MY STEPFATHER'S SON IS MY FATED ENEMY

against the window. Tall pine trees stretched toward the cloudy sky, an

twisted into

t. Her eyes sparkled with happiness, the kind Lily hadn't seen in year

n sleep. They'd been hiding for three years, staying away from other packs, living quietly in their small apartme

quietly, "are yo

eart, I know this is scary. But Kane is a good man

ant a brother. She didn't want a new family. S

ay that. Not when M

, it was huge, built from dark wood with a stone chimney and wide windows. Gardens surrounded

e!" A deep vo

photos. Alpha Kane, soon to be her stepfather, had graying black hair and ki

n into his arms. They kissed, and L

essed her cold nose

ratching behind Luna's ears.

mountain air smelled like pine and rain. I

rm smile. "I'm so glad you're here. Come

ure alpha who would one

through everything together, Luna had been a gift when Lily turned thirteen, a magical companion that bonded wi

ngerous

ams crossed the high ceiling, and a stone fireplace took up most of one wall

said. "Derek's room is at the end of the hall. The bathro

u," Lily s

d up the stairs. "Co

heard footsteps, slow and h

en she

looked like storm clouds. Broad

N

no,

The room spun. Luna gr

w that face. She

Lily thought her best friend was dying, this boy had been there. This b

e was her

is eyes met Lily's, and something flickered a

ng moment,

id, "this is Lily

that didn't reach his eyes. He wa

he said smoothly. "I'm su

eeper than she r

nd, unable to move. Lu

ed her shoulder. "

he couldn't ruin Mom's happiness, couldn

ached out and sh

gray eyes held hers, and in them sh

t you too," L

and looked at Luna, who

" Derek said. "W

" Lily

repeated. "I'll

He remembered Luna. H

l! Let's get your things inside, Lily.

e, Dad,"

oor, and as he did, he leaned clo

," he whispered.

e, heading outs

his couldn't be happening. Of all the boys in all the packs

nt down, concerned. "

ly lied. "Can I

ad, I'll bring your

beside her. She found the second door on the righ

a comfortable bed with a blue quilt, shelves for her books, an

she could think

nd pushed agai

. "I know, girl. He's here. The boy who hu

ear and anger. She remembered th

e'll be careful. We'll stay away from him as much as we can

ed Kane. Really loved him. And Lily couldn't break her mother'

nobody else

he door made

ame through the wood. "

ched into fists. "

d to tal

othing to

I'll tell my father that your mother never registered you with t

blood we

ficially after what happened with Luna. She'd been pro

stood and op

ooked bigger up close, stronger. He'd grown a lot in three

voice barely a whisper. "

. He set the suitcase down and c

e her, and his express

bt, omega," he said. "