THE MATE THEY CALL MY BROTHER

ASHLEY I woke up with a start, I glanced around me as if trying to see what could have probably woken me up before the soft, calm knock on the door caught my attention. I yawned lazily and got down from my bed, my brain trying to process why I was woken from my afternoon nap. The first thing that came to my mind was that they probably brought me lunch but I crossed that out. They drop my lunch by the door and leave instantly. My stepmother made it clear that the park workers had no business holding a conversation with me. Garrett, the beta's son and literally my only friend in the whole of this forsaken pack was standing by the foot of my door, smiling softly as he took in my bed nest of a hair. I blinked and smiled faintly, opening the door fully to step outside. My heart churned, seeing him smile instantly told me he came here to deliver probably positive news. One thing about Garrett, he shared every moment of my happiness and sadness as though he was the one going through them. He moved forward and brushed the hair that kept falling onto my face behind my ear. He prepared to speak while I braced myself for the news. I knew what he wanted to tell me. As much as I looked forward to it, I somehow still dread it because I always end up getting disappointed. “Your brother has been found.” I shook my head before he could speak further. Every time he came here to tell me Kaleb has been found it was always someone that wasn't my brother and each time he came to tell me my brother has been found, I ran to the alpha's house with so much hope and happiness only for it to be crushed down when they confirm that it's not really Kaleb. I wasn't prepared to go through all that for nothing. Garrett grabbed my arms gently. “Ashley, listen to me… it's really you're brother this time….” “No… no Garrett… everytime it's always my brother until he isn't my brother anymore…” “Your dad confirmed it, no random person can pretend to be alpha born, but he is really alpha born, your dad can definitely recognize his son's scent, he has really been found this time Ashley.” I slowly brushed his hands off me getting ready to go back in when I caught sight of my stepmother tumbling over her toes running towards the pack to see her son. I paused. I've never seen her this worked up before over anyone they brought in as Kaleb. Hope started to seep into me. I turned to stare at Garrett, doubt still visible on my face. He smiled again as he realized I wanted to give this a chance. He stretched forth his hands. “C’mon, let's go greet your brother together Ash.” I ran my fingers through my hair as I placed my hands in his and allowed myself to be dragged as he headed towards the same direction my stepmom, Daine headed to. People were already gathered outside, whispers and excitement floating in the air. The hope in me increased and suddenly I wasn't being dragged by Garrett, I was simply following him. My facial expression softened as everyone squealed with excitement while some of them cried. Garrett was called by his dad and he turned to me, telling me to run along as he will be right behind me the instant he's done. I was already running before he could finish his sentence. My gaze fixated on the entrance as I thought of how grown Kaleb would look. I was suddenly stopped by the park guards. They blocked the entrance and denied me entry. My excitement made me forget I wasn't even allowed entry into the pack house on a normal day. My desperation made me try to find a way past them, begging quietly, anxiousness threatening to tear through my chest if I don't see Kaleb instantly. They stood their ground, ignoring my cries and still not letting me in. “Let me in…” I yelled. I suddenly didn't care about being quiet anymore. They winced at my tone, high pitched, laced with authority but they still didn't move away. They stared at me as though I was there to beg for alms and after a while I'll leave if they don't allow me in. “Let me in, I'm the alpha's daughter, i deserve…” I paused midway. Of course I was the alpha's daughter but not a legitimate daughter so definitely I had no right to enter. I burst into tears all over again, the weight of everything crashing down on me. Hurried footsteps made me glance back and I saw Garrett heading towards us slightly pissed. He yelled at the guards. “What the hell is going on here…why is she still standing here?” “We were giving strict instructions not to let her in…” a guard started. “Let her in,” Garrett growled. They hesitated but adhered. I tore through them without hesitation, rushing inside, following the excited cries Diane was making until I finally found the room they all gathered in. Diane had her arms tightly wrapped around a tall figure, my dad stood by the corner, quiet but a very unreadable expression on his face. My wolf suddenly became active, excitement ran through me and I couldn't explain the sudden feeling. I felt a sudden pull towards the figure standing before me and suddenly relief washed through me. That has to be my brother. My wolf wouldn't get excited for nothing, a part of me was thankful I decided to give in and listen to Garrett. Kaleb is really here. “Your sister is here, Kaleb.” My dad said. Diane let go of him, too emotional to bother making a drama about my presence in the pack house. The person suddenly turned and I held my breath. He turned and something in me suddenly snapped. My wolf whimpered and I spoke before my brain could fully process it. “That is not my brother.”