Fated to My Step-Brother.

Chapter Two: Home

Hidden within the human-looking town, the Misty Mountains Pack lands sprawled before me. A few crop and farm lands jutted either side of the narrowing road, twisting into the outskirts of suburbs before hitting the main streets, businesses, schools and parks dotting the area.

Snow had started to cover some of the ground, giving the rustic stone buildings a feel of age and mystery that had captivated me since I was a child, especially the clock tower that sat central to the town, towering over everything and a small museum of our Pack hidden away inside.

The Uber driver dropped me off at the grand entrance of the Misty Mountain Pack mansion, its imposing structure and lush surroundings a testament to the Pack's prosperity.

The U-Shaped cream and white main house was adorned with silver wreaths and crumpled pearl banners draping the overhanging banisters as I stepped out into the crisp air. The trees were speckled with fairy lights and globes of silver that represented the moon, a small smile tugging on my lips seeing the influences of my mother still lingering.

The stone ground crunched under my boots, as I grabbed my luggage, and watched until the Uber had left.

Humans knew about our town, were allowed to pass through, shop and visit like any normal town, but unless you were permitted to live here - you didn't know about the town or its inhabitants' true nature. Kaine liked it that way, ensuring the Pack had other avenues of income and allowing for controlled advancement' with the towns' expansions. The Pack house was the largest building in the whole town, spanning across acres with housing, gardens and a small lake that backed the mountain range, the smell of Wolves thick in the air, though I couldn't see anyone as I approached.

As I reached the door, it swung open, revealing Alpha Kaine, his blue eyes warm with welcome, his sandy blonde hair was peppered with gray hair, a trimmed beard covering his jaw and full lips, dressed in a dark blue sweater and jeans.

"Pup!" He greeted me with a smile, opening his arms. "Welcome home, I missed you, kiddo," he reached out, pulling me from the cold and into the house, embracing me.

"I miss you too, Alpha Kaine," I replied when he let me go, giving him a sly smile he scowled at, hating when I used his formal title instead of Dad.

He tapped my nose, grabbing my suitcase and guided me through the foyer. "Your room's ready. You'll have time to settle in before dinner." He glanced behind us, faltering, "Where's William? He was supposed to pick you up."

I shrugged, feeling a twinge of annoyance. "He didn't show. I took an Uber instead."

Kaine's expression turned curious. "Are you certain you didn't see him? He told me he was waiting."

I frowned, confusion etched on my face. "Of course, I'm sure. Do you think I'd forgotten what that i***t looks like?"

Alpha Kaine's gaze lingered on me, as if searching for something. "You're positive you didn't see him?"

I nodded, curiosity getting the better of me. What had ten years of Alpha training done to the William I once knew? Could he really have changed so much I wouldn't recognize him?

I shook the thoughts off, headed upstairs to my old room and freshened up, knowing Kaine would have invited half the Pack to dinner tonight to welcome Will and me home.

I changed into a long sleeve cashmere dress, pinning my golden hair off my pale face and framed my emerald eyes with mascara as the sound of laughter and music drifted from downstairs.

The celebrations had begun, making me take a steadying breath before reaching for the door.

You can do this. I assured myself.

Downstairs, the foyer bustled with Pack members, all eager to greet me, welcoming me home. Alpha Kaine introduced me to various dignitaries from other Packs who were visiting before letting me mingle by myself, but my eyes kept drifting, searching the crowd for Will, beginning to wonder what the hell he was up to. I caught sight of a few of his past girlfriends, some catching my eye and giving me a sneer of disgust I ignored, heading for the refreshments table by the door, considering escaping for the night to go and read when the door opened, drawing my attention as a man strolled in.

My heart stopped, my hand tightening on my wine glass as the stranger from the airport walked in, his piercing blue eyes scanning the room as he tucked his hands into his pockets before they fell on me.

Amusement flashed across his handsome face, turning with a deadly grace and swallowed the distance between us in a few steps.

A smile crept across his lips as he towered over me, his eyes sparkling as he drawled. "Hello, little sister,"

My mind reeled, searching his face and seeing the small fragments that remained of the boy I once knew.

"Will?" I stuttered, his lips quirking into a smile.

"The one and only." He grinned before his face fell with mock pain as he touched his broad chest, "Though, I must say, I'm a little hurt you didn't recognize me at the airport."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. The William I remember was a carefree, blond-haired jock, not this... this rugged, captivating stranger.

Why was he so...hot? I shook the thought from my head, my Wolf whining at me slightly for ignoring my needs - again - and I looked up at Will, intending to be annoyed.

"You could have said something." I frowned, my voice coming out small and meek. I took a sip of my wine, ignoring the heat that was swelling inside of me as Will watched me.

"This was more fun," he rumbled, smirking in a way that made my knees weak. He tilted his head, reaching out to brush a loose curl behind my ear, his tone softening as he leaned close enough to whisper. His breath warmed my skin. "I missed you, little one."

The words sent a shiver through my spine, resisting the urge to close the gap between us, to nuzzle him.

I cleared my throat, meaning to sound casual. "Y-yeah, sure you did." I stammered instead, scolding myself for being so flustered around him.

William's eyes sparkled with mischief. "You know you're my favorite girl." He smirked, his thumb tracing across my cheek with the lightest touch, sending goosebumps across my skin.

I playfully rolled my eyes, my cheeks heating and William grinned like he'd won some kind of prize.

Alpha Kaine cleared his throat then, drawing our attention and addressing the room. "Dinner is served. Let us welcome William and Odette home, and the upcoming Solstice."

Will placed a hand on the small of my back, his warmth radiating through, and I suppressed a noise as he pushed me forward gently. "Come on, you're next to me," he grabbed my hand then, giving me no chance to argue as he guided us into the dining hall, his posture exuding command and attention.

Though, I couldn't help groaning a little as we walked in, seeing the room filled with mostly older Pack members and their children Will and I had grown up with.

"This will be so boring," I muttered to him, glancing up to see a hint of challenge in his eyes.

He pulled out my chair, dipping his head and his breath warmed the shell of my ear as he whispered. "I'm sure I can find a way to... entertain you, Odette."

My heart skipped a beat, our eyes locking as I fell into my seat, a spark shooting through me that I didn't understand when he looked at me with an intense gaze, sliding into his own seat beside me. I found myself muttering, "I'm sure you will," a heartbreaking smile spread on his lips.