Claimed by My Stepbrothers

Surprise!

Saoirse

I smile—fake, fragile, but I smile. Because if I let myself fall apart, I won’t stop. And right now? Rhaziel feels like the only one who isn’t playing some twisted game with my heart. Unlike them. Unlike the brothers.

We pull up in front of a sprawling villa, glowing with warm golden lights like something straight out of a fairytale. Or maybe a dream I’m about to wake up from.

“Holy hell…” I murmur, staring. It’s not a house. It’s a kingdom. “Whose pack owns that?”

Rhaziel’s smirk curves slow, lazy. “It’s not a pack.” His voice drops, like it’s a secret he’s letting me in on. “This is the Academy’s villa. And guess who the top funder is?”

I blink, throat tight. “I—I don’t know?”

He chuckles. Then leans in close, tapping the tip of my nose. “The Blackthornes, sweetheart. Cain and Cyrus don’t need their parents to run the world—they are the damn world.”

His words drop like ice into my chest.

Of course. Of course it’s them. I should’ve known. This whole place reeks of power, rebellion, and danger disguised as luxury.

“That’s why they act like gods,” I mutter. “They know they can break rules and still be worshipped.”

Rhaziel laughs softly. “You catch on fast, Princess.”

The name makes my stomach twist. I hate it. I hate how he says it sweetly, and I hate that Cyrus made it sound like mockery.

I reach for the door, eager to escape my own thoughts—but Rhaziel’s hand catches mine gently.

“Let me,” he says, his voice a little lower now. Almost tender. “You’re my partner tonight. Let me treat you like one.”

My heart skips. Not from fear, but from something warmer, softer. Something I forgot I could still feel.

“…Okay,” I whisper, barely audible.

He licks his lips, rakes a hand through his hair, then steps out of the car. I take a moment to fix my hair in the mirror, my cheeks burning. What am I doing? He’s too good-looking. Too perfect.

And too close to them.

Through the villa’s tall glass walls, I spot the other students—dancing, laughing, dripping in wealth and feral energy. The elite of the elite. And here I am. Pretending I belong.

Then the car door swings open.

Rhaziel stands there, hand outstretched. “Come on, Princess,” he says softly. “Let them stare.”

My stomach drops.

That voice. The nickname. It’s like Cyrus is haunting me again—but this time, it’s layered in warmth, not cruelty.

I hesitate.

But still, I smile and slip my hand into his. His palm is warm, steady. A quiet promise in the chaos I’m about to walk into.

“When’s your 18th birthday?” he asks casually, like he’s not pulling me into a goddamn lion’s den.

“I lost track,” I shrug.

He glances at me, brows raised. “Is that even possible?”

I toss him a look. “Is it possible for someone like you to not have a mate?”

That shuts him up—only for a second.

Then his smirk curves, slow and wicked. “f**k the whole ‘mate’ thing,” he says, biting his bottom lip like he’s trying to keep something darker in. “I’m not chasing destiny. I want a Luna who’s mine because she chooses me. Someone who can rule with me. Ride the storm. Burn the world down if I asked her to.”

Damn. But there’s no word that comes in my mind after he said that. His voice just sounds too good.

“And I’m powerful enough to reject anyone I don’t want,” he adds, voice silk but sharp. “Same as the Blackthornes.”

My smile falters.

There they are again—those names. He keeps saying them like they’re gods. Like they live inside his mouth.

But before I can say anything, I catch it.

That scent.

Something wild. Spiced and heavy and wrong in all the right ways. The kind of scent that makes your knees weaken and your lungs forget how to breathe. It’s coming from the Villa.

And even without my wolf, my body wants to chase it. I shouldn’t. But I want to.

We keep walking, and Rhaziel starts greeting some boys like he owns the place. I try to stay calm, but my eyes catch on the pool—students everywhere, half-naked, drunk, kissing like their tongues could crown them Alpha.

These are the future leaders of the packs?

Goddess, help us.

Then I feel Rhaziel’s hand slide back around mine. Gentle, but grounding.

“You’re distracted, sweetie,” he says, voice low, intimate. “Eyes on me.”

