My Jealous Alpha Stepbrother
Chapter 77

Misha

My dad hovers in the hallway with a coffee cup while I’m putting on my shoes. He looks exactly like uncle Damien. The resemblance is uncanny, though his hair and eyes are different.

Damien is white-haired, and his eyes are red. My dad has dark hair and odd-colored eyes, one red and one blue. It looks badass. I wish my eyes will change once I connect with my inner wolf.

If that will ever happen…

“Blaze, the alpha of the Howler pack, is going to be a problem,” my dad points out and sips his coffee. “He is some sorta hybrid too. Part vampire or elf. Something with magic. Maybe a part warlock? Or perhaps he has demon b***d in his veins? Either way, it will be challenging for you to win against him unless you master shape-shifting.”

I scowl and lift my chin, meeting my dad’s eyes. I’m taller than him now, which is a surprise. It seems to please him because there is a realization in his eyes when he looks at me, and then he looks as emotional as my mom. He even wipes a fake tear.

“My little boy is getting big… I can’t believe this…” my dad says, but his tone is teasing and meant to embarrass me.

I narrow my eyes. “Don’t you even start… Mom is already emotional and can’t even look at me for three seconds before needing to hug me.”

“Can you blame her? You’ve been forever, and she has missed you every single day. She thought you were dead, and I will be honest: I gave up hope, but your mom never did. Your mom never stopped believing she eventually would replace out what had happened to you.”

Guilt gnaws at me, and I grimace. “f**k, I’m such a terrible son… Damien made me believe you guys didn’t want me.”

My dad snorts. “Have I ever treated you as if I didn’t want you?”

I think back to the past, and the answer is no. My dad and mom always knew I would eventually grow into my powers. They were overprotective, but that’s because I kept telling them I had fallen or stumbled when they saw my bruises. I didn’t have the guts to admit to them just how much I was being bullied… and since they didn’t know who beat me, they tried to keep me around the mansion.

It might not have been the wisest decision my parents have ever made, but I’ve never once felt like my dad and mom didn’t want me. And now I realize truly how f*****g stupid I’ve been.

A weak smile tugs on my lips. “No, all my childhood memories are pretty pleasant. I remember that you used to transform into a dragon and let me ride on your back whenever I wanted it. I also used to pretend I was a dragon rider, and sometimes you kidnapped Josie, and I had to defeat you to get her back. I hit you with sticks, and you pretended my little hits made you bleed.”

My dad chuckles. “In the future, you will get to carry your mom and me on your back when we are old and grey.”

I arch an eyebrow. “I thought you couldn’t get old?”

He shrugs. “I age, but much slower… either way, my life is bound to your mother through the mate bond. I wish to at least pretend to grow old alongside her, and stepping down as alpha would be great,” he grins at me, all teeth and everything. “My plan is to let your mom see the world. We are taking your sisters with us, of course. I can shape-shift and carry everyone as we travel the world.”

I laugh. “What if someone sees you?”

“Invisible spell,” he points at his temple with a wicked gleam in his eye and humor radiant on his face. “Big brain, you know.”

“That sounds great,” I can’t help but laugh. “Better hope I win this alpha tournament then.”

“Mhm, about that…” he looks me up and down, hesitating. “Listen, I haven’t seen you fight, but it worries me that you don’t know how to shape-shift yet and that you have never taken the form of a wolf. I don’t mean to underestimate you, but are you sure you shouldn’t use your magic against Josie?”

“Is she strong?” I know she is, but I want to hear my dad say Josie is powerful. I love him, but if he doesn’t believe I stand a chance, it will motivate me to win even more.

“Josie is the strongest fighter in this pack after me. Even more powerful than her dad. Kade might be able to see her future attacks, but what does it matter when she punches so fast that he can’t evade them either way? Or when she kicks so hard that he can’t block her?”

