Claimed by my Tyrannical Stepbrothers

Little Miss

Dionne

Hardin had a smirk on his lips and didn't know how to deal with that small wicked smirk. And why was it that no one else saw it but me?

Why was I the only one who saw it? Why did mom and Alpha Marcus not see that Hardin could not be up to anything good?

I felt my heart skip two beats at a time as he came closer to me, even if mom and dad were right there and he would never try to get nasty around me. Still, this Hardin that I had come to know was the one person in whose company I'd not risk spending a minute.

"Uh.. you know," I started saying, looking from Alpha Marcus to mom and then back to Hardin, "I'd really love to drive with you and the guys, but I'm still new in the pack and this is my opportunity to get to know the pack better. So I'd be going alone so I can take my time and explore the pack."

I said. But apparently, my excuse was lame to Hardin because he was smiling mischievously now as he took a step closer, acting totally oblivious to the fact that our parents were watching us. Maybe he was not doing anything wrong, it was just my heart fluttering helplessly as he took a step closer to me. What was wrong with me? Why did it seem hard for me to tame my own heart and control how I felt when Hardin was close to me?

I took a deep breath and waited for him to speak.

"You know, the fact that you're new in the pack is all the more reason you should come in our company. You don't know a lot of places and since it is already dark now, anything could happen."

He was sure this was something our parents would both agree to but I did not just keep shut and watch it happen that way. I needed to have an excuse that would keep me from not going in their company.

"I really appreciate that you care, Hardin. But I'm sure I'd be safe enough. Nothing bad is going to happen," I said.

"Come on, Dionne, don't be so stiff."

"I'd really hate to inconvenience anyone, I'd rather go alone. Don't you worry about me, Hardin."

“Hey are we going to the party or what?!”

A voice shouted from afar. I recognized the voice. It was Aspen's and he was walking towards us now.

I took a deep breath. Just when I was sure I'd finally been able to talk my way out of going with Hardin, Aspen had suddenly shown up.

Hardin totally ignored Aspen who came to us now.

“You know it is night and anything can happen, you can explore the pack during noon. I could arrange some females in the pack to accompany you. Aspen’s girlfriend is coming over tomorrow, she could be your guide, so what do you say, sister?” Hardin asked, still insistent on having me not go alone. I took one look at my parents as if I was trying to get them to help me out here but they were now too occupied with their own business to pay attention to mine.

Alpha Marcus was trailing kisses on mom's face and she was giggling. They had totally left us to face each other and I was not sure I was going to win.

"Hardin, really, I'm so flattered you guys care so much about me and I don't even take it for granted, but the thing is, I want to go alone. I'm Sure the pack is safe enough. I mean, I've never heard anything tragic happening here since I've been here."

"You're saying too much, sister. How hard is it for you to accept a ride from your own brother?" Hardin asked, he had that wicked smirk that made my heart race wildly and it made me hate him all the more. Why in hell was he being so kind? He was trying to give Alpha Marcus and mom very good reasons to insist that I go with them and when mom started to speak this time, I was worried that Hardin had won.

"Dionne darling, I really would be at peace knowing that you're with your brothers. That way I'd be sure that no one can hurt you when you're in their company."

Mom said and I wished she had not suddenly started to pay attention to us. Maybe I'd have been able to talk my way out of being with the guys and just go my way, but Alpha Marcus was nodding in agreement to what she had just said.

"It's true darling, go with your brothers. They're there to protect you. Don't throw that away."

He said.

"But I will not be needing any protection when I won't be in any danger," I said, my voice low.

Hardin came a little closer again and I held my breath as he said,

"You never know when you'd be needing protection."

Aspen was giggling. He too wanted me to come with them. He had dressed up and he was still running his hands through his already well arranged hair and now the one person I felt would not want to cajole me was Lucien. Maybe he'd show up and suggest that they leave me alone if I was not going to come with them.

I needed him to show up, but as I turned and looked at mom, she looked like she was pleading with me to go with them because she cared for my safety.

Just then my phone beeped in my hand and I looked at the screen.

It was Violet's text. She was asking when I'd be arriving.

"Okay. Just this once."

I said under my breath, almost swearing. I didn't ever want to be in a situation like this when I'd be compelled to go with my step brothers to any place. Not ever again.

"Well, looks like this is going to be a long, interesting night, little Miss," Hardin whispered in my ears and I shuddered.