Claimed By My Stepbrother
Donna Sheldon · Ongoing · 215.7k Words
Introduction
The way he said "family" made it sound like the last thing he wanted, and honestly, I didn't disagree. I forced a laugh, hoping it didn't sound as nervous as I felt. "Yeah. Small world, huh?"
"Do you feel that?" he asked, his voice low and a little rough. His gaze bore into mine, and I swear, for a split second, there was something... different in his eyes. Something fierce and primal.
"Feel what?" I asked, hating how breathless I sounded.
"Like... a connection."
I blinked, taken aback. I shook my head, trying to clear whatever haze had fallen over me, "Ethan, I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but-"
"It's not a game." He cut me off, his voice going even softer, almost like he was talking to himself. "It's... something else."
He leaned in, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin, close enough that I could hear him growl as he inhaled me. Like, he literally growled.
Then, just as I thought I had lost my mind, he whispered a word.
"Mate."
Camila has always kept her head down and kept to herself. But that was before she discovered her new stepbrother was Ethan- the infuriating, untouchable heartthrob of her school. She's used to staying out of the spotlight, but Ethan's arrival flips her world upside down. Brooding and untamed, he's as tempting as he is off-limits. There's a rumor he's more than just a pretty face, that there's something wild hidden behind those intense eyes. Something dangerous. The more Camila tries to keep her distance, the more their worlds collide in ways she can't explain. With every stolen glance and forbidden touch, she's pulled closer to a secret that's as thrilling as it is terrifying. A secret that blurs the line between human and beast, love and fate.
And once Camila learns the truth, she'll have to choose: keep her distance… or risk everything for a taste of the forbidden.
Chapter 1
Camila POV
I don't want to be the horrible daughter who stands in the way of her mom's happiness. Seriously, I don't.
But when she dropped that bomb on me, I couldn't keep my cool.
"What the fuck do you mean you're getting married, Mom?" I blurted out before I could even think to filter my words. My voice came out way louder than I intended, and her eyes snapped up, meeting mine with a look that clearly said she didn't appreciate the tone. But, come on- she had just blindsided me with this whole getting married news, and she expected me to what? Clap my hands and throw her a party?
"No curse words, Camila," she chided, almost calmly, as if we were talking about the weather and not her dropping an emotional grenade on me. She set down a plate on the dining table, patting it like this was all normal. "He's a good guy, and I'm sure you'll like him."
"'Good guy'? That's all you're giving me here?" I scoffed, throwing my hands up in frustration. "Who is he, Mom? Where did he come from? Are you sure about this?" My voice was laced with desperation because this was starting to feel like a bizarre dream- no, scratch that, a nightmare.
She sighed, clearly unimpressed by my dramatics, as she continued setting the table. "Yes, Camila, I'm sure. And his name is Greg. We've been dating for over a year."
A year?! My jaw nearly hit the floor. "And you never thought to mention him once?" I demanded, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. "I thought we told each other everything!"
"Camila, you were busy with school and your friends. And I wanted to be sure it was serious before I introduced him to you," she explained, like that somehow made it all better.
I just stared at her, dumbfounded. My mom had been a single mother for as long as I could remember. I never met my dad, and honestly, it never really bothered me. Mom made sure I didn't lack anything; she was my everything. I got used to it being just us, and somewhere along the line, I had settled into the idea that this was our forever dynamic- just the two of us against the world. And now, out of nowhere, she wanted to bring in some guy named Greg?
Mom must've seen the look on my face because she reached out, patting my hand. "Sweetheart, you'll love him. And he has a son, so you'll finally have a sibling," she said, her face lighting up like this was the best news in the world. "Isn't that great?"
My brain short-circuited for a moment. A sibling? Was she throwing that into the mix too? "You're telling me I'm supposed to just...accept this guy as my new dad and his kid as my sibling? Mom, this isn't one of your romance novels!"
She chuckled, which honestly just made me feel worse. "Camila, you're overreacting. I'm not asking you to think of him as your dad. I know it's a big change, but he makes me happy. Can't you at least give him a chance?"
I wanted to argue, to tell her that this was way too much, way too fast, and that I wasn't ready for this kind of change. But then I looked at her, really looked at her. My mom looked...happy. Happier than I had seen her in a long time. She was practically glowing as she talked about this Greg guy, and I could see something in her eyes that softened the edges of my frustration. She deserved to be happy.
But did that mean I had to be okay with this?
"I don't know, Mom," I muttered, looking down at the table. "It just...it feels weird. Like, we're supposed to be a team, you and me. What if he changes everything? What if it's not the same?"
She gave me a small, understanding smile and wrapped her arm around my shoulders. "It will always be you and me, Camila. No one can change that. But this doesn't mean we can't let other people in too."
I took a deep breath, my chest tight with conflicting emotions. I wanted to be happy for her, I really did. But this was a lot to process.
"Does his son know about all this?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.
Mom nodded. "Yes, he knows. He's around your age. His name is Ethan."
I raised an eyebrow. "Great. So now I'm supposed to get along with some random guy I've never met before? You are asking for a lot here, you know that?"
