My Jealous Alpha Stepbrother
Chapter 120

Tarryn

It’s later during the day, and I’m having a rather intense conversation with my shirtless mate inside my room.

“No, Josie is my friend, and she isn’t going to throw you out of the mansion just because your parents and her mom had issues! I promise! Just come with me and see her baby!”

Alex doesn’t look convinced.

He frowns at me from my bed, where he sits with his shoulders slumped. Nothing about his posture screams excitement, yet, despite his pouty l!ps, I can tell he wants to go with me.

“I don’t think me going with you is a good idea…” he mutters.

My frustration builds.

How am I supposed to make him change his mind? I can’t read him anymore, and that’s a huge problem.

My mate is the silent protective kind. Before his time-traveling journey, Alex was like a lovesick puppy. He smiled a lot. He talked a lot and fought for my approval inside our prison cell. Now, Alex is harder to read, but one thing is for certain: I want him to come with me.

“Come on, Alex!” I plead in a whiny tone, hoping he will relent and give up the sight. “Just come with me! It will be fine!”

Even though I’m slightly nervous around Alex’s new self and hit anew with how attractive he is, I dare to grip his hand. I attempt to pull him, but he is too heavy for me. It’s like trying to drag a boulder, and silent amusement curves his l!ps into a soft smile.

“If I go with you, do you promise they won’t bash me?” His expression turns unhappy once again. “I don’t like the thought of letting you go anywhere alone while we are at war. It’s my job as your mate and the older one in the relationship to keep you safe, and this war makes me nervous. But at the same time, I know that my dad and the former Luna, Lydia, are… not friends. They had a fling.”

“I’m sure Lydia is over it.” She is an old woman now. Surely she can’t be upset about the past anymore. Right?

Alex grimaces. “Pretty sure my dad isn’t over Lydia… he is a scumbag cheater, and even though he is my mother’s mate, he has never been faithful. He has a new woman in bed every week, and at this point, I’m not sure why my mother is staying with him.”

Ouch, I can’t believe how open he is about how his parents are, but it’s not like what he is saying are news to me.

It’s no secret that Alex comes from a rather special family. His dad, Owen, used to be the Beta of the Grimfang pack back in the day. That all changed after Owen met his mate, Sally.

If the stories are true, Sally and her friends took turns beating and bullying Lydia. I wasn’t born yet, but I’ve heard the gossip and know that Lydia doesn’t like Alex’s parents that much, which is understandable.

Still, I don’t think Lydia would judge Alex for something his parents did. Lydia is a grownup and a good person. Besides, Alex is kind and not at all like his parents—anyone with eyes can see that.

“I can promise you that you won’t be judged for what your parents did years ago. Lydia shouldn’t hold a grudge against you.”

“What about what Asher did to Misha’s grave? The coloring?” Unhappiness flickers on Alex’s face, and he stares off into the distance with something resembling regret in his eyes. “I was there that day. I was Asher’s accomplice. I helped him color Misha’s grave…”

“Right… there is that small detail,” I inwardly wince and let out a loud and heavy sigh. This isn’t good. “Lydia might still be upset about that, but if you apologize, I’m sure it will be fine. It will be even better if you go directly to Misha and say you’re sorry,” I gasp then, realizing something. “I actually don’t think Misha is angry with you. He seemed perfectly fine when he met us at the border the other night.”

“Yeah, Misha is a good person… I’ve talked to him before in the past before he left to live with the vampires. He asked me why I was hanging out with my scumbag brother.”

I laugh at that. “And what did you tell him?”

“That I honestly had no clue,” Alex stands up and dares to smile at me. It’s such a sweet face that butterflies threaten to overwhelm me. “Misha laughed at that. He is truly an interesting person, and you’re right. I should apologize to him in person for what my brothers and I did to his gravestone. I’ve wanted to do that since forever, and now is the perfect time for amends.”

“Agreed,” I flash him a smile. “So you’re coming with me then?”

“Yeah,” Alex grins at me. “I guess I am…”

“Good!”

Smiling, I hold my hand for Alex to take, but he only peers down at it and then laughs before picking me up from the ground. I shriek in surprise when my feet leave the floor.

For a full second, I’m flying before I’m crushed to Alex’s massive c.hest, hugged by his muscular arms.

“W-what are you doing?!” I ask in a panicked voice. I don’t think I will get used to my super hot boyfriend randomly picking me up anytime soon or the fact that he is built like a Greek god.

Alex smiles at me, all playful. “Carrying you.”

“But why?!” Even though I’m pouting, my legs instinctively wrap around his tapered waist. And lord, Alex doesn’t seem bothered about the extra weight. In fact, he seems to like it.

The proof is what he does next…

“Aren’t I allowed to carry you?” He pouts like a sad puppy. “Don’t tell me I can’t pick you up, Tarryn. I like being this close to you. And I like holding you in my arms. I’ve been alone for so long. You must understand that I’m rather interested in skin-to-skin contact.”

This guy is so manipulative, but he is cute, so I guess it’s fine. Gosh, I’m so weak for allowing this. I’m so soft for being unable to resist his blue-blue eyes and chiseled cheekbones.

I sigh heavily and place my hands on his broad shoulders. “You know, you can’t keep using that against me forever. At some point, you can’t pull out the victim card on me.”

Alex laughs at me. “I know, but… it’s working now, isn’t it?” He gives me a little wink. “You feel bad for me, yes?”

I roll my eyes. “I do…”

“So I can carry you to Josie’s place?”

How am I supposed to say no to him when he looks at me like that? He is too handsome for it to be fair!

I gr0an in frustration, angry at myself for falling victim to his good looks. “Fine, carry me all you want!”

“Yay!” Alex beams at me, and I fear that I’ve created a monster. What else is he going to try and get away with in the future?