Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - His House, His Rules, His Obsession

I stood frozen in my mother's living room, my plea hanging in the air between us. "Please, Mom. I can't live with Sterling for three months."

My mother, Celeste, looked up from arranging flowers, her green eyes—identical to mine—showing more annoyance than concern. "Aurora, don't be ridiculous. This internship at Zamford Technologies is an incredible opportunity. Many students would kill for this position."

"That's not the point," I insisted, my voice quivering. "I can stay in the university dorms. They're open for summer residents."

She sighed, tucking a strand of her chestnut hair behind her ear. "Your brother went to great lengths to arrange this placement for you. He wants to mentor you personally."

"Stepbrother," I corrected automatically. "And that's exactly what I'm afraid of."

Mom set down her scissors with a sharp click. "Aurora, I don't understand why you're being so difficult. Sterling has always protected you, provided for you."

I bit my lip, the image of the dead man in the woods flashing through my mind. How could I make her understand when she refused to see the truth? That her perfect stepson was obsessed with me in ways that made my skin crawl.

"He's controlling every aspect of my life," I whispered. "This internship, changing my placement—don't you see what's happening?"

"I see a successful Alpha and businessman taking an interest in his sister's future," she replied firmly. "Now go finish packing. Sterling is expecting you this afternoon."

I knew that tone. Discussion over. I trudged upstairs to my bedroom, blinking back tears. The small suitcase on my bed was already half-filled with clothes, but I couldn't bring myself to add more. It felt like packing for my own funeral.

My phone buzzed with a text from Ethan: *Did you talk to your mom?*

I typed back: *She won't listen. I have to go to Sterling's.*

His response came quickly: *We'll figure something out. I won't let him keep us apart.*

Sweet, brave Ethan. If only he knew what Sterling was capable of. I hadn't told him about the murder—couldn't tell him. Sterling's Alpha command made sure of that. But I had shared enough about Sterling's possessiveness for Ethan to understand my fear.

I finished packing mechanically, each item feeling heavier than it should. Two hours later, I was sliding into the back of the sleek black car Sterling had sent for me. The driver—one of his pack members—remained silent during the forty-minute drive to the exclusive Westlake district where Sterling lived.

The car turned onto a private road that wound up a hillside, eventually stopping before a modern mansion of glass and steel. My prison for the next three months.

"Miss Aurora," the driver said, opening my door. "Mr. Hamilton apologizes he couldn't pick you up personally. He's in meetings until this evening."

Small mercies, I thought, taking my suitcase from him. At least I'd have a few hours to settle in before facing Sterling.

The housekeeper, Mrs. Reed, welcomed me with a professional smile and showed me to "my room"—a guest suite larger than my mother's entire apartment. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the pool and gardens, but all I saw was the absence of escape routes.

"Dinner is at seven," Mrs. Reed informed me. "Mr. Hamilton will be joining you."

After she left, I sat on the edge of the bed, feeling hollow. I texted Ethan: *Made it to Sterling's house. It's like a beautiful cage.*

Waiting for his response, I decided to explore the kitchen. If I could grab something quick to eat, maybe I could hide in my room when Sterling came home.

The kitchen was all stainless steel and marble, intimidatingly perfect. I found orange juice in the refrigerator and poured myself a glass, then rummaged for something simple to eat.

"Making yourself at home?"

The deep voice behind me sent the glass slipping from my fingers. It shattered on the floor, orange juice splashing across the pristine tiles and my bare feet. I whirled around to find Sterling leaning against the doorframe, watching me with those intense green eyes.

"I—I thought you were in meetings," I stammered, backing away until I hit the counter.

Sterling pushed himself off the doorframe and moved toward me with predatory grace. At twenty-seven, my stepbrother was in his prime—tall, powerfully built, with broad shoulders that tapered to a narrow waist. His dark hair was cut short and professional, but nothing could civilize the wildness in his eyes.

"Meeting ended early," he said, his gaze traveling slowly from my face down to my juice-splattered feet. "I wanted to welcome you properly."

My heart pounded as he closed the distance between us. "Stay there," he commanded, retrieving a towel. Before I could protest, he knelt before me and began wiping the juice from my feet.

