3.Stepbrothers

Tabitha’s POV

“It’s a hot day. They’re probably cooling down at the pool. Come with me.”

And we do. The sun glints off the water as we follow Emery to the back patio. I hear music playing softly from a speaker somewhere and some voices bouncing off the water and stone.

I try to steady my breath. My palms feel clammy. My heart is going at it like it’s ready to run a marathon. But I keep walking. I keep my chin up. I tell myself it’s fine. I’m not that girl anymore. Not the one who hid in bathroom stalls during lunch. Not the one who cried behind the bleachers. Not the one who tripped and fell and got laughed at by the whole school because I’m not as strong as them.

I’ve changed. And they will see that too.

So I pull my shoulders back and follow Emery past the sliding doors, bracing myself for what’s on the other side.

As soon as my gaze lands on the pool, I immediately catch the familiar figures of four men.

Here they are.

Jace is sitting at the edge of the pool with his feet in the water. Reed is standing waist-deep tossing a ball up and catching it like he’s bored. Luca is stretched out on a lounge chair with his sunglasses on. And Evren’s under the umbrella with a book in his hand.

And here I thought I was the only one who has changed for the past five years. They have changed too. They are no longer boys… these are men. Their arms are lean and defined. Their chests are broad and toned from years of training. Even the way they move feels heavier now, like they’ve grown into their strength.

I’m not sure if I should be amazed or terrified.

Emery walks up and stops near the pool. The brothers keep doing whatever they’re doing until he clears his throat.

“Boys,” he says. “I want you to meet someone.”

That gets their attention. One by one they glance over.

“This is Tabitha. She’s Isla’s daughter.”

Silence ensues. Their faces twist with recognition, like they’re trying to place a name to a ghost. I don’t look away. For a moment, it’s like we’re frozen in some weird staring contest, no one willing to speak first. The shift in their eyes tells me everything. They know exactly who I am.

“No fucking way,” Reed gasps. He lifts a finger and shamelessly points at me. “You’re telling me that’s Chubby Tabby?”

My cheeks burn in utter embarrassment. I can’t believe he just said that out loud. That stupid nickname. That humiliating reminder of everything I tried to leave behind.

Jace squints like he’s trying to make sure I’m real. “Wait… Tabitha Huxley? From Silver Hill High?” His eyes scan me slowly from head to toe. “The chubby girl who cried behind the bleachers?”

“She doesn’t look so fat now. In fact… she’s cleaned up pretty well,” Reed comments, boldly sweeping me up from head to toe.

“This is… unexpected.” Luca pushes his sunglasses down his nose. “I almost didn’t recognize her.”

Yeah, I’ve slimmed down considerably for the past five years. Either from being sick often or because of my more active lifestyle. But I’m definitely far from the fat loser they used to know. And yet, I wished they had just forgotten about me. Not this. Now, I feel like they will only have more reasons to pick on me.

Evren doesn’t say a word. He closes his book, sets it down, and looks at me with that same unreadable expression. His eyes drop to my knee, just briefly that I almost miss it. Then they come back to my face.

“I’m marrying Isla. So, you better get used to seeing them around,” Emery declares.

“Hi, boys. It’s so good to finally meet you.” Mom beams and waves her hand enthusiastically.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Reed grumbles.

Evren’s gaze shifts from Mom back to Emery. His jaw clenches in apparent irritation. “What is the meaning of this?”

“I already informed you that I plan to remarry. Isla will be my new wife and that makes Tabitha your new stepsister. They will be moving here in the estate from now on.”

“You’ve gotta be kidding me…” Reed spits in clear frustration.

Yeah, I’m not happy about this too, jerk.

Evren hops out of the pool and angrily marches towards his father. I can almost hear his teeth grinding in fury as he stares his father down.

“You’re bringing a human into this house? Into our bloodline?” he snarls.

“Watch your tone, boy. I may be your father but I am still your Alpha.” Emery’s jaw tightens with barely-restrained anger.

“This is stupid and you know that!” Evren bellows.

My mom jumps in fear. I clutch her arm as we scoot a few inches away from the Aldairs, but it’s not enough to escape the terrifying pressure that radiates off them. The air grows thick and almost suffocating. Their eyes shift in molten gold, glowing with fury and power. Those are the eyes of an Alpha—the superior bloodline of werewolves that the Aldairs have long been celebrated for.

“You don’t question my decision, Evren. You follow it,” Emery growls, voice sharp enough to cut through steel. “This isn’t up for debate. Isla will be my wife, and Tabitha will live under this roof. That makes her part of this family.”

Jace lets out a sharp sarcastic laugh at the pool. “This must be a joke. You’re telling me Chubby Tabby is going to be our new stepsister?”

Before I can react, he scoops a handful of water and flings it straight at me.

“Ahh!” I yelp, stumbling back as the cold water drench me full.

“Enough!” Emery’s voice booms across the patio.

Emery’s voice cracks like thunder, louder than anything I’ve ever heard. It slams into your chest and rattles your bones. That’s the Alpha in him, the raw command buried in every word. The kind that makes wolves drop to their knees without thinking.

His sons lightly bow their heads, but the hint of anger still simmers beneath their forced submission.

Emery’s eyes sweep over his sons like a blade. “You don’t have to like it. But you will respect it.

Disrespect either of them again, and you’ll answer to me.”

