Chapter 5

Tabitha’s POV

“You’ve got a death wish, don’t you?” Reed mutters as he flips the gun in his hand before cocking it and leveling the barrel right at me.

“Leaving Kaelara five years ago must have toughen you up, stepsis,” Jace snips. “Fine. Let’s see if that bravado still holds when the bullets fly.”

My heart pounds like a war drum inside my chest. It’s so loud I’m half convinced they can hear it too. Every inch of my body screams to tremble but I lock my muscles in place. I stare straight ahead. I force a calm expression onto my face and pray it doesn’t crack.

Shit.

This is insane. No, this is suicide. But if I back down now, I lose more than a challenge. I lose every inch of ground I’ve fought to claim since stepping foot back in this house… this island.

The brothers spread out across the range, each taking a position with one target in mind. They have one shot each to hit the four apples—one balanced on my head, two resting on my shoulders, and one lying in the center of my open palm.

I’ve never been the religious type, but I think this is the perfect time to pray. Holy shit.

Jace lifts his gun first. He gives me a lopsided grin like this is all some joke to him. His finger hovers over the trigger, then he pulls it. The shot rings out so sharply my shoulders twitch from the sound. The apple on my right shoulder bursts into pulp, spraying juice and sticky fragments across my cheek. The bullet whistles past just inches from my head but I force myself not to flinch, not even blink, even as my pulse drums so loud I can barely hear anything else.

Oh crap. Oh crap. Oh crap!

I have barely recovered from that when Reed moves next. He shifts slightly to adjust his stance, then fires. The apple on my left shoulder splits in two. I clench my jaw as seeds scatter like confetti around my feet. He smirks like he just won a game.

You’re enjoying this, asshole?

My eyes drift to the remaining brothers who are yet to take their shot. Luca lifts his weapon and doesn’t waste anymore time before shooting the damn thing. The bullet rips straight through the apple perched on my head. For one horrifying moment I swear I feel my hair lift from the wind of the shot. I have to swallow a gasp and pretend that I did not almost pee in my pants.

My weary eyes drift to the last remaining brother. Evren. He stares at me blankly while pointing the gun at the remaining apple that I’m holding. I have no idea what he’s thinking and honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever figure out what kind of thoughts run in this man’s head.

Not that I have to worry about that because I am too busy tracking his movement as he tugs on the trigger, shooting the bullet clean through the center of the apple in my palm. The apple in my palm jerks but it stays there, perfectly upright within my ironclad grip. I glance at it and see a single bullet hole sitting cleanly through the center. Damn.

It’s over.

The breath rushes into my lungs like I’ve been drowning this whole time. I don’t know how I’m still standing. Evren dismantles his gun, lowers it, then tosses it aside without a word. He walks away as if none of this happened. I let out a shaky exhale as I watch him walk inside the mansion, exactly right where I want them to be. My knees feel weak but I hold myself up.

I did it. And I survived it!

Luca watches me with narrowed eyes. Like he’s trying to place a puzzle piece that doesn’t quite fit while unloading his gun.

“It’s almost hard to believe that you’re the same girl we knew five years ago,” he says.

I meet his gaze. “Then, I guess you never really knew me.”

He smirks.

“I wouldn’t mind getting to know you again. And by the looks of it, we’ve got plenty of time to do that, my dear stepsister.” He winks at me before turning around and following Evren inside the mansion.

Jace whistles and shakes his head. “Weren’t you scared?”

I give him a shrug. “You’re the navy commander’s sons. I was rooting that you’d have at least the decent skills to hit your target. Good thing you didn’t disappoint.”

“You’re bold. Reckless. Maybe you fit in more than I’d like to admit.” He smirks.

Reed scoffs. “I doubt that. It takes more than guns and bullets to last here, stepsister. I wonder how long you’ll last before you go running again like you used to.”

He slithers toward me and snatches the apple from my palm, the one with the bullet hole. Then, he bites into it and tosses the rest aside like it’s nothing. His eyes flick over me with that same old smugness, the one that used to shrink me down to nothing in high school. He leans in just close enough for me to feel the heat of his breath. “Let’s see how long that spine of yours holds up, Tabby.”

Then he turns around and heads back to the mansion.

I watch his back as he leaves. I don’t say anything. I don’t need to. I already won.

