My Jealous Alpha Stepbrother
Chapter 181

Michelle

Two weeks after Bella’s death.

“And then you sent me that stupid valentine’s Day card, and I just couldn’t figure out if you were secretly in love with me or what. Even Kate was worried!”

My dad and everyone else laughs around the table in our garden, amused even though Sky isn’t joking. He is convinced my dad has a crush on him, and even my lips twitch a little.

I think it’s great that everyone gets along, but I can’t bring myself to join the barbecue. I’m sitting on the porch in the shadows, away from everyone else. Why? Because it would feel like a crime to be happy when my sister died without a smile on her face.

All she wanted was to replace a mate who loved her…

“Michelle?”

I turn around and lift my head. Kit is standing behind me in a black t-shirt that can barely contain him. His broad arms are crossed over his muscular chest, and there is a frown on his handsome face. He is worried about me, and for a good reason.

Even though I love him, I’ve been sort of avoiding him since my sister’s death. It’s terrible. I’m terrible. I shouldn’t close myself off from my own freaking soulmate, especially since Kit is the sweetest demon on earth, but I don’t know how to include him.

“I noticed you haven’t eaten anything…do you want me to bring you some food?” Kit asks and attempts a smile. It comes out hesitant, and I have to stifle a sob.

I f*****g hate myself for making my mate question his own capabilities as my mate. Knowing Kit, he probably thinks he has done something wrong.

I shake my head, “No, thank you. I’m not hungry.”

“Oh…I guess I should just go then?”

“No!” I almost damn near shout in a tone so loud that I shock both myself and Kit, who is now staring at me. s**t. I grimace apologetically. “I mean…stay if you want.”

I don’t need to tell him twice. Kit kneels down and takes a seat beside me on the porch. He does it so fast I have the suspicion he thinks I will change my mind, and that thought tugs on my heart sleeves.

I’m a terrible mate. Kit is the sweetest demon ever, and I’ve pulled away from him for two weeks, and now he doesn’t even dare to touch me, afraid it will drive me away.

I DON’T DESERVE HIM!

I part my lips. “I’m so—”

“Sorry,” Kit interrupts me, saying the exact word I was just about to say.

I stare at him in bewilderment. “For what?”

He furrows his eyebrows, and I see tears glistening in his huge, yellow eyes. “For not being enough of a mate for you and not being able to comfort you.”

What?!

“What the heck are you saying?!” He can’t possibly mean his words, right?

I scan his face and gasp when I notice Kit’s bottom l*p is trembling. He looks incredibly hurt, and I can’t take it anymore—I throw myself into his arms.

“No, no, no, Kit. You’re everything I need and more,” I say, my voice laced with emotion. I wrap my arms around him and climb into his lap. “It’s me. I’m the one who’s been pushing you away. And I’m sorry, it’s just…I don’t know how to…how to be happy when Bella’s not here.”

Kit hugs me back with incredible gentleness, and I press my face into his t-shirt which is slowly being ripped to shreds by his increasing mass. He is changing into his demon form, but I don’t mind. I’m quite fond of his purple skin and press my nose between his pectoral muscles, happy to be near him.

“It’s okay, Michelle. We can be sad together,” he says, and I feel a weight lifting off my chest.

Kit is the best demon in the world. My heart aches as I try to hug as much of him as possible. I was lucky that the moon goddess picked him as my mate because I sure as hell don’t deserve him. Kit is everything I need, and I lean into him, inhaling his manly scent while trembling.

“I really miss her…” I sob.

Kit holds me tighter, his muscles bulging beneath his skin. “I know, baby.”

I close my eyes so hard it hurts. “I feel like I don’t have the right to be happy with you because Bella never was happy with her mate. That is part of the reason why I’ve been pulling away. I’m sorry…”

Kit smooths my hair as he whispers, “You have every right to be happy, Michelle. Bella’s story is not yours. And you don’t have to feel guilty for replaceing love and happiness. Bella would want that for you, too.”

I blink back the tears and stare into his yellow eyes, searching for any sign of doubt or hesitation. But Kit’s gaze is unwavering, filled with nothing but love and understanding.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you for being here for me, Kit.”

“Always,” he replies, his lips brushing against my forehead. “I will always be here for you, Michelle. No matter what.”

And I believe him. With Kit by my side, the world is a brighter place. He is so soft with me, so caring. Funny how my pack members are afraid of him for being a demon.

Kit isn’t dangerous. He is loyal, protective, and most of the time, found with a grin on his face.

He is a silly demon.

I smile. Together with Kit, I can face anything. Even the pain of losing my sister.

We stay like that for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms, as the barbecue continues in the background. For the first time since losing Bella, a soft glimmer of hope has pierced through the darkness. I can finally breathe again.

Kit’s arms feel like a safety blanket, and I can’t help but melt into his embrace. My love for him is physically painful, and I realize that I have been pushing away the one person who has been there for me through everything.

“I love you, Kit,” I whisper, my voice shaky with emotion.

