REBORN AND FATED TO MY STEPBROTHER

CHAPTER 3

Chapter 3: Meeting Him

Tessa’s point of view

I could hear the murmur coming from everyone, and Bella was also looking surprised.

“What did you just say to me?” He asked, anger visible in his voice.

I kept my innocent facial expression and voice. “I didn’t say we should announce it this way,” I said.

He scoffed. “Since when did you have a say?”

I smiled softly. “Come on, why are you acting this way?” I said.

He grabbed my hand and said, “I should be asking you that question. You were the one always wanting me to officially be your mate, and now you say you didn’t want to announce it?” He frowned.

“Oh…” I smiled. “You’re right, but—” I looked at everyone, then at him. “I guess I changed my mind.”

“What!” His grip tightened.

“I mean, just like you changed your mind and want to officially make me your mate, I also changed my mind. Not wanting to, I want to delay it a bit.”

His grip grew tighter. “You should not change your mind so quickly. Don’t you know how it can affect me?” He was getting angry. I was touching a sensitive spot, and in public he was furious, and I knew it.

“Are you saying that you can change your mind abruptly and I can’t? Why?” I asked innocently and dumbly, like I had no idea why he said that.

He scoffed, “Isn’t that obvious?!” He increased his hold on me, making me wince in pain.

Everyone who was staring at us began to act. At first, it was the person he was training with who said, “Hey, you are hurting her.” He pushed him away from me.

Ray glared at him. “This is between us; do not interfere!”

“Aren’t you being too much? So you can change your mind, but she can’t!” One of the female betas yelled at him.

Another spoke again: “Just because she is so in love with you doesn’t mean she should not have a mind of her own.”

Everyone began standing up for me and challenging Ray.

This was one advantage of being a nice person who is known to be so in love with him; no one can tell if you are trying to scheme a plan. In their minds, I won't be able to do that. They have seen my love for him and have made up their minds that I am a fool for love and will never be able to do anything that won’t favor Ray.

I can even imagine them talking about how he doesn’t treat me the same way that I do. They have probably been waiting unconsciously for a time that they can be able to speak up for me. This is the personality of a person, a normal person, not someone as evil as Ray, who will kill because he was caught having an affair.

Ray could see the public turning against him. I noticed he was beginning to search for a way out; his eyes were looking around, but there was no sign of Bella. I saw how she took off immediately, and the public turned on him.

“Don’t worry; it’s my fault for not telling him that I no longer want to be marked or officially mated,” I said in an innocent and sorrowful voice that made the public angrier at Ray, who was still shocked at the turn of events.

This is just the beginning. I plan on destroying all that he uses to brag: his status as a strong beta, his reputation as the best beta, his strength—everything he finds appealing, even Bella. I will destroy them. But it won’t be in my hands. I will use the hands of others, even himself or his precious lover, Bella, who ran in the face of danger as mild as this.

I secretly smiled.

“Stop with the yelling!” I heard a voice shout. Everyone went mute, like they were being controlled.

I also felt an urge to submit. Everyone began parting ways for this strange person who shouted; he walked towards us slowly. I studied his features. He had an imposing figure, and his muscular frame had been honed through years of disciplined training. He commanded attention with his presence, his demeanor exuding an aura of icy detachment. His features, chiseled and angular, betrayed little emotion, with sharp eyes that pierced through the façade of those who dared to meet his gaze. There was no doubt that he had a cold personality. Is that why everyone gave way to him? Or was he a more important figure?

It didn't matter; what mattered was that he was getting involved.

I was the type of Omega who was only known by a few. I was not close to anyone apart from my mother. I had no friends. When my father died, it took a big toll on me, and with the additional mockery and bullying from some betas, I subconsciously locked myself against the world. It was almost a dream when I found out that I was the mate of Ray, the well-known and strong Beta in the pack. Every lady was envious of me, and I loved him so much. Unfortunately, good luck was not on my side, as he became the one who caused my death.

Immediately, his gaze met mine; he stiffened, staring intensely at me. I raised a brow. Was there something on me? Why the reaction?

He muttered some words that I could not hear. I heard a gasp from someone else; my gaze went to the person. He was beside this other strange man that everyone gave way for, and I think he was following the strange man. They came here together, but I was so engrossed with the stranger that I didn’t notice him.

I stared at him; his face was familiar, but where did I see him? I couldn’t remember.

He looked shocked; he stared at me, then at the stranger. He did that almost five times.

I frowned suspiciously. Why was he staring at me that way? I didn’t like it; it was weird.

He took a step closer without removing his gaze from me, and just like before, everyone was ready to give way for him to pass.

With every step he took, my frown deepened. I didn’t know this person, but strangely, I didn’t like him. Because with just the sight of him, it was like I was being torn to make decisions that I knew nothing of. He was never in my past life; why is he here, and how am I seeing him in this life?