BROTHER'S HOT BEST FRIEND IS MY MATE

(Scarlett's POV). I had never felt stranger than tonight. By my side, Ryan, my twin brother, stood confidently, a proud Beta of our pack. He looked like a mountain, erect and solid, while I felt like his shadow-trapped in this incompleteness, a werewolf who hadn't even felt his full transformation. Ryan had had a wolf for years, and his strength seemed to be fused with it. He was assertive and authoritative, all the things a Beta should be. As for me? I'm still stuck in the in-between phase ーnot fully human, but not fully wolf either. An Omega who hadn't even met her wolf yet. Even more painful, my other twin sister, Sienna, already had her wolf. The only thing that set us apart, besides her striking strength, was the color of our eyes. My soft green eyes seemed to fade next to her piercing blue. She was everything I was not ーstrong, graceful, and admired. And she had her wolf. My father, the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack, insisted I should come to this party. "It will be good for you," he said. "Helps you fit in better." As if being at this party could magically solve my problem ーthe feeling that I was never good enough. I pulled my hoodie tighter, trying to hide in the comfort of its layers. The party was hosted by Alexander Emerson, the Alpha of the Shadow Pack and captain of the hockey team. Everyone adored him-tall, handsome, and powerful, with an Alpha aura that made everyone respect him. He was also Ryan's best friend. I could never be like that. I wasn't even sure I wanted to be here. But Ryan, with all his persuasion, dragged me along, insisting that this would be good for me. "You need to go out more," he said As soon as we walked in, the music hit me like a wall-the bricks shook in my chest, as my heartbeat began to race. The room was full of other wolves, all laughing, dancing, and enjoying their lives with confidence. I wished I could be like them ーfree and full of confidence. But all I felt was a burning anxiety as if everyone was looking at me with judgmental eyes. "Stay here, Petal," Ryan said, patting my shoulder briefly. "I'll get the drinks." With ease, she disappeared among the crowd, melting into the party as if she were born for it. Sienna, my sister, only glanced at me before smiling faintly. "I want to see my friends first," she said, eyes instantly sweeping the room for familiar faces. Within seconds, she too was gone, striding lightly through the crowd. And I had, as always, alone. I stood there as if trapped in motionless time, wrapping my arms around myself as if that could protect me from the stares that I felt were increasingly judging every inch of me. The music was too loud, the lights too bright. I need to find Ryan and get out of here before I'm completely out of breath. The real reason I wanted to come to this party was only one: Alexander. Known to be cold and unforgiving, he treats everyone with distance. However, whenever he was around me, something was different. He smiled at me, offered me chocolate, and made me feel special. Small, yes, but those moments always make my heart flutter. Tonight, I was determined to tell him how I felt. I pushed through the crowd, looking for him amidst the sea of people, hoping I finally dared to reveal my heart. But before I could find him, a scornful, snide voice pierced my ears, cutting through the rhythm of the music. "Hey, look who's here!" It was one of the herd cheerleaders, her words full of hatred. My body instantly stiffened, fear creeping into my stomach as she approached with haughty steps, followed by her horde that was like a group of hyenas. "Isn't this a little Omega who can't even transform yet?" she taunted. My face felt hot with burning shame. "I-I..." I tried to answer, but my words faltered, swallowed by the silence. I could only say something to make things right. "What are you hiding under here, huh? Afraid we'll find out you don't have a wolf yet? How embarrassing!" Camilla, their group leader, pulled the hem of my hoodie roughly, her face mocking. They surrounded me, tearing at my clothes and pulling my hair, each touch humiliating and weakening me. I tried to push them away, but there were too many of them. Their laughter grew louder as if tearing my pride to shreds. "Stop!" Finally, I managed to make a sound, but they only laughed harder. Suddenly, a glass of juice spilled over my body, leaving me stunned by the coldness of the liquid seeping into my clothes. "Oops! My hand slipped!" She chuckled, her eyes flashing with malicious intent. "Looks like we did her a favor," Camilla added with a sly smile. "Maybe she can finally wash off that Omega smell." A hard push slammed into me, sending me crashing to the floor with a thud. It felt like I'd fallen in disgusting mud, and it would be like that forever. I was unable to get out, unable to clean myself of the dirt. I felt that I was made to be humiliated. It's pitiful. Self-pity that needs to be pitied. "You belong on the ground, little Omega. That's where you belong!" Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, a low, menacing growl broke the air, stopping everyone around me. Their laughter vanished in an instant, replaced by an eerie silence. I looked up, and there he was-Alexander Emerson, my savior, standing over us, his body radiating gripping fury. "Move aside," Alexander commanded. His eyes flashed cold, anger as he stepped closer to the girls. "If you dare touch her again, you will regret it!" Like always, he is here to help me. I felt somehow sad that I was a weak omega. The girls immediately paled, and the smirks on their lips were replaced with terror. Camilla, who had initiated the bullying earlier, swallowed hard, her bravado fading under Alexander’s glare.

