Touch Me, My Alpha Stepbrother

Ashley's pov “Ashley!” I turned around eagerly, a big smile already spreading across my face. My eyes swept the hallway, but no one was looking at me. Everyone was just standing in their usual groups, laughing and chatting. I turned back around, rolling my eyes internally. Was that you? I asked in my head. Oh, look at how eager you were, my wolf, Bella, piped up immediately, her tone dripping with amusement. Someone calls your name and you jump like a puppy. Are you really that desperate? I grunted, shoving my hands deep into my pockets as I trudged toward class. We wouldn’t be so isolated if you were a normal wolf with a sense of smell like everyone else. But no, you just had to be different. Don’t blame me, she scoffed. I like being... unique. Unique my ass. You’re a freak. No, no, Bella corrected smoothly. I’m just way too freaky for these basic-ass werewolves to handle. A small chuckle escaped my lips. Before I could finish laughing, someone crashed hard into my shoulder. The blow sent me stumbling sideways. The girls didn't even slow down; they just paused for a split second, looking me up and down with total disdain. "Watch where you're going, freak." I pulled my hoodie low over my forehead. "Sorry." Their loud laughter faded down the hallway as they snickered about how I brought absolute shame to the entire werewolf clan. I sucked in a sharp breath. “I hate my life. Honestly, I need to get expelled at this point, because I clearly can't stop myself from coming here.” But if we get expelled now, Bella chimed in, how are we ever going to see the love of our life? Right, how could I forget him. Jason. My cheeks burned hot. A huge smile broke out across my face, but I clamped a hand over my mouth to cover it. The fact that I had zero sense of smell was weird enough; I didn't need people catching me smiling to myself in the middle of the hallway. I dragged my feet into the classroom, keeping my head low. But the moment my sneakers crossed the threshold, the room went dead quiet, followed by quiet chuckles. "Freako," someone muttered. The teacher was standing by his desk. He glanced at me once, said nothing, and just walked straight out the door. They never said anything, they just watched us like a live comedy show. Heads up, Bella warned a second too late. A crumpled wad of paper hit my desk with a thud. I knew it was full of insults, but like an i***t, I opened it anyway. Inside, a bright orange, sticky substance was smeared across the page. Below the mess, someone had written: YOU PROBABLY CAN'T SMELL IT CAN YOU? IT'S POOP, FREAK. A gasp tore out of my throat. I shoved the paper away frantically. It flew forward, landing on the back of the girl sitting in front of me. She turned around with a glare. I pointed, my voice shaking. "P... poop!" "Oh." Before I could react, she stood up, grabbed the paper, and slammed it straight into my face. The entire class erupted into howling laughter. "Freak," she muttered, sitting back down. "It’s peanut butter, dumbass!" a guy called out through his laughter. It didn't matter. My brain had completely hijacked my body. I scrambled out of my seat and bolted for the restroom. I threw myself at the sink, turning the cold water on full blast. I scrubbed my face frantically, splashing water everywhere until my skin burned raw and red. Ashley, stop! Bella yelled, pushing against my mind to freeze my arms. It's not poop! "It's not poop," I whispered aloud, staring at my reflection. "It's not..." My face was dripping wet, and a tear slid down my cheek, mixing with the tap water. I bent over the basin as tears spilled out. I just wanted to be normal. I didn't need super-strength or high-status blood. I just wanted a sense of smell. If I could just smell like a regular human, I’d be fine. Why the f**k do I have to be so f*****g different?! A werewolf’s sense of smell is everything, it's how we recognize our pack and find our mates. How was I supposed to scent my mate when the time came? Why would any guy ever want a noseless freak like me? Was this how I was going to spend the rest of my life, isolated and being called a freak?! Heavy footsteps echoed out in the hallway. Panic hit me. I wiped my face and ducked into the end stall, clicking the lock quietly. A group of girls piled inside, their laughter echoing off the tiles. "Did you see her face?" one squealed. "She actually thought it was poop!" "Honestly, we should try real poop next time," another suggested casually. "It's not like she could smell it anyway." I pressed my back against the stall wall, holding my breath. Just leave. Please just go away. "We can scent you, freak," a voice called out right outside my door. "Come out." Right, they aren't freaks like me. They have a sense of smell, they could smell my anxiety radiating through the wood. Slowly, I unlocked the stall and stepped out, forcing a small smile. "You... called me?" They burst out laughing. "By the way," the girl in the middle said, crinkling her nose, "you smell disgusting. Do you ever like, bathe?" I know for a fact I don't smell disgusting, my mom would've told me, right? "Yeah," her friend added. "Don't traumatize us just because you can't smell yourself." They giggled and piled out. I stared at the empty doorway, my hands trembling in my pockets as I took a deep breath. You got this, girl, Bella encouraged softly. I pulled my hood low and walked back to class. The teacher had returned and was wrapping