Fated To My Lycan Stepbrothers
Chapter 163

Zeke's

POV

"It's almost time. Are you ready? Have you made a decision?" Marley asked from the door.

g**t, I left the door open again! "Leave, Marley; I don't have time for this."

She had a frown on her face. "Since when do you care about what I do? You have always gone along with it, so don't act like I am carrying a rare disease."

I blinked. "What?"

"You know what's wrong. Stop pretending. You know what you have to do for us to have peace. Think of it as a favor for the pack. Do not ruin it for something so petty."

I balled my fists as anger clouded my reasoning. "I haven't seen you mourn about my father, and you're already jumping into my laps with subtle threats. Do you think you can control the pack without me, or I won't do well without you?" My growl slipped out before I could control it.

She gasped like my words got to her, but her eyes were ones of wickedness. Her lips were blazing red, and I still found her attractive in this bizarre situation. She was relentless!

Her slender back straightened, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. "Zeke, this isn't about control or power. Your father's death left a void, and we need a strong alpha now more than ever. But with a strong Alpha comes a strong Luna. You need me."

I scoffed, my frustration boiling over. "You act like I'm some puppet to be manipulated for the packs convenience. loved my father, and his death is still fresh. I need time to process, not be rushed into decisions. I will do his wish." Frankly, I had no idea what my father's wish was for me.

The only truth was that I was upset with Marley for dragging this topic along with me.

We were way past this, but she never listens. He was right when she said that with a strong Alpha came a strong Luna. But I was certain that Naya would learn.

Wouldn't she? She hasn't even begun her training! sh*t.

"But she has been unlocking her powers recently, hasn't she?" Flame asked, curious. "I feel she doesn't need training.

I sighed. "Our mate needs training. She needs to learn how to not turn everyone into a rat. What if we are turned into rats? She could get angry one day and puff! We are tiny chipmunks skittering everywhere and ruining everything.

Besides, we need to know how to turn Mrs. Lau back. She's one of our connections with the Blood Moon pack."

"What a boring speech." Flame groaned. "I think Marley wants you. I will rip her to shreds if she tries to seduce you.

Then I will kill you in your sleep if you agree with her."

"I don't know, Flame. Her advances are getting harder to resist."

"Well, get on with it already! Let's go to our mate!

Remember, once you replace your mates, all the females of this pack, both young and old, will try to kill her."

My blood froze. "Why didn't you tell me??"

Flame paused. He may act like he wasn't bothered by his own words, but I could see the way he tapped his paws restlessly and scratched his claws against a hard surface.

"I thought you knew... That's why Kyle is there with her, right?"

When I did not reply, his eyes widened with rage. "Kyle would be carried away with the little party thrown for him at school! After that, he will come home with all the students for a party! You fool!"

I rolled my eyes at his old way of speaking. so typically old.

"Shut the f*vck up and let me think."

"Your grief is understandable, but you can't let it blind you to the responsibilities you now bear. The pack looks up to you, Zeke. They need a leader, not a broken-hearted boy. I tried to make you see it, but you entered the rage rampage, sending everyone on their knees. You nearly killed everyone! I saved you." Her tone was a bit icy.

"No, you didn't." I clenched my jaw. "Don't pretend like you care about me. You've always been about power, about securing your position. And now you see with my father gone."

She took a step closer, her voice low and dangerous. "Don't mistake necessity for opportunism. Your father trusted me for a reason, and I will do whatever it takes to protect this pack. including making tough decisions you might not like.

You must do the right thing, and you know the right thing, Alpha Zeke."

My focus was at Wolf Cove Academy, and after this stupid conversation, I will head over there. Naya would need me, I was sure. "I need time, Marley. I can't just step into this without understanding the consequences. I can't just pick you. You need to replace an elder who will be willing to change our bond. Bonds are sacred, and I hold them in high esteem."

Her eyes softened for a moment, a hint of sympathy flickering. "I get it, Zeke. I do. But time isn't a luxury we have right now." She cleared her throat. "I have prepared someone who is well versed in these things. They may even change Laura into her usual self, and it's a win for you. You get your spy; I get my throne. I don't want to retain the title of 'former Luna."

Frustration and confusion swirled within me. Marley was right about the urgency, but her methods grated against my sense of autonomy. I couldn't let her dictate my every move, not now.

"Who did you bring?" I asked.

"Let's just keep that little information aside, yes? They won't interfere with our work. All we need to do is make me feel the mating bond. Besides, if you reject me, will your supposed mate fight all the women?"

I tilted my head to the side. Why didn't I think of that earlier? Will Naya be able to fight all of them?

Flame growled under his breath. He was exceptionally pissed off and hanging on by only a thread. If I lost control of my emotions, he would take over my body and tear it apart. "Could this be what she did to her father to make him think of her as a second chance mate?"

“|

I guess so." I narrowed my eyes on her seductive figure.

She has been following me everywhere, so I'm certain I didn't change my mind over her. Seriously? It was driving me crazy!

"You need to play along, Zeke. Don't ask her more than required, so she won't suspect you. I mean, what exactly did she do to save you from the rage rampage? Do not forget; she always seems to know when there is an attack on the pack. I can never forget the look in her eyes when she sat on your throne. She taunted you!" Flame crouched in a defensive position.

"Calm down, flame." I took deep breaths to calm my aggressive wolf. "We will play along. Don't ruin this for me."

"Let's make her bring the person into the pack. We will know what to do after that."

Good thinking, Flame. I agreed with my wolf, proceeding to the door. When I got there, I opened it, pointedly telling her to get out.

"Remember everything, Zeke." With that, she raised her head so high that I thought it was going to break, sashaying past me.

I closed the door and sighed in relief. One thing baffled me.

What did she claim she had done to save me from the rage rampage? Naya did all the work without anyone knowing.

Marley definitely knew something about Naya's powers, and she didn't just know that day; she has always known. After all, she was her mother.

"We are all fools." Flame shook his head. "Of course, she had an idea of Naya's powers."

sh*t! No wonder she wasn't always there-one excuse or another to feign ignorance! "Flame, next stop, Wolf Academy."

I transformed into my wolf, tumbling through the hallway as everyone steered clear of my way with gasps and yells of fright. It wasn't every day you saw a red-flaming wolf running inside the house. But the staff already knew who I was.

*************

Marley's POV

Damn it! Zeke was definitely no fool. I nearly scratched my eyes out in frustration just talking with him. He always spoke like his father, cold, and threw you around the conversation so you would lose control. I chuckled. He was the one who lost control. I sniffed the air. Someone was here.

"Are you having fun?" A voice stopped my thoughts.

I rolled my eyes. "You should learn how to sneak up on someone."

"What gave me up?" I asked as the figure remained in the shadows.

"Your bloody scent." I snarled.

"But you should know that I am good at appearances. After all, I was the one who created the scentless spray."

I flashed my fangs at the insolent creature. "Your daughter ... We need to do something about her."