Mated To My Alpha Stepbrother.

Chapter 5

ELAINE

The party was still in full swing when Jeremy and I returned to the clearing. Laughter and music filled the air, but it felt like a spotlight turned on us the moment we stepped back into the crowd.

“There you are!” Alpha Nathan’s booming voice carried over the noise. He and my mom, Meredith, were standing near the main fire pit, both wearing matching expressions of concern.

Jeremy’s dad—the Alpha of the Night Walker pack—strode toward us with authority, his presence commanding attention even in a crowd this large. My mom trailed behind him, her eyes scanning me as if searching for signs of trouble.

“Where have you two been?” Nathan asked, his tone more curious than accusatory.

Jeremy answered smoothly, as if nothing unusual had happened. “Just taking a walk. Elaine wanted to see more of the territory.”

I opened my mouth to correct him but caught the slight warning glance he shot me. I shut it again, biting the inside of my cheek.

“She did, did she?” Nathan chuckled, clapping Jeremy on the shoulder. “Good man, showing her around. She’s got a lot to learn about pack life.”

I felt my mom’s hand on my arm, her fingers squeezing gently. “Elaine, you should have told me you were leaving the party,” she said softly. “I was worried.”

“I’m fine, Mom,” I muttered, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on me.

“Of course she’s fine,” Nathan said, his deep voice full of pride. “Jeremy wouldn’t let anything happen to her. He’s been trained to handle any situation, haven’t you, son?”

Jeremy nodded, his expression composed but smug. “Yes, sir.”

Nathan’s booming laugh turned a few heads. “That’s what I like to hear. You’ve made me proud, Jeremy. Coming back from Alpha training stronger than ever and already looking out for your new family. It’s exactly what I hoped for.”

“Always,” Jeremy said, his voice smooth as silk.

I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, not wanting to make a scene.

Nathan raised his hands, signaling for the crowd’s attention. The music faded, and all eyes turned toward us.

“I have an announcement to make!” Nathan declared, his voice carrying easily over the gathered villagers. “Meredith and I have decided to take some time away to celebrate our union properly. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be heading to the human world for our honeymoon.”

The crowd erupted into cheers, and I saw my mom blush beside him, looking both flattered and slightly embarrassed.

When the noise died down, Nathan continued. “While we’re gone, the pack will, of course, be in capable hands. But at home, Jeremy and Elaine will have to look after the house. We trust you two will keep things in order while we’re away.”

“What?” The word escaped my lips before I could stop it.

Nathan raised an eyebrow at me. “Is there a problem, Elaine?”

“I just… I mean…” I stammered, glancing at my mom. “Do you have to go now? Couldn’t you wait a little longer?”

My mom gave me a sympathetic smile but shook her head. “Elaine, we’ve been planning this for a while. It’s important for us to take this time together.”

“Don’t worry,” Nathan said, clearly amused by my hesitation. “Jeremy will take care of you. He knows what he’s doing.”

I glanced at Jeremy, who was watching me with an unreadable expression. His lips twitched, as if he was suppressing a smirk.

“Great,” I muttered under my breath.

The crowd cheered again as Nathan and my mom waved, signaling the end of the announcement. The music resumed, and the villagers returned to their celebrations, leaving me simmering in frustration.

“Elaine.” Jeremy’s voice was low and close to my ear. I turned to find him standing much too close, his dark eyes studying me.

“What?” I snapped, stepping back.

“Relax,” he said, his tone mocking. “It’s just a few days. Try not to freak out.”

“I’m not freaking out,” I shot back. “I just don’t trust you.”

He smirked, leaning in slightly. “That’s mutual, little sister.”

“Don’t call me that,” I said through gritted teeth.

He chuckled, the sound deep and infuriatingly charming. “What should I call you, then?”

I turned on my heel and walked away, not trusting myself to say anything else without making a scene.

---

Later that night, back at the Alpha’s house, the reality of the situation hit me hard. Mom and Nathan had gone to bed early to prepare for their trip, leaving Jeremy and me alone in the spacious living room.

I was curled up on the couch, flipping through a magazine I wasn’t really reading, when Jeremy strolled in. He looked relaxed, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar and his hair slightly tousled, as if he’d just come from a party of his own.

“Comfortable?” he asked, leaning against the doorway.

“What do you want?” I asked without looking up.

“To talk.” He walked over and sat on the armrest of the couch, too close for comfort.

“About?”

“Us,” he said, his voice low and deliberate.

“There is no ‘us,’” I said firmly, setting the magazine down.

He tilted his head, his dark eyes locking onto mine. “You sure about that?”

“Yes,” I said, though my voice wavered slightly.

Jeremy leaned in, his gaze never leaving mine. “You can lie to yourself all you want, Elaine. But we both know there’s something here.”

I stood up abruptly, putting space between us. “Don’t do this, Jeremy.”

He rose slowly, his movements deliberate as he closed the distance I’d created. “Why not? Afraid of what might happen?”

I backed up until my spine hit the wall. “I’m not afraid of you,” I said, though my heart was pounding in my chest.

He placed a hand on the wall beside my head, leaning in so close I could feel the heat radiating from him. “Good,” he murmured, his voice sending shivers down my spine. “Because I’m not the enemy here, Elaine.”

“Then what are you?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He smiled, but there was nothing kind about it. “I’m the one person who knows exactly who you are. And you hate that, don’t you?”

I swallowed hard, unable to look away from him. The tension between us crackled like electricity, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me.

Instead, he pulled back, his smirk returning. “Goodnight, little sister,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery as he walked away.

I stood there, my heart racing and my skin flushed, hating him and

hating myself even more for the way my body had reacted to his closeness.

This was going to be a long week.