up. "Make sure you all finish the assignment. It will be used to grade you for this quarter." He looked me over once, said nothing, and left. And then, I saw him. Jason. The school's golden boy, everyone's favorite... and my secret crush. He was sitting near the front, resting his head lazily on his desk. He's so... handsome, I thought, my chest aching. Go ask him about the assignment! Bella urged. Nobody else is going to tell us. Swallowing hard, I walked over and tapped his shoulder lightly. "Um... Jason?" Jason lifted his head and turned his warm eyes toward me. He offered a faint, perfectly practiced smile, the same easy courtesy he gave to everyone in the halls. "Oh, hey, Ashley," he said politely, his voice smooth and pleasant, though entirely devoid of any real interest. "Is everything okay?" "I... I didn't catch what the teacher said about the assignment," I stumbled over my words, my face burning. "Could you tell me?" "Sorry, I actually have to get to basketball practice right now," Jason replied easily. He slung his bag over his broad shoulder, giving me a brief, pleasant nod. "Maybe ask someone else in class, okay? See you around." He walked past me out the door, perfectly polite, perfectly distant, treating me like just another nameless classmate in the crowd. "Oh... okay," I mumbled to the empty air, grinning from ear to ear. My daily mission is to talk to him, he only says few words but it's enough to keep my day…angelic, just like him. I let out a long sigh, dragging my feet back toward my desk. I was reaching for my bag when a cold, quiet voice cut through the room. "Still embarrassing yourself?" I flinched. Liam was sitting near the back, watching me with aloof indifference. There was no denying why half the girls on campus practically tripped over themselves whenever he walked down the hall. With his broad frame, sharp jawline, messy dark hair, and piercing grey eyes, he looked like a prince out of a magazine. Everyone else saw an untouchable, gorgeous god. But to me? All I saw was a arrogant, coldhearted bully. He was nothing compared to my sweet boy, Jason. Liam always carried himself with an effortless, suffocating pride, looking at me like I was dirt stuck to the bottom of his shoes. Let's just get out of here, I told myself, clutching my bag. I've been humiliated enough for one day. I kept my head down and moved toward the exit, but Liam moved fast, stepping directly into the doorway to block my path. I stopped short, shrinking back. "Excuse me..." Liam didn't raise his voice. His tone was smooth, icy, and completely detached. "Do you honestly think someone…anyone would ever glance your way? A defect like you isn't worth enough to clean his shoes." "Liam, please just let me pass..." "I was actually surprised when you showed up this morning," he continued coldly, looking down at me with absolute disdain. "A she-wolf with no sense of smell is useless. In the old days, defects like you were usually removed at birth." Was he telling me that I should have been dead?! Tears pricked my eyes and spilled over my cheeks. The quiet, calm way he said it, talking about my death like he was talking about the weather made it hurt ten times worse. It wasn't my fault I was born like this! "Don't look at me like that," Liam added, his mouth twisting into a faint scoff. "I'm just stating facts. No wolf in their right mind would ever want a girl who can't even smell." What was his problem? Really?Something inside me snapped. "Mind your own damn business!" I yelled glaring up at him through my tear streaked face. He let out a low, murderous growl, an involuntary whimper escaped my throat at the growl. Oh no…he's mad. I turned on my heel and sprinted out of the classroom before he could probably kill me. There you go, girl! Bella cheered in my head. How dare he talk to us like that? Is he blind? You are gorgeous! Long legs, D-cup breasts, a tiny waist... don't let that arrogant jerk get to you! I wiped the hot tears off my face as I burst through the main doors into the fresh air. Now we are in big trouble because he's probably mad at us. I hope he forgets i exist as the whole school sometimes does. By the time I reached my front porch, I had wiped my eyes dry and taken a few deep breaths. I unlocked the door and stepped inside. "Mom? I'm home!" My mom came out of the kitchen with a beaming smile on her face. "Darling! How was school today?" I forced a tiny smile. "It was... fine, I guess." Mom gently tugged at my hood, shaking her head. "I told you to stop wearing this heavy hoodie every day, sweetie. You're just going to look like the freak and nerd of the school if you keep hiding like that." If only you knew I'm already the biggest freak there, I thought, keeping it to myself. "Anyway, I have something amazing to tell you!" Mom said, her cheeks glowing. "I'm preparing your favorite tonight. Go take a shower first.” Do I really stink like those girls said? Why was she asking me to take a shower? I must really stink. God…could I be any worse?! I blinked, looking at her glowing expression, trying not to ruin her mood with my problems. "Mom... you didn't bring a man home, did you?" Mom gasped and slapped my shoulder playfully. "You silly girl! No, of course not!" "Come on, tell me," I murmured, trying to match her cheerful mood. "You're literally blushing." Mom flushed red, holding her hands together. "Okay, fine! Ashley... I'm getting married! To Felix, the Alpha of the Shadowmoon Pack!"