Emery leads us back to the mansion. I glance over my shoulder and see the way they’re staring. Their expressions aren’t just hateful. There’s confusion in their eyes, something unreadable that lingers a moment too long.

My heart pounds as I follow Mom and Emery inside. The house is massive on the outside but the interior is on another level of grandeur. The ceilings stretch high above, and everything smells like wood polish and money. Emery stops at a door and informs me that it will be my room from now on.

I step in. The room is huge, almost double the size of our old apartment. The queen-sized bed also looks untouched. There’s a chandelier above and a walk-in closet off to the side. Shit, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this kind of luxury.

But then, this place is everything that my mom has ever dreamed of. The life she and Dad had wanted to provide for me.

Maybe Mom was right. Maybe this is our chance to turn things around. The Aldairs are powerful and rich. Life here could be easier. No more worrying about rent or skipping meals, or thinking how we would repay our debts.

But when I remember the way the quadruplets looked at me, I wonder if anything will be easy here at all.

**

That night, we’re thrown into probably the most awkward dinner of my life.

The five brothers are already at the table when Mom and I walk in. Emery sits at the head. Mom takes the seat to his right. I sit beside her. Across from us, the brothers sit together on the other side—but not one of them looks our way. If anything, they look forced to sit with me and my mom.

If only I can tell them that I feel the same way.

The plates are already set. The food smells amazing. It’s roast lamb, garlic potatoes, buttered greens but I can barely touch it.

Mom, trying to fill the silence, smiles as she slices into her lamb. “This is delicious. Did the estate always have a private chef?”

“He’s been with the family for years. Trained in Milan.” Emery nods.

“I would've enjoyed it if someone warned us we’d be hosting strangers for dinner,” Reed fires, not even bothering to look up from his plate.

“Reed!” Emery warns, his hand gripping the knife a little too hard.

“I wouldn’t get used to it. Not everyone can last here, anyway.” Jace sips on his drink and throws me a knowing look. “Some break faster than others.”

“Watch your mouths! I won’t tolerate insolence in my house,” Emery growls and slams his fist on the table.

Reed lets out a scoff and tosses his napkin onto the table.

“I’m done.” He shoves back his chair and walks off without looking at anyone.

Jace leans back in his seat, picks up his wine glass, and lazily swirls what’s left. “Well, there goes my appetite.” He sets the glass down and pushes his plate away. He rises with a sigh and strolls off, not even pretending to be sorry.

I glance at the remaining brothers at the table—Evren and Luca—fully expecting them to walk out as well. But they don’t. They just eat in silence, unbothered by the shameless rude behavior of their siblings. They don’t look at me or at Mom. It’s like we don’t exist.

It grates on my nerves how they are not even trying to hide their distaste about us. Picking on me is one thing, but disrespecting my mom is another. It’s something I cannot tolerate.

Surprisingly, the two manage to finish their meal before quietly leaving the table after a curt nod at their father, completely ignoring me and my mom.

Assholes.

Mom looks evidently defeated at this, even as she forces a smile and picks at her food. He doesn’t say anything about their behavior, but I can tell it weighs on her.

I stare down at my plate, appetite gone. The food is perfect, but I can’t bring myself to enjoy any of it. Not when the room still lingers with the air of silent judgment. It’s like sitting at a table full of ghosts—except the ghosts are alive and still capable of cruelty.

I hate them.

Maybe Mom was wrong. Maybe they haven’t changed at all. They’re still the same bullies from five years ago. Only meaner. Older. Stronger. And now, I’m trapped in their house.

***

That night, I find myself unable to sleep, even while lying on the softest bed I’ve ever been in. The sheets are warm. The room is quiet. But my mind won’t shut off. I keep replaying the dinner in my head. I’m afraid Reed was right. I don’t think we’re going to last here.

I try to squirm on the bed to find a more comfortable position in my last-ditch effort to sleep. But no matter how much I try, my mind just won’t let me rest. Eventually, I sigh and sit up, staring at the shadows crawling along the ceiling.

Screw it.

I slip out of bed, throw on a hoodie, and quietly step into the hall.

The hallways are quiet as I pad through them. I figure everyone’s asleep by now, which makes this the perfect time to explore without running into anyone. Hopefully.

The mansion is bigger than I thought. Honestly, I’m not used to this much space in a house. Every corridor seems to twist into another. The walls are lined with dark wood and old family photos, but what catches my eye are the framed awards near the stairs—naval plaques, commendations, medals. All of them bear the name Captain Emery Aldair, Commanding Officer of Kaelara Naval Station. Of course he’s decorated. Figures.

He is a freaking legend in the island and in the werewolf world. What a scary man. I can’t believe he’s engaged to my mom.

I keep walking until the hallway curves, leading me to a large alcove at the end. I notice a lone portrait hanging on the far wall. I walk closer to get a better look.

It’s a photograph of an elegant-looking woman. She looks so regal with her long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. Her eyes are a striking pair of Caribbean blue that remind me of Evren and Reed.

This must be the quadruplets’ mother, Corinne Aldair. The late wife of Emery Aldair and the former Luna of the Crystal Ridge pack.

She’s breathtaking.

I glance around and realize there’s no other portrait of her anywhere else. Just this old one. A single memory preserved in canvas.

“What are you doing here?”

Shit.

I turn around to see Evren behind me, shirtless, and glaring at me.