My Jealous Alpha Stepbrother
: DAMIEN BONUS STORY 3

Damien

“Why are you coloring your hair black?” My brother, annoying as heck, Avery, is standing right inside the bathroom door. He looks at me as if I’m crazy, which is starting to upset me. He is so irritating.

“Because white hair makes me look old? And have you been sleeping under a rock? I’ve been coloring my hair black for at least a month already.”

He slumps his shoulders. “Oh.”

“Yes, ‘oh’…” I sigh heavily. “Anyway, could you go away? I’m trying to freshen up so I can take a selfie for this girl I’ve been talking with.”

I don’t mention to my brother that Melissa has been ignoring me for four days now. Or, not quite ignoring, but her responses are short. It’s sort of like she is mad at me or something, which I don’t get.

Did I accidentally write something that humans take offense to?

Melissa still doesn’t know that I’m a vampire, and I must admit I still don’t know much about the human mind. Neither do I have much patience with humans. Last week, I met a woman working at the supermarket, and she was a walking disaster that couldn’t do anything right. She even destroyed the bouquet I was about to buy—I could never date a trainwreck like her. I would lose my goddamn mind!

But Melissa?

She is perfect, even if she is a human. I just wish she would talk to me…

“Wow…” Avery says in a mocking tone. “There can’t be many men left on Tinder if some poor woman settled for you.”

I snort. “We look the same, so you’re insulting yourself right now.”

“I wasn’t talking about your looks; I was talking about your a*****e personality.”

I glare at him. “You’re not that nice yourself.”

A wolfish smile spreads over Avery’s lips, and I watch him cross his meaty arms over his broad chest. If he thinks he can frighten me, he is wrong. We are both huge and basically built the same, so he doesn’t scare me one bit. Instead, I mimic his stance, and he throws back his head, laughing.

“You know, I used to be an a*****e, but that was before meeting Lydia and raising kids and grandchildren. I’m pretty soft now, and that isn’t a weakness. Because of my change in demeanor, I’m no longer alone. Remember that, brother.”

While smirking, he taps me on the shoulder and then leaves me alone again. I stare after him, wondering what the heck he meant by his words. I am nice, right? I might be six-foot-six and built like a professional athlete due to my vampire genes, but I swear I’m not intimidating.

…or am I?

I shake my head, dismissing my thoughts. No, Avery is just trying to mess with me. I glance back at my reflection in the mirror, examining my black hair. Despite being hundreds of years old, I look young, mysterious—definitely vampire-like. Melissa would like it, right?

The sound of my phone pinging catches my interest. There is another message from my favorite little brunette, and I read it with a smile that quickly falters.

Melissa: I’m going out on a date tonight. I thought I should tell you this, so you don’t expect me to call you later.

I frown.

Why is my chest hurting? And why does it feel like I’ve done something I’m unaware of?

I quickly type a message.

Me: Who is the lucky guy?

Melissa: A guy? Oh no, I’m going out with the girls from work to the nightclub in town. Have you been to Las Bananas? That’s where we are headed. It’s going to be a super fun night.

I think back to the night Marcus visited Melissa, and I had to compel him to leave her apartment. Melissa was too scared to let me inside, and we have never officially met, yet I have this strong urge to protect her.

Me: Will you be fine on your own?

Melissa: I’m a big girl. I can handle myself, haha!

That piques my curiosity.

Me: You don’t look that big and tough in your pictures.

Melissa: I’m not. I’m five-foot-two on a good day, but I promise you that I can manage.

I chuckle at her response, feeling a sudden warmth in my chest. Melissa is so cute and innocent, it’s almost endearing.

Me: Your head doesn’t even reach up to my shoulder, tiny girl. I’m six-foot-six. And yes, I’m aware I’m tall. My entire family is a group of giants.

I don’t tell her that it’s the vampire genes making me unrealistically tall for a human. Melissa doesn’t need that bombshell dropped on her today.

Melissa: You are tall.

Another message comes in.

Melissa: But I already knew that. I saw you at my job last week, Damien. You were…not very nice. You’re quite intense and intimidating in real life.

My heart beats faster. I haven’t met Melissa, have I? At her job? Is she messing with me right now? I don’t even know where she works!

Me: Are you messing with me right now?

Melissa: No, I would never do that to you, Damien. And I wouldn’t have said anything about our run-in last week, but it’s been weighing me down. You walked into the supermarket where I work and didn’t even recognize me. Do you remember the flower girl you got mad at because she dropped your bouquet? That was me, Damien.

My heart sinks as I read Melissa’s message. So it was Melissa who destroyed my bouquet. The one I got mad at? I remember now. But why didn’t she say anything to me? I must have come off as such a jerk to her. I feel a sudden urge to apologize to her, but I don’t know how.

Also, I knew her scent was familiar, but I brush that off because she looked so different from her pictures. I now realize it must have been because she wasn’t wearing any makeup, and Melissa is apparently bald. Not that it matters to me. It’s just part of why I didn’t recognize her when I saw her.

s**t.

Me: Melissa. I’m so sorry. I had no idea that was you. Please forgive me.

Melissa: It’s okay, Damien. I understand you were upset. But I hope you know that you were rather intimidating. I actually found you quite scary, and I still feel weird talking to you. If that’s how you treat every stranger you meet, then I don’t know if I wish to meet up with you, Damien. You honestly scare me.

I feel a pang of guilt reading her message. Melissa’s ex-boyfriend was abusive, and what do I do the first time I meet her in person? I act like a pompous jerk.

I have to fix this.

