Desired By My Alpha Stepfather

Unexpected guest

Nina's POV

An explanation.

My mom needed one. Vince had to save me from this one.

But then, as quickly as he'd appeared, Vince was gone. I whipped around, expecting him to be there, to at least offer some explanation for his sick comment or maybe even a grudging apology for his part in my clumsiness. But the kitchen doorway was empty.

I was disappointed. A childish part of me had expected him to stand by me, even in this small way. Maybe even explain to Mom that it wasn't entirely my fault – the way he'd startled me, the content of his words…

But no. Vince had simply vanished, leaving me to face her all by myself.

"Nina! Look at this mess! Can't you do anything right? It's always something with you, isn't it? Spilled milk, broken glasses, and now a shattered plate! This is why we can't have nice things."

Her words went far deeper than the broken plate They stung more than the shards of ceramic at my feet. It wasn't just the clumsiness she harped on, it was the implication that I was somehow a burden.

Tears pricked the back of my eyes, blurring the already distorted scene. I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms, willing myself not to cry. Tears wouldn't change anything, wouldn't mend the plate, or the fractured relationship between my mother and me.

"And where is Vince?" My mother continued, her voice rising a notch. "Did you just cause him to disappear?”

I opened my mouth to reply, to maybe explain what he'd said, but the words wouldn't come. How could I explain the cryptic comment, the way his nearness had sent a jolt through me, worsening my already shaky hold on the plate?

"Honestly, Nina," my mother sighed. "Sometimes I wonder..." Her voice trailed off.

I knew what she was wondering. Did I ever consider the consequences of my actions? Did I ever think before I acted? It was a familiar refrain. When would I grow out of this clumsy, awkward phase and finally become the perfect daughter she craved?

The unfairness of it all burned a hot coal in my stomach. It wasn't like I deliberately broke things. It just… happened. But that was never a good enough excuse for my mother. In her eyes, my clumsiness was a character flaw.

Taking a deep, shaky breath, I forced myself to speak. "I'm sorry, Mom," I mumbled. "I didn't mean to break the plate. It was an accident."

But my apology seemed to fall on deaf ears. My mother simply shook her head. "Just clean up this mess, Nina. And try to be more careful next time."

“Where is Vince?” She asked, nudging her head to the side.

“He’s not here.” I mumbled.

My mother's lips thinned into a disapproving line. "Interesting. But that doesn't change the fact that you've been acting… jumpy lately. Especially around him."

My cheeks burned under her scrutiny. "Jumpy?" I managed.

"Don't play coy, Nina," she snapped. "This entire morning you've been on edge, practically avoiding eye contact with him. Ever since we arrived at Vince's pack, your behavior has been erratic. Now, what is going on?"

Her words hit a raw nerve. Well, mom. The truth was your husband might be my mate. That wasn't exactly pleasant to the ear, so I said,

"Nothing is going on, Mom," I lied, my voice strained. "It's just... stressful being here, with everything that happened last time."

She scoffed, sounding harsh and dismissive. "Stressful? This isn't new. Don't try to deflect. Tell me what's truly bothering you."

I bit my lip.

"It's complicated," I mumbled, the words barely audible.

"Life is complicated, Nina," my mother countered, her voice softening a touch. "But that doesn't mean you can't talk to me about it. Especially not after you've been such a wreck.”

The memory of my recklessness, the fallout that tore our family apart, the blame that still clung to me like a second skin – it all came rushing back.

"Mom, I…" I began.

She cut me off, her voice hardening again. "You were the reason your father left, Nina. We left our entire pack behind because of your choices. Don't you dare forget that."

"It wasn't entirely my fault," I whispered.

"Don't try to rewrite history, Nina," she said, her voice cold. "And whatever you're planning with Alpha Vince, whatever foolish ideas you have in your head, you should forget them right now. You are not cut out for that kind of life. You never were."

Her words felt like a slap in the face.

“Maybe I'm not.” I added, my voice tight with repressed emotion, “And… There's nothing going on between Alpha Vince and me. Not like that."

