FATEBOUND: Mated to my step-brother

Gianna.

I woke up staring at the ceiling, sunlight leaking through the curtains. My body felt heavy, like I hadn't actually rested.

A knock came at the door.

"Be down in five, Gia!" Mum's voice sang, and then her footsteps faded.

I groaned and dragged myself out of bed. After brushing my teeth and pulling my hair into a messy bun, I headed downstairs.

Ivan was already there with Marcus and Mum. The first thing I noticed-packed suitcases.

Mum went over to Marcus, wrapping her hands around his shoulders. "So, if you've forgotten, the heat period's starting. Marcus and I are going away for a while so we don't... disturb you guys."

The heat period.

That time of the year every wolf dreaded. When instincts took over logic and our bodies demanded what our hearts might not be ready to give. It was nature's way of reminding us that we were animals before anything else.

For unmated wolves like me, the urges were usually mild, just a little restlessness, a few sleepless nights. Manageable.

But now... things were different. I had a mate. And not just any mate-he was living under the same roof as me.

I didn't know what to expect this time, but I had a feeling it wasn't going to be easy.

Ivan leaned toward me and whispered, "Ouu, the heat period."

I shot him a glare.

Mum's eyes darted between us. "You two already fighting?"

"Not at all, Olivia," Ivan said with that cocky grin. "We're getting along just fine." He stood, ruffled my hair, and added, "Right, ginger?"

I swatted his hand away.

"Take care of Gia. We're leaving her in your care," Marcus said, getting up.

"Sure," Ivan replied and walked off.

"I'll go make sure the car's ready," Marcus said, signaling the butler to grab their bags.

Mum turned to me, her expression softening. "Are you good?"

I smiled. "I'm good, Mum. You should enjoy your little vacation."

"If there's any problem, call me, okay? And be careful. The heat period can be... messy. Since you haven't found your mate, the urge will be mild. You'll be fine, right?"

"Aren't I always?" I joked.

She chuckled, kissed my cheek, and pulled me into one of her suffocating hugs.

"Get going now, Marcus must be waiting," I said, muffled against her shoulder.

"Just a little longer."

"Mummm," I groaned, and she finally let go.

"Okay, okay. Be good, alright? I love you."

"I love you too."

She left, and the house felt way too quiet.

I went to the kitchen. "Good morning, Miss," one of the maids greeted.

"Oh, hi."

"What would you like to eat?"

"Uh, anything's fine."

"Toast and bacon?"

"That'll work."

"I'll be back, mI need to shower."

She nodded.

After showering, I threw on grey joggers and a black shirt, tied my hair into a ponytail, and headed back downstairs.

That's when I saw them.

Three guys laughing, one girl perched on the couch, and another... sitting on Ivan's lap.

What the hell?

I walked straight past them to the kitchen, trying to ignore the noise. I sat and started eating, pretending not to hear their stupid laughter echoing through the house.

I grabbed my glass of orange juice and turned to leave-but as I passed behind him, my hand slipped, and the juice spilled. Right on him.

Ivan froze. "What the hell?"

The girl scrambled off his lap immediately.

"I'm so sorry," I said sweetly. "Didn't mean to interrupt."

His eyes narrowed with that knowing look. I didn't stick around.

Once I'd finished my drink, I went to drop the glass back in the sink-and walked right into him.

"What was that little drama for?" he asked, voice low.

"Drama? I wouldn't."

He stepped closer. "Don't play dumb."

I lifted my chin. "We haven't even started the mating process, and you're already cheating."

His brows rose. "When did you accept we're mates, ginger?"

"I didn't."

He smirked. "Hmm."

"Don't you have to get back to your girlfriend?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Who said she's my girlfriend?"

"Oh, so she's just some play toy? Another red flag," I muttered.

He leaned closer, voice dropping. "What do you mean another red flag?"

"Ivan, come onnn!" the girl's voice called from the sitting room.

"Looks like your presence is requested," I said, brushing past him.

I went up to my room and shut the door behind me, exhaling sharply.

Why did I feel so... uneasy?

Whatever. I'd binge-watch something and forget about it.

