My Stepbrother’s My Mate

Chapter 6

SAGE

The walk to my Mum's floor felt like a mile, but once we were outside, the door flew open, and Alpha Bradley stood with a grin.

"Ah, you made it," he said, moving out of the way for Thomas and me to walk through.

I had to take a few deep breaths in and out, but I walked in.

I couldn't help but take in their room. Well, more like an apartment. It had everything; a kitchen, lounge, and a corridor with three doors on either side.

I felt someone step beside me, but I knew who it was.

"You like it," said Alpha Bradley, which made me look at him with a smile.

"You have a lovely home," I said, looking over to the kitchen and noticing my mother staring at me. Her eyes met mine, but she quickly turned away to continue whatever she was doing.

I stared for a moment and felt Nyx come forward slightly.

"She seems curious to know about us," she mumbled.

"Yeah," I said, "Wait and see what happens when food is served."

Nyx was going to say something, but I ignored her; I had to.

I felt weird; I didn't need my wolf's help.

I felt a hand on my arm, pulling me out of my head.

I looked to find Thomas smiling, "Hey, Dad," he said, "Can we show Sage around?"

I looked at Alpha Bradly, who was grinning.

"Sure," he said. "You show Sage around the apartment while I help your mother serve the food."

I felt my body tense at the last statement.

I felt like I was being forced to be nice in a TV show. I wouldn't say I liked the feeling.

Nyx grunted.

Thomas guided me around and showed me the apartment, but I could feel eyes on me the whole time, and I knew it was my mother.

I could hear whispering as Thomas showed me the final bedroom, but I couldn't hear what was said.

I sighed and walked back to the dining area, where everything was set up, and there were five place settings, which made me wonder if Austin was coming after all.

Alpha Bradley sat at the end of the table, and I sat next to Thomas while my mother faced us.

I felt like a naughty schoolgirl as my Mum looked at me.

My stomach knotted slightly as I watched as everyone began to eat.

I placed a few things on my plate, but it was too much.

"Are you hungry?" asked my Mum, making me look at her.

Her eyes bore into mine as I cleared my throat.

"I feel a little off," I muttered, "But I will eat something in a few moments."

My Mum stared at me as her face hardened.

What the hell was that about?

I watched as Alpha Bradley placed his hand into hers, trying to calm her down. "Sweetheart," he said, "Sage may feel a little weird about this whole thing. This is her first time with us; maybe let her be for a few moments."

I looked at Alpha Bradley and gave him a small smile, mentally thanking him for stepping in to tell her.

Nyx stared out through my eyes.

I could feel her anger surface as she gazed at my Mum.

"So," said Alpha Bradley, "How are things in your uncle's pack? You still teaching the children?"

I smiled.

"Everything's great, and yeah, I am still teaching the children," I said, " We haven't had many attacks, but there was a gala coming up in two months."

Alpha Bradley nodded.

"I heard about the gala," he said. "It's for all wolves to attend, to find their mates."

I smiled.

"Yeah, the Alpha thought it would be a good way for everyone to find their mates," I said. "I will be happy to go to find mine."

I felt Nyx hum in my head. The mere thought of finding our mate excited her, and I must admit, it excited me too. I want to find my mate, but I still want to do what I want to; no man should make a woman decide whether they are good enough or dictate what their mate should do.

Nyx grunted, knowing that I would accept my mate, but if it came to rejection, Nyx and I would choose each other over anyone else.

"So, you haven't found your mate," Alpha Bradley said, pulling me back from my thoughts.

I frowned.

"No," I said, "I wouldn't. Well, not until this Sunday, at least."

Alpha Bradley looked at me, confused.

What the hell was going on?

Why would he think I'm already twenty-one?

Nyx was quiet, but I could feel her tense.

"What do you mean till Sunday?" he asked. "You're already twenty-one, aren't you?"

I stared at him, dumbfounded.

Already twenty-one!

I looked at him, but my eyes went to my mother, who was staring at me. Her face was blank.

"I'm not twenty-one," I said, staring at my mother, "I turn twenty-one on Sunday."

Alpha Bradley froze and stared at me as if I had spoken a different language.

I felt my heart spike as realization set in for me.

My mother forgot when my birthday was.

Anger was swirling through me.

How the hell could she forget my birthday?