(Scarlett's POV). "We didn’t mean—" one of the girls started to say, but Alexander interrupted. “I don’t want your excuses,” he snarled, his eyes flashing dangerously. “If I ever find you pestering her or anyone else, then you will be answering to me. Got it?” They nodded quickly, their faces white as sheets, their eyes flickering with terror. “Go now,” Alexander commanded, his tone as icy as the winter wind. “Before I make you regret it. ” He moved towards me and reached out his hand to touch mine; I did not move away from him, and there was a spark in his eyes that made me feel attracted to him. When our fingers met there was a jolt, an electric current ran through me and I felt as if I had been struck by lightning. Alexander helped me stand and he held my hand for a little too long. I looked into his eyes and for a moment I saw something there, gentle, protective? But as rapidly as it came, that look was gone, and he was back to his emotionless self. “Are you okay, Petal?” he asked me, calling me by the name he had given me, which always made me feel special. Alexander put his jacket on me, which gave me not only the warmth of the jacket but also the warmth of his care. He looked deep into my eyes as if he could see through me. I had this feeling that I was drawn to him in a way I could not understand at the moment. “Please leave,” he said. The bullies had to flee as soon as they saw me. “Let me help you. ” He came closer and picked me up as if I were a bride. When I was in his arms, there was a strange happiness in me. I had always wanted him from afar, but now, it seemed like he was actually noticing me, perhaps he had similar feelings too. “Do not cry for a little thing, I will protect you.” Alexander gently placed me on the floor near the bathroom, removing the strand of hair from my face. His touch was so gentle that my stomach would do flips as if there were little shocks going through my body. I saw the world slow down for a second. “Go wash your pretty face,” he whispered. My heart started pounding and I found myself wanting to kiss him but I looked away immediately. I was afraid to embarrass myself and quickly ran into the bathroom, panting heavily. I was still in front of the mirror, feeling Alexander’s touch on my face when the door to the bathroom opened and Sienna entered the bathroom with a frown on her face. “Scarlett, are you okay?” she asked quietly. I nodded quickly. “Oh yes, I’m alright,” I said. Sienna leaned against the sink, her eyes looking into mine. “You don’t have to lie to me, you know, I have seen how Alexander stares at you and how your eyes follow him.” I gasped in surprise. Was it that obvious? I tried to downplay it as I felt that it was not a big deal. “He is just... a good guy, handsome, kind... but, you know, it’s nothing serious. “ The words sounded like a betrayal of my true feelings, but I was not ready to say them—not yet. Sienna let out a sigh and folded her arms across her chest. “Scarlett, listen. Alexander... he’s not someone you can trust with your heart. He’s a player. He changes girls like clothes. Believe me, it’s better if you stay away from him. ” She was right, or at least her words made me feel like there was a small part of me that would be happy to be left behind. I nodded my head as my mind was filled with mixed feelings. “Yeah, I know. You’re right. I’ll stay away. “ But as the words slipped off my tongue, a cold dread began to rise in my chest. Sienna gave me a sympathetic look, her phone buzzing suddenly. She checked the screen, then glanced at me. "I’ve got to take this. Just... take care of yourself, okay?" She left the bathroom after giving me a gentle squeeze on the arm. As soon as the door clicked shut, I leaned against the counter, staring at my reflection. Her warning played over and over in my mind, but deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had to tell him how I felt. If I didn’t do it now, I might never know what could have been. The thought of always wondering 'what if' scared me more than the possibility of rejection. Gathering all my courage, I stepped out of the bathroom, my heart pounding. This was it—I was going to confess. But just as I rounded the corner, my breath caught in my throat, and my world came crashing down. Alexander was there, just a few steps away, with his hands on Sienna’s waist. They were kissing. For a moment, I stood frozen, unable to believe what I was seeing. My sister... and Alexander? The same Alexander who had just been so gentle with me moments ago? The weight of betrayal hit me like a punch to the gut. How could she do this me? The moment before she told me that he was a player and the other moment they both kissed each other. Tears welled in my eyes, but I didn’t wait to let them fall. I turned and ran, the image of them together searing into my mind. My heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. I don't want to see their faces not now, not ever. I want to be away from them as far as possible. Only one person I remember who could take me away from here, for always. With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and called my mom. "Can you pick me up?" I asked, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I... I want to leave. Forever."