Chapter 8 My Mate Is My Stepbrother

“Reject me….” Henry’s voice echoes in my mind as I struggle to comprehend the pain in his words. His eyes, filled with hurt and disappointment, pierce through me, leaving me with a sense of regret and longing. And the bruises on his body who could have hurt him so badly? And the bloodstains on his shirt, evidence of the physical violence he endured. My heart aches at the thought of someone causing him such harm, and I vow to punish whoever is responsible for hurting him in such a cruel way. But even so, why do I care if he rejects me or not? Why does it matter so much? Was it because we are mates or because, deep down, I know he is the one who truly understands me like no one else ever could? His rejection feels like a betrayal of the bond we share, making me question everything I thought I knew about our connection. “You looked stressed...” Dean’s voice broke through the silence in the car, bringing me back to reality. “It’s nothing serious,” I replied, forcing a smile. But deep down, there are many thoughts running through my mind. First, my stepbrother being a mate, and second, the fact that my body desires him in ways that are completely inappropriate. Even if I am never interested in men, the forbidden attraction I feel for Henry is undeniable and confusing. It’s a battle between my heart and my morals, leaving me torn and unsure of how to proceed. But more than that, I hate him, firstly because of the incident that happened five years ago, and secondly, because of the way he dares to reject our bond despite the undeniable bond we share. The conflicting emotions I have towards him only add to the internal struggle I face as I try to navigate my feelings and make sense of the situation. Despite the turmoil he causes me, I can’t seem to shake the connection we have, making it even more difficult to move on. I want him to understand the depth of my hurt and anger, but at the same time, I long for our bond to be repaired and for us to find a way to move forward together. It’s a constant battle between wanting to let go and wanting to hold on, leaving me feeling torn and uncertain about what the future holds for us. I sighed, leaning my head against the headrest and closed my eyes, trying to find peace in the chaos of my emotions. “Dean…” I called out softly without even bothering to open my eyes, the weight of my conflicting feelings heavy on my chest. “Yes, Alpha...” a deep voice responded, causing me to open my eyes and meet Dean’s gaze. “You found your mate years ago, right?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Dean nodded, his expression softening. “Yes, I did, and that is the best thing that ever happened to me,” he replied, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding. “You will find yours too, Alpha. Trust in the process,” he added, giving me a reassuring smile. I nodded my head in response, wanting to ask him more questions but feeling too overwhelmed with emotions to speak. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to calm myself before opening them again to continue the conversation. “Was it easy to convince your mate to accept you as her mate?” I inquired, curious about Dean’s experience with his own mate. Dean laughed, shaking his head. “Oh, it was definitely a challenge at first. She didn’t like me very much in the beginning and wanted to reject me at all costs.” My ears perked up as I listened intently, finding similarities in both Dean’s experience and my own struggles with relationships. “How did you eventually win her over?” I asked, eager to hear the rest of Dean’s story. Dean smiled, his eyes softening as he recalled the memories. “We both decided to date someone else to see if the other one feels jealous or not. It was a risky move, but it ended up bringing us closer together and strengthening our bond.” I nodded, impressed by Dean’s determination and willingness to take risks for love. “So you both dated other wolves while being mates?” Dean chuckled, shaking his head. “Not exactly. We dated other wolves to test our own feelings and see if we truly belonged together.” I leaned in closer, intrigued by the unconventional approach to strengthening their relationship. “Then what happened next?” I asked, eager to hear more about their unique journey towards a stronger bond. Dean smiled, his eyes reflecting the deep connection he shared with his mate. “Well, let’s just say we both realized that our hearts belonged to each other and no one else. And after two kids and years of building a life together, we knew we were meant to be mates for life.” My curiosity grew as I listened to their story of love and commitment. I leaned on my seat, my mind wavering over the idea of convincing Henry and wanting him to accept the idea of a lifelong partnership like Dean and his mate. Maybe even I can if I try to make Henry jealous and make him realize the importance of our bond, just like Dean and his mate had. “Alpha is thinking about something,” Dean’s mate interrupted my thoughts, bringing me back to the present moment. “No, I am fine. Have we reached our destination yet?” I asked, trying to hide my inner turmoil about my own relationship. Dean smiled knowingly, her eyes full of wisdom and understanding. “Do you want to share what’s on your mind?” he asked gently, her tone reassuring. I hesitated for a moment before deciding to confide in her about my concerns with Henry and our relationship, or to hide it for now. Dean had always been a good listener and offered sound advice whenever I needed it. I knew I could trust her with my deepest thoughts and fears. And right now, the fact that my stepbrother is my mate is weighing heavily on me. I took a deep breath and began to open up to Dean. “I found my mate.” I said, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety as the words left my lips. Dean’s eyes widened in surprise. “Who is she?” he asked, her curiosity piqued. I hesitated before admitting, “I don’t know how to tell you this, but my mate is actually my stepbrother.” Words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. Dean’s jaw dropped in shock.