Seducing My Ex-Mate's Brother

CHAPTER 3: REVENGE IS BEST SERVED COLD

CHAPTER 3

Alethea's POV

It took me six days to muster the courage to face my reflection in the mirror. And when I finally did, I was met with a shocking sight.

“Ewww! You look hideous!” Astrid exclaimed, in utter disgust, and well it was also in mockery.

I indeed look monstrous, my purple eyes looked blotted and my mascara was smudged. That was expected considering the fact that I had not even as much as take my bath in the past 6 days.

Speaking of taking a bath, my wolf's criticism was warranted. “You stink, too,” she added, her tone genuinely irritated by my appearance. “I leave you to your own devices for just a few days, and you turn into a hot mess overnight?” Her words stung, but I knew she was right. I looked and felt like a shadow of my former self.

“Goddess!” I exclaimed first of all, bringing my face closer to the mirror as I pulled my skin on my cheeks down a bit. “I look so horrible, I'm such a mess,” I admitted, my voice laced with shame.

“You're telling me,” she replied, her tone gravely sarcastic. “You look like you've been through a war. Your eyes are sunken, your skin is pale, and your hair is a tangled mess.”

Yeah, you just have to rub it in.

I sighed, feeling a pang of regret. “I know, I know. I haven't been taking care of myself.”

“You think?” Astrid snorted. “You need a bath, a haircut, and a serious makeup overhaul. And that's just the beginning.”

I nodded, as if she was physically present there with me, “You're right. I need to get my life together.”

“That's the spirit,” Astrid said, her tone softening. “I'm here to help you, but you need to meet me halfway. Let's start with a bath and a fresh change of clothes. Then we can tackle the rest.”

I smiled, my teeth barely obvious, “Thanks, Astrid. I don't know what I'd do without you.”

I grabbed my phone from my bedside table and saw a lot of missed calls from my colleagues from college, Elaine, my foster mother who had been everything sugar and spice since I was dropped in front of her house years back. But the only thing that seemed to dampen my mood was the fact that neither Kaiden or Sophia had neither sent a text or called.

“What were you even expecting?” I heard myself whisper, my legs going weak as I felt for my bed behind me so I could sit.

Astrid winced in pain, she hadn't gotten over her mate yet but she seemed to want to be strong for me. “I'm sorry, Astrid.” I apologized, switching to taking a couple deep breaths to calm myself down.

“Let's call mom,” I said, immediately tapping a few seconds on my phone before bringing the phone to my ear, a decision I regretted immediately mom picked it.

“Alethea! Is that you?” she screamed immediately she received the call, making me drop the phone with a start, my overly sensitive ears almost bleeding.

“Mom!” I yelled, making her stop for a second. “My ears,” I continued, my fingers massaging my ears as I moved the phone farther from my ear.

“Oh I'm sorry baby. I hadn't heard from you in days. I was so worried,” she said apologetically, bring down her voice by a large volume.

“It's okay mom,” I said, a smile adorning my face at her niceness. “Mom, I need to tell you something,” I said, taking a deep breath. “Kaiden and I... we're not together anymore.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line for about a second or two, when suddenly Mom's voice came, filled with shock. “What? Alethea, what happened? Did he... did he really cheat on you?”

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. “I see you've heard. News fly so fast around here,” I muttered, already feeling my sight blurring with the tears as I struggled to prepare my already shaky voice for the next thing I wanted to say, “Yeah, mom. He did. And it gets worse. He did it with my best friend, Sophia.”

Mom's gasp was audible. “Oh, Alethea, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. Has this... has this happened before in your kind? Mates betraying each other?”

I shook my head, even though she couldn't see me. “No, mom. It's not common at all. It wasn't supposed to happen.”

“Oh my dear, how are you doing now? Would you like me to come over?” She said, starting to fuss over me, making me genuinely smile.

“Mom, it's fine. I'm fine. I can definitely take care of myself dear,” I was still trying to convince my mother when I suddenly thought about something. “But I think I know how to get my revenge.” I muttered slowly, almost forgetting I was on a call.

Astrid's voice in my mind was immediate, she was enthusiastic. “Are you thinking what I'm thinking?” she purred sweetly.

I smiled to myself, letting the thought take form in my head. “Yes, Astrid. I am.”

“Good,” Astrid said, happily pounding around in my mind. “Because I think it's a great idea. You need to date his stepbrother, Axel.”

My eyes widened as the idea finally took shape in my mind. “Yes, that's perfect. I barely know him, but I can use that to my advantage.”

Mom's voice on the phone was concerning. “Alethea, are you there? What are you planning? Please be careful.”

I smiled, a plan on how to go about the idea of going for his brother, Axel, was forming in my mind. “Don't worry, mom. I'll be fine. I'll come see you later, okay?”

I hung up the phone before she could say anything, my mind racing with thoughts of revenge and seduction. I quickly opened the internet to read all about the Pierce family.

“Just how many Pierce families are here in New York City?” I asked, terribly confused on seeing a lot of leads to different families all bearing the name Pierce.

I sat on my bed, relaxing my back slowly, scrolling through the feed before I gave up and tapped the search box determined to learn more about the Pierce family. “Okay, Google, let's use this instead. Tell me about the billionaire Pierce family,” I said, typing away.

But to my surprise, nothing came up. No articles, no photos, no mentions of a billionaire family by that name. I frowned, trying again by adding new keywords ‘In New York City’.

Still, nothing.

“Astrid, what's going on?” I asked, frustration creeping into my voice. “Why can't I find anything about the Pierce family?”

“Maybe they're private, Alethea,” Astrid suggested. “Some wealthy families might prefer to keep a low profile. You can't give up yet.”

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. “You're right. But I need to find out more about Kaiden's stepbrother, if I am ever going to pull off this revenge plan.”

Just then, I had an idea. “I'll search for Kaiden Pierce instead,” I said, typing away. I didn't know I held my breath until finally, something came up. Articles about his business dealings, mentions of his wealth and influence after his mother married into the Steele family. But there were no photos of pretty much anyone in the Steele family anywhere.

“That's weird,” I commented, my fingers sweeping some strands of my hair back. “You'd think there would be at least one hundred photos of him online with all the influence.”

Astrid's voice was thoughtful. “Then he's really really private, Alethea. Or maybe he's hiding something.”

I shrugged, going back to my feed, trying to get substantial information about this Axel Steele. “Either way, I need to find out more about him. And fast.”

That's when I stumbled upon an event listing for a high-end hotel in the city. A dinner party, hosted by the one man I wanted to meet, Axel Steele. My heart began to race as I read the details. This was my chance to meet him, to scope out the situation and see if my plan was even possible.

“Okay, Astrid,” I said, rising from the bed. “It's time to get ready. I'm going to that dinner party, and I'm going to make a statement.”

A call came and I acc

identally swiped right, accepting the call.

“Hey Alethea,” the voice said.

It was Elaine.