Marked and Rejected by my Stepbrother

The Alpha’s Son

CHAPTER 2

Raine's POV

I opened my bedroom door just as Travis was about to knock.

He looked surprised to see me already standing there, hand half-raised, a crooked grin playing on his lips.

"Hey, you. I thought you might like an escort?" he offered, flashing that same charming, sheepish smile that always managed to break through my defenses. He ran his hand through his thick, curly black hair—a nervous habit that made him look boyish and impossibly endearing, though he’d deny it if I ever said so aloud.

"Sure." I returned his smile and stepped forward to take the hand he extended toward me.

But before I could grab it, a sharp, cruel voice echoed through the hallway.

"Raine!" Samuel’s voice cracked like a whip.

I tensed immediately, my smile falling. Travis turned slowly toward the source, his body stiffening beside me.

Samuel sauntered toward us, arms clasped behind his back, his chin lifted in a display of self-righteous arrogance. His ice-cold eyes darted between me and Travis. I instinctively stepped half behind Travis, even though I despised showing fear.

"You’re not planning to sneak away to the ceremony with your tail between your legs, are you?" he sneered. "Planning to hide in your room like the coward we all know you are?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came. I could already feel the heat in my face and the sting of humiliation bubbling just beneath the surface.

"Samuel." Travis’s voice was cold, sharp. “That’s enough.”

My stepfather’s gaze flicked to Travis, measuring him. Samuel wasn’t used to being challenged, especially not in front of others.

"Enough?" Samuel echoed. "She needs to learn her place—"

"Her place is here. With this pack. And she will show herself at the ceremony tonight with dignity, whether you like it or not," Travis said, stepping protectively in front of me.

Samuel stared at him for a long beat, then laughed quietly under his breath. "Of course. She'll attend. Whether she wants to or not. I expect nothing less from a stray dog thirsting for scraps."

I blinked rapidly, willing myself not to cry, and instinctively reached out, my fingers brushing against Travis’s shirt sleeve.

Travis’s jaw tightened as he stepped slightly closer to Samuel. "That’s your last warning, Father."

Samuel raised an eyebrow and turned with a bitter smile. “Careful, son. Emotions make you weak.”

He walked off, the air around us thick with tension and disgust.

I pressed my back against the door and let out a slow breath. I didn’t want to look at Travis. Not after that. Not when I felt every ounce of Samuel’s words like fresh bruises.

“Hey.” Travis’s voice had lost all its playfulness. It was low and tender now. “Are you okay?”

I closed my eyes for a moment before nodding. “I’m used to it.”

“Doesn’t mean it should still happen.”

When I finally looked up at him, something unspoken passed between us. A warm awareness. His normally teasing gaze was serious and incredibly focused.

“I really hate the way he treats you,” he said quietly. "You deserve so much better than this crap. If I could take you away from here, I would.”

“You don't owe me anything, Travis,” I whispered.

He tilted his head, brow furrowed. “That’s not why I’d do it.”

I looked away quickly, not knowing how to respond to that. There was something there—uncertainty, longing, and something else we both hadn’t thought to naming yet. Something electric. Something dangerous.

He extended his hand again. “Walk with me?”

This time, when I took it, neither of us pulled away.

We walked in silence for a while, the only sound being our soft steps on the hallway tiles.

One thought, just barely formed, floated through my mind—if I could belong anywhere in this pack, maybe it would be with him.

When we reached the foot of the stairs, I started to thank him—just as that strange twinge sparked across my fingertips.

Suddenly, Travis jerked his hand away and stared at me with a strange expression on his face. He looked completely bewildered.

"What? What's wrong, Travis? Do I have something in my teeth? Is there something on my dress?" I checked myself nervously.

Travis didn't answer me. He just kept staring at me.

What was wrong? What was he thinking? Why wasn't he saying anything?

"Travis! What’s wrong?"

His eyes grew dangerously dark as he stepped into my room and closed the door behind us. My stomach lurched dangerously. I had no idea what was happening.

Travis placed both his hands on my waist and pulled me up against his chest. His body was warm and hard against mine. I didn't even try to resist him. Something strange was happening to my insides. It felt like my senses were on fire all of a sudden.

I felt a little dizzy and a strange heat was stirring in the pit of my stomach. My mouth went completely and utterly dry. My heart was pounding away in my chest and I swear that I could feel the blood rushing through my veins.

I gulped as Travis stared deeply into my eyes. He pulled me even closer and put his face to mine. He was breathing rapidly.

"Mate," he growled softly against my mouth and pulled me in for the most passionate kiss of my life.