The Summer Alpha

Chapter 4: The Younger Brother

SILAS'S POV

It was lunch. I sat at a table full of others. I was popular, it came with the territory of being the Alpha’s son. Not like I didn’t enjoy it though. I stared at my phone re-reading over the text with my brother from earlier this morning. The world around me blurred as I just read over them again and again. My brother and I were close. We talked about everything… Well almost everything.

Ruby is my mate. My older brother texted me. He told me he figured it out at breakfast, that she smelled so good to him- blah, blah, blah. My blood was boiling. Of course, I picked on her a lot, but I didn’t dislike her like everyone believed. She was amazing. Smart and sexy... I was in love with her, and I had been for a while. I just teased her because I just… I didn’t know how to get her attention any other way. She just couldn’t be fated to my brother. It wasn’t fair, I snarled. He had everything. He was the future alpha and dad’s favorite. And now he had her. I heard a crack. Damn it! My anger got away from me again. My phone was in the tight grip of my hand now crushed into pieces. I sighed and stuffed what was left of my phone into my backpack. When I got home, I would have to tell mom I needed another new phone…

I spotted Ruby as she walked into the lunchroom. She was beautiful today. Her hair looked so soft and silky and her piercing bright blue eyes made me weak. I thought about earlier how it felt when I kissed her. Her lips were so soft, and she tasted like blackberries and cream. Everything about her drove me mad. The way her clothes were so basic but hugged her curves just right and showed just the right amount of skin. What a tease. Was she trying to drive me crazy?

God, I can’t believe I kissed her. I was going to tell her right then. I was going to tell her that I was sorry for being such a jerk. That I was in love with her and didn’t care who she was fated to. I wanted her to choose me. But before I could even do that those bumbling idiots walked in and for some reason I reverted into a total ass. What was wrong with me? There was just one more period until school was over and if I wanted any chance with Ruby, I had to tell her my feelings before we got home.

I was crazy but I though maybe if I could push myself just a little bit into her heart before her and my brother spoke about their mate bond, maybe she would reject it. Maybe she would reject my brother. Yet it was unlikely. Rejected mate bonds were pretty much unheard of. Even those who hated each other before would fall helpless to their mate bonds. I just didn’t care anymore. I don’t care if she was fated to my brother. I had to try though. Until the bond was accepted and she was marked by my brother I wouldn’t stop trying.

RUBY’S POV

What a birthday this was turning out to be. I was already a bit nervous today because of the whole potion thing and having to pretend to be the Atlas’s, the future alpha’s mate. But what happened this morning- Very little surprised me, I liked to think I was pretty good at reading people and situations, but… I did not see this coming at all. I touched my lips lightly brushing over them thinking back to that steamy kiss I shared with Silas. Ugh. Why today? We’ve lived in the same house for 10 years and he was always kind of a jerk. He was always picking on me and talking down at me. He was such a spoiled brat born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Never having to worry about anything.

I closed my locker and jumped. I let out a small shriek before composing myself. “Hi Ruby!” It was Jane, I was so lost in thought I didn't notice her come up to me. She was my best friend, I guess. She was one of the pack guard’s daughters. She lost her mom when she was around 10 so her dad brought her to the pack house while he worked, trained, and had meetings. We hung out a lot. I guess people figured since we were the same age and we both had dead moms we would bond. On the outside it did look like that, but my parents weren't really dead, so I felt a tad guilty about it. I mean it was kind of like my mom was dead… I hadn’t seen her since I was dropped off at 8 to stay with Xavier. But I didn’t think it was truly the same…

“Hey Jane. What’s up?” I asked closing my locker. We started to walk to last period together. “Oh, nothing except we haven’t seen each other in two long weeks. I missed you, bestie! And it’s your birthday!” I rolled my eyes at mention of my birthday. She noticed, “Come on don’t be so sour on your birthday. I got you something!”. She handed me a little gift bag, I smiled. “You know you didn’t have to get me anything.” I spoke. “It’s really nothing all that special. Just a souvenir from my trip. My dad and I went to the Red Rock Pack to hang out with my aunt. It was fun but was weirdly sunny out there. It really didn’t feel like Christmas without the snow.” She went on. We were at last period.

We went in and to the back of the room. We sat together being best friends and all. I was honestly surprised I didn’t see her earlier in the day. “We were supposed to get back last night but the main road was closed. I don’t know why but the Sun guard was there. It was weird. But anyways we had to take a detour. We got home late this morning. My dad said I should stay home and just go back to school tomorrow, but I told him no I had to see you- “she continued with her story. I kind of tuned her out. Well, that explains where she was all day… But what was that about the Sun guard being out in the main road last night... I have to make sure and talk to Xavier about it later.

Jane was still going on. I decided to open the gift bag. Jane was then quiet, inside the bag was a hair claw clip. It was silver with blue shimmering butterflies on it, honestly it was cute but a little childish. I smiled and looked at Jane, “Thank you, I love it.” I said. She turned around and showed her hair. Her warm brunette hair held up with a matching clip except the butterflies were yellow. “Now we match!” she squealed. I chuckled, “Yeah I guess so.” I put my hair up in the clip because I knew it would make her happy.

“So, you’re 18…” she said, pressing for information. I rolled my eyes smiling, “Yep.” I spoke. “Did you find your mate yet?” she asked poking my arm. I laughed, “You’re so nosy sometimes. Yes, I did.” I said. She looked like she died, “Oh My God. Who is it?!” she screamed. I hushed her putting my finger up to my lips as she had started to attract attention. “I can’t tell you yet.” I said, she whimpered and stared at me with pleading eyes. I sighed, “I haven’t even spoken to them yet.” I said. “Ohhh. Okay. That makes sense. But you better tell me the second you have that talk. Got it?” she said trying to sound serious. “Yeah, yeah, I promise.” I spoke.

Other students started to pool in. A couple other girls came and started talking to Jane. She was a cheerleader so much more popular than me, but I was definitely okay with that. I was just sitting there reading my book waiting for the teacher to come in. We were a bit early to class to begin with. Then I heard the room get quiet and there were hushed whispers among students. I looked up and it was Silas. I felt my heart slightly speed up and my palms got all sweaty. What was wrong with me? He was standing right in front of my desk. “Ruby, we need to talk.” He spoke. I huffed, “No we really don’t.” I retorted. He snarled but then let out a long sigh. There was some silence, he didn’t say anything. “Please take your seats everyone. Let’s get through this class then we can all go home.” The teacher said walking in with some books in hand. He placed them down and turned away from the class and started to write on the white board. Silas turned and leaned down to whisper to the guy seated right in front of me. The boy got up hurriedly and went to sit down where Silas normally sat. Silas’s friends were sitting over their looking at Silas with confused expressions. One mouthed, what the f**k man? Silas shrugged and sat down in the now empty seat right in front of me.

I sighed. What was he doing. My mind flashed with images of this morning. I felt my insides get warm. What was wrong with me?! I cried mentally. He turned to face me once again. “Please Ruby. After class let me drive you home. Let’s talk.” He begged actually. I had never seen him act like this. I could see the desperation in his eyes. I sighed. People all around us were looking at us. I didn’t need this much attention on me. “Okay. Okay, yes. Please just let’s focus on the lesson and then we can talk.” I whispered just wanting this public display to end. He had a stupid smile as he turned around and began to pay attention to the lesson like I had asked. I tried to also pay attention but there was no denying the fact I was really nervous for everything to come. This was going to be a very long birthday.