Mated To Alpha Step-brother

Amelia's Pov You had the nerves to prepare to go out without finishing the laundry?” came the voice of my stepmom as she landed a resounding slap on my face. I held my cheeks as they burned red in pain. “No ma…, no” I stuttered, trying to control the streaks of tears which streamed down my eyes with reckless abandon. “I am done with the laundry” I furthered, my lips quavering. “How about the dishes?” she asked, ever ready to accompany her words with another slap. “No ma, but I will go attend to it right now” I pleaded as I made my way out of her presence, trying hard to avoid her stern face. “Come back here, you b***h” she dragged me from the back, her sharp fingers piercing deep through my skin which caused it to ooze with blood. “After washing the dishes, make food and ensure that every other person has eaten to their fill” she ordered as she walked briskly out of the house. “Yes, ma” I tried to mutter, but my voice was already reduced to an agonized whisper. That has always been my routine since the departure of my mother when I was barely eight and the coming in of my stepmother. I took a deep breath, the crisp morning air filled my lungs as I stretched my hands due to exhaustion. As I was done with the tedious chores I was assigned, I washed my feet and face as I headed off to the packhouse. Today was a special day, not one designed for my troubles. The atmosphere was lit with excitement as different members of the pack trooped into the opulent hall, their faces beaming with unbridled smiles. It was another time of the year, when everyone is expected to come together and express gratitude to the moon goddess for its benevolence and blessings. It was a party meant for everyone, irrespective of status, where everyone could eat to their fullest. I walked towards a secluded corner and sat down. Flipping through the pages of the photo album I had in my hands, I could barely hide the excitement which was nearly crushing my bones. The moon goddess had answered my prayers and that of Roland. I had always prayed to the moon goddess for a loving mate who would care for me and cherish me and that she has granted to me. In the next few hours, Roland would officially be taking over his role as the Alpha of this pack and that has always been my wish for him. Roland and I had been lovebirds for the past three years and our relationship could be best described as a perfect one. The joy within me could not be quenched. Untamed, it burst through my heart, setting my nerves on fire with excitement. “Hi Sister, I wish you all the best.” “Congratulations on your position as the Luna”, Sophia smiled as she pulled me slightly on the cheeks. I tilted my head upwards as I widened my face with a broad smile. “ Thank you so much, I can't wait for your own mating ceremony” I smiled, returning her kind words. “For sure, that would be at the nearest time, because I am not as weak and wolfless as you” she scoffed, curling her lips in a mocking snicker. I felt a pang in my right chest. “Who told her that?” My wolf, Lynda, grimaced. Sophia was referring to me. I had actually found my wolf since I was eighteen, but it had been too weak to transform fully. It had always encouraged me to undergo more training, so I could get stronger and get fully transformed. It was rumored that I had always been fed wolfsbane, which weakened the strength of my wolf since I was barely eight. My heart squeezed in pain at her words. Sophia was my half-sister and had always been the only one I trusted so much. Since she was almost my age, she knew about my relationship with Roland. She had always been the one encouraging me whenever my step-mother stepped on my toes. "Amelia, you don't have to feel bad at all, you will soon get mated to Alpha Roland, and he will treat you better". " You deserve better” she would encourage me at good times. On the other hand, her words most times were like double-edged swords, healing and piercing me at the same time. I was already used to most of her hurtful statements, so, it was something never new to me. “Sophia, I have been searching for you all this while” Regnar, the Alpha's beta, said as he planted a kiss on Sophia’s neck. “Amelia will be claimed the soonest by the Alpha”, Sophia reminded Regnar as she curled her hands around his waist. He nodded his head slowly to her words, but I could sense the envy and jealousy burning in him. It was clearly written on his face. “Dumb Amelia, do you think she fits in to be Luna, a weak omega?” He asked as he twirled his lips in Sophia’s. Their loud kisses disrupted the serenity of the hall as everyone turned their heads in their direction. “How about you all getting mated with each other? You are a perfect fit?” “What do you think, Sophia?” I asked, trying to distract them from their intense moment. I was never going to allow any hurtful words to get at me today. It was the eve of my mating ceremony and that was all I cared about. No one was ever going to hinder me getting mated to Alpha Roland. The Moon Goddess had destined both of us as mates and that was all that mattered. “ You are both having such a great time?” Roland smirked as he walked towards our seat, kissing me slightly on the forehead, he drew a seat closer to himself and sat down. Sophia and Regnar withdraw immediately from their entwined position. “ I would never get mated to an ugly girl like you” Regnar teased Sophia, bowing before the Alpha to show respect. It had always been a tradition for the beta of the pack to show regard to the Alpha at all times and Beta Regnar had always remained loyal to that. “And what makes you think I would get mated with a bald man like you?” Sophia scoffed, trying to pay him back in his own coins. “ Both of you are mere clowns,” Roland teased as he planted a soft peck on my forehead and left the table where we sat. “I will be back soon” I heard him say as he walked away. I couldn't stop admiring his calmness and demeanor. His well-defined jawlines and perfect dentition were so irresistible. “I would be with the Alpha”, Regnar added as he walked towards the same direction the Alpha had taken. “I will be back soon.” Sophia informed me as she left me all alone at the table. I buried my head back in the photo album I had in my hands, smiling sheepishly at the beautiful couple of pictures of Roland and me. “Have this, it's merriment all day, we are celebrating you, sister” Sophia handed over a bottle of drink to me. Gulping down the last contents of her bottle, she walked out immediately, leaving me all alone to myself. I blinked my eyes severely, struggling to overcome the sleep which was already threatening to wash me away. I felt a throbbing headache, and it seemed it was ready to tear down the walls of my head apart. “What's going on here?” I heard myself muttering under my breath. A loud yelp escaped my lips as I struggled to my feet. Immediately I rose up, a wave of dizziness washed over me as all images became blurred. Closing my eyes slowly, I gave in to darkness.