My mother's eyes narrowed, her gaze sharp. "There better not be, Nina. Alpha Vince is your stepfather, not some childhood crush. Don't you even think about jeopardizing the fragile peace we have with his pack."

With that, she left the kitchen.

I bent down, the cold ceramic biting into my skin as I gathered the fragments.

****

The salty sting of tears had dried on my cheeks. My mother's words replayed on a loop in my head, seeming like a fresh blow. But as I distanced myself from the scene of the shattered plate and the even more fractured conversation, a strange calm began to settle over me. It wasn't acceptance, not by a long shot, but something a lot better.

The pack house was a lot bigger than I had imagined. My room felt suffocating after the whole events of the morning. I heaved a sigh of exhaustion, deciding a change of scenery might be the best antidote.

The hallways of the pack house took enough room. Portraits of past Alphas lined the walls, their stern visages seeming to follow me with judging eyes. Heavy oak doors stood guard over chambers.

I wandered with no particular destination in mind, the click of my footwear on the polished hardwood floor the only sound that accompanied me.

As I rounded a corner, a muffled giggle reached my ears, followed by a low groan. I froze, the sound distinctly amorous.

My breath hitched in my throat, and a familiar sting of jealousy started to spread through me. But before it could fully bloom, another sound cut through – a snort of laughter that escaped my lips.

I peeked cautiously around the corner.

It was just as I had suspected.

I saw Kai and Sue, their bodies pressed against the wall. I rolled my eyes. This time, it wasn't jealously. I was sure of it. Irritation, perharps? Couldn't blame me, they were doing too much these days.

Maybe, I mused further. The whole mate thingy with Alpha Vince had somehow dislodged the envy that had festered for Kai for so long. Or maybe, the fight with my mother had shifted my focus, forcing me to confront a deeper hurt.

Whatever the reason, the sight no longer held the power to sting. It was just… Kai and Sue. Two people ridiculously and disgustingly in love, completely oblivious to the world around them.

I reached their turn. I cleared my throat with a theatrical flourish, announcing my presence. "Ahem, lovebirds. Mind if I borrow the hallway?"

They both jumped apart, faces flushing a color that rivaled the nearby picture of ferocious-looking Alpha battling a three-headed wolf. Sue pulled back, her cheeks turning red, her voice tripping over itself like an over enthusiastic puppy. Kai mumbled something about not noticing me, his usually cocky swagger replaced by a look that could only be described as sheepish.

I offered a tight smile, my irritation already waning. "Don't worry about it," I said, my voice surprising. "Just passing through."

I was surprised they had no word of taunt in them. They were flustered, I guess.

As I rounded the corner a voice called out.

“Nina? There you are. We've been looking everywhere for you." It was Agnes. Her bright smile seemed at odds with the feeling inside of me.

"Hey, Agnes,” I replied, forcing a smile back. "What's going on?"

"Well, dinner's almost ready, and your mother seems pissed. She keeps asking where you've disappeared to." Agnes’ smile faltered slightly, and I could practically feel the that she was fighting the urge to let out the questions. Questions about the relationship I had with my mother.

I grimaced inwardly. The thought of facing my mother again so soon filled me with dread. "Tell her I, uh, just needed some fresh air," I said, hoping it sounded believable.

"Alright," Agnes said, her brow furrowed in concern. "But are you sure you're okay? You seem… a little off."

"Just a bit… tired," I lied, hating the way my voice cracked.

"Right," Agnes said. "Well, dinner will be served soon.”

****

The aroma of roasted game and simmering vegetables began to weave its way through the pack house. I was a slave to this delicacy, but today, it's charm seemed to be impotent. The scent did little to appease the knot of nerves in my gut.

I scanned the long oak table and noticed Sue’s absence.

“Thank goodness.” I mumbled.

The sight of her constantly intertwined with Kai, even if the jealousy wasn't there anymore, made me sick to my stomach. They were practically joined at the hip. They were always making out, or doing what followed after kissing. It was so lame.