To Alpha Emery and my mother’s shock, the brothers actually show up for lunch. Emery raises a brow but says nothing. Mom tries not to look too surprised but she throws me an appreciative look as she squeezes my hand under the table. She looks happy with their presence and it’s enough for me. I did what I had to do.

The Aldair brothers take their seats and their friends too.

“Well,” Emery says while scanning each of his sons as they take their seats, “either the world’s ending… or my sons decided to join a family lunch willingly.”

Jace shrugs. “Let’s just say your fiancée’s daughter has a… persuasive way with words.”

My cheeks heat up in embarrassment when I catch Alpha Emery throwing me a curious look. I try to focus on my meal and pretend that I don’t notice.

Fortunately, the topic quickly shifts when my mom pops some updates regarding the upcoming wedding.

“We’ve finalized the details for the engagement celebration,” Mom says brightly.

“It’ll be held here at the estate two days from now,” Alpha Emery adds.

“Two days?” Jace raises a brow. “That’s a bit sudden, don’t you think?”

“I’ve had it planned for weeks,” Emery says firmly. “There’s no reason to delay.”

“I had a dress specially made for you, Tabby,” Mom says excitedly.

“Thanks, Mom. I’m sure it’s beautiful,” I say quietly.

“We’re expecting important guests for the celebration. Leaders from the Stormblood and Deathclaw packs will be there, along with a few council members.” He pauses and turns to Jace. “And I heard Yennifer will be attending too. Isn’t that good news? You should catch up with her.”

I stiffen at the familiar name. Yennifer? Yennifer Wix. Of course, she’ll be there.

My blood runs cold. The sound of her name alone is enough to pull old ghosts from the shadows. Yennifer Wix was basically the queen of Silver Hills High and one of the worst bullies I had the misfortune of crossing paths with—aside from the Aldair brothers. Unlike Reed, Jace, Luca, and Evren who mainly mess with me when they’re bored, Yennifer made bullying look like a sport. She and her minions would hunt me down in the corridors of the school and throw mean pranks at me. They once poured juice inside my locker. Another time, they stuck gum on my seat so I’d walk around all day with it stuck to my skirt. I couldn’t walk the halls without hearing their laughs and snide comments.

No one dared to stop her and devious streak because she’s the Crystal Ridge packs’ beta’s niece and everyone knows that she’s also close with the Aldair brothers who are practically royalties in the island and especially at the Silver Hills High.

I glance at Jace. He’s gripping his fork a little too hard.

If I remember it right, Yennifer is one of Jace’s many girlfriends which made her practically untouchable during high school.

“Yennifer and I are done. Why should I care if she’s there?” Jace says and stabs his roasted chicken.

They broke up?

Emery shakes his head, looking disappointed. “That’s exactly your problem. You treat relationships like toys. You chase the next thing that amuses you, then throw it away once you’re bored. Yennifer is strong. Well-connected. She would make a good wife.”

Jace’s jaw ticks. “So now you’re arranging my love life too? Funny how you can play matchmaker for me but no one’s allowed to question yours.”

A heavy silence falls over the table. Emery sets his wine glass down slowly and looks at his son. My mom shifts on her seat. She looks uncomfortable but doesn’t dare say a word. Hell, it would be suicide to go against Emery Aldair while he looks this pissed. Clearly, Jace has a death wish because he’s glaring at his father right now and that seems to enrage Emery more.

“I am the Alpha of this house. Commanding officer of Kaelara’s naval station. I lead this family and the pack that serves it. You are a son with a last name and nothing else. If you want to be more than that, then earn it,” Emery growls and I swear I can feel his anger vibrating in the air.

Shit. Angry Alphas are something else. Especially an Alpha as strong as Emery Aldair. He’s one scary man.

Jace doesn’t say anything. He just clenches his jaw and stares at his plate like he’s one second away from flipping it. Luca, Evren, and Reed also remain quiet but the look in their eyes is enough for me to know that they are not happy with the whole thing.

They’re angry at their father but even that isn’t enough to go against the most powerful Alpha in this whole island.

I glance at Emery Aldair. There’s a frown on his forehead as he slices into his chicken. He may always smile at my mother, but he definitely is harsh towards his son. And for the first time, I’m confused if I should feel pity for the four brothers.