MATED To MY BROTHER'S SWORN ENEMY

Alex's POV I stared at my reflection and could barely recognize myself. The woman looking back wore a champagne-colored gown that cost a lot of money, probably our company's net worth. Her hair fell in perfect waves over bare shoulders. Her makeup was flawless—smoky eyes, nude lips, etc. She looked like she belonged in a magazine about eligible heiresses. She definitely looked nothing like me. "You ready, Alex?" Taylor's voice came from the other side of my bedroom door. "Almost," I called back, forcing brightness into my tone. I smoothed my hands down the silk fabric and took a breath. I'm twenty years old today. I should've been excited, should've been planning something fun with friends, if I had any. But Taylor had other ideas, and Taylor always got his way. The party was already in full swing when I made my entrance. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light across the ballroom, making everything look soft and romantic. Servers moved through the crowd with champagne flutes and hors d'oeuvres that probably had names I couldn't pronounce. And everywhere I looked, there were wolves. Pack members from Rivern, obviously. But also guests from Silver Ridge, Moonstone Valley, and even a few from the coastal packs. All carefully selected. All here for the same reason Taylor had orchestrated this entire night. To find me a mate. "There she is!" Taylor said as he appeared at my elbow, his smile wide and warm for the benefit of our audience. To anyone else, he looked like the doting older brother. "The birthday girl." He pressed a champagne flute into my hand, and I caught the familiar gesture—his fingers lingering near the rim of the glass, and then a tiny sprinkle of white powder dissolving into the bubbles. He'd been doing it for years. My vitamins, as he called them. They were essential for my health. I'd never questioned it before. "What was that?" The words rushed out of my mouth before I could stop them. Taylor's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes. "What was what?" "The powder. In my drink." "Just your vitamins, Alex." He replied as he squeezed my shoulder, gently but firmly. "You know you need them. You've always been delicate." I'd heard that word my entire life. Delicate, fragile. Too weak for the real world. Taylor said it so often I'd almost started to believe it. I should've pushed back. Or should've demanded a real answer. But Mark Seer from Silver Ridge was already approaching, his eyes locked on me like I was some kind of prey, and Taylor was guiding me forward with a hand on my back. "Mark, you remember my sister." "Of course." Mark took my hand, holding it too long. "Happy birthday, Alex. Twenty is such an important age for a she-wolf." I smiled because that's what I did. I smiled and nodded, and played the part Taylor needed me to play. "Thank you." "I was just telling your brother how beneficial a union between our packs could be. Silver Ridge has excellent territory for expansion, and Rivern's tourism business would complement our—" He kept talking, but I'd stopped listening. Over his shoulder, I could see other wolves watching us. Evaluating and judging. Some of the pack members had gathered near the bar, their voices quite low but not low enough. "Poor thing, she looks miserable." "Can you blame her? Taylor's kept her locked up here her whole life." "She's so sheltered. Do you think she could even handle being Luna? She'd probably cry at the first pack challenge." I felt heat creeping up my neck. My fingers tightened around the champagne flute until I began to worry that the delicate glass might shatter. "Alex?" Mark was looking at me expectantly. Apparently, he'd thought I'd been listening to his chatter. "I'm sorry, what?" "I asked if you'd like to dance." No. I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw this stupid champagne in his face and tell him I wasn't some prize to be bargained over. I wanted to run, far away from here "She'd love to," Taylor answered for me and nudged me forward. I turned back to stare at him, and he had a small smile on his lips. And because I was good, obedient Alex, I let Mark lead me to the dance floor. I let him put his hands on my waist. I let him talk about pack alliances and bloodlines and breeding like I was a mare he was considering purchasing. The whole time, my hands tingled strangely. It seemed like electricity seemed to build under my skin, looking for a way out. When the song finally ended, I excused myself. Taylor tried to intercept me, but I was faster, slipping through the crowd toward the balcony. I needed air. I needed space. I don't need to be here. The night air hit my face like a blessing as I stepped outside. I gripped the balcony railing and breathed deep, trying to calm the panic rising in my chest. This was my life. This is supposedly a gilded cage. These carefully controlled interactions with wolves, Taylor deemed acceptable. No freedom. No choices. No room to figure out who I was beyond "Taylor's little sister." Twenty years old, and I'd never been allowed to leave pack territory. I never went to college, never had a job, and didn't ever have a real friend who wasn't vetted and approved. I was suffocating. Below, I could see the forest stretching into darkness. Somewhere out there was the neutral zone, the strip of land between Rivern and Stormcrest territories where no one went. Where I sometimes snuck away when I feel the walls closing in too tight. Where I could finally breathe. I looked back through the glass doors at the party. There was Taylor, schmoozing with the Silver Ridge Alpha. And of course, Mark, already eyeing another she-wolf. I looked at the life that had been planned for me without anyone bothering to ask what I wanted. Then I made a decision. I was leaving.