My Jealous Alpha Stepbrother
Chapter 76

Josie

It’s been a long day at school. Graduation is close, and there is hardly anything to do before it happens. The alpha tournament is also coming up, and I’m in the woods to go for a relaxing run.

But I can’t shape-shift now, not here.

I venture deeper into the forest, and a smile spreads over my lips when I notice I’m not alone. My dad and mom are here too. Are they going for a late-night run? Either way, this is an excellent place to talk to my dad.

“Hey, dad!” I shout as I make it past a few trees. It’s getting dark, but it’s not cold outside. I wear summer clothes, and my hands are busy taking off my t-shirt. “Can I talk to you?”

My mom smiles at me and then looks up at my dad. “It’s alright. You talk to Josie while I fold your clothes behind a tree.”

“Alright,” my dad smiles affectionately down at her. “Are you sure you won’t be cold wearing only those clothes?”

“I’m fine!” My mom dismisses his worries with her hand and smiles brightly at my dad. “Go and talk to Josephine. She seems concerned about something.”

“You better be warm,” my dad says. “If not, you can wear my hoodie since I won’t need it.”

“That’s true,” my mom picks up his hoodie from the ground, and I watch her put it on. “Guy hoodies are the best.”

I get warm watching my mom and dad talk to each other. My siblings aren’t here, and I suspect this is one of those rare late-night runs my parents sometimes have on their own.

My dad doesn’t care much for the rest, but my mom loves it. Sadly, she is still somewhat sore and tired from her latest pregnancy and usually rides of my dad’s back, which I replace romantic.

“So, what do you want to talk about?” My dad asks me and brings me back from my reveries.

I glance at my smiling mom, then force a smile of my own. I guess my mom can hear this too. It’s not like my parents keep secrets from each other, so she will know we talked anyway.

“Do you dislike Misha or something?” I blurt out. I better just speak my mind since it’s the easiest. “You seemed annoyed when you found out we were fated mates.”

“Is that true? Did you glare at them or something?!” My mom is now glaring at my dad, and he sighs heavily.

“Look, I’m not against Misha being your mate. I was just… I was happy that Josephine had a chance to become the first female alpha in our pack. But with Misha back, It will be harder. So I was bummed out that your dream might be harder to achieve now, and if I seemed rude, then I must apologize for that.”

My eyes widen. “So… you were merely irritated that my dream might not come true?”

“Yeah,” my dad gives me a sheepish smile. “I’m not sure where you got the idea that I dislike Misha. He is my best friend’s son and a strong, potent mate. There is nothing to dislike, unlike you don’t want him. But still, that doesn’t make him a bad person.”

I’m in shock. “I thought… I thought you were sad that I might not become an alpha because that means no one can put focus on the lycans replaceing something similar to the heart of Chang’e.”

My dad stares at me, and he looks broken. “No, sweetie. That’s not it at all. Why would I put that burden on you?”

I’m emotional now and sobbing. “I don’t know…”

“Come here,” my dad walks forward and pulls me in for a hug, pressing me to him while stroking my back. It feels good to be hugged, and he talks to me in a soothing voice. “It’s true that I wish Avery would put a bigger focus on helping the lycans. He is aware of this too. Especially since we have had our fair share of arguments about it, but I would NEVER expect my daughter to fix this problem for me. That is not why I want you as the alpha, Josephine—I want you to become the alpha because it has always been your biggest dream.”

My chest constricts, and I’m close to crying my heart out. This is a lesson to NEVER JUDGE A CHARACTER BEFORE KNOWING THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY. I’ve misjudged my dad. I’m ashamed about it, and I’m also touched that he was just WORRIED ABOUT ME all along.

“You’re so sweet,” I hug my dad tighter, and his t-shirt is officially drenched in snot and tears. “This takes a lot of the pressure off… I just… I’ve just felt like I have to win that alpha tournament because I have to live up to your expectations.”

“Never feel like that,” my dad sighs. “If I put that kind of pressure on you, I wouldn’t even deserve to call you my daughter. That’s a fact,” he peers down at me and grins. “But we have another problem on our hands.”

A small smile tugs on my lips. “And what is that?”

“You’re fighting your fated mate tomorrow—can you handle that?”

I grimace. “It will be weird to fight my literal soulmate, but… I think I can handle it. Misha said he wouldn’t use magic, so I think I have a chance of winning against him? He also can’t shape-shift into a wolf.”

My dad’s eyes widen, and then he laughs wickedly. “If that is the case, you might still have this victory in the bag. I don’t know what other contestants there are. But there is no use in thinking of them when Misha is the first obstacle. Though, defeating him should be a breeze if he can’t even shape-shift. Just don’t hurt him too much in your lycan form, okay? If you’re young to accept him as your mate, you don’t want to beat him all black and blue, okay?”

“That’s true…” I giggle. “I will try not to go too hard on Misha.”

“That’s my girl,” my dad pats my back, still smiling. “Make me proud in the tournament tomorrow, okay? I’m looking forward to watching your first battle. Especially since your opponent will be Avery’s kid.”

“I’m looking forward to it, too,” I admit. There is no fear in my chest, only a longing to exchange punches with my mate. It will be exciting to see my mate fight. Is he strong without his magic? “I expect there to be a fun fight and for me to learn more about my mate.”

“Mhm, and if you’re close to losing, just change back into a human and distract him enough to punch him in the face and take him out. I’m pretty sure that would work. There is nothing better than seeing your mate naked.”

“KADE!” My mom exclaims. “That’s inappropriate!”

My dad laughs while the wheels turn and turn inside my head. I know my dad was just joking with what he said, but… perhaps showing my boobs would be a great tactic?