MY STEPBROTHER IS MY MATE

Chapter 7: Birthday Surprises

The air was filled with excitement, buzzing like a busy beehive. Mia's hand shook a little as she adjusted her necklace clasp, a nervous habit she couldn't stop. Tonight was her eighteenth birthday, a night every young wolf remembered, the night their mate would be revealed.

Her heart beat fast against her chest. Would it be him? It had to be, right? The secret looks, the gentle touches, the way their wolves moved together in the forest—it all pointed to Jared. But unease grew in her stomach.

Jared had been distant lately, avoiding her eyes all evening, giving her chills. And then there was Eve, always watching Jared with possessive eyes, never leaving them alone.

Mia took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "It's going to be okay, Range," she whispered to her wolf.

Range whined softly, sharing her unease. Jared ,He is ours, Mia. We feel it.

"I know, girl, I know," Mia said, holding her necklace for comfort. But doubt, sneaky and persistent, whispered in her mind.

The room went quiet as Alpha, Jared's father and their pack leader, stood at the front. His gaze swept across the crowd, demanding respect and attention.

"Welcome, friends, family," Jared’s father said loudly, his voice strong. "Tonight, we celebrate a big occasion, the coming of age of my daughter, Mia."

Applause filled the room, and Mia gave a shaky smile, looking nervously at Jared. He stood next to his father, his face unreadable, like a statue made of shadows and moonlight.

Their eyes met briefly, and Mia's breath caught. There was something in his eyes, a mix of longing and something else she couldn't figure out. Regret? Sadness?

Before she could understand the emotions in his eyes, he looked away, staring at something beyond her. Disappointment, sharp and cold, washed over her.

The next few minutes went by in a blur. People made speeches, raised toasts, and laughed. But Mia felt disconnected, focused only on Jared, watching his every move and expression.

He hadn't said a word to her all night, not even a smile. Her heart hurt with a dull, constant ache. Was this what it felt like to have your heart broken slowly, piece by piece, by the one person you thought would cherish it?

"And now," Jared’s father announced, his voice loud across the quiet room, "it is time for Mia to choose her mate."

Everyone looked at Mia, their gazes heavy with expectation. She felt their scrutiny, the hope, the curiosity, the judgment.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at her father, holding her chin high, a mask of calm in place. This was it. The moment that would define her life, her future.

But deep down, she already knew. The way Jared stood, stiff and unyielding, staring beyond the crowd, confirmed her worst fears.

Suddenly, warmth spread through her, a familiar pull deep inside. Range stirred, sensing the change in the air, the upcoming revelation.

Jared, Him, Mia ! Jared ! Range whimpered, her voice filled with longing that matched Mia's own. Jared He is here! Jared !

Mia closed her eyes, giving in to the pull, the undeniable truth of her wolf's words. It was Jared. Despite the distance, despite the coldness in his eyes, her wolf knew he was her other half.

She opened her eyes, locking her gaze on Jared once more. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, the tension almost palpable.

He met her gaze, and for a moment, just a heartbeat, she allowed herself to hope.

Then, without a word, Jared stepped forward, breaking their fragile connection. His jaw was set, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and resolve. He walked past her, stopping in front of a stunned Eve, who stared at him with wide, disbelieving eyes.

Jared’s father, for a moment, looked surprised, wondering what connection or prior relationship would have led Mia to consider Jared as her mate. But in a flash, he dismissed the thought, seeing it as the best way to strengthen ties within the family.

The congregation was surprised too.

But Jared disappointed Mia, even after they had shared wonderful moments together in the previous days.

Though Jared was already in love with Mia, he was not yet ready to commit fully to her because of Eve.

He wanted something secret, but Mia thought Jared had already accepted her as his mate.

Now, trying to choose him in public raised suspicion in Eve’s heart, revealing that Jared must have had something intimate with Mia.

To her greatest surprise, Jared rejected her as his mate openly before everyone.

