Desired by Mate's Alpha Brother

"Why would I need to eavesdrop," he said softly, "when I already knew exactly what would happen?"

Connor's words cut through me like a knife. Of course he knew. The future Alpha would naturally be privy to his brother's plans, even ones that involved crushing my heart.

"How nice for you," I spat, trying to sidestep him. "Glad my humiliation could provide such entertainment."

But Connor moved with unexpected swiftness, blocking my path. He took a step closer, his imposing frame forcing me back against the wall. His eyes, usually so cold and distant, now burned with an intensity that made my breath catch.

"Entertainment?" he repeated, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Is that what you think this is to me?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words died in my throat as he leaned closer. And then it happened.

His scent engulfed me—a rich, intoxicating blend of pine, smoke, and something wild and untamed that sent a shock wave through my entire body. My wolf surged forward, clawing desperately at my consciousness, howling a single, unmistakable truth that turned my world upside down.

Mate.

Not Logan. Connor.

My eyes widened in horror as I watched recognition flicker across his face. For the briefest moment, surprise shattered his perpetual mask of control—his pupils dilated, nostrils flared, and his jaw slackened. Then, just as quickly, the wall came back up, his expression returning to that inscrutable coldness, but with something new lurking beneath the surface.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head frantically. "No, this can't be happening."

Connor said nothing, but his eyes never left mine, tracking every micro-expression that crossed my face. I felt naked, exposed, as if he could see straight through to the chaos erupting inside me.

I needed to escape—from him, from this hallway, from the terrible truth that was rewriting everything I thought I knew about my life. I pushed away from the wall, desperate to put distance between us, only to collide with someone behind me.

"Oh!" came a soft, melodic voice. "Are you alright?"

I spun around to find myself face-to-face with Princess Selene Nightbrooke. Up close, she was even more breathtaking than from afar—ethereal beauty framed by cascading silver-blonde hair, her violet eyes filled with genuine concern. The Lycan princess's presence was like a soothing balm, elegant and composed where I was fractured and falling apart.

"I—I'm sorry," I stammered, mortified to realize tears were streaming down my face. "I didn't see you."

Instead of the annoyance or disdain I expected, her delicate brows drew together in sympathy. "You're crying," she observed, reaching out to touch my arm gently. "What's happened? Can I help?"

The kindness in her voice only made the knot in my chest tighten further. This was Connor's chosen mate—the woman he was supposed to build a future with. A princess. And I was just... me. The Beta's daughter who couldn't even keep Logan's interest.

"It's nothing," I managed, wiping hastily at my tears. "Just a misunderstanding."

Selene's gaze shifted over my shoulder, and her expression softened. "Connor," she said, her voice warming with affection. "I was looking for you."

She moved past me with fluid grace, reaching for Connor. I turned just in time to see her place a familiar hand on his arm, her body angling toward his with the easy intimacy of lovers. The sight sent a sharp pain through my chest that I refused to acknowledge.

"Is everything alright?" she asked him, though her concerned glance flickered back to me.

Connor's eyes, however, never left my face. Not even as he covered Selene's hand with his own in a gesture that should have been reassuring. Instead, there was something predatory in his gaze, something that made my wolf both cower and strain toward him simultaneously.

"Fine," he replied, his deep voice betraying nothing of what had just passed between us. "Just a pack matter."

I couldn't bear it anymore—the weight of his stare, the princess's kindness, the crushing realization that the universe had played the cruelest joke imaginable. In the span of ten minutes, I'd lost the mate I thought was mine and discovered my true mate was not only the most intimidating wolf in our pack but also engaged to royalty.

"Excuse me," I whispered, and fled before either could respond.

---

The morning after my disastrous Coming-of-Age ball, I seriously considered skipping the pack run. The thought of facing Logan, Brianna, or—worse—Connor made my stomach twist into knots. But hiding would only fuel the gossip already spreading like wildfire through the pack.

So I forced myself out of bed, laced up my running shoes, and headed to the clearing where the pack gathered each morning. I kept my head high despite the whispers and sidelong glances. Harper stood with a group of girls, all of them falling silent as I passed. Logan was nowhere to be seen, but Brianna was there, her smug smile making my blood boil.

As Alpha, Damien Hayes led the run, with my father flanking him as Beta. Connor, as future Alpha, typically ran just behind them. I positioned myself in the middle of the pack, hoping to lose myself among the others once we shifted and took to the forest trails.

The moment we transformed, I darted into the trees, veering off the main path onto a narrower trail I knew well. My wolf reveled in the freedom, in the simple joy of stretching her legs and feeling the earth beneath her paws. For a few blissful minutes, I outran my problems.

Until I sensed him.

He wasn't close enough to see, but I knew he was there—a powerful presence moving steadily behind me, maintaining a consistent distance that was neither threatening nor comforting. Just... watching. Waiting.

I pushed myself harder, lungs burning as I zigzagged through the underbrush, taking the most challenging routes I could find. But no matter how I tried to shake him, that presence remained—a shadow I couldn't escape.

Connor was tracking me, and the knowledge sent a thrill of something dangerously close to excitement racing through my veins.

What did he want from me? Why couldn't he just leave me alone?

And why, despite everything, did part of me hope he never would?