Fated to My Fiancé’s Brother (Moonlit Forbidden Mates #1)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Layla

The scalding broth was dripping down my arm in burning rivulets.

"Damn it," Sophia said, zero apology in her voice as she set the empty bowl back on the counter with exaggerated grace. "Can't even dodge, mutt?"

The group of beta families' girls around her snickered like a flock of mean little birds.

The pain shot up my forearm, hot and sharp, tiny blisters already bubbling up. I bit down hard on my tongue until I tasted blood—just to keep from crying out.

Diana was growling low in my chest, my wolf snarling, begging to lunge, to rip, to tear every single one of them apart—

"I'm sorry, Miss Sophia." We didn't have the right to fight back.

I bent down, picked up the dropped ladle, and somehow my voice came out flat and steady, like it belonged to somebody else. "I'll clean this up."

"Move faster, puppy." Sophia stepped right up to me, hooked a finger under my chin, and forced my head up. "After all, Kayden's coming home tonight."

Kayden.

My heart stuttered.

I'd never forget that day. Kayden Blackwood—the Alpha heir who lived in a different universe from mine—had given me a sliver of kindness on the worst night of my life. Even knowing I was nothing, even knowing it was pointless, I still…

Sophia's nails dug into my skin like claws, yanking my attention back to her.

"What're you thinking about?" She leaned in, lips curling into that predator smile. "Stay in your dump where you belong. Don't even dream of going anywhere."

No—no, I had to see him. Even if it was just from a distance…

I tried to turn my head, but her grip tightened.

"Remember last time? The whipping?" Her smile vanished, replaced by something twisted and sick. "This time it'll be ten times worse."

That had been my second brush with death.

Last winter, because I "ruined" Sophia's dress—just a splash of mud—I got tied to the post in the pack square and lashed twenty times in front of everyone. Hybrid healing sucks. The scars are still ridged across my back. Ten times that…

"I won't leave, Miss Sophia."

For twenty-five years, I'd known exactly how to survive. If I didn't bow and scrape like a good little pet, Sophia—Elder Bennett's precious daughter—could crush me like a bug and nobody would blink.

"Good girl." She let go. I crumpled to the floor as their fancy shoes stepped over me, over my clothes, and then they were gone, heels clicking away like nothing had happened.

The kitchen went dead quiet.

I started sucking in air, these ragged, wheezing gasps that sounded like a broken purr, but my lungs felt like they'd been punched through. No matter how hard I tried to breathe, it wasn't enough.

Then the tears came, splashing onto the tiles. I finally let myself sob out loud.

Real classy, Layla.

Diana whined, offended that I'd call us pathetic. In her mind, we were the best.

The best.

I let out a bitter little laugh, wiped my face with the back of my hand, and dragged myself up off the floor. My legs were shaking. I stuck my arm under the faucet; cold water hit the burn, and I sucked in a sharp breath through my teeth.

If I'd been pure blood, the skin would've already been knitting itself back together—itchy, tight, pink, and two minutes later just a faint line.

But the blisters on my arm were only getting bigger. Proof, every second, that I was exactly what Sophia called me: mutt, puppy, hybrid trash.

Why? Why was I Layla Gray? Why did they all look at me like I was worth less than dirt?

I ripped off the grease-stained apron and bolted out of the kitchen like it was on fire.

The main road buzzed with dressed-up crowds, air thick with excited whispers and pricey perfume. Girls in fresh dresses, boys slicking hair. Faces lit with thrill.

"Heard Mr. Kayden grabbed top honors at that European academy..."

"He's gonna be the strongest Alpha ever..."

My arrival? Like water hitting hot oil. Eyes locked on me, chatter dying. I froze, all my rage and hurt turning to blank cowardice.

"What's she doing here? Banquet's for official pack members only, right?"

"A hybrid at Mr. Kayden's party? As if."

Whispers built, laced with open laughs, crushing what little pride I had.

I clenched my fists, head down, pushing forward. The only way back to my rundown shack—my only spot—was through this street.

My steps quickened to a run. Like that could shake off the disdain.

The shack door creaked sharply.

I burst in, slammed it shut, and leaned against it. Tears fell again.

Crying didn't help. I knew that. But I couldn't stop.

The burn on my arm throbbed, but my chest hurt worse. That hollow ache, like someone ripped out my heart and left a hole.

My eyes drifted to the old wooden chest in the corner.

Don't open it.

Layla, don't.

But I needed it. Only it could fill that void.

The lock was rusted junk; I flipped the lid with a creak. Inside was a man's coat.

Dark gray wool, sharp shoulders, hand-stitched patterns on the cuffs. Fabric so fine I'd never own anything like it.

I pulled it out, hugged it close.

Cedar and winter rain. Even after all these years, after washing and airing it countless times, the scent clung to the fibers.

Kayden's scent.

