Marked, but rejected by my Stepbrother.

FOUR

Raine’s POV.

The warm summer’s son streamed into my room through the tiny slits in the curtains and painted the entire room in a warm, beautiful orange hue. It was a glorious day after a glorious night. It still felt like it had all been a dream. I had to pinch myself just to make sure that I was actually awake.

I couldn’t believe it. I found my mate last night, Travis, my stepbrother and soon to be alpha of this pack. Not only was he my mate, but he wanted to be. He was happy about it, and he marked me last night.

Oh, it was wonderful, magical even. I couldn’t wait to see him again. I couldn’t wait to wrap my arms around him and plant my lips on his. I wanted to shout it from the mountain top. Travis was mine and I was his. We belonged to each other.

I had a small sliver of hope that my life in the pack might improve slightly now that Travis was my mate. I had no illusions about Samuel, but perhaps the other wolves would look at me a little differently now and treat me with a little more decency. Maybe I won’t be made to feel like such an outsider anymore. A girl could only dream.

I jumped out of bed and got dressed as quickly as I could while making sure that I still looked perfect for Travis. I’ve been missing him since last night and I didn’t want to wait any longer. I just had to see him again.

The morning son on my face felt warmer somehow, the air smelled sweeter, the birds sounded happier, the flowers bloomed prettier. This is what love must feel like. I giggled softly to myself as I ventured further outside to go in search of my mate. The other wolves stared and snickered as I walked past them, but they always did that so it didn’t really bother me anyway. I’ve never actually done anything to any of them, they all just hated me because of what I was, a half-breed. Something that I had absolutely no control over, but they still ridiculed me for it anyway. Like it was some kind of contagious disease that they might catch if they get too close. It was a naïve and primitive way of thinking, but I had long since lost the desire to try and convince them otherwise. I just mostly ignored them. I wasn’t planning on being around much longer anyway.

My spirits soared when I finally found Travis across the quad. He was working out with a few of his friends. I rushed over to him as quickly as my feet allowed. He smiled the second he saw me and opened his arms for me. I ran into them and kissed him vigorously.

I licked my lips and giggled after he broke the kiss. “You’re sweaty and salty.” He pulled me into another kiss. My stomach turned over happily. “And you’re sweet and sexy.”

He looked good in his tank top and gym shorts. The early morning son made the sweat on his muscles glisten, making him look like a bronze statue. He really was irresistible.

“Hey, Angelica. How’ve you been?” It was Cameron that greeted me. He was Travis’s best friend and would probably be his beta one day. He was always nice to me.

“Great thanks, and you?” The other wolves that had been training with them only seconds ago had already started walking away when they saw me approaching. They were all a bunch of jackasses. Their behaviour was petty and childish.

Cameron opened his mouth to answer me, but closed it again abruptly. Travis and I both turned our heads to see what he was staring at. It was Samuel, he was on his way over to us and he had half the pack coming up behind him. My heart plunged into my stomach. What now?

Samuel and the other wolves stopped short in front of us. The wolves that were outside also stepped closer and formed a large circle around me and Travis. Cameron backed away from us slowly and joined the circle of wolves. Samuel had a vindictive look on his face. Whatever this was, it wasn’t going to be good. I reached for Travis’s hand and inched closer to him. I looked up at him nervously. He didn’t look nervous at all. He looked apprehensive and pissed.

“Don’t do this, father.” Travis threatened between gritted teeth as he glared at his father.

My eyes darted nervously between the two of them. I had an idea of what was about to happen, but a small part of me hoped that I was wrong.

“What’s going on here, Travis?” I croaked in a shaky voice. Travis turned to me and took both my hands in his. “Don’t worry.” He smiled and gave me a tender kiss.

Samuel cackled dismissively. The sound rang out over the silent quad. Everyone was staring at us. Waiting anxiously to see where this was going.

“Ah, well, isn’t that sweet.” Samuel took a step towards us. “Are you going to tell her, or shall I?”

Samuel looked at me as he spoke. His eyes filled with contempt and hatred. Travis took a step towards his father. They were now standing face to face. Travis towered over his father, casting a tall shadow over his hardened face.

“I’m begging you? Don’t do this? Not here, not now, please?”

Samuel sneered dangerously at Travis. What was he talking about? What was Samuel about to do? My heart fell into my sto

mach. I felt like I was going to be sick. I couldn’t bear the suspense any longer.