The Alpha Prince's Forbidden Mate.

One House,Two Enemies.

Lena

The next morning, I woke up and immediately remembered one thing.

Adrian Sinclair lived in this house.

I opened my eyes and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling above me.

For a few seconds, I considered going back to sleep.

Maybe if I slept long enough, I would wake up in my old house.

Maybe yesterday had been some strange nightmare.

The new mansion.

The new school.

The arrogant boy who had made me wash his shirt.

And the wonderful discovery that said arrogant boy was now my stepbrother.

Unfortunately, the enormous bedroom around me made it impossible to pretend.

I sighed and sat up.

"Welcome to your new life, Lena."

It was Saturday.

My first weekend in the estate.

I looked around my bedroom.

Despite how beautiful it was, the room still didn't feel like mine.

Everything was too perfect.

The expensive furniture.

The spotless walls.

The enormous wardrobe that could probably fit my entire old bedroom inside it.

My old house had been small, but every part of it had felt familiar.

This room didn't.

Not yet.

So I decided to fix that.

I spent the next hour unpacking.

I arranged my favorite books on the shelves, even though the shelf was large enough to hold three times as many. I placed a small picture of my mother and me on the desk.

Then I found another frame.

My fingers paused.

It was an old picture of my parents.

My father stood behind my mother with his arms around her, both of them smiling at the camera.

I stared at it for a moment.

A familiar ache moved through my chest.

"I miss you," I whispered.

Moving here was strange.

My mother had found happiness again.

I was happy for her.

I truly was.

But sometimes, I wondered if starting a new life meant I was leaving my father behind.

I quickly shook the thought away.

I wasn't.

A new life didn't erase the old one.

I placed the photograph beside my bed.

Then I smiled.

"Okay."

I looked around.

The room was starting to feel a little better.

Not completely like home.

But maybe someday.

I grabbed a few clothes and headed toward the door.

The moment I opened it, another door across the hallway opened.

I froze.

Adrian stepped outside.

He froze too.

For a moment, we simply stared at each other.

Then my eyes moved toward the door behind him.

Then back to him.

"Please tell me that isn't your room."

Adrian followed my gaze.

"Unfortunately, it is."

I stared at the door directly across from mine.

Then at mine.

"No."

He folded his arms.

"That's what I said."

"So your room is directly across from mine?"

"Apparently."

I stared at him.

He stared back.

I sighed.

"This house is enormous."

"Yes."

"How did we end up directly across from each other?"

"I don't know."

He started walking away.

"Try not to make too much noise."

I slowly turned around.

"What?"

He looked over his shoulder.

"I like quiet."

I pointed at him.

"You haven't even been awake long enough to start being annoying."

"And you're already talking too much."

My mouth fell open.

"You are unbelievable."

"So I've been told."

I watched him disappear down the hallway.

I sighed.

My plan to make this house feel like home was already failing.

---

I grabbed my bathroom things and headed toward the hallway bathroom.

The door was closed.

I frowned.

I knocked.

Nothing.

I knocked again.

Still nothing.

I looked at the door.

"Hello?"

A familiar voice answered.

"What?"

My eye twitched.

"Adrian?"

"Obviously."

"How long have you been in there?"

Silence.

Then—

"Why does that concern you?"

I crossed my arms.

"Because I want to use the bathroom."

"So use another one."

"I don't know where another one is."

"That's unfortunate."

I stared at the door.

"Are you seriously saying that?"

"Yes."

I knocked again.

"How long are you going to be in there?"

"It's Saturday."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"I have nowhere to be."

"Neither do I, but I still need to use the bathroom!"

"Then you should have gotten up earlier."

I stared at the door.

"You're the worst."

"Thank you."

I gasped.

"That wasn't a compliment!"

The door suddenly opened.

Adrian stood there with wet hair, wearing a dark shirt and looking entirely too pleased with himself.

I stared at him.

"How long were you actually in there?"

He shrugged.

"Long enough."

"How long?"

"Are you counting?"

"Yes!"

He raised an eyebrow.

"That's weird."

"Taking forever in a bathroom is weird."

He stepped aside.

"You're welcome."

I walked past him.

Then stopped.

"You could have opened the door ten minutes ago."

"You could have used another bathroom."

"I told you, I don't know where it is."

He smiled.

"Sounds like a personal problem."

I slowly turned around.

He was already walking away.

"Adrian!"

He waved without looking back.

I stared after him.

