I stiffened, realizing they were talking about us.
Ethan’s hand tightened around my waist, and his voice rang out into the night, a sweet, sweet melody.
“Of course I would.”
I smirked as all heads turned to us. I surveyed the crowd of gawkers, taking them all in, reveling in their shock.
Then I froze.
My eyes narrowed at the blonde with her arm looped around a tall, dark-haired man.
“You,” I hissed.
“You,” she sneered. Her eyes flicked above me. “Ethan, tell me this isn’t who I think it is.”
I frowned, my gaze snapping up to meet Ethan’s. “You know her?”
He looked confused as he looked between me and Satan’s apprentice.
“Maya, this is my sister, Celeste.”
My eyes almost fell out of their sockets as I turned back to the icy bitch.
No. Fucking. Way.
Ethan grinned, oblivious to the silent murder radiating between us. “Celeste, this is Maya
Cartridge, my mate. She’s also an elite OTS combat trainer. And she’s going to be overseeing your training from now on.”
Celeste’s face twisted like she’d bitten into a lemon. “You have got to be joking.”
I chuckled bitterly. “Of course you’re a lost cause who needs extra training.”
Her cold eyes flashed. “Absolutely not. I’m not training under her.”
I gritted my teeth, pieces of a puzzle clicking in place to form a picture I didn’t like. If
Celeste was Ethan’s sister, then-
“Reject her!”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
Celeste ignored me, glaring at Ethan. “Reject her right this instant! I won’t have this… this bitch as my sister-in-law!”
“What the fuck, Celeste?” Ethan said.
“You need to reject her, Ethan.” Her voice pitched. “Now!”
“No.”
He didn’t even flinch. Didn’t hesitate.
Celeste’s mouth opened in shock. Her nostrils flared. “You expect me to accept this? Her?”
“Looks like you don’t have a choice,” I said sweetly, enjoying the way the vein in her forehead bulged. The rest of the crowd was watching us in stunned silence.
“Ethan and I are mates, sweetie.” I stroked a hand down his chest. “And you could throw all the bitch fits you want, and that’s not going to change.”
She opened her mouth, no doubt to spew more bullshit, but a soft, hesitant voice cut her off.
“Maya?”
I turned, and my eyes widened. “Sera,” I breathed.
Her wide eyes darted between me and Ethan, taking in our embrace, and she gulped. “He’s your mate?”
And the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place. If Celeste, Sera’s sister, was also Ethan’s sister, that meant-obviously, dumbass-that Ethan was Sera’s brother.
My mate had been one of the people who’d hurt my new friend.
SERAPINA’S POV
I hadn’t meant to get close to them. Swear to the Moon, I hadn’t.
I was more than happy to leave Kieran and Celeste alone to rehash their twisted relationship dynamic, but my injured ankle held me back.
And even though I didn’t want to see them, I was just slow enough to catch another group joining them. Oh, fantastic-Celeste’s bitchy little crew.
The same pack of vipers who’d tormented me since high school. They swarmed her instantly, gushing congratulations-Kieran was finally back where he belonged.
Fuck! I jerked my gaze away, the scene sickeningly familiar. I should leave. Now.
Then I saw Maya.
Slim, athletic, exuding confidence like a second skin, wild curls bouncing around her like a halo of fire. No doubt about it-it was Maya.
My hand shot up automatically, a grin spreading as I started toward her. Finally, she’d dare to show off the mate she’d kept hidden for so long. Maybe now I could tease her about-
The man beside her shifted to show his full face.
And my world stopped spinning.
It was like getting slammed in the head with a sledgehammer. My vision blurred, and the ground tilted beneath me.
This couldn’t fucking be real.
When Ethan’s familiar blue eyes locked with mine, I knew-I wasn’t dreaming.
Oh god. Maya’s mate… was my disgusting brother, Ethan.
“Maya?” I croaked out. My pulse was hammering so hard I could taste it.
She turned at the sound, face lighting up. “Sera!”
She was glowing in a slit dress that made every man look twice, radiant and smoking hot- but all I could focus on was the hand pressed against my brother’s chest.
“He’s your mate?” The words scraped out from between my clenched teeth, my body starting to sway. Why was the Goddess always cruel to me? Maya and Ethan? Oh damn, I hoped it wouldn’t cost my rare friendship with Maya.
Maya’s smile faltered the instant she saw my face. Her gaze darted between me, Ethan, and
Celeste-no denying the Lockwood features we all shared, no matter how hard I’d tried to erase the name.
“Fuck!” She yanked herself out of Ethan’s arms, stumbling back like she was seeing him clearly for the first time, her eyes full of shock and… disgust? “He’s your brother?!”
Her voice cut through the air like glass.
Ethan’s expression darkened instantly.
“Maya!” He reached for her, but she shoved him off violently.
“Don’t fucking touch me!” she snapped, her voice could’ve frozen hell. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?!”
Ethan’s face turned pitch-black.
“Seraphina!” He turned on me, fury boiling in his tone. “Are you trying to ruin this, too? Just like you ruined things with Celeste and Kieran?”
The accusation hit like a silver blade between the ribs. Of course. Once again, I was the villain-without lifting a finger. They really were experts at making me the scapegoat.
A cold laugh escaped me. “Stay the fuck away from me, Ethan.” I met his gaze, baring my teeth in a challenge. “Oh yeah? Then you’d better be careful-because I will do exactly that.”
His face contorted instantly, pupils narrowing like a beast struck on the tail. His Alpha pressure exploded, the air freezing around us for a split second-
“SERAPHINA!” he growled, a thunderous rage under his voice.
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply