My Jealous Alpha Stepbrother
Chapter 128

Tarryn

The worst feeling in the world is knowing your mate doesn’t want you, and Alex made it perfectly clear how he felt about me yesterday. I touched him, and he withdrew.

Alex acted like my fingers burnt his skin. And then he ran into the bathroom, locking it behind him, and I heard him sigh of relief. As if my fingers on his skin were so repulsive and disgusting he needed a breather afterward. It really hurt my feelings.

“I don’t think you’re right about Alex not wanting you,” Josie comments while I punch at the mitts she is holding up. Boxing calms me, and I’m hitting her super fast.

“Oh yeah?” I challenge while punching. I’m sweating. “Then explain why he bolted off like a frightened animal at my touch!” My voice comes out sharper than intended. It’s easy to tell I’m close to tears.

A look of sympathy flashes over Josie’s face. “I honestly think he is worried about Marissa’s plans, and that’s why he doesn’t want to get intimate. I don’t think it’s you.”

“Agreed,” Becky says from the ground inside the gym. She is lying flat on her back and staring up at the ceiling. “Besides, Alex would have to be an i***t not to want you. You’re amazing, Tarryn. Caring and warm with a gentle personality. He is lucky to have you.”

My heart warms at the vampire’s words. She is very down-to-earth and somewhat shallow, but she is nice. Becky and Josie have gotten closer recently, and I like her too.

“I hope Alex shares that opinion…” I mutter.

I lift my fists to continue punching at the mitts, but the door opens to the pack’s gym, and we all stare at Misha. He is panting, eyes searching the gym until landing on mine.

“There you are,” he rushes forward and grabs my arm. “Take off the punching gloves. Your mate needs you.”

I have so many questions right now, and I arch an eyebrow. “Alex needs me? Why? Did something happen?”

Misha gives me a sad smile. “I was training with Elijah and Alex until Alex suddenly started sweating. He said it was nothing, and we kept going, but then he could no longer stand. Now he is in tremendous pain. Leonora, the pack healer, thinks he is growing another tail.”

“Another tail?” Alex told us all Marissa had planned on making him a nine-tailed fox. But I never thought it hurt him to grow out more of those things? I never considered that! I’m so worried about him.

“Yes, it might even be more than one,” Misha’s eyes travel to his mate. “I will drive Tarryn home. We have taken Alex there. He has a high fever and keeps mumbling Tarryn’s name. We believe only the presence of his mate will be able to soothe him right now.”

A look of understanding flashes on Josie’s face, and then she looks at me with sympathy and concern. “I hope Alex is fine. If not, I’m sure he will be when you’re there. The mate bond is mysterious, and being with our fated person is healing for the soul.”

“I hope you’re right,” I walk for the door without even bothering to change clothes. There is no time for that as I peer up at Misha. “Take me to my mate.”

***

I can’t get out of the car fast enough. Misha doesn’t follow me. However, he gave me a care bag for Alex after driving me home. I don’t know how he can drive a car, though. Who taught him?

***

I can’t get out of the car fast enough. Misha doesn’t follow me. However, he gave me a care bag for Alex after driving me home. I don’t know how he can drive a car, though. Who taught him?

My head spins, but I shove that thought out of my brain. I will ask Josie why her boyfriend is driving around without a license some other time. Alex is the most important thing right now.

I rush into the pool house and lock the door behind me. Immediately, I hear rustling from the bed. My eyes dart in that direction, and I put down the care bag from Misha at the sight of Alex.

He is sitting on the edge of the bed, surrounded by a blanket, even though it’s warm. His n.aked feet are on the ground, and he seems to be shaking, freezing, and sweating at the same time.

“Tarryn…” he smiles at me despite his condition. “Are you… are you still angry at me? I don’t want to… fight.”

Even though it sucked to be rejected, Alex is more important. I push the hurt aside and run over to him. “You shouldn’t be sitting up if you’re in pain, silly.”