Kit’s grip on me tightens, and he leans back to look at me. His eyes are filled with so much love and devotion that it almost hurts to look at him.

“I love you too, Michelle. So much,” he says, and I can feel his lips brush against mine.

We k**s gently, letting the love and emotions flow freely between us. It feels as if we have been waiting for this for so long, and I know that we will be together forever.

As we break the k**s, I snuggle into Kit’s chest, feeling safe and loved. “How about we head inside?”

He stands up, and it doesn’t seem to take him any effort to carry me with him.

My strong mate.

His grip on me tightens, and I laugh when, despite ducking, his horns rasp against the ceiling of the doorframe.

“How is it going?” I ask in a teasing voice.

Kit blushes and gives me a grumpy pout. “Tell your parents to buy bigger doors.”

I chuckle and bury my face into his neck. “I will make sure to do that.”

Kit carries me inside, where we almost bump into his dad. The other demon focuses his eyes on me, and I grow nervous. Sky has that effect on people. His hair is always neatly combed, and he always looks so well put together that each word spoken from his lips feels like a test.

“Ah, I was wondering when you two would replace each other again,” Sky says, and, to my astonishment, he holds up a toast for us and smiles. “May you spend many years together.”

I smile back at him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Sky looks past us but doesn’t make a move to step around us yet. Instead, I feel his red eyes travel back to mine. “I’m sure Kit has told you that his mother is a human. You’ve also met her, right?”

Even though I’ve seen Katy many times, I haven’t spoken to her on my own. But I would be a fool not to notice that she isn’t a supernatural creature.

“Yeah,” I say, and briefly look up at Kit. “I’ve met her and talked to her. I might have been anti-social lately, but I haven’t been completely under a rock.”

Sky nods. “Good, then perhaps my son has told you that I’ve decided to share my lifespan with Katy.”

“By finishing the mating ritual, yes, I’m aware. Kit and I have also marked each other.”

“I’m well aware,” Sky deadpans, and I’m unsure if he is mocking me by mimicking my words. Kit seems to think he is and snorts but falls silent when his dad sends him a brief look before returning his stare to my eyes. “Anyway, I hope that you realize that Kit treasures you and that he sees you as an equal, which means—”

“Oh my god!” I exclaim, not even caring that I’m interrupting Sky because I finally understand the point Kit’s dad is trying to make. “I still haven’t freed you from that stupid contract. How do you do that, Kit? I don’t want to be your master anymore! That is no longer needed!”

Sky raises an eyebrow in surprise, and I can see Kit’s eyes widen in shock. It’s not often that a human commands a demon to be free, but I know in my heart that it’s the right thing to do.

We are mates; we should be equals!

“You…you release me from your service?” Kit asks, his voice filled with disbelief.

I nod, determination coursing through my veins. “Yes. I don’t want to hold you back or control you! Can I command you to be free of your chains? Because then I will!” I clear my throat. “You’re free, Kit. I command you to be free!”

As I say those words, Kit’s eyes glow brighter. Something is happening to him. His body shudders as he holds me in his arms, and I can feel his energy pulsing through him. A moment later, his eyes return to their usual yellow color, and he takes a deep breath.

“You did it,” he whispers while looking down at me with a fond smile on his lips. “You freed me.”

I smile back, feeling a sense of relief and happiness wash over me. “I did.”

Sky looks at us with a mixture of surprise and respect. “You are a remarkable human, Michelle. Not many would have willingly freed a demon. I’ve had friends whose mates kept them as slaves. They were power-hungry fools, addicted to having the power to force their mate to do anything. I’m happy you’re not the same.”

I shrug, feeling a sense of pride. “I love Kit. And I want him to be happy, free, and equal. The rest doesn’t matter.”

Kit leans down and k****s me softly on the lips, his arms wrapping around me tightly. “Thank you, Michelle. You have no idea how much this means to me…like, I knew you wouldn’t keep me as your slave, but…you know. Sometimes we are blinded by love and think too highly of our mates.”

“I know, and while I definitely don’t deserve you, I’m not terrible enough to keep you enslaved.”

“You’re not terrible.”

“I am.”

“You’re not…” Kit whispers and leans down to rub his nose against mine. I smile and return the favor, which makes a purring sound fill the room.

Sky clears his throat. “Anyway, I’m going to go and rejoin the others outside. Feel free to come and join us. Katy would definitely like you, Michelle.”

I nod, feeling grateful for the invitation. “Thank you, Sky. We will come out in a bit.”

The demon nods, then turns and leaves the room, leaving Kit and me alone.

Kit looks down at me, his eyes filled with love and adoration. “You’re amazing, Michelle. I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”

I smile, feeling my cheeks warm. “You didn’t do anything. You’re just you, and that’s enough. I love you more than anything else on this planet.”

He chuckles softly. “I love you too.”

We gaze at each and slowly lean in for another k**s, and suddenly, everything is right with the world again. I will forever miss my sister, but I also know that I have every right to be happy with my mate.