Taking Eve’s hands, he raised it for all to see. His voice, when he spoke, was clear and steady, devoid of any emotion.

“Eve,” he announced, his gaze sweeping across the shocked crowd, “is my mate."

Mia's heart sank as Jared's words hung in the air. "Eve is my mate." She felt like she'd been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her.

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Jared, the man she loved, was choosing Eve over her.

Mia tried to process what was happening, but her mind was blank. She felt like she was in a nightmare, unable to wake up.

Eve's smug face came into view, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "You should have stayed out of this, Mia," she sneered. "Now you're nothing but a rejected mate."

Mia's eyes flashed with anger, but she held back a retort. What was the point? Jared had made his choice, and it wasn't her.

The crowd’s murmurs grew louder, full of shock, disbelief, and curiosity.

Eve, feeling her victory, tightened her grip on Jared’s hand, her eyes shining with triumph. She leaned closer to him, her smile wide and smug.

Mia felt her legs weaken, but she refused to show any more weakness. Gathering all her strength, she turned away, her head held high despite the pain in her heart.

As she walked through the crowd, she felt their eyes on her, whispers following her every step. She kept looking straight ahead, determined to leave the humiliation behind.

Just as she reached the exit, she felt a firm hand on her shoulder. Turning, she met the eyes of the Alpha ,Jared’s father. His look was intense, a mix of sympathy and something else she couldn’t name.

“Stay strong, Mia,” he said quietly, his voice barely a whisper. “This isn’t over.”

Mia nodded, thankful for his support, but still feeling the sting of Jared’s rejection. She kept walking, finally stepping out into the cool night air. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

She wandered into the forest, the place where she and Jared had spent many hours together. The memories came flooding back, each one a knife to her already wounded heart. She sank to the ground, tears streaming down her face.

“Why, Jared?” she whispered to the night. “Why did you choose her over me?”

As she sat there, crying, a new resolve began to build within her. She wouldn’t let this break her. She would find a way to move forward, to heal.

Mia wiped her tears and stood up, feeling a sense of determination she hadn’t felt before. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but she was a survivor. She would find a way to mend her broken heart and build a new life.

As she started to walk back to the pack, she saw a figure approaching. It was Jared, his expression conflicted, his steps hesitant.

“Mia,” he called out forcefully

She stopped, her heart pounding, but she didn’t move toward him. She waited, her eyes locking onto his.

"I'm sorry," Jared began, his voice strained. "I never wanted to hurt you."

"But then why did you do that in public?" Mia demanded, her voice shaking with anger. “Well” he responded "I never said I wanted you as my mate."

As they talked, a cold breeze swept through the forest, sending shivers down Mia's spine. She looked around, feeling a strange presence. Suddenly, the ghost of Jared's brother appeared again, glowing faintly in the moonlight.

"Jared," the ghost said, his voice echoing eerily, "this is exactly what I warned you about. Not to hurt her."

Mia's eyes widened in shock and recognition. She remembered the last time the ghost had appeared to both of them, warning Jared about his actions.

Jared's face went pale, and he took a step back, his eyes fixed on his brother's ghost. "I thought... I thought you were just a dream," he stammered.

The ghost shook his head, looking serious. "I am very real, and so are the results of your actions. You still have a chance to make things right, but you must choose wisely."

Mia looked between Jared and the ghost, her heart pounding. The ghost's presence made everything feel more urgent, more real.

"What do you mean?" Mia asked, her voice barely a whisper.

The ghost turned to her, his gaze softening. "Jared's choices affect more than just him. They affect you, the pack, and the balance of our world. He must decide if he will stay on this path or find a way to fix the problem ahead."

Jared swallowed hard, his eyes full of turmoil. "I never wanted any of this," he said, his voice breaking. "I thought I was protecting you, but I see now that I was wrong."

Will Jared yield to his brother’s advice or move ahead with the situation of things ?