Seduced by My Childhood Sweetheart’s Brother
Chapter 36

36- Caffeine and contests

Now that we are under a proper light rather than the shadowy front hall, Darrien notices how tired I am.

“You look dead on your feet. Did you sleep at all last night?” he questions. I shrug.

“I slept a little, but I don’t really feel like I did. My head is killing me.” I groan. He turns and rummagesthrough a cupboard that is high enough that I would have to climb on a bench to reach it. He thengrabe

a bottle of coke from the

fridge and pours a large glass. He places the

glass and a little box in front of me.

“Take two of these and finish the drink. Painkillers and caffeine. You should feel a bit better once theykick in.” I gratefully down the pills and start on the drink.

“Thanks, I definitely need it.” We sit in silence for a minute or two as I finish up the coke. I can alreadyfeel the sugar and caffeine perking me up a little.

“So, what’s the meeting for? Megan told me to come this morning, she didn’t mention any meeting.”Hopefully this isn’t some super secret Shifter thing that I’m nosing into. I hate. when people tell me tobutt out.

“You, sort of. Alpha Kane has been tracking down the Shifters who were hovering about your place lastnight. He’s called a meeting with the other Alpha’s to discuss it. He believes it may be the Canine Alphawho sent the Vampires and that it may be his men who are hovering.”

“Oh, how did Bellamy replace out? And when? The day is barely started.” Darrien shrugs.

“I’m not sure how he found out. But he was out and about all night looking into it. He hasn’t actuallyslept yet. Hopefully he will replace time to catch a nap before the… party tonight.” Darrien looks irritated atthe mention of Megan’s engagement party, which is fair enough I

suppose. So Bellamy has been up all night trying to replace out who ordered the attack on us? Anyremaining irritation or frustration at him that might have been lingering from last night fades away. Myheadache is fading and I feel far more lively than I did ten minutes ago. Darrien must have decided thathe is no longer at risk of being killed due to my grumpiness because he decides now is the time to pry.

36- Caffeine and contests

“So, how did your date go last night?” he asks, his tone is teasing but the question is serious.

“It wasn’t a date.” I insist.

“Does Alpha Kane know that?”

“The evening ended with me yelling at Bellamy and slamming the door in his face. So you can takefrom that what you will.” Darrien shrugs.

“It was definitely a date, and half your conversations with Alpha Kane end in you fighting. So I don’tplace a lot of weight on it. But I’m still going to ask, what were you arguing about?” I roll my eyes.

“Whether I should let guys into my home. Well, to be more accurate, whether he should be allowed totell me if I can or cannot let guys into my home.” Darrien starts to laugh.

“I told you it would be an issue.” He manages to get out between bursts of laughter, I glare at him.

“Just stop. Besides, the argument was resolved so it doesn’t matter.” Darrien grins.

“You caved.” he states. I frown.

“I did NOT cave. We compromised.” I insist. Darrien raises an eyebrow.

“Really? How interesting. I guess he really can’t boss you around. Alpha or not.” I shrug. I rememberour discussions about dominance. I relay it to Darrien and tell him about my experiment with Shaun thenight before. He is unsurprised.

“And you want to test it against me now? You can if you want but I don’t see much point. I already knowthat you will be more dominant. Alpha Kane is more dominant than me after all.” He reminds me. I rollmy eyes.

“Whatever, lets try anyway.” Darrien nods and without a word, meets my eyes. Darrien holds. my gazeand unlike when I tested this with Shaun, I feel pressured to look away, but not enough to force me togive in. Just enough to make this actually feel like a competition.. Darrien lasts about ten secondsbefore he drops his eyes to the floor. His eyes stay down for.

36- Caffeine and contests

about thirty seconds and I don’t think I’ve ever felt as powerful as I do right now. When he looks backup he gives me a wry smile.

“Told you so.” He declares, I laugh.

“I guess you did. I’m still not convinced that it’s not just my freaky eyes making people uncomfortablethough.” Darrien shakes his head at me.

“You’re stubborn. Your eyes didn’t make me uncomfortable at all. Just pressured to submit, and onlybecause you were staring right at me.” He clarifies. I shrug.

“If you say so.” I answer, doubt clear in my tone. Darrien rolls his eyes.

that we

“Stubborn.” He repeats, but he gives me a fond smile. Darrien is much better company now

ve know each other’s secrets. He’s less formal and treats me as a friend rather than as an obligation.Talking with Darrien feels like how I always imagined having an older brother would be. He’s nosy andlaughs at me way too much, but he is also friendly, protective and makes me feel comfortable. Oddlyenough I also replace that I want to try and protect him too. I’m not saying I want to become a ninja andfight my way through his enemies or anything. that would be crazy, if entertaining. More like I want tomake sure he is happy and to protect that happiness. I wonder if this is what Megan meant when shesaid that Shifter women could be quite protective too, just in a different way to the men. But I’m not aShifter, so it’s not like that for me. Or is it? It’s not like I actually know what I am, I could have protectiveinstincts that I’m not aware of. I certainly feel protective of Maggie and Logan. Not to mention how I gotinvolved in all this drama because I wanted to protect Megan. I could argue that I’m protecting Bellamyby not telling him about our thread. But I might also be protecting me. Or maybe both of us? Discussingeverything with Darrien has left me so confused. What I really want to do is talk to Megan about it, but Idon’t know if she could keep it secret from Bellamy, or even if she would be willing to. As close as I feelto her, I’ve not known her that long and Bellamy is her brother whom she is very close to. I don’t wantto force her to keep secrets. It might create a bit of distance between us now but one day it won’tmatter anymore. Still, despite my confusion, I think I rather like having a brother–like figure in my life. Iwasn’t lying when I told Bellamy that Harrison was more like a brother to me than anything else, but atthe same time I could never really see him that way. As an Incubus, his general manner has alwaysbeen too sly, and held too many attempts at seductions to provide the comfort and relaxed feeling Ialways hoped to enjoy. I stand up from where I’m sitting. My mood is already significantly improved,

perhaps from my considerations of Darrien, or maybe just because the caffeine is kicking in, but I feelfar more

36- Caffeine and contests

prepared to face everyone and to put on a smile for Megan as she prepares for her party.

“Do you think the meeting might be almost over? I’m suddenly eager to make a start on whateverMegan has planned.” I announce to Darrien. He shrugs.

“Possibly. They’re meeting in Alpha Kane’s study at the end of the hall. We can go check on

them if you like?” he offers. I grin.

“Awesome, let’s do that.” I’m moving towards the door before Darrien has even made it to his

feet.

“You’re eager all of a his

sudden. But eager to see which Kane I wonder?” Darrien comments. tone teasing. I actively ignorehim. The hallway is empty although the door to Bellamy’s study is slightly ajar. I can hear voicesthrough the door. I glance up at Darrien, a silent

question.

‘Should we be listening to this?” he shrugs, a silent answer.

Probably not but it’s not like there’s anyone to stop us.‘ I give him a smile before turning my attention tothe voices. Straining to hear every word.