4

ETHAN

My blood boils with anger as I see Maya wipe her tears.

“It's okay, I will take care of it.” I say.

“Oh, please. It's way beyond you and I. It's not about me, it's because I'm from silver moon pack. It will never stop.”

“I will get them to stop. You didn't do anything to them, and if they don't stop troubling you, they will have to deal with me.” I snorts.

She tilts her head to the side, and she gives me that look that says that she doesn't trust me.

“Why are you even helping me, asshole?”

“Because, monkey, I'm the only one who is allowed to bully or prank you.” I say. “Where is the fun in it if you are too sad and depressed to fight me?”

She smiles, even though I still see tears in her eyes. This pleases my wolf, he hates to see her sad.

“Come, let's go to the bedroom,” I say to her.

I grab her hand, before she could protest, and I pull her back into the room that we share.

She tries to grab her phone, but I snatch it from her hands. She hasn't gone through social media, and it's best we keep things that way.

“I will hold on to your phone for the next few days,” I murmur as I slip it into my back pocket.

“Who said you can do that? It's not like you're my father.” She hiss.

“Yeah, right.” I snort. “So, are you going to tell me where you are coming from, monkey?”

Her face immediately turns red, and she looks away from me. “I… it's none of your business, Ethan.”

“You are such a stubborn girl.” I shake my head. “Don't leave the house today. I am out to train with some of the boys, but I will be back shortly.”

I grab a shirt from my side of the closet and lift it up.

My eyes wander to Maya, and I see that she seems to be lost staring at my body.

She has been doing this thing when she stares at me with dreamy eyes.

Maybe there is a weird stain on my abs, I run my hand over my stomach, and look at it, but there is nothing.

“Maya, are you okay? Why do you keep staring like that?”

“Like what?” She swallows a gulp. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

I just chuckle and put on my shirt. “Don't leave this room, okay? And don't try to search anything on the internet!”

I bang the door shut, and breathe out in relief. I can't stop pretending now, I lean against the wall and run my fingers through my hair.

“What's wrong with you, Ethan? Your father is going to kill you.” I murmur to myself.

Maybe training vigorously with the boys would do me some good.

Maybe I will stop perceiving the mate scent from my stepsister and being weirdly protective of her…

*****

I am waiting for her in the car for school, it's raining, but she gets into the car without a cardigan.

“Where is your cardigan, monkey?” I frown.

“What? It's not even that cold.”

I would have made her go back to get one, but we might be late, so I just take mine off and drop it on her lap.

“Hey, asshole, there is no need for that.”

“I'm the one who will get grounded if you catch a terrible cold.” I scoff as I start the car.

She gives up without any more protest, and we start to head to school.

Today, I am extra aware of Maya's presence in my car.

I don't know what happened, but days ago, I felt a shift in myself and my wolf, when it comes to her.

I keep glancing at her, making sure that she is okay, and I don't tell her that I plan to beat up that kid that started that silly rumor…

I thought I was imagining things, I thought that I was becoming crazy, but over the days, her emerging scent has become stronger.

It's true that silver moon bloodline matures a little earlier than others, but she is still so young. She is just sixteen.

And why am I getting her scent? She is supposed to be my stepsister for fuck sake.

A car suddenly cuts us, and I have to step on the brake so abruptly that Maya is sent forward with such a crazy force.

In reflex, I throw my hand in front of her, protecting her from getting hurt.

She gasps as she grabs on to my hand in fear. Her warm hand causes me to stop for a second. I can feel her heart beating. I am so close to her…

“Are you okay?” I ask her in a protective tone.

“Yeah, I'm fine.” She nods with a shaky voice.

I growl as I take off my seatbelt and lean to her. I pull her seatbelt and fasten it around her.

“Seatbelt, monkey. You never listen to me.” I murmur.

She breathes and I raise my head, staring so deeply into her eyes.

Why have I not noticed how her eyes are an interesting kind of brown? So dark, like extra sweet honey?

Maya looks away and clears her throat. Yeah, that was weird. I almost kissed my stepsister. What's wrong with me?

Thankfully, we don't say anything else while I resume the drive to school.

Once we get to school, she steps out with her bag and says goodbye to me.

“Wait!” I grab her hand before she could leave the car. “What do you have this morning, monkey?”

“What?”

“Just answer the question.”

“Supernatural studies, why are you asking?”

“Nothing.” I let go of her hand. “Just, meet me at the basketball court after your class, okay? Don't ask me why, just do it.”

The normal Maya would have whined and said something smart and witty, about me not being her father, and how she doesn't have to listen to me, but she just bites down her lower lip with an obedient nod.

She will be there.

She leaves the car, and I watch her walk away with her head hung low.

My protective eyes follow her, until she turns to the bend that leads directly into her classroom.

I need to come up with a plan. Moonrise academy is not just a highschool, it's filled with different students from different packs (even the bad ones).

I have to come up with a plan to protect my stepsister. Her scent is getting stronger by the day, and soon, even predators will be able to pick it up…