Me: Melissa, I promise that isn’t who I truly am. I had no idea it was you, and I’m so sorry for my behavior. I’m not an abusive person, and I would never intentionally harm anyone, especially you. I promise to make it up to you. Can we meet up and talk about it? I will make it worth your while.

Melissa: I want to believe you, but I’m scared.

Me: I know. But I promise to be on my best behavior. I will even bring you flowers. Whatever it takes to prove myself to you.

Melissa: I don’t know, Damien. You’re so tall and muscular, and you have this vibe about you. I just can’t help but feel on edge around you, and that’s not your fault. I know you can’t help the way you look. I’m just a bit messed up after my ex-boyfriend.

My heart sinks. Poor Melissa. She is really sweet, and it angers me that someone like Marcus ruined her trust. She deserves better than that. Someone who will treasure and take care of her. Protect her.

Me: I understand that I can be intimidating, but I swear I’m not like that.

Melissa: Can I think about it? I know I’m probably annoying, but ever since Marcus I’m on my toes…

I nod, even though Melissa can’t see me.

Me: Of course you can think about it. Take all the time you need. I just want to make things right between us.

Melissa: Thank you, Damien. I appreciate that. I need some time to think before I can make a decision.

I start to type a response but then stop myself. It’s best to give her space and not overwhelm her. I decide to wait for her to make the first move.

As I put my phone down, I can’t help but feel a sense of unease. Melissa’s ex-boyfriend has left a lasting impression on her, and it’s up to me to prove that I’m not like him. I need to show her that I’m gentle and caring and that I won’t hurt her in any way.

I glance at my reflection in the mirror again. My vampire genes have made me taller and stronger than humans, and Misha claims I have a “resting jerk face,” but I can be gentle. Right? I’ve never tried, but… gah.

How am I supposed to be nice when I’ve been grumpy my entire life?!

A grunt leaves my lips as I set my phone down. I’m not an abusive person, and I would never intentionally harm anyone, especially Melissa. She is so fragile and innocent, and I definitely can’t let her go out with her friends to a nightclub without keeping an eye on her.

I will do it from the shadows.

With that decision made, I drink some b***d in the kitchen before grabbing a leather jacket and heading out into the night. Las Bananas is only a few blocks away, and I make my way there with ease. My heightened senses allow me to pick up every sound and scent around me, and I’m on high alert as I approach the building.

I can hear the thumping bass of the music from outside and can smell the alcohol and sweat that permeate the air. My vampire senses make it difficult to tolerate the noise and the smell, but I will endure it for Melissa’s sake.

I order some bourbon in the bar. Alcohol is something that goes down despite me being a vampire. I order another, and as another hour ticks by, I begin to give up hope of finding Melissa, but then, I hear a familiar voice.

“I want to dance!”

“Me too!”

“Uh, I don’t know about that.”

“What? Come on, Melissa, you need to dance! How else are you going to meet someone new?”

I glance to the right, my eyes settling on a group of three girls. Two are tall and wearing high heels combined with revealing black dresses, while the third is more conservative. She is wearing a beige cardigan with jeans, and this time I recognize her, Melissa.

She is so cute, tiny, and delicate, like a flower.

My heart skips a beat as I watch her. She looks so beautiful, even in the dimly lit nightclub. I can see her insecurity and vulnerability, and it makes me want to protect her even more.

I spy on the trio from a distance, watching them dance and drink. Melissa’s friends seem to be having a good time, but Melissa looks uncomfortable and out of place. She is not really dancing, just swaying awkwardly to the music, and I can tell she is not having fun.

Should I approach her?

I ponder on this and freeze when a drunk man shuffles forward in Melissa’s direction.

I eavesdrop on the conversation.

“Hey, you’re cute. Do you want to dance with me?” I hear him asking.

“N-no…” she sounds incredibly shy. “I’m actually here with my friends,” Melissa turns her head, but her friends are busy dancing with a couple of guys.

The drunk guy noticed this too, and hiccups. “Looks like they left you, but hey, don’t be sad, I’m here,” he grips her face, and despite her wishes, he hugs her to him. “You really are small. So cute. I could just eat you up.”

That’s it. I can’t stand it any longer!

I spring into action, making my way across the dance floor until I’m right behind the drunk guy. He is a smaller guy than me, and I cover his shoulder with my palm.

“Is there a problem here?” I ask, my voice low and threatening.

The drunk guy turns to face me, his eyes widening in shock as he takes in my tall and muscular form. He stammers for a moment, trying to find the right words to say before he finally speaks.

“N-no, man, there’s no problem here,” he slurs, taking a step back. “I was just talking with this cute girl here, that’s all.”

I narrow my eyes, not buying his explanation. “I see. And did this ‘cute girl’ give you consent to touch her?”

Melissa looks up at me, her blue eyes wide with surprise. “D-Damien?”

I nod at her, my eyes still locked on the drunk guy. “Answer my question,” I say in a low voice.

The drunk guy swallows nervously, taking another step back. “N-no, she didn’t. But I didn’t mean any harm, man. I’m sorry.”

I take a step forward, towering over him. “Then may I ask you to leave?”

The drunk guy nods frantically, his face pale with fear. “Y-yeah, sure. I’m sorry again,” he stumbles away, disappearing into the crowd.

I turn to Melissa, my face softening. “Are you okay?”

She nods, her eyes still wide with surprise. “Y-yeah, I’m okay. Thank you, Damien.”

I offer her my hand, pulling her up to her feet. “Let’s get out of here. I will make sure you get home safely.”

Melissa hesitates for a moment, looking up at me with uncertainty. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother.”

I smile at her, my heart warming at her concern for me. “Of course, I’m sure. I won’t let anything happen to you.”