His touch sent unwelcome shivers up my spine. This was how it always went with Sterling—moments of seeming tenderness that somehow felt more threatening than outright aggression.

"I've missed you, Aurora," he murmured, his fingers lingering on my ankle longer than necessary.

I swallowed hard. "It's only been three days since the charity event."

His eyes flicked up to mine, and something dark passed through them. Did he know I was thinking about the man he'd killed?

"Three days too long," he replied, standing up. He towered over me, making me feel small and vulnerable. "How do you like your room?"

"It's fine," I said, stepping sideways to put space between us. "Thank you for arranging it."

A smile curved his lips. "I arranged everything, little sister. Your internship. Your housing. Your future."

The possessiveness in his voice made my skin crawl. "I should clean up this mess," I said quickly, gesturing to the broken glass.

Sterling caught my wrist as I moved. "Mrs. Reed will handle it. I want to show you something."

I had no choice but to follow as he led me through the house to his home office. The room was dominated by a massive desk with multiple monitors. On the wall hung framed awards and photos—most featuring Sterling at various business events.

"Your desk is here," he said, indicating a smaller workspace in the corner. "You'll be assisting me directly with the new security software project."

I stared at the desk—positioned where Sterling could watch my every move. "I thought interns usually worked in teams," I said carefully.

"Not you." His voice dropped lower. "You're special, Aurora. Always have been."

The way he said my name made me want to run. Instead, I forced myself to ask, "What about Ethan? He was assigned to Baxter Systems."

Sterling's jaw tightened. "What about him?"

"Nothing," I said quickly. "Just curious about the other placements."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Is there something I should know about you and Mr. Vance?"

"No," I lied, praying he couldn't hear my racing heart. "We're just classmates."

Sterling stepped closer, invading my space. "Don't lie to me, Aurora. I always find out."

Before I could respond, his phone buzzed. He checked the screen and frowned. "I need to take this. Get settled in. I'll see you at dinner."

I retreated to my room, trembling. I needed to be careful—Sterling was already suspicious about Ethan. As I unpacked, I wondered how I would survive three months under his roof, under his constant surveillance.

At precisely seven, I made my way downstairs for dinner. Sterling waited at the head of an absurdly long table, rising when I entered.

"You look beautiful," he said, his eyes roaming over my simple sundress.

I took the seat he indicated, as far from him as I could manage while still being polite. Mrs. Reed served a meal I barely tasted, my appetite diminished by anxiety.

"Tomorrow," Sterling said between sips of wine, "I'll show you around the company. You'll shadow me this first week to understand how everything works."

"What about the other interns?" I asked.

"They start next week. You're getting special treatment." His smile didn't reach his eyes. "After all, family comes first."

Family. We hadn't felt like family since I turned sixteen and Sterling's protective nature warped into something darker, something possessive. Something that made him murder a stranger for simply speaking to me.

I pushed my food around my plate, feeling his gaze on me. "May I be excused?" I finally asked. "I'm tired from moving."

Sterling studied me for a long moment. "Of course, little sister. Rest well. Tomorrow begins our new chapter together."

As I hurried back to my room, his words echoed in my head. Our new chapter. Under his roof. Under his rules. Under his obsession.

I locked my bedroom door, knowing full well it wouldn't keep him out if he truly wanted in. Nothing could stop Sterling when he wanted something.

And what he wanted was me.

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**Sterling's POV**

I watched Aurora flee from the dinner table, her discomfort obvious in every hurried step. The sight of her in my house—finally where she belonged—sent a surge of satisfaction through me.

It had taken considerable manipulation to arrange her internship, altering her placement from the Boston company where that boy had been assigned. The university dean had been reluctant until I mentioned my company's substantial annual donations.

Now she was here. Under my roof. Within my reach.

I swirled the wine in my glass, remembering the way she looked when I found her in the kitchen—startled, vulnerable, beautiful. The sight of her bare feet had nearly undone me. Such a simple thing, yet so intimate.

I'd been fighting these feelings for years. Since she turned sixteen and blossomed from an awkward teen into a young woman. The protective instinct I'd always felt toward my little stepsister had transformed into something deeper, darker, more primal.

She had stopped being my sister. She was now my obsession.