Then muttered under my breath,

"One day, I'm going to throw something at you."

His voice came from down the hallway.

"I heard that."

---

By the time I finished getting ready, I was already annoyed.

So naturally, when I walked into the dining room and saw Adrian sitting at the breakfast table, I became even more annoyed.

He looked up.

I stopped.

"Why are you here?"

He blinked.

"Because I live here."

"Unfortunately."

My mother looked up.

"Lena."

I smiled.

"Good morning, Mom."

She narrowed her eyes.

"Are you two already fighting?"

"No," Adrian and I said together.

She sighed.

"Sit down."

I chose a chair as far away from him as possible.

Adrian looked at me.

"Are you afraid I'll bite?"

I frowned.

"What?"

"You're sitting like I have some kind of disease."

"I don't want to hear you talk."

"Then don't."

I grabbed a piece of toast.

My mother and Alexander entered.

Alexander smiled.

"Good morning."

"Morning," I replied.

Adrian nodded.

My mother looked at me.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes."

Adrian immediately spoke.

"She talks in her sleep."

I froze.

My head snapped toward him.

"Excuse me?"

My mother looked surprised.

"You do?"

"No, I don't!"

Adrian leaned back in his chair.

"You do."

"What did I say?"

He pretended to think.

"I don't remember."

"You're lying."

He smiled.

"Maybe."

I narrowed my eyes.

My mother looked amused.

"Well, what did she say?"

Adrian's eyes remained on mine.

"Nothing interesting."

"Don't listen to him," I said quickly. "He's making things up because his only hobby is being annoying."

He smiled.

"You're still talking."

I grabbed another piece of toast.

"Did you just—"

His eyes moved to my hair.

I stopped.

"What?"

He tilted his head.

"Interesting."

I touched my hair.

"What?"

My mother leaned forward.

"Oh, Lena."

"No."

I pointed at Adrian.

"Don't."

My mother smiled.

"Your hair is a little—"

"Don't."

Adrian's mouth twitched.

I looked at him.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing."

"You did something."

"I haven't touched you."

"Then why are you looking at me like that?"

He leaned back.

"Did you fight a bird this morning?"

The room went silent.

I stared at him.

My mother covered her mouth.

Alexander looked at his plate, clearly trying not to laugh.

I slowly reached for the piece of bread in my hand.

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"Lena."

I raised it.

"Don't."

My mother spoke immediately.

"Lena."

I slowly lowered the bread.

Adrian smirked.

I glared.

"You're lucky."

"Is that a threat?"

"Yes."

Alexander sighed.

"Can we have one peaceful breakfast?"

"No," Adrian and I said together.

My mother laughed.

---

After breakfast, I made a decision.

A very reasonable decision.

I was going to avoid Adrian Sinclair.

Completely.

There was no reason for us to speak.

We didn't like each other.

We had nothing in common.

We could easily live in the same house while pretending the other person didn't exist.

I went to the library.

Adrian was there.

I immediately turned around.

I went to the garden.

Adrian was there.

I stopped.

He was sitting beneath one of the trees.

I turned around again.

I went to the kitchen.

Adrian walked in less than thirty seconds later.

I stared at him.

He stared at me.

"What?"

"Are you following me?"

His eyebrows rose.

"No."

"Then why are you everywhere?"

He looked around the kitchen.

"I live here."

"So do I."

"Our parents are married."

"Exactly."

He crossed his arms.

"You're getting comfortable."

I stared at him.

"That's what people do when they live somewhere."

"Try not to get too comfortable."

"Why?"

"This house has rules."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Are you threatening me with rules now?"

"I'm warning you."

I stepped closer.

"About what?"

"Stay away from my things."

I laughed.

"I don't want your things."

"Good."

"Trust me. I don't want anything connected to you."

His jaw tightened.

I smiled sweetly.

"Have a nice day."

I walked away.

Behind me, I heard him mutter,

"Annoying."

I turned around.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"That's what I thought."

I left.

I had won that argument.

At least, that's what I told myself.

---

Adrian

I had decided to avoid her.

That was it.

Simple.

Necessary.

Lena Whitmore had somehow become the most irritating person in my life.

She was loud.

Stubborn.

Argumentative.

And completely incapable of walking away from an argument.

My wolf was also behaving strangely.

Every time Lena came close, I felt him stir.

Restless.

Alert.

Interested.

It was irritating.

So I decided to avoid her.

