Jasmine's life had always been a cage, and Alaric, her stepbrother, held the key. His control began subtly, a seemingly protective concern that slowly twisted into a possessive obsession. As the Alpha, his power was absolute. He dictated her friendships, forbade any romantic relationships, and stripped her of all personal freedom.
Her one hope was her twenty-first birthday—a milestone that promised to change everything. She fantasized about finding her true mate, breaking free from Alaric's suffocating grip, and finally living a life of her own. But destiny, it seemed, had a cruel sense of humor.
On the eve of her birthday, her hopes shattered. The person meant to be her one and only was the very man she despised—Alaric, her tormentor, her stepbrother.
The thought of being bound to him was a fate worse than death. How could she be mated to the man who had stolen her youth? A man who would stop at nothing to possess her completely? But in a world where love sours into possession and possession  draws blood, how far can one person truly run before they are forced to face the inevitable?

"Where did you get that?" Jasmine's voice came out hoarse, almost pathetic.


My lips twitched, but there was no amusement in my eyes. Only something terrifyingly dark. Something sharp enough to cut. "Where do you think, baby?"


She had hidden it well. Or at least, she thought she had.


I hummed, tilting my head and running a thumb over the screen. "Funny thing about secrets, Mine," I murmured. "They don't stay buried for long."


Then, right before her eyes, I turned and flung the phone into the water below.


She gasped, her pulse spiking, her body jerking forward instinctively like she could somehow retrieve it, but I was faster. My arm wrapped around her waist, dragging her back against my chest and forcing her to feel every ripple of muscle and every ounce of heat burning through my skin.


I dipped my head, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. "I haven't killed him, you know…"


Chapter 113 - Chapter 113 [r-18]