A plan in motion

At first, she thought I had an alpha I liked, but I convinced her it was for the term's paper. She dropped the case, and well… gave me exactly what I needed, a way to get my brother to fall for me even when I knew I shouldn't have such a thought, not when there's a possibility of him finding his mate, something I'm beginning to doubt. If he had a mate, he would have found them 4 years ago after he turned eighteen.

As for me having a mate, I never intended to be with the person, as long as they weren't my brother.

“Baby!” Jay called from downstairs. “The pizza is here. It's time for dinner!”

“Coming!” I yelled back, a small smile creeping on my face as I got down from the bed. The big shirt, I wore stopped at the middle of my thighs when standing. When sitting, it couldn't even cover the short pink boxers I chose. I flexed my slender legs, which Debra claimed were so attractive that they made her jealous. I was actually banking on her words tonight.

Exhaling, to prepare me for what I was about to do, I left my room and headed downstairs, my steps light, barefoot, with just the ankle-length socks to keep my feet warm.

Jay was fiddling with the television when I stepped into the living room. He turned, a smile on his face before he froze, his eyes running down my body, to my exposed thighs.

This was the first time I'd worn such a revealing outfit. Even to bed, my pyjamas always reached my knees or passed them. Now, I was standing in front of him, partially clad, in an outfit I was positive was seductive enough.

However, when the silence drew on for a while, I became nervous. Gulping, I reached for the hem of the shirt, intending to pull it down, to at least cover my exposed thighs, before I remembered Debra's words. “The first step into seducing an alpha is to be confident. Never show your fear and nerves to them.”

Putting a smile on my face, I walked to him. “Are you alright, floored by my beauty?” I made it sound like a joke, acting like I wasn't bloody expecting his response.

He blinked, cleared his throat, and grinned. “I was just floored by your charm. It took me unawares, like a train derailing from its tracks, leaving me stunned and disoriented in its wake.”

I felt a jolt, my stomach clenching, leaving me breathless. Even though I knew he only meant those words in the Platonic sense, his words struck a chord deep within me, resonating in a way that was both unsettling and exhilarating.

I gulped, blinked, then let out a nervous chuckle. “Being poetic, are we?” I grinned and snatched the remote from him before he could respond. “Which series are we watching tonight?” I looked at him, eyebrows raised and my steady heartbeat gradually picking up at the proximity. Feeling his scent wrap around me almost muddled my senses, like they always did. It never affected me before.

He gestured to the television. “Your call. I don't have any series I want to watch. Let's just go with your choice.”

Like we always do each time we watch a series together. It had always been my call, with him doing everything I wanted. 

“Okay… Let's see…” I sat down on the couch, sitting in such a way that the shirt passed my boxers, exposing them to any who wished to steal a glance. Acting like it was the most natural thing to do. I focused on the TV, looking for the right station. At first, I wanted to watch a romantic series. It was what I always picked each time we had a movie night. However, after my small chat with Debra, I learned that horror movies work wonders. With that in mind, I chose the one I'd heard Debra whisper, 'was scary enough.

“Baby.”

I whipped my head towards him at the whispered call, eyebrows raised and my expression innocent, even when my actions weren't. “Huh?”

 

“That's a horror movie. You know, right?”

Of course, I know, darling. It's just part of the plan. I didn't tell him that though. I widened my eyes, like I was just realizing that. “It's a horror series? Titles can be deceiving.” Yet, I didn't move to change it. Instead, I leaned back on the couch. “I guess it's fate,” I grinned at him as the movie started. “Let's just watch this one, okay?”

Jay frowned. “This isn't just a light horror movie. It's hardcore. Why don't you pick something else? There's this soap opera I heard —”

“Nah, let's just watch this. I'm not a kid any more. You don't have to worry about me.”

Ray looked unsure at first before he let out a sigh and nodded. “If you like.”

He was still reluctant, probably recalling how I had shaken in his arms five years ago after watching a horror movie. For a week, the fear enveloped me everywhere I went, like a shroud. It wasn't pretty. Every little sound made me jump until I grew out of it. After that, father banned the watching of horror movies in the house.

 I hadn't seen one at home since then, but I had watched dozens with Debra, gotten over my fears and learned to be strong without my family's knowledge. 

“Come on, loosen up. I'm good. See?” I glanced at the TV as the movie started, knowing we were yet to get to the scary part. I grabbed a pizza from the box and relaxed back on the couch, taking a bite and moaning as the cheese hit my tongue.

I heard shuffling beside me as Jay did the same. Together, we ate, silently watching a movie that was building up slowly. Jay kept on glancing at me as he ate, concerned, while I bided my time, waiting for the moment I needed.

I devoured the last of the pizza and finished my glass of juice and took the empty carton, while Jay paused the video so he could go with me to the kitchen, to wash his hands.  After that, we returned to the living room, and he started the movie. I snuggled close to him like I'd always done, but didn't bother with the blanket. I wanted him to get a clear view of my thighs. It was part of the seduction plans, after all.

Jay cleared his throat. “Baby, aren't you feeling cold?”

I shook my head, smiling. “Nah, I'm good.” I moved closer, raising my right leg. Just then, the first scream came on, and I did exactly what I had been aiming for all night. I jumped on him.