I shut my eyes, buried my face in it.

Ten years.

A whole decade, hiding this like a thief, scared anyone would find out.

Music floated from outside. I opened my eyes and went to the window.

Blackwood Estate loomed from here, that massive stone pile at the pack's heart. Every window glowed. String quartet tunes drifted over, mixed with laughter.

Everyone was there.

Sophia was in her gown, arm-in-arm with some Beta heir. Elders huddled, plotting pack futures. Young wolves were toasting their Alpha heir's return.

And Kayden—

He'd be in the light's center, surrounded, adored.

Me?

In a crappy shack on the edge, clutching a coat that wasn't even mine, dreaming what I shouldn't.

I should sleep. Tomorrow, I should clean the pack bathrooms, prepare breakfasts for the elders, and—

But Diana stirred. She growled inside, claws scraping my ribs, tail whipping my spine. She wanted out. To shift. To...

"You want to see him," I whispered. "Right?"

Diana didn't answer, but I knew. I glanced back at the estate.

Just a peek. One look.

I wouldn't get close, wouldn't get caught. Just confirm he was back. See him from afar, like the past ten years.

I stashed the coat, threw on a dark old cloak.

Then, I pushed the door open, slipping into the night.

The moon rose.

Silver light spilled through the forest, stretching tree shadows long. Stragglers headed to the estate on the main path. I had to dodge them.

I slunk like a rat along walls, into the alley behind the shacks. Piled with junk and trash—no one came this way.

Footsteps.

I dove behind crates, held my breath.

Two guards passed, voices clear.

"Gotta patrol extra tonight. Banquet can't go wrong."

"Got it. You see that hybrid?"

"Who? Gray?"

"Yeah. Miss Sophia said to lock her up on sight."

Laughter faded. My heart pounded like it'd burst. Waited five full minutes, sure the coast was clear, then emerged.

Hands shaking.

Maybe turn back. Too risky. If caught, Sophia would make me wish for death.

But my feet kept moving.

I walked through the alley, into the edge bushes. Thorns snagged my cloak, scratched my legs—I ignored them.

I had to see him. Had to.

Finally, I reached the oak outside the estate. My secret spot. For ten years, every banquet I got shut out of, I'd sneak here. Through branches, glimpse a corner of happiness not mine.

I leaned on the thickest oak, on tiptoes.

Terrace packed. Sophia was chatting with girls, champagne in hand. Elder Bennett was with the Alpha, deep in serious talk.

No Kayden.

Fine, maybe inside. Mobbed by elites. Maybe he wouldn't show.

"Damn," I muttered. Risked everything for nothing. Diana whined inside. "I know," I told her. "Let's go."

I stepped back, ready to bail—crack. A branch snapped underfoot, loud as thunder in the quiet night.

I froze.

"Looking for something?" A voice behind me.

My heart stopped. Slowly, like a rusted gear, I turned.

Kayden Blackwood stood three steps away.

Moonlight hit him. Black hair, deep silver eyes, tall frame, and that scent—thickening the air. Alpha aura. It crashed over me like a net, stealing my breath. My knees buckled; Diana shrank inside, instinct screaming submit.

He wore a dark suit, collar loose, cheeks flushed.

He'd been drinking.

But those silver eyes—the ones I'd dreamed of—locked on me now, dead serious like never before.

"Layla." He said my name. Not Miss Gray, not you—my name. It hit like a weight, slamming my chest.

"Mr. Kayden." My voice shook. I backed up, hit the tree. "You... Why are you here?"

No answer. He just stepped closer.

I wanted to run. Brain screamed: Run, Layla, now! But my legs were lead, stuck.

"You need something?" I heard myself say. "I... I was just passing, I'll—"

"Your scent." Another step, now one away.

He dipped his head, nose nearly at my neck. I felt his breath, warm, boozy.

"So unique." Low, rumbling from his chest. "Have I... smelled it before?"

Then his fingers brushed my cheek.

The world shattered.

Not metaphor—real. Something exploded inside, a caged beast breaking free, hot, fierce, unstoppable. Diana roared within, nearly bursting through my skin, thrilled like never before.

I stared wide-eyed at Kayden.

His pupils dilated. Silver irises edged in gold—wolf color. Breathing ragged, chest heaving.

He felt it too.

"You..." His voice roughened, like sandpaper. "You're..."

Fated mate.

Kayden Blackwood and I were fated mates.

Impossible. Absolutely not. I was a hybrid, pack outcast, the lowest—

Kayden growled. Not human—beast, Alpha, undeniable command. Then he slammed me against the tree.

Bark scraped my back like blades. But no pain. Just him—his heat, scent, overwhelming presence.

"Kayden—" His lips crushed mine.

No gentleness. Tongue forced my teeth apart, invading like a conquest. I tasted bitter booze, and deeper, him—cedar, winter rain, metallic edge.