My Jealous Alpha Stepbrother
Chapter 166

Kit

I’m standing in the corner, watching the scene inside the pack house belonging to the Grimfang pack. I’ve been here all day, and my body is beginning to ache from the tension in the air. I shift uncomfortably, adjusting my stance, wanting to be respectful of the people in this place, but also feeling like a complete intruder.

The room is filled with Michelle’s pack members; relatives of the victims of the demon attack. There is a heavy silence in the air, silence punctuated by the occasional loud sob or a whispered prayer. I keep my head down when I hear more crying, not wanting to intrude anymore than I already am, but I can’t help but notice the grief in the room. Every family that is here has lost someone, and the pain is palpable.

But even in this sadness, Michelle is such a strong leader. She is standing in the center of the room, surrounded by her pack members. She has talked to all the families, hugged a few weeping mothers, and shed her own tears for the ones that were lost. I can see that she is exhausted, drained from all the sadness and grief, but still she stands, offering comfort and hope to the families in this dark time.

Another mother approaches her, this one with her mascara running down her cheeks. She carries an expression of despair and grabs Michelle’s hand before speaking.

“I need to thank you for making that order to retreat. That saved at least one of my sons from the claws of those monsters in the woods. You are a hero.”

The words seem to echo through the room and I watch as Michelle’s face crumples at the mother’s words. She closes her eyes, and a single tear slides down her cheek.

“I’m so sorry,” she says, her voice shaking. “I wish I could have saved both of them.”

Those words break something within me. I watch Michelle with wide eyes, unable to move. The mother is hugging my mate now, and my whole body is aching. I want to comfort Michelle and tell her that things will be different the next time a demon attacks: she has me now. I will fight her battles. I will slay any demon she points at if it will make her happy because I can’t handle seeing my mate so sad!

After a few moments, the mother releases her and walks away. Michelle stays in the center of the room, eyes closed and head bowed: this is my chance.

I slowly make my way to her, my eyes never leaving her form as I stride with purpose. When I finally reach her side, I don’t say a single word. Instead, I grip her hand and squeeze. Michelle looks up at me, and I give her a soft smile.

She smiles back, and leans against my arm with a pained expression. It’s obvious that she is worried about the families, and it’s admirable. I’ve never met someone who cares so much about every individual member of their pack.

Michelle has a big heart, and that’s part of why I like her so much. Her passion to protect her territory and pack members is so strong that it blinds her. It’s a possession that consumes her, but that thrills me. Why? Because I can only imagine how fierce Michelle will be once she falls in love.

And I want her to fall in love with her because I’m lost in her already. Michelle has that sort of drive-you-crazy-and-making-you-want-more kind of love. I’m already addicted to her, and would do ANYTHING for her.

If she asked me to give up my free will?

Done.

If she asked me to kill someone?

Done.

Why?

Because I would rather see this world burn than see tears shimmering in the eyes of my mate.

“When you said you would become my slave, I didn’t know that you meant it literally. Like, you know when people in love say ‘I’m a slave for your love’ but it’s more like an expression? A figure of speech, if you may.”

I look down at Michelle in surprise, and she lifts her eyes to mine with a pained expression.

“I don’t want you to be contracted to me, Kit. I can fix my own mess—”

I press a finger to her mouth to silence her. She blinks up at me in surprise and I smirk down at her. “No, the contract stays until the demons are defeated. We are in this together. The contract stays.”

“But your dad—”

“Can f**k the hell off and mind his own business.”

Her eyes grow wide. “Wow… okay.”

“Sorry for snapping…” I have to grab the bridge of my nose to ward off an oncoming headache. My dad doesn’t know the situation. Michelle would never order me to destroy a city: she just doesn’t want more deaths. “It’s just that… I’m not a very old demon and the contract gives me enough strength to fight your enemies. We need the contract.”

She sinks her teeth into her bottom l*p. “I understand that, Kit, but you’re important too, and if this contract is bad for you then I don’t want it. The last thing I want is to cause more suffering, and it’s already creating drama between you and your dad.”

“Screw him,” I growl, and take her hands in mine. “You haven’t done anything wrong. I was the one that offered this, and sure, I was hesitant because my dad preached that contracts are forbidden, but that’s only in our family. Plenty of other demons do this thing. Though, they usually want the soul of the other person.”

Michelle breathes a laugh. “Please don’t eat my soul.”

“I won’t,” I bring her hands to my lips, kissing her knuckles with a teasing smile. “But I wouldn’t mind eating you.”

Her face goes red, but to my surprise she doesn’t fight me off, but looks… insecure.

“I want…”

I arch an eyebrow, curious now. ” You want?”

She swallows audibly, and averts her eyes as if looking at me while speaking is too embarrassing. It warms her heart. I didn’t take her for the overly shy type, yet here she is, hesitating to tell me whatever is on her heart.

“I want…you,” Michelle looks up at, wide-eyed and incredibly embarrassed for saying those words. “I-I’m not good with emotions! But… I want you. I want to complete the mating ritual. I mean, if you want that! Like, if you have changed your mind after everything then—”

I pull her in for a k**s to silence her. I’ve had enough of beating around the bush—it’s time to just do whatever feels right. And gosh, it feels so great just to haul her towards me and throw caution to the wind. She tastes like cherry chapstick, and the only sounds that exist in this moment are the beating of her heart, the sound of our breathing, the k**s, and the sound of the butterflies swarming in my chest.

I think I finally got the girl.