Bound by Alpha's Deception: My Step-Brother's Secret Vengeance novel Chapter 1

Six years of secret love with my step-brother, the future Alpha of Dreadhowl Pack, Percival Kensington.

The night before Moonmate’s Blessing, I slipped through shadows to the Pack Council Quarters to surprise him.

But outside the chamber, my keen ears caught their conversation.

"Dude, that half-blood who shares your den? Still not done with her? Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen for her?" His best friend Lloyd Graham joked beside him.

Percival's lips curled back, revealing the edge of his fangs in what I once mistook for affection.

"Fallen for her? She's merely a stray that wandered into our territory. Free fucktoy—why would any wolf refuse such an offering? Eloise Hawthorne is the only one who'll ever be my mate."

"Her mother, Hannah Thorne, forced her way into my parents' bond, tearing apart our bloodline. These six years of false devotion? Nothing but the retribution she deserved for being the homewrecker's daughter."

"Don't sweat it. Focus on preparing my Mating Ceremony with Eloise. As for Rosiane..."

Percival's eyes flashed amber in the dimly lit den, a predatory smile revealing the edge of his fangs.

"I've got plenty of ways to make her pay."

"Just imagine," he continued, pacing the stone floor with predatory grace.

"A half-blood who seduced her step-brother and prowled into his den night after night, whimpering and begging for his attention—when this is exposed during the Mating Ceremony, No pack will touch her."

His fingers twitched with anticipation. "God, I can't wait to see her face."

Lloyd's shoulders tensed, his posture slightly hunched—submissive, yet wary—as he offered cautious counsel.

"Hannah Thorne only joined our pack three years after your mother left. You can't pin this on her. She was barely past her first shift, completely unaware of pack politics. Isn't your vengeance too brutal, even by Dreadhowl standards?"

"A she-wolf's reputation is everything in our world. This revenge will leave her packless—a death sentence!" Lloyd's voice dropped.

"She bears her throat to you willingly. If she discovers you've been with her only for revenge, I fear she might—"

Percival's muzzle wrinkled with impatience. He pulled out his communication stone, absently sending me a pack-bond image—a casual flash of affection that felt hollow now.

"That's exactly what I want!" he snarled. "Don't speak to me of innocence. Was my mother innocent when she was forced out of the territory?"

"Born from that homewrecker's womb—her blood was tainted from the start. If she had any pride as a wolf, she wouldn't have accepted my advances six years ago. This path was her choice—she deserves the hunt that follows."

Lloyd exhaled heavily, his scent betraying his resignation before asking one final question.

"Say what you want, yet after six years of shared hunting grounds, I find it hard to believe your scents haven't merged in some way. Your wolf instincts—"

"Percival," Lloyd's tone grew serious, "once you break certain bonds, not even the Moon Goddess can fix them. The pack will remember."

Percival's face transformed into a cold snarl, his eyes pinning Lloyd with a dominant glare that made the Beta’s son instantly lower his gaze.

"Love the daughter of my enemy? What kind of wolf do you take me for?" His voice rumbled deep in his chest. "Every time I look at her face, so similar to her mother's, even our mating rituals disgust me!"

"A vixen's offspring knows nothing of pack honor! Making her run with her tail between her legs is already more mercy than she deserves!"

Seeing he couldn't sway the future Alpha, Lloyd retreated with a submissive head bow, backing away toward the exit.

Steps approached.

I scrambled to hide, but the bundle of moonflowers I'd gathered tumbled from my grasp, scattering across the stone floor.

Lloyd and I locked eyes briefly, his gaze filled with pity.

Percival's head snapped up at the sound, following Lloyd out.

It was Percival who found me, who offered protection when the rest of the pack would have driven me out.

He silenced the whispered challenges, the territorial threats.

He promised to be my guardian, my anchor to the pack, forever.

I believed every word, every rumble from his chest and surrendered to his gentleness, unable to resist the pull of what I thought was a true bond.

Never suspecting it was all a carefully orchestrated hunt, with me as the prey.

What I believed was love was nothing but moonlight on water—beautiful illusions that vanish when touched.

He was the one leading me toward the precipice all along.

While Percival was occupied with pack business, I sent a message to my mother through my communication stone.

"Mom, I'm going to hunt with the Seraphic Pack across the waters."

"Don't tell anyone in Dreadhowl about this."

On our journey back to the main den, he spoke casually, as if nothing had changed.

"Father is pressuring me about the Mating Ceremony. I've got a friend playing along for appearances."

"Don't worry—my heart beats only for you. She's cool with keeping our secret, and I'll continue sharing your den as before."

I stared at the passing territory outside, nodding silently as tears slid down my muzzle, dampening my fur.

The moment we reached our den, while he was performing his evening grooming ritual, I accessed his communication stone.