My Jealous Alpha Stepbrother
Chapter 119

Alex

Horrid nightmares of that other dimension hit me the second I close my eyes. I run from the demons. I clash against the monsters. I bleed, and I fight until my body is sore. I’m still alive, but I’m barely breathing.

How do I get out of here?

Darkness eats me alive until I wake up drenched in a cold sweat. My body is shaking, but I calm down once I see that I’m inside Tarryn’s room.

There is a nightlight on, thank the lord! I’m back in my own world, and I pause when I hear a little m**n to my left. When I look in that direction, my heart swells with affection.

Tarryn is a sight to behold.

Dark hair falls into her eyes, and a soft smile curves her lips, even in her sleep. She is adorable. I smile at how tightly she is holding me. Her small, delicate arms are curled around my arm like tendrils.

Call me pathetic, but the heartbeat coming from my mate, combined with her peaceful expression, makes me feel safe. It should be the other way around. I should be the one protecting my mate.

But I’m not.

Tarryn is my protector; even though she doesn’t know it, she has saved me again. From my terrible nightmares, from my darkness, from my own dark mind and myself.

A sigh escapes my lips, and I get comfortable again, facing my mate with only love in my heart. “Do you even know how important you are to me?”

Tarryn continues sleeping even after my question, drooling on her pillow. I breathe a laugh at that. Cute.

I brush back her hair and let my eyes roam around her peaceful face. She is holding me in a vise, but I don’t mind. I’m glad she is my mate, and I couldn’t be happier that she is cuddling me even in her sleep.

Tarryn seems like a sweet person. I was her secret admirer when she was my senior. She hung out with Josie. I remember looking up whenever they walked through the corridor, laughing. But even though I was the star quarterback, I was invisible to Tarryn.

Probably because I was younger than her, but even though Tarryn never paid attention to me, I always saw her. She has always been the girl I wanted to approach but never dared to speak to.

My brothers knew and called me weird. They said Tarryn was a nerd and never understood my fascination. But how could they? They had no idea that the books Tarryn walked around with: The Lord Of The Rings, Harry Potter, and The Hobbit was also books that I secretly read.

So what got me interested in Tarryn is that, while I was popular, I never felt like I belonged. I couldn’t be my true self around my people, but Tarryn wasn’t afraid of being herself.

And that bravery is the reason why my admiration took root.

I close my eyes and scoot closer to her. “We have more in common than you would think…”

As expected, Tarryn says nothing but rubs her nose against my chest in a way that warms my chest. I can’t get over how cute she is, but there is a slight problem. Her hand is absentmindedly caressing my abs in her sleep, and I g***n in frustration.

“It’s ridiculous how hard you make me without even trying…” I mutter into her ears and blush at my body’s reaction to her. “I swear your scent alone could make me shoot my load if I weren’t careful.”

Again, I don’t expect Tarryn to reply. But I swear her lips curl in her sleep, making me blush even more.

I’m seriously weak.

I’m so glad that she is sleeping. It would be awkward if she woke up and saw my e******n. This is supposed to be a sweet moment, not a sexy one, and I sigh before trying to fall back asleep.

***

I wake up before Tarryn and go for a run. And since I don’t have clothes, I run in my beast form. It’s freeing to be back and run in the woods without the fear of being attacked.

I’m in an excellent mood when I return but a little cautious when I notice Tarryn’s mother is waiting for me on their porch. The fabric in her arms, are those… clothes? For me?

I almost tear up, but I don’t let it show. What if I’m wrong? I shape-shift back into a human and cautiously approach Tarryn’s mother. What was her name again? Zena?

Yeah, pretty sure that was it.

“Alex!” Zena is beaming and holding the clothes for me. “I went and got these clothes from you yesterday. I figured our Alpha would have some. You seem to be around the same size. Maybe you’re taller? Either way, it’s warm, and the shorts should fit you.”

Wow. Zena really went and got me clothes from the Alpha? I’m humbled. I’m not used to family members being so… friendly. My family is toxic. It’s no secret that my dad has cheated on my mother numerous times, and my mother is just… a person who hates everyone.

But Zena?

Looking down at her, I can tell there isn’t a hidden agenda here. She is genuinely just trying to help.

“Thank you,” I attempt a smile and hope it comes out friendly rather than timid. I haven’t been around people in decades, and in the past, I forced myself to be extroverted anyway. “I didn’t expect you to get clothes for me. This is very helpful. And… if there is anything I can do in return, don’t hesitate to ask. I would love to help.”

I put on the shorts while Zena hums as if thinking.

“Actually, now that you mention it, there is something I would love to have your help with.”

“I would love to help,” I mean those words. “Just tell me what it is.”

“My husband, Derek, is very old, and my son, Zeke, promised to mow the lawn. But he left with his friends to guard the territory against the Howler pack, and the grass is longer than ever…”

I smile down at her, getting the hint. “I would gladly mow the lawn for you, ma’am. It’s the least I can do after staying under your roof.”

Zena’s eyes shine with gratitude even though she owes me nothing. She and her family is taking care of me, not the other way around.

“Really? That would be so helpful, and oh, don’t call me ma’am,” her smile turns mischievous. “You’re my daughter’s mate and can call me Zena like everybody else.”

My b***d drains from my face while my throat goes dry. “You… you know that we are mates?”

She winks at me. “A mother hears everything.”

Oh s**t.

Did she hear us yesterday? Is that what she means?!

My face heats up to a million degrees, and Zena laughs out loud at my reaction. I’m beyond embarrassed, but my soon-to-be-mother-in-law waves her hand in the air as if dismissing my humiliation.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost!” She can’t stop smiling. “Oh gosh, your face right now is priceless, but don’t worry,” she taps my chest, and this time, her smile is tame. “We have all been young. Take care of my daughter, okay?”

Her words sober me, and I smile back, determined. “I will. Tarryn is a very special girl, and I’m blessed to have her as my mate.”

Zena freezes, and then her bottom l*p wobbles, and before I know it, I’m embraced in a hug. I don’t know what to do, so I just awkwardly stand there as this shorter, round woman embraces me.

“I can already tell you’re going to be great for Tarryn,” Zena says into my chest and tightens her arms around me before looking up at me. “Welcome to the family, Alex!”

Her happiness kickstarts my brain, and I finally lose my awkwardness and hug her back. It’s a short and sweet hug, and when Zena leans back from me, she is all teary-eyed.

“You seem like a great guy Alex,” she says and removes a tear from underneath her eye with a finger. “Anyway, I’m going to make breakfast. Tarryn usually sleeps in, but why don’t you wake her after you’re done mowing the lawn?”

“Yes, ma’am.” The words are out of my mouth before I can think. I’m such an i***t. Zena places her hands on her sides, and I straighten up. “I mean, yes, Zena!”

She laughs. “That’s better, but you don’t have to be so formal with me, Alex. You’re one in the family now.”

One in the family—those words warm my heart. I smile, and Zena winks at me before heading for the door. I like Tarryn’s mother a lot, but I still slump my shoulders in defeat once she is gone.

I never thought it possible, but years in that other dimension have rendered me handicapped in socializing. Could my meeting with Zena get even weirder? I bet she thinks I’m a weirdo…

Ugh. I hope Tarryn doesn’t mind that I’m weird. Her opinion is the only one that matters the most.

My mood darkens at my thoughts. I’m back, and I’m sure my family knows where I am, yet they haven’t come here to look for me. Do I mean nothing to them?