Unfortunately, Lena seemed to be everywhere.

I went to the library.

She walked in.

I went to the garden.

She appeared.

I went to the kitchen.

She was already there.

Eventually, I found myself standing alone in the hallway.

I frowned.

Why was I even thinking about her?

I looked toward the stairs.

Then heard her laughing from somewhere downstairs.

My wolf immediately stirred.

Her.

I clenched my jaw.

"No."

The strange feeling in my chest remained.

I had been surrounded by people my entire life.

Nobody had ever made my wolf react this way.

Nobody.

And I didn't understand why.

I wasn't going to find out.

I would simply avoid her.

Problem solved.

---

Lena

Later that afternoon, I went to take a shower.

The bathroom was finally empty.

Miraculously.

I had half expected Adrian to appear from behind the shower curtain and tell me I had five minutes.

After finishing, I changed and gathered my things.

I stepped into the hallway carrying a few personal items.

Something slipped.

I didn't notice.

"Hey."

I looked up.

Adrian stood at the end of the hallway.

His eyes were focused on the floor.

"What's that?"

I followed his gaze.

My heart stopped.

My underwear was lying on the floor.

For one second, I forgot how to breathe.

Adrian looked at the underwear.

Then at me.

I quickly rushed forward.

"Don't."

He raised both hands.

"I haven't said anything."

"Your face is saying enough."

He looked down again.

A smile slowly appeared.

I snatched the underwear from the floor.

My face was burning.

"Forget you saw that."

He tilted his head.

"Those are seriously ugly."

Silence.

I slowly looked at him.

"What?"

"Your underwear."

"Adrian."

He nodded.

"Seriously ugly."

My mouth fell open.

"How dare you?"

He shrugged.

"I'm being honest."

"Nobody asked for your opinion!"

"Good."

He smiled.

"Because I didn't have much to say anyway."

I stared at him.

"You literally just insulted my underwear."

"I insulted the underwear, not you."

"That's worse!"

I grabbed the towel around my shoulder.

"Say that again."

His smile disappeared.

"Lena."

"Say it."

"I think you've already heard me."

I raised the towel.

He took one step back.

"You wouldn't."

"Run."

"What?"

"Run."

He looked at the towel.

Then at me.

Then—

He ran.

My eyes widened.

"ADRIAN!"

I chased him down the hallway.

"Come back here!"

He laughed.

"You're actually chasing me with a towel!"

"Because you insulted my underwear!"

"Stop saying that so loudly!"

"Why? Embarrassed?"

"You should be!"

I swung the towel.

He ducked.

It hit the wall.

"Lena!"

"Apologize!"

"Never!"

"You have a death wish!"

"I've faced worse!"

"What does that even mean?"

He froze for half a second.

Then continued running.

"I mean, I've faced trained fighters!"

I narrowed my eyes.

"You're weird!"

"You're chasing me with a towel!"

"Apologize!"

"Never!"

He ran toward the stairs.

I followed.

Then he suddenly stopped.

I nearly crashed into his back.

He turned around.

I stumbled.

His hand moved toward my waist to stop me from falling.

I froze.

So did he.

For one second, we were standing too close.

I looked up.

His expression had changed.

The laughter was gone.

His eyes were fixed on mine.

Something strange passed between us.

Then—

"Lena!"

We jumped apart.

My mother stood at the end of the hallway.

Alexander was beside her.

Both of them were staring at us.

I was holding my towel like a weapon.

Adrian looked guilty.

I immediately pointed at him.

"He started it!"

Adrian looked at me.

"She started it!"

"I did not!"

"You did!"

"One at a time!" Alexander ordered.

We became silent.

My mother looked at me.

"What happened?"

I pointed at Adrian.

"He insulted my underwear."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

My mother's eyes widened.

Alexander slowly turned toward Adrian.

Adrian stared at me.

"Lena!"

"What? It's true!"

My mother covered her mouth.

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

"Adrian?"

Adrian looked at his father.

Then at me.

Then closed his eyes.

"They were ugly."

My mouth dropped open.

"YOU DID NOT JUST SAY THAT IN FRONT OF THEM!"

I raised the towel.

"Lena!" my mother shouted.

I froze.

Adrian was trying not to laugh.

I pointed the towel at him.

"You are officially the biggest problem in this house."

Adrian looked offended.

"Me?"

"Yes!"

"You're the one who dropped—"

"Don't finish that sentence."

He smiled.

"Ugly underwear."

