Bound by Alpha's Deception: My Step-Brother's Secret Vengeance novel Chapter 2

I scrolled to his most frequently contacted pack-member: "Eloise" marked with a moon symbol.

Tapping into their chat, I found more than just the playful spirit-images they'd shared.

The channel was flooded with memory-captures from our den—intimate moments stolen through an enchanted totem.

Each memory-strand showed me curled beside him, exposing my vulnerable throat, sharing our scents in what I thought were private moments.

The messages beneath these stolen memories crushed my spirit completely.

"I told you, she was never more than revenge. These memory-captures will be projected to the whole pack during our Mating Ceremony. After that day, Rosiane Kensington will be forever banished from the Dreadhowl bloodline. The only she-wolf at my side will be you."

"Before you step into my life as my mate, I'll eliminate every obstacle. The only thing waiting for you is happiness."

"Eloise, I love you."

My gaze drifted to the carved wolf totem he'd given me six years ago.

Under the dim candlelight, the totem's eyes glowed with an unnatural red light.

So this was his plan all along—using me as a stepping stone to be cleared away.

How foolish I'd been, drowning in his false devotion, believing myself cherished.

Then, I tapped into his encrypted memory vault.

Inside were countless shared hunting memories—but not with me. With Eloise.

The images showed them running together since their first shift, their paths intertwined from youth to adulthood.

At every festival. Every celebration. Every hunt.

All the times he told me he was busy, tied up with pack duties—he was with her.

Every ritualistic gift he'd presented to me as signs of devotion, Eloise had received identical ones.

Some treasures Eloise flaunted proudly had never been offered to me at all.

The second speech bubble contained communications with the Ceremonial Pack Elders.

This Mating Ceremony had been in preparation for half a year already.

From the grand ritual grounds down to the smallest details of the feast bones and ceremonial drinking vessels—Percival had overseen everything personally.

Even the enchanted memory-capturing totem had been crafted by his own claws.

All to publicly expose and humiliate me during what should have been his proudest moment.

I closed the communication stone just before Percival padded back into our den.

Three days later, I'll secured passage on a Blood Moon Crossing—a dangerous journey that would take me beyond Dreadhowl territory forever.

At the communal feeding that evening, Alpha Alfred repeatedly mentioned his son's impending Mating Ceremony with pride.

Percival feigned annoyance, yet casually agreed.

The Ceremony would take place in three days—the very day of my planned escape.

I swallowed my hurt, forcing a smile as I nodded.

Satisfied, he relaxed, pulling me back into his embrace.

After a pause, he hesitantly continued.

"Being a future Alpha's mating ceremony, certain traditions must be observed. As my pack-sister, you might need to..."

"I understand. I'll attend," I said firmly.

I knew what he wanted to say.

Better to volunteer than be commanded—at least I could maintain some dignity.

He seemed surprised by my easy agreement.

But having achieved his goal, he didn't bother questioning further.

That night, he still slept curled around me in our den.

Early the next morning, before the pack stirred, he slipped out silently.

As soon as Percival's scent faded from our territory, I left our den too.

I headed to the Boundary Shamans to secure my Blood Moon Crossing passage and register my intent to join the Seraphic Pack.

What I never expected was to encounter Eloise there.