Fated To My Lycan Stepbrothers
Chapter 42

Zeke's POV

"You are in such a shitty mood, brother, and I don't like it." Kyle whispered in my ears before dragging Brooke out of the class, probably to s**k on her face and do whatever they did after class. School resumed quickly, but my wounds healed faster than I expected. By the next day, it was just a pink scar.

"Oh, f**k off, Kyle." I gave him the middle finger as I watched Naya hide her face in her book. She was such a nerd and sometimes refused to acknowledge it. Pff, I would have loved to tease her, except our conversation back at the manor made me rethink my actions. I wasn't surprised to see that everyone had forgotten about the incident that occurred three weeks ago. Most importantly, I am the Alpha now. Not officially, though.

"The monster tried to eat me. I yelled, 'No!' Take Brawn instead! She is the one you want!" Well, not everyone had forgotten, I reminded myself as I watched Darren tell his made-up tales to the stupid girls around him with a devilish smirk, to which Naya paid deaf ears. Although I could see the tip of her pointy ears turning red in anger. Her hands squeezed around the book until her knuckles were white. She was pissed, and I could tell that much.

A loud growl escaped my lips as I needed the silence. Okay, that was from Flame. He has been angsty lately and has snapped at everything that comes his way. To the extent Kyle noticed.

The whole class stopped what they were doing, and one by one they all bowed in reverence before leaving the class. Soon enough, the class was empty save for me and Naya. The tip of her ear wasn't red any longer, and she seemed more relaxed than before. Coming from me, her bully, I must say she seemed a bit too relaxed in my presence. Yesterday, I expected something better from our conversation. It was true when I said that was my last moment of peace before being dragged away in alphaly duties. And she did make it worthwhile with her innocent gazes and unfearful looks. For once, she didn't look scared of what I'd do to her.

"Don't you have something to do?" I snarled at her relaxed form. She slowly froze, dropping the book to the table. "I-I..." she stuttered, beginning to stand up.

I knew I was being a jerk right now. Sending her out of the class will only make her a target for the likes of Darren and Brooke, and probably all the girls who hated the event last week. However, the failure of our discussion made me angry each time I remembered it. I thought she wanted me. How dare she claim to be my loyal subject after everything I have done to her? Surely I wasn't expecting her to welcome me with open eyes, but I thought we had a pretty decent conversation the other day when she laid on my chest. Save for me being tired, I would have rubbed my desires on her. "Get out." My angry voice rattled the doors, causing everyone in the hallway to leave. She flinched, running out of the door.

I noticed that ever since I won the fight, my stature and height have increased dramatically. Same with Kyle's. Our voice became deeper, and our strength was a bit unmatched. Although I haven't seen Kyle fight, I know he was just like me.

The problems to solve on my desk were enormous. The first was to keep the Elders in check. They should serve me and not be against me by forming the council. I have to ensure that the council is not formed under my watch. Secondly, the fact that Marley bothered me as a mate. According to her, I need a mate by my side. Her intentions may have been clear to me, but her motive scared me. I had a feeling she wanted to rule by my side as Luna. It would never happen, hence I have to replace my mate as quickly as possible. The third was to avenge my father's death. Kyle already told me to leave it to him, and Kyle was careless. I couldn't help but wonder what he had up his sleeves. He was going out with Brooke more often, which made me suspect he was out for Beta Brooke too. Where the hell was the Beta of the pack? With him here, I wouldn't have this much on my plate. I bit my lower lips, pulling out my phone to call Marley.

"Hey," Marley began, making me cringe at her sickly sweet tone. What the f**k does she want from me? Whatever it was, I needed to play along. She owns half of the pack as a former Luna, and her connection still cuts through places I do not know yet. I am still inexperienced as we speak.

"What is the status of the elders?" The ritual was to acknowledge me as their Alpha. It's been two weeks into the position, yet I haven't heard a date about the ritual.

Marley gave a tired sigh. "I feel they are waiting for you to present your mate. You are of mating age." There she went again, insisting I bring my mate before the ritual when I knew it wasn't true. You don't need a mate to become an alpha. Hence the reason why I need to abolish some of the elders' beliefs. If I let them continue, they would form a council under my nose. A council was a group of elders that came together to overrule the Alpha's command with their silly rules for protecting traditions. My father, Alpha Storm, has tried to stop it, but he has been killed by the Blood Moon pack.

I should visit the pack doctor soon to discuss the state of the autopsy. The doctor has been quiet for too long.

"I don't care. Set up a meeting. I speak of a pack meeting." I snapped in impatience. Let's see if the people will reject me as their Alpha again. If they didn't say anything, then the elders would have no choice but to crown me Alpha. Not according to lineage now, but according to their good books. Those sick f***s should know that I could kill them if I wanted to and replace them. It wouldn't be easy, but...

I'll be calm for now.

I'll be calm for now.

Her surprised gasp could be heard. "But you are not ready yet. You are not ready to address the people. The last time you did that, over fifteen wolves challenged you. They saw you bleed, and they saw how hard it was for you to fend off fifteen wolves. They could decide to be a hundred wolves and come at you at once. You haven't been crowned Alpha officially."

She was right. The pack had minds of their own. They all respected me, but they would never go against tradition. I was an unofficial Alpha. It only made matters worse. "s**t?" I nearly screamed to the heavens. "What's the easy way out of these?" Her voice was calm, as if she had been expecting me to ask. "Get a mate and be on the good side of the elders. They might crown you as you wish."

Never. I will never lick the asses of the elders. The good elders deserve my kindness, not the likes of Elder Freya. She was a b***h and needed to be reminded of her place constantly. It came as a surprise for Marley to suggest such a thing, seeing as she hates Elder Freya.

"I hate the stand of the elders as much as you do, but we need them in our good books. I suggest we play by the rules, get a Luna, and avoid long cuts. Your father took your mother in. When she died, Bless her soul, he took me in; hence, we are still on track. Don't you see?"

Her words about my mother caused my insides to recoil. "I will address the issues with the pack present. If there is anyone who has anything to say, they should say it to my face. Besides, I know who killed my father; I need to be Alpha first before going about my personal business." "It's dangerous..." She began to stop me.

I tapped the hang-up button. Just then I heard a loud noise, and I turned just in time to see Naya running off.

s**t, she has been listening to my conversation with Marley all this time. I pushed the chair aside in a bid to catch her. That sneaky rat didn't leave when I asked her to.

My heart raced as I chased after Naya, my footsteps echoing through the empty halls. She was quick, and I had to push myself to catch up to her. What did she hear? Did she hear my conversation with Marley? A subject should never hear them.

"Stop there!" I called out, my voice carrying down the corridor. Some students watched me chase after her in shock. She glanced back, her eyes wide with surprise and maybe even fear. Her pace didn't slow down, and she continued to run. I cursed under my breath, realizing that if I didn't catch her soon, she might misconstrue everything and make things worse.

Why do I even care?