I stared at my mother, but she didn't flinch or say anything.

I looked at Alpha Bradley, who seemed to be mind-linking someone, but as he came back, he looked at me and gave me a small smile.

"Sorry," he said, "I thought you were already twenty-one."

His eyes stayed on me.

I wanted to leave and climb into my bed, never wanting to deal with this.

There was an awkward silence.

I wanted the floor to swallow me up or make a run for it.

"You know," he said, pulling me from my thoughts, "We have to celebrate. Why don't we hold a birthday bash or something for you?"

I stared at him in shock.

What a birthday party!

"I don't think that would be a good idea," said my mother, making me stare at her.

Nyx stood up in my head and growled. She was pissed at what she was hearing.

"Susan," Alpha Bradley said with a warning.

I felt hurt by the way she was acting. She forgot my birthday but wasn't willing for me to celebrate it.

"I mean, she doesn't know anyone within the pack," she said, sounding innocent. "I don't think Sage would want the fuss."

What a b***h!

Nyx was on the verge of coming forward and telling my mother what she thought. I had to get a handle on things as I felt Nyx's claws peek through my fingers.

I moved back and stood up, placing my hands into fists, which made her claws dig into the palms of my hands.

Everyone's eyes were on me.

"Um…" I started to say, but then Alpha Bradley spoke.

"Sage, where are you…" he started to say, but I shook my head. "I'm going to leave and head to my room," I gritted out, feeling Nyx itch closer. I tried to control her, but it was hard.

"I need to leave," I said. I went to move, but Alpha Bradley stood up and stopped me.

"Don't leave," he said.

I stared at him.

I can't do this, not with Nyx on the verge of coming out.

I could feel the blood in my hands as Nyx's growling intensified.

"In all due respect, Alpha," I gritted, "I must leave. My wolf is pissed, and I am struggling to control her."

Alpha Bradley's face softened.

I looked at him but looked at my mother, who looked annoyed.

"I don't want anything for my birthday," I said, "Nothing. Not a party or anything."

I stared at her, but her gaze went to Alpha Bradley.

"See, I told you she didn't want a fuss," she said.

I growled, which made her look back at me with wide eyes.

"I'm going," I muttered and turned, leaving all three looking as I left. As I approached the door, I felt someone behind me, and I heard a small voice. "Don't go," Thomas whispered, which made me stop and spin around.

Alpha Bradley and my Mum weren't in the room; they had gone elsewhere. I never heard them leave.

I stared at the little boy in front of me. He looked lost and hurt.

I felt for him, knelt before him, and placed my hands in his. "It's okay," I said. "I knew things wouldn't be easy with my mum; I learned that long ago."

Thomas stepped closer, moved his hands out of mine, and wrapped them around my neck. "Don't leave," he said, "I don't want you to leave."

I felt my heart break for him.

Nyx had stopped trying to take over and stood rooted to the spot, listening to Thomas as he spoke. He had a soothing voice.

"I won't," I whispered, pulling back slightly to look at him.

"I made a promise to you, remember," I said, tapping my nose.

Thomas stared, and a slow grin spread across his face.

"Secret training," he whispered.

I nodded.

"I don't break my promises," I said.

I moved back, looked over his head, and watched as Alpha Bradley looked on. His eyes were on us.

I watched as he moved closer and stopped.

"Sage, I'm sorry," he said, but I shook my head.

"It's okay," I said. "This whole thing with my mum won't be settled in one evening."

Alpha Bradley nodded as realization set on his face. He thought bringing me here might help my Mum heal, but that's not the case. We had deep wounds, and it would take a lot of talking to get them done, but at the moment, the mere thought of being in the same room as her made Nyx want to rip her apart.

I looked at Alpha Bradley.

"I don't think we should be together separately, not for a while," I said. "I want to try with her, but she doesn't help."

I didn't know if I meant what I said about trying with her, but all I wanted to do was leave.

Alpha Bradley nodded and stepped toward Thomas, placing his hand on Thomas's shoulder.

"I still want to do something for you," he said, "For your birthday."

I shook my head.

"You don't need to…" I started to say, but Alpha Bradley shook his head. "I want to," he said. "It's not every day that you turn twenty-one."

I stared at him and gave him a small smile.

"I don't know what to say," I said.