Mom laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "You'll be fine, Camila. Just give it a try. For me?"
She looked so hopeful, so... vulnerable, and it twisted something in my chest. I wanted to scream, to tell her this wasn't fair, but I could see that this wasn't just about me. For once, I had to put her first.
"Fine," I mumbled reluctantly, "I'll try. But I'm not promising anything."
She hugged me, squeezing me a bit tighter than usual like she was reassuring both of us. "Thank you, sweetheart. That means a lot."
Later that night, as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to change in a way I wasn't ready for. Greg and his son, Ethan. Just the thought of them moving into our world felt intrusive like they were strangers barging into our little bubble. And what if they took up too much space? What if I got lost in all this?
I sighed, rolling over and hugging my pillow. This was happening whether I liked it or not. I didn't want to be the selfish daughter who couldn't let her mom be happy. But at the same time, I couldn't help but wonder if things were ever going to feel normal again.
Because this wasn't just about Greg, it was about the life my mom and I had built together- just us, against everything. And now, with these strangers coming in, it was like that world was slipping through my fingers, and I couldn't do anything to stop it.
All I could do was hope that maybe, just maybe, this new world wouldn't be as scary as it felt. But deep down, I knew that wasn't a promise anyone could make.
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On Christmas Eve, I aborted the CEO's child
On Christmas Eve night, my husband brought his mistress home and demanded that I, his pregnant wife, leave with nothing.
On this day, I lost my husband and also lost the child in my womb...
I Loved You in Silence, You Betrayed Me in French
At my birthday party, my husband whispered to his mistress in French that he missed her. His voice was low, but I heard it all—the black lingerie, the bit about how pregnancy makes you more sensitive. His French clients around us were laughing. He turned and put his arm around me, claiming he was just helping his clients come up with sweet nothings.
He doesn't know I understand every single word. Just like he doesn't know that inside my body, I'm carrying his other surprise. And his mistress—she's pregnant too. Two wombs, one secret.
Confrontation would be too cheap. Tears are worthless. I quietly started cataloging the hidden networks my father left behind, activating the Swiss accounts.
In seven days, Zoey Smith will cease to exist. And what will my husband's reaction be?
When I Disappeared, He Regretted It
The moment the screen lit up, my entire world came crashing down.
The woman on the bed was Calista - that girl who grew up with us since we were kids. And that hand caressing her skin was wearing the wedding ring I had personally put on Matteo's finger.
"I've missed you so much..."
"You drive me crazy, baby..."
Those sweet words I knew so well completely destroyed me.
Everyone said we were the perfect couple, but who knew this marriage was built on nothing but lies?
Since he's so good at acting, I guess it's time I gave him a show of my own. I'm going to make sure everyone sees what this "perfect husband" really is...
The Family Sacrifice
I simply said one word: "Okay."
My parents and Gilbert were stunned. They rushed to have me sign the voluntary donation form, afraid I’d change my mind.
Some days later, they sent me to the operating room.
Dad said, "Yvonne will finally be saved. We're so proud of you."
Mom said, "After the surgery, we'll make it up to you."
Gilbert looked tenderly at Yvonne and said, "When you're better, where should we travel?"
What they didn't know was that the day I agreed, I'd just received my diagnosis, stage four cancer. Three months to live.
As I lay on the cold operating table, as the anesthesia began to take effect, I only wanted to know one thing:
If I die on this operating table, will they regret it?
He Never Loved Me, Until I Left
I put away the divorce agreement with a wry smile.
When he and my son completely disappeared, he finally panicked.
Three months later .
He knelt down on the streets of Chicago in despair, begging me to remarry him.
My six-year-old son looked coldly at his biological father and said, "Get lost, you bad uncle! You don't deserve to be my dad!"
He Thought I'd Never Leave
When he said he was being bullied, I believed him. When he kissed me on that rooftop, I thought he felt the same. When he asked me to transfer schools with him, I said yes without hesitation.
Then I heard him bragging to his friends: "She'd save her first time for me. Hell, she'd still be thinking of me on her wedding night."
The bullying was staged. The kiss meant nothing. He just wanted me gone—so his new girl could feel more comfortable.
He thought I'd beg. He thought I'd cry. He thought I'd never actually leave.
I left the country.
And ran straight into his stepbrother.
I Died While They Threw Her a Party
Their real daughter came home. She'd only been back two years. That's all it took to erase twenty-four.
When kidnappers grabbed us, I used my body as a shield. They beat me until something inside me ruptured. I was dying from internal bleeding, but no one could tell.
My parents wouldn't even look at me. "This is your fault! None of this would've happened if it weren't for you!"
"Get downstairs and apologize to your sister. If you can't, pack your things and get out."
They threw her a party at a downtown hotel while I died alone in my room.
I thought they'd be relieved. Maybe even glad. I thought they'd just move on like I never existed.
But when they finally learned the truth, they fell apart.
Bury Me in His Regret
The kidnapper pressed the gun to my temple and asked, "Choose your wife or your sister-in-law?"
