Claimed By My Mate's Brother

Nyx’s POV: The medical bill in my hands felt heavier than paper should. My fingers trembled as I traced the astronomical sum at the bottom of the page—two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Mom's cancer treatment costs were mounting, and our savings had long since dried up. I'd sold my car, picked up extra shifts at the diner, and even pawned my grandmother's jewelry, but it was like throwing pebbles into an ocean. It made no difference, and the doctors won’t stop reminding me what my actual situation is and what could happen once they stopped treatment. It was painful. It was even more heartbreaking whenever I gazed at my mother's weak figure laying on the hospital bed. She didn’t choose this. No one ever does. Cancer was just a cruel fate at work. Drawing in a shaky breath, I folded the bill and tucked it into my worn leather purse. The familiar scent of pine needles and wet earth filled my nostrils as I approached the imposing gates of the Moonveil Pack territory. My stomach churned with each step closer to my father's house. A place that hadn't felt like home since he'd remarried Elara fifteen years ago. The beta guards recognized me immediately even though years had passed, my face still has its old features. Their faces a careful blank as they let me pass. No warm welcomes here, not for the half-human daughter who'd chosen to live with her ill mother instead of staying in the pack. The gravel crunched beneath my boots as I made my way up the winding driveway, autumn leaves swirling around my feet like tiny, judgmental dancers. I hadn't even reached the front door when it swung open, revealing Elara in all her perfectly proud glory. Her lips curved into what might have passed for a smile if it weren't for the cold calculation in her eyes. And I would be fooled to think the smile represented a warm welcome. "Well, well," she drawled, leaning against the doorframe. "If it isn't our little runaway. What brings you crawling back, Nyx?" She asked, her smile was still curling her lips. I swallowed my pride, reminding myself why I was here. "I need to speak with my father, Elara. Is he home?" "Oh, he's in his study." She stepped aside with exaggerated courtesy. "Though I must warn you, he's quite busy with pack matters. You know how it is— oh wait, you wouldn't, would you?" She jabbed at me. And jab stung, but I kept my chin up as I entered the house. Everything was exactly as I remembered: the pristine white furniture, the crystal chandelier, the family photos on the walls, none of which included me or my mother. Elara would never let that happen, it’s like an error in the house she practically owns now. But I couldn’t dwell on those sentimental facts. I had to do what I came back here for. My mother’s bill. I found my father in his study, just as Elara had said. Edmond Carson, First Beta of the Moonveil Pack, looked older than I remembered. His dark hair was now peppered with gray, and new lines creased the corners of his eyes. He barely glanced up from his paperwork as I entered. One wouldn’t be able to tell that he is actually my biological father. "Nyx." His voice was flat, neutral. "This is unexpected." He said, not even pretending to welcome me nicely. "Dad, I—" I started, but was cut off by the click of heels behind me. "Daddy, you won't believe what Jessica just told me about the—" Delilah, my step-sister, froze in the doorway. Her perfect features twisted into a sneer. "Oh. You're here." I took a deep breath and pulled out the medical bill. "I need help. Mom's cancer... it's getting worse. The treatments—" "Absolutely not," Delilah interrupted, snatching the bill from my hands. Her eyes widened at the amount before she let out a cruel laugh. "You can't be serious. Daddy, she wants us to pay for her human mother's treatment!" I turned to my father, hoping to see some flicker of compassion. "Please, Dad. I wouldn't ask if I had any other option. She's dying." Edmond’s jaw tightened. "Nyx, when your mother chose to leave the pack—" "She left because you cheated on her with Elara!" The words burst out before I could stop them, echoing in the sudden silence. "I think you should leave," he said quietly, turning back to his work. Tears burned behind my eyes as I turned to go. I'd known this was a long shot, but the rejection still cut deep. I was halfway to the front door when Elara's voice stopped me. "Wait." I turned slowly, suspicious of the strange note in her voice. She was studying me with an intensity that made my skin crawl. "Perhaps we can help each other," Elara said, moving closer. "You see, we have a rather delicate situation that requires... someone of your unique position." "Elara," William warned, but she waved him off. "What kind of situation?" I asked warily. A smile spread across Elara's face—the kind that reminded me of a cat watching a wounded bird. "As you may know, Delilah is engaged to Theo Sterling, the youngest son of the Stormfang Pack's Alpha. It's a crucial alliance for both packs." I nodded slowly. Everyone knew about the arrangement. The Stormfang Pack was one of the most powerful in the region. "The thing is," Elara continued, her voice honey-sweet, "Delilah has fallen in love with someone else. Someone more... suitable. Breaking the engagement would cause a war between our packs, unless..." My blood ran cold as I realized where this was going. "You want me to take her place," I whispered. Elara's smile widened. "Smart girl. You marry Theo Sterling, play your part, and we'll pay every cent of your mother's medical bills. Past, present, and future." "You can't be serious," Delilah hissed. "Luca would never—" "He doesn't need to know," Elara cut in smoothly. "Not right away. By the time he realizes, the marriage will be binding. After all, Nyx is a Carson by blood, if not by choice." I stood there, frozen, as the magnitude of what she was suggesting sank in. Marry a stranger? Deceive an Alpha's son? The punishment for such deception could be death. But then I thought of my mother, growing weaker each day, and the numbers on that medical bill that seemed to multiply every time I looked at them. "How long do I have to decide?" My voice sounded strange to my own ears. Elara glanced at the expensive watch on her wrist. "The engagement party is in three days. You have until tomorrow morning. Of course, if you refuse, I'm sure your mother will understand why you couldn't help her. Assuming she lives long enough for you to explain." The room spun slightly as all the implications crashed over me. My mother's life or my own freedom—possibly my own life if Theo discovered the deception. As I stood there, torn between impossible choices, Elara's words echoed in my mind: ‘Tom orrow morning. Tomorrow morning. Tomorrow morning.’ What choice did I really have?