I blink and meet his gaze. Ocean eyes. Murder smile.

“I’m looking,” I say, breath catching.

“Good. Then meet the boys.”

He turns me toward three men—no, monsters in suits—lean and tall with that predator polish only high-ranking wolves can wear. Each of them holding a drink like it’s an extension of their ego.

“KD,” says the one with tight curls, reaching his hand out. “Nice to finally meet you.”

“I’m Saoirse—”

“I know.” His smirk is razor-sharp. “You’re the girl everyone’s whispering about.”

Before I can reply, the guy next to him slaps his hand away.

“Chill, KD,” he mutters, sliding in with a grin. “I’m Zane. Or Z. Whichever sounds better in your moans.”

“Zane!” I say, cheeks lighting up. I can’t help it—he’s got that heat. That slow-burn gaze that undresses you in three seconds flat.

The third one lets out a laugh. “You’re acting like a girl, what the fuck.”

Zane lets go of my hand like he’s been caught, and I bite my lip to keep from laughing.

“I’m Dane,” the last one says, knocking back his drink. “Yeah, Zane and Dane. Hate it too.”

“Are you guys—?”

“f**k no,” Dane groans. “I’d rather chew silver than share blood with that asshole.”

They start play-fighting, bumping shoulders, shoving like grown-up frat wolves. It’s ridiculous. And somehow, I laugh. For real this time.

Then I feel Rhaziel’s hand on my shoulder—just a light touch, but it makes me stand a little straighter.

“See?” he murmurs near my ear. “You don’t have to be afraid. They already like you.”

Yeah.

But something tells me this is just the calm before the storm. Still, I nodded.

He’s right. They’re easy to be around. Normal, even.

Maybe it’s just Cain and Cyrus who feel like poison wrapped in royalty.

“Well,” KD said, swirling his wine like it’s blood, “our partners are off doing shots and tongue wrestling. Sorry you won’t get to meet them properly—they’re already half-dead.”

“That’s alright.” I smiled tightly, folding my arms across my chest. “I’m good just staying here.”

Rhaziel glanced over. “You cold?”

“No, I’m—”

My words die in my throat.

I see him.

Cain.

Topless. Wet. Dripping water like it’s perfume. His scent—the one my body won’t shut up about—punches straight into my lungs. And I know he smells me too. His eyes snap to mine like magnets, devouring every inch of me like he could rip my clothes off just by looking.

And then—Cyrus.

Kissing some girl by the edge of the pool like he’s got no soul left. But his eyes? Still on me.

Why do they always look at me like they want to ruin me?

“You okay?” Rhaziel offers me a drink, watching me a little too closely.

“Yeah…” I lie, taking it with shaking fingers.

That’s when she shows up.

“Mind if I borrow your sweetheart?” A voice cuts in—icy, high, dangerous.

I turn and nearly flinch.

Chloe.

Blonde. Blue eyes. Looks like she could kill you and make it look like an accident. She’s giving Alpha’s psycho ex-girlfriend in a designer dress.

God, she always freaks me out.

“Chloe, don’t eat the new girl,” Zane mutters, rolling his eyes like this happens every full moon.

She ignores him and grabs my arm, her nails digging in just enough to make a point. “Don’t worry, boys. I’m not here to claw her face off. I’m just shocked my lying ex brought her.”

“Don’t start,” Rhaziel snaps, stepping between us. “Don’t touch her, Chloe.”

Chloe lets out a slow, dramatic sigh. “Relax. I’m just welcoming the new girl to the females. Y’know, before people get the wrong idea about her for spending much time with the boys.”

“They’d only think that if it’s you,” Dane mumbles into his drink.

I burst into a laugh, unable to help it. KD and Zane follow, and even Rhaziel cracks a grin.

“Excuse me?” Chloe’s eyes snap to Dane like she’s about to rip his tongue out. “Say that again and I’ll slap you so hard—”

“It’s fine,” I cut in smoothly, stepping toward her. “I’m all yours, Chloe.”

Her smile is sharp as a blade. “Good. Someone around here has taste.”

She drags me off like she’s claiming me for war.

