My Jealous Alpha Stepbrother
Chapter 64

Lydia

“What do you mean my son ran away?!” I exclaim and look at Kade, who sheepishly smiles at me.

“I didn’t realize that’s what he was doing. Misha said he needed to be alone, and I thought he needed a breather to collect himself. He was crying, you know, but… apparently, that was him running away since it’s now dark, and he still isn’t back yet.”

“Or maybe he got taken by vampires or something?!” I’m beyond furious and can feel every hair stand on the edge of my body. “You ever thought of that? Misha is my oldest child and the pack’s future alpha—everyone wants him dead! He is also the ONLY child of mine that will be gifted with moon powers!”

Kade stares at me. “The only one? Why? And are you sure? Because no offense, but Misha is pretty weak…”

“He is, but that’s only temporary! Misha’s powers were borrowed by the moon goddess!”

Kade sighs. “So you’ve told me, but I thought he would regain them by now… are you sure he wasn’t just born as a human?”

“No, I’m sure he will awaken,” I say determinedly. “Last week, my mother, the moon goddess, came to be in a dream. And guess what she said? She said Misha would be the ONLY child of mine to inherit moon powers. Apparently, the firstborn is the only magical heir I will have. My daughters will be pure werewolves. They won’t even have vampiric b***d, according to my mother. We discussed this.”

Kade hums and crosses his arms over his chest. “If you say so… but I still think something is wrong with Misha.”

I’m tempted to lunge for Kade’s throat and feel a snarl rising in my throat, but it’s silenced when my goddaughter runs into the room.

“Auntie Lydia!” Josephine cries. “Is it my fault that Misha left? Is it? I didn’t mean to make him sad!”

My chest warms hearing Josephine call me auntie; therefore, I never correct her. I like it and hug the tall girl when she comes to me. Her eyelids are swollen from tears.

“I was only playing with Misha! I didn’t mean to make him cry! Is it my fault that he left?!”

I stroke her head. “Oh, Josephine… it’s not your fault. Misha is just… more sensitive than we thought.”

Kade snorts. “Such a weakling of an alpha…”

“Take that back.”

We all turn around when Avery strolls into the kitchen. His eyes are burning like the pits of hell, and there is no mercy within them. For a second, I’m afraid he will chop off Kade’s throat, and what frightens me more is that I might actually let him…

“Why should I take it back? You might be willing to turn away from the truth, but I won’t,” Kade says. “Misha isn’t a suitable heir for the title of alpha, and everyone in the pack knows it. No one dares to speak up about it, but since I’m your friend, I will.”

Avery narrows his eyes. “Misha will awaken once it’s time.”

Kade snarls. “I haven’t had any vision of that happening! But you know what I’ve seen? I’ve seen that Josephine will become one hell of a fighter! She is hybrid and already stronger than every werewolf out there—she is perfect for the alpha position!”

“She is a woman…” Avery comments.

“And?” Kade blinks in disbelief. “I’ve seen plenty of female alphas in other packs—it’s time we become modern like them! And in some packs, the alpha title isn’t inherited but earned! I think we should follow their steps and let people fight for the title!”

Avery growls, but I silence him with my hand.

Kade’s words make a lot of sense. Part of me wishes for Misha to become the new alpha, yet I can’t look away from facts: my son is not suited to become the alpha right now. And if Kade hasn’t had a vision of him awakening, maybe the moon goddess is wrong?

What if Misha won’t become the strongest alpha there ever was?

I take a deep breath to collect myself and then meet Kade’s eyes. “How about this: when Josephine is eighteen, I will let her battle Misha for the alpha position if she wants to. Hell, I let every willing werewolf fight him, but until that day, Avery will remain the alpha.”

Kade smiles. “That sounds… fair. I shall accept these terms,” he looks down at her daughter. “Did you hear that, Josephine? You might live to become the first female alpha of this pack.”

Josephine’s eyes turn starry and excited. “Really?”

“Mhm,” Kade looks proud. “All you need to do is defeat Misha when you’re both older,” he looks back at me. “And don’t get me wrong. You and Avery are my closest friends, and I love Misha. He is a nice kid, but as the beta, I need to consider what is best for the pack. And since there are still vampires out there. That’s why we need to have a strong alpha—Misha is not it, no matter how much you want to believe that.”

My chest constricts, and I sigh deeply. “Perhaps you’re right… I love my son more than anything in the world, but… he isn’t much of a fighter. That part is true,” I smile between my husband and Kade. “We still need to replace Misha, though. He is in danger.”

Kade and Avery both nod at each other.

“I will send out my men,” Avery says and pats Kade’s shoulder. “I trust you to ask the lycans for help. It’s important that we replace Misha first, not someone who wishes to hurt him.”

“Of course, my alpha,” Kade says and nods at his daughter to follow him out of the kitchen. “Come, Josephine. Let’s get your mother and the others to send out a search party for Misha.”

“Are we going to search for him?”

“Yes, and we are also going to replace him,” Kade messes up his daughter’s red hair with a fond smile. “You have the best nose in the pack, and I’m sure you will be able to track him. Isn’t that right?”

Josephine smiles. “Yes, dad!”

I watch the two disappear from my kitchen, and then I turn to face my concerned husband.

My shoulders slump in defeat. “Do you think Misha has gotten far?”

Avery shakes his head. “No. Misha is only a human; in this case, it’s a good thing since he can’t have gotten far. We will replace him,” his lips curl into a radiant smile. “Rest assured.”

I want to believe Avery because the thought of Misha’s bullies or someone else replaceing him first fills me with dread. Everyone poses a danger to him, and I’m so worried! My baby better be okay!