My mate's true love is my sister

Miles went quiet on the other end, the silence stretching for a few long seconds. I thought I'd overstepped, my cheeks burning.

"Sorry, that was too forward," I said quickly.

"If you're not interested, forget I said anything."

Then his low, gravelly voice came through, warm and steady. "What changed your mind, Evelyn? Two weeks ago, you turned me down flat."

I took a deep breath, my eyes drifting to the bedroom window upstairs where Brandon and Hailey had been tangled together.

"I was blind back then, couldn't tell a wolf from a stray dog. Now I see clearly."

I heard the faint click of Miles' lighter through the phone, followed by a soft chuckle.

"Alright then. One week from now, I'll come for you. Once you've got those papers to break your bond, we'll form our own sacred bond."

I let out a quiet "okay," then added, almost as an afterthought, "I heard you hold fifty percent of Carrington Industries. I want those shares."

Before I could offer to trade something for them, he cut in.

"Done. Not just the fifty percent of Carrington -you'll have shared control over half of everything I own."

I blinked, stunned. I hadn't expected him to be so generous. Before I could respond, he'd already hung up.

It was midnight when Brandon came home, reeking of perfume that made my stomach churn. I pushed him away, but his arms tightened around me, his voice softening in that fake, syrupy way he used when he wanted to smooth things over.

"Come on, babe, don't be mad," he said.

"I lost control this afternoon, that's all. You know I've always had a thing for Hailey. Years ago, I almost formed a bond with her."

He paused, like he expected me to nod along. "A wolf's first love is hard to shake, you know? Sure, I slept with her, but you're still my mate, Evelyn. You love me so much-you get it, right?"

My heart turned to ice, inch by inch. My mate slept with my sister and expected me to just understand? To be okay with him betraying me?

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat and shoved him off me, my face blank. "I don't care."

I didn't. Not anymore. Whatever he did now, it couldn't hurt me. I was done.

Brandon looked surprised, like he'd expected me to beg or cry. He'd probably rehearsed a dozen excuses, but my indifference threw him off.

Our eyes locked for a moment, and I could see him convincing himself: Evelyn's crazy about me. She'll forgive anything.

He relaxed, a smug grin spreading across his face.

"I knew you'd be cool about it. You're the best."

Then, as if it was nothing, he added, "Oh, tomorrow's Hailey's birthday. You need to show up, or wolf will talk."

I laughed coldly to myself. I was an orphan, my real birthdate a mystery, so the Hartley pack decided my birthday was the same as Hailey's. But in all these years, no one ever celebrated me. It was always her day.

I started to say no, but Brandon cut in. "It's what Franklin wants."

The next evening, the Hartley villa was lit up like a full moon, packed with hotshots and pack elites.

Carrington was riding high in Helmont Town, and everyone bowed and scraped to Brandon. As his secretary for five years, I was used to standing at his side, a silent shadow.

A big-shot tycoon sauntered over, champagne in hand. "Word is, Brandon's about to form a sacred bond with a Hartley she-wolf. But with two Hartley daughters, which one's the lucky she-wolf?"

My heart jumped to my throat,he'd never once claimed me publicly. Would he now?

All eyes turned to him.

Then Hailey slid in, looping her arm through his with a coy smile.

"You and I go way back, childhood sweethearts. No need to spell it out, right, Brandon?"

He grinned, all charm. "Whatever Hailey says goes."

He didn't deny it.

The crowd chuckled, some tossing out snide remarks.

"Evelyn's been his free secretary for five years, and she still can't claim the mate's spot."

"Adopted she-wolf, nothing more. Without the Hartley name, she'd be scrounging in the dirt somewhere."

Their taunts hit me like cold rain, but I'd heard it all before. It didn't even sting anymore. I was numb.

While Hailey soaked up the attention, opening birthday gifts and basking in the spotlight, I slipped away to the rooftop to clear my head. Just hold on, I told myself. Sort this mess out, and you're free.

I was lost in thought when Hailey appeared, holding a gift box. "Evelyn, you haven't gotten a single present today, have you? Here, I've got something special for you."

Before I could say no, she ripped it open. My stomach dropped. Inside was the lingerie she'd worn yesterday-and a box of used condoms.

My face burned, rage and humiliation warring inside me.