Fated To My Lycan Stepbrothers
Chapter 60

Or so I thought as I turned to walk away. My hoodie should have done the trick.

"Naya?" Brooke called curiously. It was the first time she had called me by my real name. Maybe she wanted the elders to approve of her. I ignored her, taking determined steps to walk away, when she suddenly grabbed my arm. "It's you! Brawn," she grinned maliciously, peering at my face. Then she yanked my hoodie down, exposing my face. I clenched my jaw, feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment. "Let go of me, Brooke," I muttered through gritted teeth.

Brooke's laughter rang out as she continued to hold onto my arm. "Aw, come on, Naya. I just wanted to see if the rumors were true. What are you doing here?"

I shot her a cold glare. "Rumors? You mean the ones you probably started? Don't act innocent." Of course, she claimed I was a slut like my mother. She was quite aware that I lived here and was about to pull this stunt. This was why I avoided her. This was why I didn't want her to see me in this manor. Today of all days! If Kyle was her mate, then I just cheated with her mate. I should not be annoyed and consider her position.

With the tension and hostility brewing between us, Kyle chose to butt in. Really, I was just tired and wanted to crawl under my bed. The looks they were all giving me. Flashes of last night? It haunted me.

"Hey, Brooke. I asked you a question. You are embarrassing yourself." He wasn't happy. On a normal day, he would take her side. He must be exceptionally happy with the way I pleased him last night.

Brooke seemed surprised. "You called me Brooke. Come on! I came all the way here to tell you good news, and you call me by my first name?"

I didn't know she hated her first name. I nearly snorted and landed myself in more trouble. Brooke's eyes caught my quivering lips. Smirking, she turned to Kyle. "You know what? I'll forgive you for calling me that. I know that you are irritated. You hate mornings." She cooed shamefully. "Should I remedy that?"

Kyle yawned tiredly, like he had just averted a major storm. If he hadn't spoken, I didn't know what I would have done. "I want to take a shower. The Elders are here to brief my brother on some Alpha stuff. I should be there since I am Alpha too."

Brooke rolled her eyes in boredom while I wondered why I still watched their exchange like I was invited to do so. I was such a terrible snooper. Deep down, an alien feeling didn't like what I saw. Kyle and Brooke were a 'no' for me ever since the first day I got admitted into Wolf Cove Academy. "Don't you want to have some fun with me in the shower?"

My heart skipped a bit when I saw Kyle's contemplative face. How do I even know what his contemplative face looked like? Gosh! I am so pathetic. His eyes were so dreamy and reflected the amount of love he had for Brooke. He truly cared about her. Zeke did. They have all been together, and I am just a minor distraction before they get back together. I couldn't picture myself as anything other than shameful and disgusting. I should get out of here.

I didn't get to go far because Brooke stopped me, and that was when I heard Kyle refuse her offer.

"Babe, just go downstairs. I'll be there at ten. We can replace something fun to do then."

Just then, Brooke's loving gaze shifted to something dark. "You know what? I'll just try out a nice conversation with Naya here."

Conversation? Gods, please no. I do not want to have any kind of conversation with her. At all. I glanced at Kyle, pleading with my eyes to let her join his shower. Kyle's gaze shifted between us, clearly sensing the underlying tension. "Alright, let's all just calm down," he said, attempting to mediate.

"I don't know why you are acting like this this morning." Brooke was getting suspicious, and that was the last thing I needed from her right now. There were eyes watching me. Important people were everywhere. I had no time for her s**t. Someone should save me, please!

"Naya?" I called out to my wolf.

She didn't reply. Oh, I almost forgot how mad at me she was. "This is so bad." I muttered.

"Did you say something?" Brooke asked innocently.

Laughter rang from below, and I subtly peered down. Zeke was still in the same position. He hasn't moved but occasionally pours himself fine red wine as the Elders are served a good breakfast. They all conversed about the pack and their personal lives. Elder Freya was scowling as she cut into her steak with surprising gentleness. They were certainly saying something she didn't like. Elder Rosalie had to be the quietest of them all. She was biting into her steak without looking at the rest of the four. The green and white elders were discussing something important while the last elder was trying to get Zeke to reply to his questions. They were all acting like they were one big family. They weren't, and it was even pathetic to see how much they were trying to hide their flaws. Zeke seemed to have a lot on his mind, judging from how absent-minded he was at the dining table. It was all my fault. I pulled my arm from Brooke's grip and stepped back, folding my arms defensively. "I'm perfectly calm." They should let me go now so I can get this over with and go back to my room.

Or probably go and train.

Brooke rolled her eyes dramatically, clearly aiming to provoke me. "Sure looks like it." She was certain Kyle would bully me in his own home. Honestly, I didn't know what to think anymore. Seeing how quiet they both were, they weren't happy about something. It was related to me since we haven't greeted ourselves good morning!

It was all messed up.

"Naya!" Elder Rosalie suddenly called. "You are here. Why don't you join us?"

Join stoic Zeke at the table? Err... no. He didn't even look at me. Another elder, who had been observing the scene from below, sighed. Now that she is here, can we get back to why we are here? Or is this going to be the highlight of the day?"

A door opened, and out came Marley. "Luna." Brooke bowed her head low. She was exaggerating it, and now I'd have to behave like that. I wasn't used to bowing down to my mother. It was as if they all waited for me.

"Luna." I said it halfheartedly, bowing slightly. Her power was strong for my wolf, but I wouldn't bow all the way down.

"Children." She simply waved our greetings to the side to get to the elders. It was funny that they were about to start the meeting without her.

I shot Brooke an annoyed glare, then turned to head downstairs. Brooke was faster because she stretched out her legs, and as usual, I tripped over it. Just as things seemed to settle, a commanding voice echoed through the room. "What is that smell? Jealousy? Anger?"

Elder Freya got up from her chair. She sniffed the air like the wolf she was. There she was in all her glory, standing at the entrance of the hallway. Great! She just had to do that when Luna came out of her sanctuary. It wasn't going to end well. Her piercing gaze swept over all of us. She wore an expression of disapproval, her lips forming a tight line.

Brooke straightened up, her smug look replaced by a facade of innocence. "Elder Freya, we were just having a little chat." She swallowed a little.

Freya's eyes narrowed, not buying into Brooke's act. "A chat, you say? It seems more like a squabble to me."

I slammed my hand on the floor, not minding the drops of tears splattering on the floor. "Why is this happening to me?" I asked myself in shame. It was too much for me to bear. I felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration and wanted to avoid any more attention. "I was asked to come here. Elder Rosalie summoned me. That's why I am out here in the first place!" I stood, dusting my cloth, only to catch Zeke looking at me. Something was bothering him. It was a passionate night.

Elder Freya's gaze shifted to Kyle, who had been watching the exchange with a concerned expression. "And what is your role in all of this, Kyle?"

Kyle's shoulders stiffened, and he cleared his throat. "I was just trying to defuse the situation. I don't want any trouble." He couldn't look at my mother for some reason.

Everything was going wrong here because of me.