I screamed.

"ADRIAN!"

I swung the towel.

My mother grabbed my arm.

"No one is hitting anyone!"

"He deserves it!"

Alexander rubbed his forehead.

"I've been married for less than a month."

My mother looked at him.

"And you're already regretting it?"

He smiled.

"Not the marriage."

He looked at Adrian and me.

"Just the noise."

I glared at Adrian.

Adrian looked at me,then said

"One house, two enemies."

I frowned.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're annoying."

"And you're loud."

"Stop talking." I retorted.

"You first."

My mother sighed.

"Both of you, separate."

I pointed at Adrian.

"I would love nothing more."

"Good," he replied.

I walked away.

"Go to your ugly room."

I froze.

I turned around.

"That's not what I said!"

He smiled.

"Sure."

I screamed into my hands.

My mother looked concerned.

"Are you okay?"

"No!."

---

Adrian

I entered my room and closed the door.

Silence.

Finally.

I sat on the edge of my bed.

For several seconds, I stared at nothing.

Then I smiled.

I immediately stopped.

What was wrong with me?

I had just spent half the day arguing with Lena.

Yet the image of her chasing me through the hallway with a towel kept returning to my mind.

It was strangely entertaining.

She was unpredictable.

Nobody around me acted like her.

People usually tried to impress me.

Or avoided annoying me.

Lena did neither.

She had no problem calling me arrogant.

No problem arguing with me.

No problem chasing me with a towel because I had insulted her underwear.

I laughed quietly.

My wolf stirred.

The laughter disappeared.

There it was again.

The restlessness.

Every time Lena came near me, my wolf became more alert.

I didn't understand it.

Her.

"No."

I stood up.

I was done thinking about Lena.

I would avoid her.

For real this time.

I heard a door open across the hallway.

My wolf immediately became restless.

I looked toward my door.

Then I heard her voice.

I took one step forward.

Stopped.

"What am I doing?"

I stepped back.

Then heard her laugh.

I walked toward the door again.

Stopped.

"Unbelievable."

I ran a hand through my hair.

Avoiding Lena Whitmore should have been easy.

So why was I suddenly looking for her?

---

Lena

That night, I sat on my bed and stared at the ceiling.

Adrian was the worst.

The absolute worst.

I was beginning to understand why avoiding him was impossible.

He seemed to exist everywhere I went.

The library.

The garden.

The kitchen.

The bathroom.

And apparently, now my nightmares too.

I groaned and pulled my blanket over myself.

I was going to sleep.

I was not going to think about Adrian.

Not even once.

A few minutes passed.

Then I heard something.

I froze.

A sound.

Outside.

I sat up.

The room was silent again.

Slowly, I climbed out of bed and walked toward the window.

I pulled the curtains apart.

Nothing.

The forest stretched before me.

Dark.

Still.

Empty.

I frowned.

Maybe I'd imagined it.

I was about to turn away when—

A howl.

My body froze.

The sound came from somewhere deep within the forest.

Deep.

Powerful.

Familiar.

The same strange howl I had heard on my first night at the estate.

My heart began beating faster.

Why did that sound feel so familiar?

I stepped closer to the window.

Then another howl answered.

From somewhere farther away.

My breath caught.

Two howls.

Calling to each other.

Something inside my chest tightened.

I didn't know what I was hearing.

I didn't know why I felt like the sound was somehow reaching for me.

But I knew one thing.

I couldn't look away from the forest.

---

Adrian

Across the hallway, I suddenly sat upright in bed.

My eyes opened.

My wolf was no longer restless.

He was completely awake.

What?

Silence filled my mind.

Then—

The howl echoed through the night.

My body went still.

Another howl answered.

My wolf moved beneath the surface.

Powerful.

Certain.

My breathing became shallow.

"No."

I already knew what was happening.

I refused to accept it.

No.

Then my wolf spoke.

One word.

Mate.

I froze.

My heart stopped.

"No."

Mate.

I turned slowly toward the wall.

The wall separating my room from hers.

Lena.

The coffee girl.

The girl who had chased me with a towel.

The girl who had dropped her underwear in front of me.

My new stepsister.

Mate.

I shook my head.

"Impossible."

But my wolf was certain.

For the first time in my life, there was no hesitation in his voice.

No confusion.

Only certainty.

Mate.

I stared at the wall.

And for the first time, I truly understood one thing.

Lena Whitmore was going to change everything.

I just didn't know how.