My Jealous Alpha Stepbrother
Chapter 52

Kade

I’ve officially become Avery’s beta and quickly become his most trusted man. We work well together, and now that my pack is part of his pack, we are stronger than ever.

Things are finally looking out for us, but… Something isn’t right.

I haven’t been able to sleep and can’t seem to relax. Standing still is suddenly a challenging task, and my throat is dry.

I know that something terrible is about to happen. Unease is churning inside me, and I worriedly glance at Avery. He is talking to some alpha from another pack further away.

They are standing under a tree, and the birds are chirping. It’s peaceful and serene, yet I can’t relax.

“Are you nervous or something?”

I turn around and smile once I see Jinora. Her beautiful red hair is caught in a ponytail, and she is wearing leggings and a hoodie. She is here with Lydia, acting like her bodyguard.

“No, I’m just… Restless.”

“Oh,” Jinora smiles. “I see…”

“Yeah…”

“Nice weather.”

“It is.”

Awkward silence. Did Jinora just walk over to ask if I was nervous, and now she is talking about the weather? Gosh, her conversation skills really f*****g suck. No wonder she was a virgin.

Curiously, I look behind her. Lydia is standing under a tree and gives me a small wave. I smile. She was probably trying to play matchmaker and told Jinora to talk to me.

Lydia is sweet, and I consider her a good friend of mine. But this means I have to pick a topic because Jinora is terrible at flirting…

“So,” I drawl, unable to fight the smile that grows over my lips when Jinora immediately meets my eyes when I step closer. I absolutely tower over her, yet I don’t care.

“So what?” Jinora shyly asks.

I step even closer, playfully backing her up against a tree. Her eyes widen, and I reach my arm to rest my hand on the tree bark while gazing into her eyes. “Have you given us some thought?”

“Oh,” her lips twitch. “I have, actually, and I would want to proceed.”

I laugh because Jinora really does suck at flirting.

Who says they “want to proceed” when finishing a claim? That is so unsexy, and if I hadn’t liked her already, I wouldn’t have bothered. Like, only lunatics use her choice of words, but my heart belongs to Jinora already, so I don’t mind.

“You wish to proceed with me, huh?” I tease and lean down to whisper into her ear. “When?”

“When?”

Is she serious? “When do you want to f**k me again, Jinora. Geez, do I have to spell it out for you?”

She giggles, and her cheeks turn pink. Adorable. I continue to eye her, and she averts her eyes. “Sorry… I’m just… I’m nervous…”

“I can tell.”

“But I really like you,” she mumbles. “And I want us to finish the claiming as soon as possible—”

Suddenly, she trails off and stares ahead.

What now?

I tilt my head and study Jinora’s eyes, which now appear dazed and spellbound. Her irises are more prominent than ever. A cold sweat has broken out over her smooth, porcelain skin, and her lips part in surprise as if she has just seen a ghost.

And I swear to god my heart breaks right there and then because I recognize the look on her face. I can see it in her eyes and how she slowly moves around me.

Jinora has found her mate.

“My… My… Mate…”

And there is the confirmation.

I painfully turn around and watch Jinora walk forward like a zombie or someone floating on clouds. She is staring at the alpha Avery is speaking to, Max, and he is staring right back at her.

“I don’t understand… Why is she leaving?”

My eyes land on Lydia, who is now standing beside me. Her hands are on her stomach, and confusion is written all over her face. She doesn’t understand what is happening.

I sigh heavily and look ahead, eyes landing on Jinora, who is now speaking to her mate. It fills me with pain, but… It makes sense. Good things just don’t come to me.

My life isn’t a movie.

“Jinora found her mate,” I say in a voice that surprisingly doesn’t sound as hurt as I feel on the inside. “His name is Max, right? He seems capable enough. An alpha and everything. I’m happy for her.”

“Oh, Kade.”

To my surprise, Lydia wraps her arms around me, and that’s when I’m forced to inhale sticky air into my lungs. It hurts, and life is unfair.

I’ve patiently waited for Jinora to let me claim her as mine. But now, when her fated mate has walked into her life, there isn’t a chance that she would pick me, who isn’t even the same species as her.

“It hurts…” I whisper. “But I’m… Happy for her.”

“How can you say that you’re happy for her?!” Lydia presses her face into my shirt, sobbing for my sake. “This is unfair!”

Shock hits me when I feel a wetness on my t-shirt. I stare down at Lydia, and she meets my eyes with tears filling hers.

“How aren’t you angry? I would be so frustrated if I were you right now. You’ve been nothing but patient. And Jinora? If she picks Max, then she is a fool. You’re a great guy, Kade!”

I stare at Lydia, and then, when I feel a hand on my other shoulder and replace Avery giving me a tight-lipped smile, I’m stunned. I’ve never had good friends before, so this is…

Shocking.

“I think it goes without saying that I’m rooting for you,” Avery tells me and looks back at the couple. “Do you wish I read her mind and tell you what she is thinking?”

“Please do, for my sake,” Lydia demands. “I have to know what Jinora is thinking!”

Avery breathes a laugh. It’s humorless, though. “It’s Kade’s decision,” he studies my face. “So, what do you want me to do?”

Isn’t that question of the year?

I’m beyond hurt. It feels like my soul has shattered into a million pieces, but I also know the real pain isn’t here yet. I’m shaken because I didn’t think I would lose the woman I love today.

My eyes land on Jinora again. She is the most beautiful woman I’ve met, inside and out, and… In the end, all I want for her is to be happy, and if that isn’t with me… Well, it would suck, but it’s her decision.

I sigh heavily. “Don’t read Jinora’s mind,” I turn around and keep my eyes on the grass. “If she wishes to accept Max as her mate, then there is nothing I can do about that… It’s her decision.”