I place a hand on his chest to shove him. I’m not strong enough to force him to do anything, but he obediently lies down on his back. We stare at each other for a split second that feels a million times longer. This close, I notice his irises have changed color again. Decorated with swirling pinpricks of vivid colors. Like the rainbow.

“I’m so tired…” his voice comes out hoarse. “And warm… and freezing… all at the same time… am I dying?”

More worry slashes through me, and I blink back tears as I sit down on the edge of the bed. Alex is looking up at me, and I place my hand on his cheek. He is sticky with sweat.

“You’re not dying,” I whisper and let out a little laugh. “You’re not allowed to die, okay? You will get through this transformation.”

He lets out a huff of a laugh, but even that seems to pain him. “This doesn’t feel like it did the last time a new tail came out. I think… I think this is more than one. Perhaps this will finish the change.”

I stroke his black, feathery hair down his head and look into his tired, rainbow-colored eyes. “Do you think painkillers will help?”

“No,” he grins at me. “I’ve taken plenty, and it didn’t help at all… but your voice is soothing. Talk to me.”

I snort. “What am I supposed to talk about?”

“Anything.”

“What if I can’t come up with something?”

“What if I die if you don’t?”

I know he is just teasing, but I can’t help my heart from thudding violently at the thought of losing my mate. Alex means the world to me. I like him a lot, and the mate bond makes my longing for him worse. My whole body craves him, and even now, I can’t stop stroking his forehead and his soft black hair. I’m an addict.

A sigh leaves my l!ps. “Are you fine with me reading to you?”

“Romance novels?” There is a teasing light in his eye, and I blush. I’m about to answer him but find myself tongue-tied when he grins at me, amused by the redness on my face. “Pick the dirties romance novel on your shelf, and read it to me. I want to learn what you’re into.”

I pout at him. “I’m not going to read p**n to you!”

“Why not?” Alex is still grinning. “It would be fun.”

“Not happening,” I rise from the bed and walk over to the bookshelf, picking out a safe romance novel. One that doesn’t include lots of dirty, nasty s*x. “I will read this book to you. It’s a sweet romance story.”

“With smut?” He asks hopefully.

“No,” I deadpan from my spot by the bookshelf. “None of that.”

Alex grimaces. “You’re no fun, but I will take it. If you spend time with me and talk, I can get through this change.”

“I hope that’s enough,” I walk back to the bed and sit beside him. Alex glances up at me. I want to sit closer to him, but I’m afraid he will bolt into the bathroom again if I do that. I remain in my seat. “So… before I start reading this, I want to ask something.”

He tiredly smiles. “What is it?”

“Do you feel any different from the change?” Even if the question doesn’t make Alex happy, I have to ask that.

Alex seems to realize that too, and sighs. “Marissa doesn’t control me yet. I can’t hear her evil plans or anything like that, but… I do feel a little bit different now.”

“Different how?” I ask.

“I feel stronger,” his eyes hold mine. “And… like I’m restless. My body wishes to run, but I’m tired, so I won’t… but yes… it feels like I’m capable of anything, and once I’m better, I want to run in the woods again.”

“You will definitely be running in the woods again,” I smile at him, at ease since there haven’t been any weird changes. “And that’s it then? There is nothing else that is different?”

Alex hesitates. He opens his mouth, closes it, and then seems deep in thought for a few fleeting moments. Whatever is on his mind is something he isn’t proud of.

“There is one other change.”

“And what is that?”

He gives me a look of misery. “I feel violent… like I want to fight, and that isn’t a good thing, right?”

“No, I don’t think so…” I’m baffled by his answer. Nine-tailed foxes are indeed chaotic, but I didn’t expect Alex to feel different already. This worries me. “Who do you feel violent towards?”

Again he hesitates before answering. “Against everyone.”

I gulp and stare at him, trying not to let my fear show on my face, but there is no denying his words are eerie. Alex wouldn’t hurt a fly. He is kind and gentle. A bit awkward, but is all of that now about to change? Is he becoming something dangerous?