I slid into the seat beside my mother. Across from me, Kai practically bounced in his chair. Alpha Vince sat at the head of the table.

A steaming plate laden with succulent rabbit stew was placed before me. But the delicious aroma did little to tempt my appetite. Just as I reached for my water glass, Kai's voice pierced the low murmurs that filled the hall.

"Hey Nina," he drawled, a teasing lilt in his voice that instantly set my teeth on edge. "You sure you haven't mistaken that stew for a training session? You're attacking it like a starved wolf!"

A flush crept up my neck as a chorus of laughter erupted from his pack mates. I forced a tight smile in their direction, the effort making my face ache. "Just making sure I don't miss a single bite of Agnes’ amazing cooking," I countered, my voice strained.

Silence followed after that. It was broken only by the clinking of cutlery and the scrape of chairs against the polished floor. Alpha Vince cleared his throat, his gaze flickering between me and Kai.

"Enough, Kai. Let Nina enjoy her meal." Good to know he could see it, this time. Effort.

The lack of support was the final straw. My mother remained silent, her gaze fixed on her plate. It was as if the fight in the kitchen had created an invisible wall around her, effectively shutting me out.

"Maybe she just can't help it, dad." said Kai. "We all know how Nina feels about following orders, especially when it comes to food."

A round of laughter escaped Kai's lips. My vision blurred as tears builded up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. But I wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

"Excuse me," I said, my voice surprisingly steady despite the tremor in my hands. I pushed back my chair with a screech that startled even the boisterous pups. "I'm not feeling very well. I think I'll retire to my room."

Without waiting for a response, I cast a single glance at my mother before turning and striding out of the hall. The murmurs that followed me were like a swarm of angry bees, buzzing in my ears. I could practically hear Kai's voice rise above the rest, "Looks like someone can't handle a little joke!"

Tears threatened to spill over in my eyes, hot and angry. I wasn't hungry, but suddenly, the image of the untouched stew on my plate was a metaphor for everything else in my life. Half-finished, unwanted, and ultimately, a disappointment.

The slam of my bedroom door echoed through the silent hallway. As I sank onto the bed, the tears finally came, rolling down my cheeks.

Today had been a lot; The fight with my mother, Kai's taunts. It all came crashing down on me.

Curled up in a ball, I buried my face in the pillow, the sobs racking my body. Tonight, my room wasn't a place to hide from everyone. There was no comfort in the pack house. It suddenly felt more like a cage than a home. The only sound that filled the room was my breathing.

Kai’s taunts replayed in my head in a loop, and the sting of my mother's indifference felt like a physical slap.

Suddenly, a new scent invaded my tear-filled haven – a clean, musky aroma that sent a jolt through me. It could only be one. Alpha Vince. But why would he be here for me? A gasp escaped my lips.

Mother!

She was starting to smell just like him. They certainly must have been doing a lot more than cuddling last night for her to hold such scent.

Was my mother finally coming to check on me? I straightened myself, wiping my wet cheeks hastily.

Scrambling off the bed, I rushed to the door. I smoothened my dress, reaching for the door knob and then I flung it open. But instead of my mother's concerned face, I was met with the sight of Alpha Vince standing in the doorway.

He was looking like a blatant violation of my personal space. He'd obviously just emerged from the shower, his dark hair damp and plastered to his forehead. A white towel, barely clinging to his broad shoulders, revealed a toned chest that made a blush creep up my neck.

I realized I was gawking, so I removed my gaze from his chest, raising my gaze to meet his.

My courage failed me under his intense. The look on his face was unreadable. What was it? Concern? annoyance? – danced in his dark eyes.

"Nina," he rumbled, and I chill ran through me, both in fear and a strange, unwelcome awareness. "May I come in?"

Come in where?

This visit, the time of visit, the disarming appearance which he chose to visit, left me speechless for a moment. Did he know about the fight with my mother? Did he hear Kai's taunts? The thought that he might know the very things I desperately wanted to hide made me want to slam the door shut and crawl back under the covers.

But I found myself rooted to the spot... breathless.