My hand itches to reach up and cover them, but I’m not ashamed of them. I shouldn’t have to be. This is my life, and I can do what I want. He hasn’t been concerned about me in years, so why start now?
I’m waiting for him to ask about the marks and who my Alphas are.
He doesn’t. Instead, he takes a bite of his apple and chews it slowly.
“Be safe,” he says after he swallows. “Call me if you need anything.”
“I will,” I say, dumbfounded.
I’m so damn confused by this guy because he’s so hot and cold. One minute, he seems angry, and the next, he doesn’t care. I could have sworn there was a flash of anger in his eyes when he looked at my bite marks. Why does he care? Shouldn’t he be happy for me?
Whatever. I’m not going to let the complication of how my stepbrother’s mind works bug me.
I’ve got a bag to pack and a flight to catch.
I’m going to Vegas, baby. To see my Alphas. I really hope this trip is worth it.
Chapter 13
Damien
I watch from the doorway of the kitchen, arms crossed, muscles wound tight as Addie leaves, suitcase in hand.
She says she’s going to meet her best friend from Nashville for the weekend. I call bullshit.
I know she’s going to meet up with her new Alphas. The new fucking Alphas who happen to be two of my oldest friends. Fucking traitors.
If they had feelings for Addison, they should have told me. I would have been willing to share her with them.
The fucking nerve of those assholes to message me that they went behind my back to meet PastelPrincess and then claimed her as their own. After years of gaming with these guys, I thought we were friends, that we had built a brotherly bond of sorts. Boy, was I fucking wrong.
When I saw those marks on her neck, I was fucking devastated. I thought I lost her for good, but I’m not the kind of guy to give up that easily or to take shit lying down.
If Waffle and Grim want to play dirty, so can I. But first, I want to find out who they really are, what they look like, and their names. Can’t bring down the enemy if you don’t know who you’re working against.
As soon as I hear the sound of tires on gravel, I grab my packed bags and head toward the door.
“Mr. Damien, are you leaving?” Alfred asks.
“For a few days.”
“What about your game this weekend, Sir?”
“I’ll be back. Let my dad know, please.”
If he finds out what I'm doing before I leave, he’ll put his foot down. Not that I’d listen to him, but I’d like to avoid fighting with him if I can help it.
He’d tell me I’m being an overprotective big brother, and Addie is free to do what she wants.
He’d be wrong. I am being an overprotective Alpha, not a brother. And Addie might be able to do whatever she pleases, but she’s going to be living her carefree life with my fucking bite alongside those assholes.
I’d never ask Addie to leave them, even if I fucking despise them now. Scent bonds and mate marks are not something to be fucked with. But I sure as hell plan on being her Alpha as well.
There is no other person out there for me. It’s always been her and will always be her. Hell, I’m nearly thirty, and I’ve never fucked another person before. I’ve been saving myself for her.
And now it’s time to claim what's mine. I’ve been sitting on my ass, making up excuses for too damn long. No more. I won’t sit by as she builds her perfect little pack with other Alphas and not me.
Tossing my bag into the back seat, I hop in and head toward the airport. I made sure not to get on the same flight as Addie. Instead, I booked a ticket with another airline that leaves at the same time.