I closed the curtains, grabbed my iPad, and sank into bed.

****

When I finally checked my phone again, it was 7 p.m. - wow.

Rue's name flashed on the screen.

"Forgotten me already, eh?" she said when I answered, her playful tone making me smile.

"It's been one day, Rue."

"Glad to see you don't care," she said, and I could practically see her pout.

Rue was my only real friend - we met during the exchange program, and somehow she got me to open up. Of course, she didn't know I was a werewolf. I wasn't about to scare her off.

"Okay, fine. I'm sorry I didn't call," I said.

"Better. So, how's the new family? And that Ivan your mum keeps yapping about?"

"It's... okay. Everything's weird. Ivan's... arrogant."

"Ouu, it's giving the start of a forbidden romance."

"He's my stepbrother, Rue."

"Which makes it all the more interesting."

"You're insane," I said, laughing.

"Whatever. Tell me, is he hot?"

"I don't know."

"Liar. He's definitely hot."

"Rueee."

"Oh please, don't miss the chance, Gia."

"Enough about me. How are you?"

"I'm good. I miss you-and I have a surprise for you."

"What's that?"

"Oh, I'll tell you later."

"Rue! You can't do that."

"I can and I will," she said, laughing.

"Very funny."

"Anyway, talk later. I have errands to run."

"Okay. Take care."

"You too, muah."

"Muah."

The call ended, and I walked to the window.

Ivan was outside.

In the pool.

The water shimmered against his skin, every movement sharp, confident. I didn't mean to stare, but my eyes... didn't listen.

He got out, water gliding down his chest, the light catching every curve of muscle.

And then-he looked up.

Our eyes met.

My breath caught. My chest tightened.

I dropped the curtain and exhaled shakily.

My phone buzzed again just as I was about falling on my bed. Rue.

I sighed but answered anyway.

"Don't tell me you missed me already," I teased.

"Missed you? Please." I could hear the background noise-car engines, chatter. "I'm at the grocery store and there's this guy who won't stop looking at me. So I called you to look busy before he tries anything."

I laughed. "You called me to be your human shield?"

"Exactly. Be useful for once."

"Wow. The audacity."

Rue giggled, clearly enjoying herself. "I mean, he's cute and all, but you know me. Eye contact equals awkward conversation, equals me wanting to disappear."

"You're unbelievable."

Before she could answer, a soft knock sounded on my door.

"Hold on," I told her, not ending the call as I stood.

When I opened the door, the words died in my throat.

Ivan stood there, shirtless. His hair was wet, the strands falling into his face, drops of water trailing down his chest. I blinked, and for a split second, my brain betrayed me. I wondered what it would feel like to run my fingers through that hair-

Careful, Gia, Rory purred in my head, smug. You're staring.

I swallowed hard. "What do you want?" I managed.

He smirked, slow and lazy. "You don't get to sound so feisty, not after checking me out at the pool."

I crossed my arms. "Don't flatter yourself, Ivan."

He took a step closer, and my heart tripped over itself. "But it's not flattery, ginger," he whispered, his voice deep and maddening. "It's the truth."

The air between us thickened, and I could smell his scent again-earthy, dark, addictive.

He finally stepped back, eyes glinting. "You should lock your doors," he said, tone shifting slightly. "The heat period can make people do things they wouldn't normally do."

I blinked, thrown off for a moment. "Goodnight, Ivan."

"Night, ginger."

I shut the door before my heart could embarrass me any further.

Rue's scream blasted through the speaker. "Oh my GOD! His voice! It sounded so raspy and sexy-gosh, what I'd give to be in your position!"

I groaned. "Your romance movies are already starting to mess with your head."

"Nooo, that conversation was totally heated! Lie it wasn't."

"It wasn't."

"Well, I technically told you to lie, so it was! Wait, what did he say about locking your doors? I didn't really hear him clearly."

"It's just him being a jerk," I lied.

Rue sighed dramatically. "Okayyy, goodnight. The weirdo has left the building."

"Bye."

I ended the call and tossed my phone aside. My pulse was still racing.

And even though I tried to ignore it, one thought refused to leave my mind-

Shit.