“Is this even a good idea?” I whisper, voice trembling.

Chloe rolls her eyes. “God, what are you? A mouse in lipstick? You’re the only newbie here and you’re acting scared. You should be flaunting it.” I know she’s sick of me.

“That’s not who I am.”

“Then fake it, sweetheart—”

“Let go of her.”

A low, brutal voice slices through the air like thunder.

Cain.

Suddenly there. Looming. Eyes dark and wild like he’s moments away from breaking something—or someone. Chloe’s smirk falters.

“Cain—”

“I said I got this.” His voice is pure venom, smooth and deadly.

She hesitates, then smirks again, this time at me. “Fine. Just bring her back to me when you’re done playing.”

Cain’s lips curl into something that might be a smile. But there’s no warmth in it. Just threat.

“Sure.”

What the hell is this? Some twisted game over who gets to break me?

And then—he grabs me.

Drags me into the shadows like I belong there.

“Cain—”

“You’re so f*****g stupid,” he growls, slamming me against the stone wall of the garden path. “What the hell are you doing here? You think this place is for someone like you? You want us to look weak? Humiliated?”

His grip bruises. My breath hitches. I try to speak.

“Cain, that’s not, they don’t even know that I’m part of your pack—”

“Don’t f*****g lie. I know you’re giving Rhaziel a sign.” His face is inches from mine now, his breath hot, furious. “You think you’re one of us now, just because Rhaziel parades you in like a damn show pony?”

I clench my fists, blinking back tears. “He invited me. How the hell would I know? I didn’t ask for this.”

“Oh yeah?” He laughs bitterly. “You sure act like it. Smiling. Wearing that dress. Letting them touch you. Don’t look at me like you don’t know what you’re doing.”

His words burn. Like acid in my throat.

“You know what? Don’t worry about it,” he spits, finally yanking his hand away. “Enjoy the f*****g show. But don’t expect me to look at you again once you’ve made yourself a sideshow.”

And then—

He walk past me, and he’s coming towards Rhaziel.

Fuck.

He really wants to ruin me.

Before I can breathe, Chloe’s already at my side, nails digging into my arm like she owns me. “Looks like he’s done warning you,” she says with that smug, venom-laced smile. Then she yanks me away from Cain and drags me straight into a crowd of overdressed girls surrounding a glass table stacked with liquor like offerings to some teenage god.

“What the hell is this?” I ask, scanning the wild circle of girls downing shots like it’s air.

“Oh sweetie,” Chloe coos with mock innocence, “this is initiation. You didn’t think the boys were the only ones who played dirty, did you?”

Before I can answer, the music dies.

A mic screeches, stealing everyone’s attention. A tall guy—probably someone’s Beta son—raises it with theatrical flair.

“Alright, everyone!” he shouts, grinning like the devil. “Before we dive into tonight’s games, we have a special announcement.”

And then—

The doors swing open.

Every guy walks in like they own the air in this damn room. KD. Zane. Dane.

Cain.

Cyrus.

Cain’s cool as ice, hands shoved in his pockets like this is just another Monday. But Cyrus—God—he’s a mess. Drunk, flushed, hair tousled like someone already had their hands in it. His eyes lock on mine, burning and glazed.

“You all see her, right?” the guy with the mic says, pointing directly at me.

My stomach twists.

“The newbie. The wild card.” His voice gets louder, cockier. “Well, surprise—we had a little bet.”

The room stills.

My blood runs cold.

“Whoever gets to bring her in—gets her to walk through those doors like she belongs—wins one million in cold, hard cash.” He grins. “Courtesy of the Blackthornes.”

Laughter erupts.

Cheers.

Whistles.

A few girls glare daggers. Others just look amused—like I’m the punchline of the joke they already knew.

I can’t move.

My body turns ice.

Then I see it—

Cain. He’s not cheering. Not clapping. Just leaning against the wall, watching it all like it’s a show. And then—

He smirks.

And pats Rhaziel on the back.

And Rhaziel? He doesn’t even look at me. Not once.

My stomach churns. My heart squeezes so hard it hurts.

I feel like I’ve been skinned alive in front of everyone—and no one even flinched.