“Don’t worry, I have a plan,” I look deeply into his eyes, and then I break out into a broad smile. “Anyway, you’re coming to watch, right? You’re one of the judges, aren’t you?”

“F**k… I almost forgot…”

I belt out laughter at that. “I’ve been telling you I’m excited about my battle all morning, and you forgot? Seriously dad… Even mom reminded you about it, too—she said she would be there watching me from the bleachers!”

He gives me a sheepish smile. “Honestly, I wasn’t listening when your mom was talking… I was busy reading about gardening.”

“Since when are you interested in gardening?”

“Since a few months ago,” his eyes meet mine, and he looks all severe and scary. “Being an alpha is stressful. I suggest you later replace a hobby to take the edge off. Gardening helps me with that.”

“Oh, so you think I will win?” This surprises me.

My dad sets down the coffee cup and then takes the shoehorn from my hands. He talks while putting on his tennis shoes. “I have no doubt that you’re a powerful fighter. In my mind, I can’t fathom how you intend to win without magic, though, but… I’m curious.”

I chuckle. “I have lots of raw strength.”

My dad’s lips turn into a thin stretch on his face. “Yeah, but don’t forget that Josie is a lycan. She is strong as well.”

***

Once we are on a field deep inside our territory, I take my time to look around.

Plenty of people are on the field, and the grass has been cut short in a large square. Werewolves from different packs are sitting around it, and there are even bleachers filled with people.

I look over my shoulder at my dad. “How did you get the bleachers here?”

My dad smirks. “Damien isn’t the only vampire who isn’t thoroughly evil—I had Becky help me compel some humans. We told them to move the bleachers here from the nearest college, and then we made them forget about it. Once the tournament is over, we will have those guys come and get them back. Oh, and I’ve made sure to brainwash every person living nearby. They won’t be coming here at all.”

I blink. “Well… that’s some advances magic.”

He shrugs. “Anything to keep the humans from getting traumatized. I wouldn’t want them to see us.”

“True.”

I look around and wave once I spot my mom and siblings on the bleachers. Abby and Danielle, the twins, point at me, and I give them a big winning smile that says: big brother got this in the bag.

At least, I hope I do…

“Your battle is starting soon,” my dad nods for me to follow him and leads me toward the middle of the square. But he suddenly stops to turn around and look up at me. “The Howler pack is over there.”

My dad glances toward the bottom of some bleachers, and my eyes dart over some werewolves I don’t recognize. They are all laughing and talking, but one catches my attention.

There is a tall guy with long red hair and glowing orange eyes, and I almost snort in amusement. What is this? An episode of “replace the main character” or what?

‘Probably,’ my dad tells me through his psychic ability. ‘Blaze, the alpha, looks weird and smells weird too. I still haven’t figured out what kind of hybrid he is. There are rumors he is a part vampire, but I doubt that is the case. I’ve never seen such fiery hair…’

“Yeah…” I mumble back and freeze into a block of ice when Blaze meets my gaze with narrowed eyes. He looks way too curious about me, and I swallow thickly. It seems he has heard about me…

‘Blaze, like everybody else, is curious about your return, but… if you win against Josie without using magic, it might be to your advantage. Because revealing to the fire alpha that you have ice magic might be a mistake. It’s better if he doesn’t see it coming.’

‘That’s true…’ I reply inside my head and avert my gaze to Josie, who is smirking at me.

“You ready to lose?” Josie asks and stretches her arms. Her red hair is caught in a ponytail, and a big smile plays over her lips.

“Lose?” I question and lift a challenging eyebrow. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but all I do is win.”

She grins. “We will see about that.”

I shove out my hand for her to shake, it’s a custom before duels, and I smirk once her smaller hand is in mine. “I guess we will, but promise me something before our battle starts.”

Her eyes grow inquisitive. “What?”

“Don’t hate me after you’ve lost,” I wink at her. “I still intend to make you mine, but first, I will kick your a*s.”