My Cruel Stepbrother is My Mate

Chapter 1

Ezra's Pov

The egg cracked against my back with a disgusting squelch. I couldn't even feel it through the thick mascot suit but the roar of laughter told me enough.

Another hit my head, yolk sliding down my furry costume. The smell was rotten and the heat was unbearable but still, I stood there. A joke in a ridiculous suit, drowning in the sound of everyone laughing at me.

“Um… Lisa?” I called quietly. “Can I go? It's been two hours already.”

I couldn't see Lisa's face but I knew she's probably wearing a scowl on her face.

I squinted behind my glasses as Lisa yanked off the wolf headpiece of my costume, flinging it to the floor.

A sigh of relief escaped me. “Thank you. For a moment I thought you'd…”

I'd barely completed my sentence before she shoved me to the floor.

“Wow. The floor looks good on you. That's where you belong.” Lisa whisked hair away from her face as she laughed. The other cheerleaders joined them including Maisie. Maisie used to be my best friend but ever since I got rejected during the Mating Ceremony last year, she stopped being friends with me and found a better flock — Lisa's BlueRock Queens. They always pick on the weak Omega's in school and unfortunately, I am one.

“Look at her, she's so pathetic.” Maisie snickered at Lisa and the group laughed again.

I struggled to get off the floor but I couldn't lift myself. My entire body was drenched with sweat and I could barely get the costume to move.

“Please,” I extended my hand. “Can someone help me up? The coach will be here soon and he wouldn't be happy if he sees me like this.”

“Well, why don't we all wait till he gets here, you know, to see his reaction?” Alya, one of Lisa's minions, smirked.

“I bet he'll get so pissed and kick her off the team.” Kayla, one of the cheerleaders added and they all shared a laugh.

“Please,” I added with tears in my eyes. “If I get kicked off the team, I'll lose any chance of getting into CaveHope University.”

I wasn't lying when I said that. CaveHope University was one of the most prestigious colleges in the entire country. My mom can't afford their exorbitant school fees so the only way I could ever get enrolled is through a sports scholarship. If I lose this now, I'll risk my entire future.

“Please, help me up and I'll do anything.” I pleaded.

Something flickered in Lisa's eyes and she grinned.

“Anything?” She mused.

I swallowed hard then replied. “Anything.”

It couldn't be that bad. I'd seen worse at her hands : getting my uniforms soiled with soured milk, ripped textbooks a day before test week, ruined shoes and umbrella. I'd seen it all. This dare couldn't be something I hadn't already experienced.

“In that case,” she extended her hand and I took it. When she lifted me to my feet, she spun me around to face the other side of the gym room where the basketball team was gathered.

“I want you…” she leaned closer, her strawberry breath brushing against my neck. “... to kiss Jake.”

My hair stood on their ends. “W - what?”

Maisie and the girls gave each other high-fives as they laughed. Don't they ever get tired of laughing?

“Did I stutter?” Lisa scoffed. “Go on.”

I shook my head. “I'm sorry but… I can't.”

“Why not?” She hiked both her hands on her hips. “You promised to do anything.”

“Anything but that,” I mumbled. “I can't kiss that guy. He hates me.”

“I can't kiss that guy. He hates me.” Lisa mimicked me before rolling her eyes. “If your precious scholarship is anything to you then I suggest you get moving. You don't want the coach to kick you off the team now, do you?”

I shook my head. “No. I don't want that.”

“Then I suggest you move.” She gave me a light shove but I caught myself before I fell. The last thing I wanted was another disaster where I fell and couldn't get up.

“50 seconds, Heart!” Lisa called behind me.

My heart stuttered. She was counting the time?

“Oh Goddess, what do I do?” I mumbled to myself as I neared the boys.

One of them noticed me and pointed out. “Yo, check it out. It's Eggwash.”

The players echoed a holler before they broke into laughter.

Eggwash, TinBarbie, Bookclown, amongst others, were my nicknames. Eggwash is the most popular and the guy that came up with it was staring, no, glaring at me.

I fisted my hands beneath my costume and sucked in a breath. To hell with my pride, I can't get kicked off the team.

“Um… Jake, can I talk to you for a sec?” I asked quietly. “In private?”

“No.” He replied with a grin. “Whatever you want to say, Eggwash, say it in front of them.”

“Yeah!” His friends clapped his back in support and laughed. I'd never felt so small in my life.

“Please?” I took another step closer.

“Holy smokes, you stink, Eggwash!” He pinched his nose. “Go take a shower!”

Everyone in the gym broke into laughter and I looked down, embarrassed.

“30 seconds, Heart!” Lisa's reminder snapped me from my daze and I looked up.

I can't lose my scholarship. Not when I promised mom I'd become a famous writer and take care of her.

“It's a few seconds till the coach gets here,” Maisie called out. “Wouldn't want to miss your scholarship, would you?”

Shit.

I turned to Jake and whispered. “I'm so sorry about this.”

He scoffed. “What are you —”

He didn't get the chance to finish that sentence because I slammed my lips over his and kissed him.

Whoop’s and woah’s surround us in an echo and for a moment, I completely forgot that this was a dare. Why does Jake smell so good and why is my chest tightening with each kiss? I heard the door click behind us and that broke the spell or maybe, Jake broke it because he pushed me.

His face pinked but I don't think it was because of rage.

“How dare you —”

“Alright, team,” Coach Allen burst through the doors with Assistant Coach Gallagher. “Let's focus on today — woah, what is that smell?!”

“It's me, sir,” I raised my hand immediately. “I think it's my suit.”

“You think?” He pinched his nose.

“I know.” I looked down for the second time that afternoon.

“No practice for you, Heart. You better make sure you get that suit washed. I want it smelling like Sabrina Carpenter’s armpit by tomorrow. Do you understand?” Coach said.

I nodded with a smile. “Yes, sir.”

A sigh of relief escaped as I exited the gym room.

Me — 1. Lisa — 0