Zachary didn't hesitate. "Let Valerie go," he said.
He actually chose to save his sister-in-law! In that moment, even the baby in my belly seemed to stop kicking.
Later, they locked me in the basement. Drugs to delay labor were pumped into my veins over and over. Zachary wanted to save the "firstborn son" status for his sister-in-law's child.
When warm blood finally soaked through my skirt, I dialed the number I knew by heart with shaking hands.
"Zachary," I whispered into the phone, "our child... can't wait any longer."
The Kidney That Killed Me
A few months ago, my sister was hospitalized with kidney failure. The doctor said she needed a transplant. My family's first thought was me—the backup daughter they'd kept around all these years.
When my husband Allen took my hand with tears in his eyes and said, "Only you can save her," I agreed without hesitation.
When the doctor explained the surgical risks and potential complications, I smiled and nodded my understanding.
My parents said I'd finally learned what sisterly love meant.
Even Allen, who'd always been cold to me, held my hand gently and said, "The surgery's safe. You're so healthy, nothing will go wrong. When you recover, I'll take you to Hawaii."
But they don't know that no matter how the surgery goes, I won't be around to celebrate.
Because I just got my own test results—I have terminal brain cancer. I'm going to die anyway.
After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms
From first crush to wedding vows, George Capulet and I had been inseparable. But in our seventh year of marriage, he began an affair with his secretary.
On my birthday, he took her on vacation. On our anniversary, he brought her to our home and made love to her in our bed...
Heartbroken, I tricked him into signing divorce papers.
George remained unconcerned, convinced I would never leave him.
His deceptions continued until the day the divorce was finalized. I threw the papers in his face: "George Capulet, from this moment on, get out of my life!"
Only then did panic flood his eyes as he begged me to stay.
When his calls bombarded my phone later that night, it wasn't me who answered, but my new boyfriend Julian.
"Don't you know," Julian chuckled into the receiver, "that a proper ex-boyfriend should be as quiet as the dead?"
George seethed through gritted teeth: "Put her on the phone!"
"I'm afraid that's impossible."
Julian dropped a gentle kiss on my sleeping form nestled against him. "She's exhausted. She just fell asleep."
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother
"What is wrong with me?
Why does being near him make my skin feel too tight, like I’m wearing a sweater two sizes too small?
It’s just newness, I tell myself firmly.
He’s my boyfirend’s brother.
This is Tyler’s family.
I’m not going to let one cold stare undo that.
**
As a ballet dancer, My life looks perfect—scholarship, starring role, sweet boyfriend Tyler. Until Tyler shows his true colors and his older brother, Asher, comes home.
Asher is a Navy veteran with battle scars and zero patience. He calls me "princess" like it's an insult. I can't stand him.
When My ankle injury forces her to recover at the family lake house, I‘m stuck with both brothers. What starts as mutual hatred slowly turns into something forbidden.
I'm falling for my boyfriend's brother.
**
I hate girls like her.
Entitled.
Delicate.
And still—
Still.
The image of her standing in the doorway, clutching her cardigan tighter around her narrow shoulders, trying to smile through the awkwardness, won’t leave me.
Neither does the memory of Tyler. Leaving her here without a second thought.
I shouldn’t care.
I don’t care.
It’s not my problem if Tyler’s an idiot.
It’s not my business if some spoiled little princess has to walk home in the dark.
I’m not here to rescue anyone.
Especially not her.
Especially not someone like her.
She’s not my problem.
And I’ll make damn sure she never becomes one.
But when my eyes fell on her lips, I wanted her to be mine.
Alpha Nicholas's Little Mate
What? No—wait… oh Moon Goddess, no.
Please tell me you're joking, Lex.
But she's not. I can feel her excitement bubbling under my skin, while all I feel is dread.
We turn the corner, and the scent hits me like a punch to the chest—cinnamon and something impossibly warm. My eyes scan the room until they land on him. Tall. Commanding. Beautiful.
And then, just as quickly… he sees me.
His expression twists.
"Fuck no."
He turns—and runs.
My mate sees me and runs.
Bonnie has spent her entire life being broken down and abused by the people closest to her including her very own twin sister. Alongside her best friend Lilly who also lives a life of hell, they plan to run away while attending the biggest ball of the year while it's being hosted by another pack, only things don't quite go to plan leaving both girls feeling lost and unsure about their futures.
Alpha Nicholas is 28, mateless, and has no plans to change that. It's his turn to host the annual Blue Moon Ball this year and the last thing he expects is to find his mate. What he expects even less is for his mate to be 10 years younger than him and how his body reacts to her. While he tries to refuse to acknowledge that he has met his mate his world is turned upside down after guards catch two she-wolves running through his lands.
Once they are brought to him he finds himself once again facing his mate and discovers that she's hiding secrets that will make him want to kill more than one person.
Can he overcome his feelings towards having a mate and one that is so much younger than him? Will his mate want him after already feeling the sting of his unofficial rejection? Can they both work on letting go of the past and moving forward together or will fate have different plans and keep them apart?
