Mated To My Alpha Stepbrother.

Chapter12

Elaine

Their laughter and shouts filled the room. A curly haired boy and a girl engaged in a mock battle on the soft mat, squealing and giggling as they wrestled. Nearby, a tiny tot climbed the play structure, determined to reach the top. The curly-haired boy helped the girl up, they both charged off to join the climber, who triumphantly shouted "I did it!”

The joy in their eyes…I could barely remember my own childhood. But I guess it was all toys and plays too.

“Elaine?” Jeremy's voice drew my attention back to him. The smile I didn't realize was there disappeared from my face.

“Yeah, those kids are angels.” Sylvie, Iria's equally redheaded mother, said with a smile, watching the children.

“I sometimes wish they don't have to return to their parents, you know.” She added, chuckling softly.

I could only smile and nod.

I was more than grateful that Iria wasn't in the nursery. Sylvie had said she had gone out with Claudine’s family.

Syluvie looked so much like her mother, except older. The same red hair, same oval face, same hazel eyes. They were almost like twin sisters.

“Many of these children's parents are pack warriors or scouts so they don't usually have the time to take their children around.” Jeremy said from the side.

I nodded stiffly, reminding myself not to acknowledge him too much. I was still angry at him from last night.

After a few more minutes with Sylvie, we decided to leave.

“Must be proud of yourself,” I said as we exited the nursery. “aiming to make me feel uncomfortable in your girlfriend's presence.”

I could feel Jeremy shooting me a confused gaze.

An old mustang pulled over before he could say a word. Duncan jumped down from the driver's seat and beat the hood twice.

“Here's your ride! Alpha princess.” He acknowledged me with a nod.

“Again with the titles, Duncan. Come on.” I said lightly, smiling as I walked up to the car. Duncan smiled back.

I raised my brow at the old vehicle. “Your car?” I asked.

Duncan shook his head, but as he opened his mouth to speak, Jeremy interrupted.

“It's my dad's, doesn't use it anymore though.” Jeremy said, walking over to the driver's side.

“Hop in.” He said, collecting the keys from Duncan.

I entered the vehicle without another word. Jeremy remained outside for a moment, seemingly whispering to Duncan.

Probably some pack business.

He soon entered the car and inserted the keys in the ignition.

“What about Duncan?” I asked.

“You're the one who needs a tour stepsister, he's got something else to do.” He said casually before starting the car and hitting the road.

For minutes, silence reigned. When it was beginning to choke, I voiced out.

“You can't seriously be angry at me now, can you?” I said, earning a confused look from my Jeremy.

“Why would I be angry with you?”

“You haven't said a word for minutes.” I mumbled, looking out the window.

“Ah, I got something going on in my head. Anyways, what do you think of Iria's mom?” He asked with that same casual tone of his.

And so I decided to sound casual too. “She's cool. Obviously loves the kids a lot.” I said.

“Yeah, she's great. That's why the pack members trust her with their kids. Kind of wish Iria was like that too.” He mused.

I turned my head sharply, “She hates kids?”

Jeremy smiled, “She doesn't hate them, she just…doesn't like them as much as her mom, you know. I guess she's just more like her father. He’s one of the pack Elders,” He clarified.

There was silence again. Whoof!

“Listen, I'm sorry about this whole thing going on between us. I don't want you to think I'm playing Iria or something. Just want that night to remain between us, okay?” He said, barely sparing me a glance.

“Yeah, for sure.” I said, but somehow, I was slightly hurt within.

Wanting to blow off the awkward air, I switched topics. “Does Nightwalker have a lot of scouts?” I asked.

“No, just a few, here and there. They mostly work as spies or watchers on other packs, you know. If there's going to be an attack on the pack, they'll be the first to know.” He explained and I nodded.

“You mean there are other packs in the valleys?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he glanced at me, “seven others, actually. Although, just five of them are our friends, I think. The other two…well, let's just say we're not on very good terms.” I said and I looked at him for an extended time.

Not on good terms? As far as I know, that's code for enemies. And enemies mean pack wars and pack wars mean…

“Don't worry about it, we haven't had a war for the past decade or so.” he assured me but I still felt unsettled.

“You know, you haven't told me about your old pack. What was it like?” he asked suddenly, throwing me off guard.

I stiffened a bit but tried to compose myself. The history mom and I had with our old pack…was horrific, I'll say.

“There's really nothing much to say about it. Just a small regular pack, doesn't even have as many members as yours.” I answered, with a half smile.

“Ours.” Jeremy stated.

“Uhn?” I raised a brow at him.

“Ours. Not my pack, our pack. You belong here now, Elaine. This is your home.” He said softly with an encouraging smile.

I smiled at the optimistic feeling, but somehow the way he called my name, mixed with the memory of our night stand.

I squirmed in my seat, letting out a long breath.

“The Council Hall,” Jeremy said suddenly, “that's where we're going, by the way.” He said without facing me.

I had to tear my gaze from him, hence, my eyes would be glued on him.

He doesn't want anything going on between us, I reminded myself as I looked out the window. At the passing streets.