Linnea's POV
I wake up in a bed that's not mine, in a room I don't recognize, with the worst headache of my life.
"Easy. Don't move too fast."
The voice makes me jump. I turn my head and my heart stops.
A guy sits in a chair next to the bed. Not just any guy—the most beautiful and terrifying person I've ever seen. Black hair falls into silver eyes that seem to glow in the dim light. He's shirtless, and his chest is covered in black tattoos that look like they're moving across his skin.
Caspian. Has to be.
"What happened?" My voice comes out scratchy. "Why am I—"
Then I remember. The cramping. The blood. Collapsing on the floor.
My hands fly to my stomach. "The baby—"
"Is fine." His voice is cold as ice. "For now."
I try to sit up but the room spins. Strong hands push me back down—his hands, burning hot against my shoulders.
"I said don't move," he growls. "You passed out. Lost some blood. The pack doctor checked you over."
Pack doctor. Right. Because I live with werewolves now. This is my life.
"You told them?" Panic rises in my chest. "About the baby?"
"I didn't have to tell them anything. They could smell it." His eyes flash silver. "Werewolves have strong senses, remember? Everyone in this house knows you're pregnant."
Horror crashes over me. "Everyone? Including your dad? And my mom?"
"Yeah. Including them." He stands up and walks to the window, putting distance between us. "They're downstairs right now deciding what to do about it."
"What to do about it?" I force myself to sit up despite the dizziness. "It's my body. My decision. They don't get to decide anything!"
He turns to look at me, and the expression on his face makes my blood run cold. "You're carrying a baby on pack territory. That makes it pack business. Especially since you're human and the father clearly isn't here."
"That's none of your business—"
"Everything on this territory is my business." His voice drops lower, more dangerous. "I'm the future Alpha. Your stepbrother. And apparently your babysitter since you can't even make it one day without fainting."
Anger burns through my fear. "I didn't ask you to save me."
"Yeah? Well I didn't ask for a pregnant human stepsister, but here we are." He moves closer, and I notice how tall he is—easily over six feet. How broad his shoulders are. How he moves like a predator stalking prey. "Let me make something very clear, Linnea. I don't want you here. I don't want to deal with your drama. And I definitely don't want to explain to the pack why my new stepsister showed up pregnant with some human's baby."
Each word feels like a slap. "You're horrible."
"I'm honest." He leans down, hands on either side of me, caging me against the headboard. "This is a werewolf pack. We have rules. Standards. Bringing shame to the Alpha's family has consequences."
"Shame?" My voice shakes with fury. "I made a mistake. I'm seventeen and scared and trying to figure out what to do. I'm not trying to shame anyone!"
Something flickers in his eyes. Almost like sympathy. But it's gone so fast I might have imagined it.
"Doesn't matter what you're trying to do," he says quietly. "What matters is what happens now. And right now, you're a problem. A human problem in a wolf pack."
"Then I'll leave." I try to push past him but he doesn't budge. "Let me go. I'll go back to Seattle. You'll never have to see me again."
"Can't." His jaw tightens. "My father gave you pack protection. That means you're stuck here whether I like it or not. Whether YOU like it or not."
I'm trapped. The realization hits like a truck. I'm pregnant, three thousand miles from home, living with werewolves, and my stepbrother hates me.
"I hate you," I whisper.
"Good." He finally moves back. "That makes this easier."
"Makes what easier?"
"Staying away from each other." But even as he says it, something in his expression looks pained. "Rule number one—stay out of my way. Rule number two—don't go in the forest alone. Rule number three—"
"Let me guess. Don't embarrass you in front of your pack?" I finish bitterly.
"Actually, rule number three is don't get yourself killed." His eyes flash silver again. "Because despite everything, I'm responsible for you now. And I take my responsibilities seriously."
Before I can respond, the door opens. Mom rushes in with Daemon right behind her.
"Linnea!" Mom practically tackles me with a hug. "Oh my God, sweetheart, why didn't you tell me?"
"I was going to—"
"Pregnant?" Her voice cracks. "You're pregnant and you didn't think I needed to know?"
"I just found out three days ago!" Tears burn my eyes. "I was scared and confused and then you announced we were moving and I didn't know how to tell you—"
"Who's the father?" Daemon's voice cuts through the room like a knife.
Silence.
"Jericho," I finally whisper. "My ex-boyfriend. But he doesn't know. And I don't want him to know."
"Why not?" Mom asks.
"Because he cheated on me and broke my heart and I never want to see him again." The tears spill over. "I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't know if I'm keeping it or... or..."
"You're keeping it." Daemon's voice is firm. Final.
My head snaps up. "Excuse me?"
"You're part of this pack now. That baby is pack blood through your bloodline. We protect our own." He crosses his arms. "You'll have the baby here. Raise it here. We'll provide everything you need."
"You can't just decide that—"
"I'm Alpha. I can decide whatever I want." But his expression softens slightly. "Linnea, I know this is scary. But you're not alone. You have family now. A pack. We take care of each other."
I look at Caspian, who's watching this whole conversation with an unreadable expression.
"What about him?" I point at Caspian. "He just said I'm a problem. That I bring shame to the family."
Mom's head whips toward Caspian. "You said WHAT?"
"I said the pack won't be happy about it," Caspian corrects smoothly. "Which is true. But Dad's right. We protect pack. Even the annoying parts."
"I'm not a part!" I snap.
"You are now." He moves toward the door. "Get used to it, little human. You're stuck with us."
He leaves and takes all the air in the room with him.
Mom sits on the bed and pulls me into her arms. "It's going to be okay, sweetheart. I promise."
But I don't see how anything will ever be okay again.
Later that night, after Mom and Daemon finally leave me alone, I stand at my window staring at the forest. The same black wolf from before sits at the tree line, silver eyes glowing.
Watching me.
My hand touches the window glass and I swear the wolf's ears perk up. Like it felt me touch the glass. Like we're connected somehow.
"This is insane," I whisper.
My phone buzzes. A text from unknown number.
Unknown: The wolf is Caspian. He's guarding you. It's what mates do.
My heart stops.
I text back: Who is this? What do you mean mates?
Unknown: This is Sloane. I go to school with Caspian. And you need to know something important—Caspian is your fated mate. The Moon Goddess chose you for him before you were born. That's why he's acting crazy. That's why his wolf won't leave you alone. You're his, Linnea. Whether he admits it or not.
The phone slips from my shaking hands.
I look back at the wolf.
He's standing now, staring straight at me.
And I feel it—that pull in my chest. That certainty. That terrifying, impossible connection.
My stepbrother is my fated mate.
And I'm pregnant with another man's baby.