind showing you just how much.”

Cain’s hand was now resting on the back of my seat, his fingers brushing against my shoulder. His eyes never left mine as he added, “Remember this. Every time you think you’re in control, you’re not.”

“Are you all okay at the back, sir?” The driver asked, his gaze flicking up to the rearview mirror, as if to check on us.

“Yes, sir,” Cyrus drawled, his smirk wide as he finally released me from his grip. I took a shaky breath, relieved to have some space. But that only lasted for a moment.

“I want to drive my own car tomorrow. I don’t wanna sit next to a rat.” Cain’s voice was flat, cold—he wasn’t even looking at me when he spoke.

Cyrus chuckled darkly, his fingers brushing against my arm as he leaned back in his seat. “Me too. Can’t have people knowing I have a sister now. s**t’s gonna be so embarrassing.”

The words stung more than they should have. I wanted to fire back, but I didn’t have the energy. Instead, I clenched my jaw, willing myself to stay silent.

“Jerks,” I muttered under my breath, my eyes staring out the window, my mind racing. “Like I wanted this bullshit. Elites and whatever… I don’t care about any of this.”

Cain’s voice cut through the silence like a blade. “Then leave.”

Suddenly, Cyrus shifted in his seat, his eyes darkened. “Ronald, my little sister requested she wanted to be dropped off away from the academy.”

I froze, caught off guard by his words. I never said that. I didn’t even know what time the academy started. My stomach dropped.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, panic creeping in.

“Don’t worry, princess,” Cyrus said, his tone teasing, his smirk widening. “You’ll only have to walk 5 minutes straight.”

I looked at him, trying to decipher if he was lying or just messing with me. “Well, are you sure—”

“No.” My words were abruptly cut off when both of them simultaneously nudged my legs with theirs, pushing me further into the middle of the seat.

I gasped, the sudden physical contact like a shock to my system. I tried to pull away, but they were too close. “Yes,” I lied, hating myself for not standing up for myself.

And just like that, the car stopped. The door clicked open, and without another word, I was pushed out. The door slammed shut behind me.

I stood there, frozen for a moment, staring at the red building ahead. It wasn’t far, but it felt like a lifetime away as I stared at the imposing structure. My feet ached from the unfamiliar heels, and I could already feel my frustration building.

“f**k you!” I yelled, my voice laced with anger, as I raised my middle finger toward the car, though I knew they couldn’t see me. The car sped off without a care, leaving me standing there, alone.

I started walking, my pace quickening with each step as I tried to ignore the ache in my legs. They said five minutes. I’d been walking for ten. The heels dug into my feet, making every step feel like a punishment.

When I finally reached the gate, breathless and furious, I showed the gatekeeper my ID, trying to calm my pounding heart. They didn’t even give me a second glance as they let me in, but it hit me hard—I was going to be late.