Ad copy

“If I even suspect you’re lying,” he warned, “there won’t be anywhere left for you to run.” I ran from a family that broke me and a fate that tried to erase me 🖤. Now the past is hunting me, and the future is standing right in front of me—scarred, dominant, and impossible to resist 🔥. Draven is danger and desire wrapped into one ruthless Alpha ❤️‍🔥. If the truth comes out, I could lose everything again… including the only man who’s ever made me feel chosen. In a world ruled by blood, power, and betrayal—love might be the most dangerous risk of all 🩸🐺. Chapter 1 [Atlas’ POV] I sat at the edge of the sofa, making myself as small as possible while Dominic's voice filled the room. He was recounting his latest training session—again—and our parents hung on every word like he was reciting a prophecy. "You're so gifted, Dominic," Mother said, her smile radiant in a way it never was for me. "You're everything a future Alpha should be." Father nodded, pride gleaming in his eyes. "Dominic has such natural grace. He's practically destined to be Alpha." Dominic tossed his golden hair back, that satisfied smirk flickering across his face. He knew exactly what he was doing. This wasn't just a conversation—it was a performance. "Anyone could be good with that much practice," I said quietly, the words slipping out before I could stop them. The room went still. Mother's smile tightened while Father's head turned toward me slowly, his expression darkening. His scoff was sharp enough to cut. "No, Atlas. This takes talent. Real talent." His eyes settled on me, heavy with disappointment. "Maybe you should try harder. Learn from your brother." The words sank into my chest like stones. I bit my tongue, swallowing the bitter taste of shame. How many times had I heard this? How many times had I been told I wasn't enough? Dominic leaned closer, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "Maybe if you stopped daydreaming, you'd be decent at something." I stayed silent, but my mind churned with memories I wished I could forget. Dominic, sneaking into my room at night, tearing pages from my journals. The cruel notes he'd leave behind: ‘You're worthless. No one will ever want you.’ He'd always been the better son. The golden child. The beautiful one. The strongest one. His dirty-blonde hair shimmered like spun gold, his piercing blue eyes commanding attention wherever he went. I was the pale reflection of him—soft silvery-blonde hair that caught moonlight, a crescent-shaped birthmark on my cheek that Dominic mocked endlessly. "Moon-marked," he'd sneer. "How fitting for someone so forgotten." "Ugly" had followed me like a shadow my entire life. That evening, I slipped out of the family room into the cool night air, desperate to escape. But as I walked beneath the stars, something shifted in my chest—a flicker of hope replacing the familiar ache. I'd felt it for years now. A pull, deep and magnetic, thrumming beneath my skin like a second heartbeat. It had to mean something. Might be truly here, in the Midnight Crest pack, my fated mate was waiting for me. It truly might be Evan. The man who was kind when everybody else dismissed me. The man who was my friend—the only friend I’ve ever had. It’s meant to be it. The thought warmed me from the inside out. My lips curved into a small, secret smile as I imagined it—a life where someone finally chose me. Where I was wanted. Loved. Where I mattered to someone the way I'd never mattered to my own family. I held onto that hope for the next two whole days, clutching it like a lifeline. Soon he’ll be back here, soon I’ll meet him. Soon I’ll be with my future fated mate. The pack's main hall buzzed with energy when I stepped inside, my heart pounding against my ribs. And then I saw him. Evan stood near the center of the room—broad-shouldered, strong, with an air of quiet confidence that made everyone around him seem smaller. Short chestnut curls falling on his forehead, begging to run fingers through its softness, while warm brown eyes scanning the crowd. I'd always admired him from a distance in public, too scared to bring shame upon the Beta’s son for being near the pack’s underdog—me. He’s a year older than Dominic and me, our families were close, so we were constantly intertwined growing up together. I never was able not to mention the way he moved with such certainty, the way his rare smiles felt like sunlight breaking through clouds. My chest tightened as familiar recognition struck. He's mine. The pull I'd felt for years had a face, a name, a purpose. The bond hummed between us—didn’t it? Warm and bright and right, like puzzle pieces finally clicking into place. My wolf stirred inside me, Hyde's presence brushing against my consciousness with what felt like confirmation. But before I could move, before I could even breathe, a familiar voice rang out. "Evan! There you are." Dominic appeared at Evan's side, sliding his arm through his with practiced ease. My brother leaned close, whispering something that made Evan chuckle softly. Then Evan's arm wrapped around Dominic's waist, possessive and certain. I froze immediately. I never saw them that close to each other. "Evan?" My voice came out trembling, barely audible over the noise of the hall. He glanced up, his expression polite but distant. "Atlas," he said curtly, nodding once before turning his attention back to Dominic. Dominic's lips curled into a cruel smile, his eyes locking onto mine with predatory