2. HE'S MY STEPBROTHER.

LUELLA 

“My what?!” I gaped at my mother, my chest tightening. Moving in with… who? How could she decide this without informing me?

I was already having a bad day, and just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, she decided to shock me with this news.

“I knew I should have told you earlier,” she said quietly.

“You knew?” I shook my head in disbelief. “So you just waited until the last minute instead?” My voice cracked as anger burned through me. 

“Wait.” My heart slammed. “You didn't change my school for him… did you?” Her eyes darted away in an instant, and I couldn't hold back my scoff. 

 “You're unbelievable.”

I stormed into my room angrily, only to meet with two boxes already packed. My whole life was about to change and she didn't think I should know in advance?

“Luella…” A gentle knock resonated through the room as my mother called out softly. “I'm sorry… I wasn't sure of how you would react if I told you earlier. I just want what's best for you,”

That sounded like a whole lot of bullshit to me. I thought we were close!

Ignoring her, I changed into a free dress before joining her downstairs. I watched as she struggled to fit our luggage into her car, and I couldn't help but stare at our house one last time.

“How was school today?” She asked, trying to make a small conversation as she drove us to God knows where. 

I should have known something was off when she changed my school to a different Pack entirely.

I kept my gaze fixed on the window, watching the familiar city I grew up in blur past, as we headed towards Crestville Pack.

I didn't utter a single word despite all the attempts my mother made to get me talking. 

“I know all of this is still a surprise to you, but can you please be at your best, at least for today? Richard means a lot to me, but I understand that it'd take time for you to accept him. If after then, you still don't like him, then we can leave—” 

She trailed off, gripping the steering wheel as she spoke. “But for what it's worth, can you please, give us a chance?”

Her eyes met mine, pleading, and I inhaled sharply. My mother deserves the world. As much as I hated this new change, I knew how much she's been through since my father died so if this will make her happy, so be it.

“Then at least let me go on the girls’ trip with Hallie,” my lips curved up in a smirk and my mother shook her head with a smile.

“We'll have to resit that conversation, young lady.”

The rest of the ride was filled with us yelling out the lyrics of our favorite song, and somehow, watching my mother happy again melted my heart. If relocating is the sacrifice I have to make to see her go back to her old self, so be it.

She pulled up in front of a huge mansion, and I couldn't help but gasp at the sight. “Mom, are you sure we are at the right place?”

A huge grin graced her lips as she held my hands. “Come on, baby, we're home.”

My mouth hung open as we stepped out of the car, making me wonder who her new man is. A few maids were already outside, waiting to carry our luggage when a man likely in his late forties came to join us.

“Is that your new man?” I asked, not bothering to tone down my voice. I didn't know who he was, but I could have sworn that I had seen his face somewhere. 

Not that it mattered though, but judging from the expensive Rolex on his wrist and the way his shoe shone under the light, I could tell he was not an ordinary person.

“You made it!” He said cheerfully, pulling my mother into a hug before she could reply. “How was the journey? Hope it wasn't stressful? You should have allowed my driver to come pick you up as I suggested.”

My mother broke the hug reluctantly, glancing over at me, and the man seemed to catch on quickly.

“Luella?” His face flicked over me. “You're even prettier than your mother said. Nice to finally meet you, I'm Richard.” he said with a smile.

He does seem like a decent man and right now, my mother's happiness was all that mattered.

“Nice to meet—”

“Alpha!” A voice called from behind, cutting me off. Richard turned at the voice and a man came rushing towards us.

He bowed in front of Richard, taking me by surprise.

“A-Alpha?” My voice dropped, looking at my mother confused. “What does he mean… Alpha?”

Richard dismissed the man and my mother glanced at Richard before meeting my eyes. “Erm… I might have left out a few things,” she said, shifting her weight nervously.

“You're unbelievable.”

I went to the car to grab my luggage, as a maid led me inside. The inside was even more beautiful than anything I've ever seen. An art portrait hung on the wall, a glassy door, and chandeliers. Everywhere felt surreal, but I was too pissed to admire the masterpiece in front of me.

First, she didn't tell me she had a man, and now she hid his identity? Seriously?

“This is your room, ma'am,” the maid said with a small smile, as she pushed the door open. 

The room was twice as big as my old one. Everywhere was beautifully decorated, and it felt like I was living a fairytale.

“Thank you.”

The maid left, leaving me to myself, as I wondered what would happen next. I had just moved to a Pack where nobody knows me. My chances of making friends at my new school were slim, and if I were being honest, it was the last place I wanted to be.

The sound of a gentle knock resonated through the room, but before I could answer, Richard peeped in.

“Can I come in?” He asked with a small smile and I nodded.

“I know you're pissed that your mother hid the truth from you, but she was just afraid. You know how much she loves you.”

I nodded, not sure I wanted to say anything right now. Richard did seem like a pretty cool person, but all of these were just too much for me to take.

“You can join us downstairs for dinner or I can have someone bring it over,” he offered, but I didn't think giving him attitude in his own house made any sense.

“I'll be down in a minute,” I muttered, and he nodded.

Alpha Richard left afterwards and it took me another five minutes to process my thoughts. I went downstairs to join them when I noticed someone else was at the table.

He had his head down, pressing his phone, but I couldn't shake off the familiar dread in the pit of my stomach. Alpha Richard's eyes lit up as he spotted me.

“There you are,” he said, gesturing for me to take the empty seat beside the boy. 

My gaze darted to my mother who looked as guilty as ever. I pulled the empty seat beside the boy, who was still busy with his phone.

“Luella,” Richard said smoothly. “This is my son… Asher.”

He raised his head at the sound of his name. His gaze met with mine and my stomach dropped.

“You?!”