725 Days With My Alpha Stepbrothers

anie'

I bit my nails absentmindedly. The ticking of the clock on the wall felt like a ha

ing I could wrap my head around. Part of me-a small, naive part-wanted to believe there was a reason, something I could understand. But another

s by a knock at the door. It startled

ay of food carefully in her hands. She placed it on the small table near the window, the aroma wafting throu

hould eat," she said po

ickly, my irritation bubbling

then spoke again, her voice soft

puzzled. "What do you mean?" I asked, curiosity

again. "Having a mother who's hard to understand." Her words

thing so personal, so raw. "What are you talking about?" I asked,

ked back. For years, I hated her for it. I wanted answers, so I searched for her when I was old enough. I found her eventually... living a perfect life with her new

h to the chest. I could see

let her. I refused to hear her out. Every time she tried to reach out to me, I shut her down. I thought I was protecting myself. Then, one day, she came to visit me

God," I whispered, my hands flying t

I used to feel. So much worse. I'll never know what she wanted to tell me. I'll never know if she had a reason for what s

as she cried. I felt tears well up in my own eyes. Her pain was so raw

d I let my anger take away the chance to know her. Now all I have left are regret

ur mother," she said, looking at me with swollen, tear-filled eyes. "But you don't. That's just the grudge talking

rd and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. She clung to me,

embling hands. "If you go now, you can still catch up wit

ging at my lips. "Thank you," I said

dy standing, preparing to leave. My mother sat at the

others, but the difference was that he was older. He had gray

s locking onto me. Their expressions were blank and unread

d, breaking the silence, h

tone dripping with sarcasm. I scoffed, ig

ustion. "Why are you here?" she asked quietly

I said firmly. "I want to hear what you have to

ead. "Whatever I have to say needs to be heard by ever

d to be personal and between my mother, I couldn't help but agree. I would be

What's this grand explanation that's supposed to erase te

ehind her words. "I didn't abandon you,

scoffed. "Protec

er voice trembling. "From wh

ion tightening my chest. "What are you talking about? W

r voice barely above a whisper. "You're a w

-it was a full, uncontrollable burst of laughter. "You're joking, right?" I said through m

Their faces were solemn, their expressions grave. My amusem

tanding beside my mother said, his d

at him. "And who

!" my moth

further. "Teenagers can be... impulsive." He stepped forward, extendi

which was plastered with an annoyingly calm smile. I

If I wanted to escape from here, I would need to play along with them.

ing rude," I said sweetly. "I didn't know you were my myst

the brothers remained as unreadable as ever. I didn't care abou

rious. "You're telling me werewolve

nodded.

hat's... incredible. So, am I t

town is filled with werewolves. Everyone in this room is

ded them to believe I was buying into this madness. If I played

urse, she would agree. It takes another crazy person to understand a crazy

ie Bennett," I sai

ied, a small smile tugging at her li

matically and waved it in her direction. "Abracada

into laughter, their genuin

arn, but it would be easier for you since you're in this to

one being present contribute to this

xpression growing more composed. "I thoug

nced you if you doubted, but since you believed, there's no need for them to do t

t now than my space. Listening to her spill rubbish and every

room," I said, pushing my ch

r eyes holding an unfamiliar warmth. She was soun

r w

on't know how much this means to me that you're

ing a small smile. Without another word,

might start believing them, making me crazy too. I needed to be out

g my move