satisfaction. "Oh, Atlas, didn't you know?" He ran his fingers slowly along Evan's chest, deliberate and possessive. "Evan and I… well, we were just talking about our future. Looks like he's my mate." The words hit me like a physical blow, stealing the air from my lungs. "No," I whispered, shaking my head. "You can't… He's mine." Dominic's gaze sharpened, his smirk growing colder. "Yours?" he echoed with a soft, mocking laugh. His eyes swept over me dismissively. "Did you really think someone like him would want you?" Evan said nothing. Didn't correct him. Didn't even look at me. His arm remained firmly around Dominic's waist. And everything I’ve believed in burst into flames. Chapter 2 The night Evan publicly chose Dominic, I barely slept. I kept replaying the moment over and over—his arm around my brother's waist, that distant look in his eyes when he acknowledged me. By morning, my chest felt hollow, scraped clean of hope. I should have known something was coming. I should have felt it in the air, in the way the servants avoided my eyes at breakfast, in how Father's jaw tightened when I entered the room. Instead, I let myself believe that maybe—just maybe—there was still a chance things could be different. The pack had gathered in the wide courtyard under a cloudless sky. I stayed close to the edge of the crowd, my hands clenched at my sides, nails biting into my palms hard enough to leave marks. I already knew, deep down, why we'd all been summoned. But part of me—some desperate, foolish part—still clung to hope that my parents would be fair. "As you all know," Father began, his voice carrying across the courtyard with practiced authority, "we have been blessed with two sons, but only one can lead the pack. Today, we're here to announce that Dominic has been chosen as your future Alpha." The world tilted. The pack broke into applause, some even cheering. My breath caught in my throat, sharp and painful, like I'd swallowed glass. I could barely process his words before my gaze fell on Dominic, standing a few paces behind Father, his hand intertwined with Evan's. The look on my brother's face was pure triumph—satisfaction gleaming in his eyes like he'd just won a war I didn't even know we were fighting. Each glance he threw my way was a dagger of mockery, twisting deeper with every second. My wolf, Hyde, stirred inside me—angry, wounded. But said nothing, as usual. I know this isn't right, this isn’t fair, I’m the elder twin. But knowing didn't change anything. Desperation clawed at my throat. My feet moved before my mind could catch up, forcing my way through the crowd. My voice came out shaking but resolute. "Father." I stepped forward, every eye turning toward me. "I'm the elder twin. I'm supposed to be the rightful Alpha." I looked out at the crowd, seeking support—seeking something. But I found only blank stares, a few skeptical glances, and Dominic's smug smile widening like a blade. Father's gaze hardened, his disappointment so thick I could taste it. "Atlas, Dominic is more suited to lead. He's stronger, more respected. The choice is clear." Each word landed like a blow. My heart twisted painfully, humiliation setting in as his words echoed across the gathering. I felt every eye on me—judging, dismissing, pitying. The weight of their stares pressed down on my shoulders until I thought I might collapse under it. "But… I'm the firstborn." My voice cracked. "I've trained just as hard, done everything—" "Enough, Atlas.” He cut me off with a sharp gesture, like swatting away an insect. “Don't embarrass yourself and our family further. Dominic has proven himself. This is for the pack." For the pack. Not for me. Never for me. Dominic's voice rang out then, dripping with false sympathy. "It's not personal, Atlas. Some of us were just meant for greatness." The crowd murmured approvingly, and I watched as Evan looked down at Dominic with open admiration. Watched as he pressed a kiss to my brother's forehead, soft and tender. As if sealing the betrayal with affection. Something inside me shattered. Not just my heart—something deeper. The part of me that had believed I could belong here. That I could be wanted. The weight of it all crashed down—the realization sharp and bitter as poison. I'd always been an outsider, a placeholder, tolerated but never truly wanted. My family had betrayed me, choosing Dominic to lead, to take everything I'd dreamed of. Everything I'd foolishly believed one day could be mine. Swallowing hard against the lump in my throat, I turned away. My shoulders hunched as I forced myself to leave the courtyard, each step heavier than the last. The applause continued behind me, celebrating my brother, celebrating my erasure. But as I passed her, Mother leaned close, her voice a venomous whisper meant only for me. "We only ever needed one son to rule. Don't make this harder than it has to be." Her words followed me like ghosts as I walked away, my vision blurring with tears I refused to let fall. Not here. Not in front of them. I didn't stop walking until I reached the edge of the pack grounds, where the trees began and the noise of celebration finally faded. Only then did I let myself breathe—a ragged, broken sound that scared even me. Hyde pressed against my consciousness, even he knew the truth. There was nothing left for me here. Nothing but pain and a family that had never wanted me at all. The one person he trusted stayed silent—and that silence changed his life forever 😔. Read The Alpha-Mate now 📖