Alpha Bradley smiled.

"Nothing," he said, "We don't have to call it a birthday party; we could hold something as a welcome to the pack for you or something. I can decide later on."

I stared at him, but my eyes wandered behind him. There was no sign of my mother, but I was happy someone was trying with me, even if it wasn't her.

Alpha Bradley placed his hand in mine, bringing me back to him.

"I will talk to her," he said, slightly changing his voice. "You both need to settle the air and talk; maybe after a week of being here, you and her can try."

I stared at him, not knowing what to think.

All I wanted to do was clear the air between us, but my mother is set in her old ways. I wanted to say my peace and leave; even if it meant not having a relationship with her, I was set on trying.

Nyx huffed. She wasn't too thrilled with the idea, but she knew I needed to tell my Mum how I felt, and she was all for it, but accepting anything more than sorry from her, was something that had to be earned, and I couldn't agree more than that.

I cleared my throat.

"I will try," I said, "But I can't guarantee anything."

Alpha Bradley nodded.

I gave him a small smile and turned to leave the apartment.

I opened the door and headed out into the corridor.

The door closed behind me as I walked away.

My thoughts were everywhere.

I knew something would happen.

I walked down the steps and headed to my room, but something stopped me.

I looked around and felt eyes on me, but I didn't know where.

I felt a shiver run through me, and not in a good way.

Nyx growled as she stepped closer to the surface and scanned around, but there was nothing.

"No one's there," she grumbled.

I didn't say anything but looked around, but after a few moments, I walked to my room and headed inside, closing the door behind me.

I leaned on it momentarily as I scanned around the room, but looked down at my hands and saw dried blood. My claws had gone, and the wounds I made were gone too.

I sighed as I realized I didn't want to be here for a moment longer.

I walked over to my suitcase on the bed and zipped it up. I placed it on the ground and wheeled it to the closet. I moved the other one over to it and closed the door on them.

I should keep everything in them for a few days to know what to do. I might decide to leave.

Nyx agreed.

"You okay?" I asked as I looked back at her, but she shook her head. "Mama wolf had some nerve," she said as she sat on her hind legs.

"I know," I said. "I wasn't expecting much, but knowing she forgot my birthday, that hurt."

Nyx didn't say anything; her eyes stayed on me.

"I don't know what to do," I said. "I don't want to stay where I'm not wanted."

"Alpha and the young Alpha want us here," she said. "We can stay here till our birthday and see if we find our mate."

I stared at her, "Do you think he is here?" I asked.

Nyx stared at me, but something was clearly aggravating her.

"Nyx," I said, which made her look at me. She sighed.

"Nothing," she said, "And as for our mate being here, I don't know. We may change our minds after our birthday, but I don't know if it's because of our mate or what's happening."

I stared but nodded.

I looked at my room and sighed.

"I know I didn't eat anything," I said, "But I'm glad I didn't. I feel sick."

Nyx groaned.

"I know," she said, "Sleep you need. Maybe make some pancakes in the morning."

I looked back at her wide-eyed as drool slipped past her mouth.

I grinned.

"Like my pancakes, hey," I said, which made Nyx laugh and nod.

"Too right," she said.

I smiled.

I love Nyx more than anything.

Nyx's eyes stayed on me, and she lay down in my head.

"We have to figure out how to go for a run soon," she said. "We don't want people to know what kind of wolf we are."

I stared at her. She had a point.

"Maybe when it is dark, and no one is around," I said, "we could try it tomorrow evening. We can ask someone where people won't be able to see us and not think we are a rogue."

Nyx nodded, but a mischievous grin appeared.

"Maybe ask the older stepbrother," she said, "He may know."

I frowned.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked. "He's my stepbrother. I can't go thinking about him like that."

Nyx laughed.

"He may be a stepbrother," she said, "We don't have to do anything, but we can look. He's hot."

I felt my cheeks flush slightly as Nyx laughed.

Damn wolf.

I shouldn't be looking, let alone doing anything untoward.

"I'm going to get ready for bed," I mumbled as Nyx laughed more uncontrollably in my head.

I ignored her as I looked back at the closet.

I needed to get rid of the day.

I've had enough; maybe tomorrow will be different.

I needed to figure out what I was going about my mother, but I could decide after my birthday.