My Jealous Alpha Stepbrother
Chapter 36

Lydia

My stomach won’t stop churning.

Today is Avery’s claiming ceremony, and there will be a ball at the mansion. It all sounds very fairytale-like. I’ve never been to such an event, and I’m nervous about what will happen tonight. Will there be many guests? Are there a lot of different werewolf packs attending? Are there any other species coming over?

I guess I will have my answers later…

Gosh, I just wish I could relax. What is the matter with me? I’m sure the whole ball will be a blast. Everyone I’ve met is excited about the ball, even Jinora. I seem to be the only one who can’t focus or shake the thought that something terrible is about to happen tonight on the day of the ball.

I’m sure it’s nothing, yet my gut won’t stop warning me. Why is that? The ball should be something to look forward to. Avery has promised to claim me. It will finally happen, but while I want that, I’m also worried about what will become of us after that happens. Our parents are going to hate us, that’s for damn sure.

My mom definitely doesn’t want me to end up with my stepbrother. I had the proof of that earlier today.

When I woke up, I found plenty of ugly dresses outside my room. They were all delivered by my mom. She probably doesn’t want me to outshine any of the werewolf females coming over tonight in the hope of Avery taking one of them for his luna.

I sigh at that thought and enter Kade’s room with a bag filled with medicine and new bandages.

The lycan alpha sits upright when he spots me. There are no bruises on his skin anymore, and his white mane and purple eyes look exquisite. I hate to admit it, but Kade is gorgeous. I would definitely ask this guy out if I weren’t so in love with Avery. But my brain is too filled with Avery ever to consider another man.

“Ah, if it isn’t Lydia!” Kade leans into the pillow, eyeing me up and down with curious yet mischievous eyes. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your humble visit?”

I roll my eyes at his choice of words. He stifles a laugh at this, seeming to understand I replace him irritating. He shares that quality with Avery. Both of them seem to like to get a rise out of me, but while Avery is always sweet when he teases me, Kade seems to be the kind that can take jokes way too far without caring about another person’s feelings.

I walk closer to him. “I came here to wash your wounds, but it seems you’re fully healed. Which begs the question: why are you still here? Don’t you have a pack to take care of?”

His l!ps curl by the corners. “I can leave?”

“Of course,” I frown. He must be playing with me. “It’s not like you are our prisoner. You can leave whenever you want. Even if you did try to kidnap me, we hold no grudge toward you.”

“Ah, I’m sorry about the kidnappings thing,” he doesn’t look sorry. Instead, he appears entertained. “As for me leaving, I don’t think I will. Not when Avery’s claiming ceremony is tonight because it’s something I would like to see.”

My eyes narrow. “Why is that interesting to you?”

“Because I’m in your debt,” Kade shrugs.

I snort. “I have a hard time believing you feel like you have to thank me after saving your life. You don’t seem like the type that thinks a tooth for a tooth is something to follow.”

“Oh, that’s where you are mistaken,” Kade’s facial expression turns gentle. “You saved my life, Lydia, and I’m not one to forget. I might be a trickster, but not when it comes to this. I swear to you that I don’t wish to see you get hurt after saving me. And since I have a feeling Victoria is going to be at this ball, causing trouble, I will stick around. I can’t have you dying after you saved my life from the likes of Victoria.”

“Oh?” I arch an eyebrow, not buying his little speech for a second. “Tell me, are you also interested in getting in the way of Avery claiming me?”

He laughs at that, showing me a glimpse of his sharp teeth. “No, I promise I won’t get in the way of that, but Victoria might,” he sighs smiles, and plucks at one of the bandages on his arm. “Something tells me she will release you from that spell that blocks you from replaceing your true mate.”

His words surprise me. “Why would she do that?”

“Really, Lydia?” Kade snorts. “Do I have to explain everything to you?”

I take a seat on the chair in front of his bed. “Please, I would love to hear your thoughts on this.”

“Victoria would love to lift the spell from you. Because if she can have her way, your moon goddess’ chosen mate won’t be her son. And Victoria’s goal seems to be to make her son miserable. Avery would be devastated if he lost you, his favorite female werewolf, and that’s why Victoria would love to break off that little spell. If your mate isn’t Avery, she will be pleased with herself.”

“I see…” I look him up and down, finally realizing why Kade isn’t leaving this world behind despite having recovered. “Is that why you’re sticking around? To see if I’m your mate?”

“Oh please,” Kade laughs. “We both know you, and I aren’t compatible. You’re way in love with that alpha of yours. He is probably your mate, so… I’m just sticking around to see the look on Victoria’s face when she realizes she messed up.”

I take a deep breath. “You really think Avery is my fated mate?”

Kade turns still, probably realizing this question holds more weight than I’m willing to let on. I’m in love with Avery, and this whole ball is making me uneasy. I mean, what if Avery sees some beautiful girl and comes to an understanding he can pick someone better than me?

It would kill me…

I might not be a strong and fierce female warrior, but my heart beats for Avery. He makes me happy, and I don’t want him dancing with other girls tonight, even if he has to…

This morning, Avery said, “I have to make the claiming ball believable and pretend to consider the other girls before I claim you, Lydia. You must understand this is the only reason I dance with them.”

I got grumpy with him, and I’m still ignoring him…

“I think Avery is your mate,” Kade hands me a smile that looks surprisingly gentle. “And for your sake, I hope that I’m right,” his eyes travel to my stomach, and his eyebrows slightly lift. “The child is going to want to have its father around… How long have you been pregnant?”

I stare at him. “P-pregnant?”

“Yeah, I might not have many magic abilities, but we lycans are very good at telling when—” he stops talking, and his eyes widen when he replaces me staring at him. “Oh, you didn’t know…” Kade snorts a laugh and shakes his head. A smirk is playing over his l!ps. “s**t, did I ruin the surprise for you? Should I pretend I don’t know what I’m talking about?”

My only response is to gape at him. It takes several moments of awkward staring before I finally replace my tongue. “I’m pregnant? Are you sure? How do you know this?!”

“My kind lives in another dimension where we don’t have pregnancy tests, and we had to learn how to smell it… I’m ninety-nine percent sure of what my nose is telling me. But why don’t you buy a pregnancy test to ensure I’m not lying?”

With shaky legs, I stand up from the chair. My head is spinning. I have no idea if Kade is lying or speaking the truth. I don’t know what he could gain from lying, but I won’t out rule that possibility.

“That’s a good idea… You could be tricking me… I should definitely head to the store to buy one of those sticks…”

He smiles. “Come to me after you’ve got the result. It will be funny to hear I’m right.”

My eyes narrow. Kade keeps the smile. It irritates me, and I avert my eyes as I walk for the door.

But before leaving him alone, I mutter. “You better not be lying…”

He laughs in amusement behind me. “I wouldn’t lie about this, Lydia. Congratulations on becoming a mom.”

I ball my hand into a fist and stare down at the ground once the door is closed behind me. In my opinion, I’m way too immature to become a mother, but is it weird that I’m also happy if Kade is right?

The thought of carrying Avery’s child fills me with joy. And if Kade is right, I hope Avery shares the same idea.