Page 2 of Unknowingly Being his Brat

She knew about my former friends and how they’d ditched me for Jeremy. Even my uncles preferred Jeremy over me. I’d never been invited over for dinner or asked to help out with anything since Jeremy moved out four years ago.

“We can chat as much as we want to,” she promised. “And Iwillvisit once I’m settled into my new pack.”

I tried to force a genuine smile on my lips as I replied, “Deal.”

Present time.

Holding back my tears, I wandered aimlessly between the forested area behind our packhouse. Yesterday, my worst fear had come true. I wasn’t chosen as pack Alpha. No, that title had gone to Jeremy, because ofcourseit had!

Kicking a stone, I groaned as pain radiated through my foot. A few seconds later the pain disappeared, gone just as quickly as it had come. Perks of being a wolf shifter, quick healing whenever you felt like kicking rocks.

My feet guided me forward with no true purpose other than to get away from the pack. Jeremy had been chosen yesterday and would return home from his overnight trip with Dad soon. I didn’t want to be here when he came back. If I could avoid him forever, I would. He would return glowing with happiness and smugness over being chosen instead of me. I just knew it. And here I was, wearing his old ripped up jeans and sweater because it was too expensive to buy new stuff for me. I’d been wearing clothes that were too big on me since I was thirteen. I would forever be known as the second choice, the leftover dinner from the day before that still helped with the hunger but wasn’t as tasty as the day it was freshly made. Jeremy was the name brand wolf shifter and I was the knock off no one wanted.

The sound of the waterfall lured me closer, the need to fill my ears with background noise of the hard-hitting water enough forme to hasten my steps. This place was somewhere Jeremy liked to visit with his best friend Darius. I rarely spent any time here because of that. But knowing Jeremy wouldn’t be there helped. He likely wouldn’t have the time, too busy shmoozing with the other pack members as he returned as our new Alpha.

My body felt weighed down by it all and I slumped onto the big rock facing the waterfall. It was fall so the red trees around the waterfall seemed to create a safe haven as I let my guard down and breathed in the slightly cold air. Maybe Jeremy being chosen would be a good thing. It could mean he’d have less time for everyone, maybe leaving some to seek me out now instead. The women in the pack had started to take an interest in me ever since I started developing muscles, but I wasn’t interested in anything other than friendship with them, so that had stopped.

The sound of the leaves rustling had me turning my head around, afraid that I’d see Jeremy striding through with his huge smile and easygoing personality. Funnily enough, the one thing I would never inherit from his old worn-out things would be his winning personality that seemed to lure everyone into his orbit.

But it wasn’t Jeremy. No, it was somehow worse. Striding confidently through the trees were none other than the sexiest man alive,Darius. I internally groaned and went to stand. If Darius was here then Jeremy would be close behind.

“Oh,” I said, ignoring a greeting all together. “I’ll leave.”

Darius frowned at that. “Why are you leaving just because I showed up?”

“Um,” I eyed him with a matching frown. “This is your spot? You and Jeremy always meet up here.”

He smiled. “Yes? But that doesn’t mean that we own it.”

“Well, considering Jeremy is the Alpha now, I would beg to differ.” I rounded the stone and began walking away in the opposite direction of Darius. Maybe shifting and running for a bit would help clear my mind of all the shit it’s been through lately.

“Wait!” Darius called, making me freeze in place. “Please stay.” Was it my imagination, or was that last part spoken like a plea?

I turned and shrugged. “As long as Jeremy isn’t coming, I’m good to stay a bit longer.”

He frowned in confusion at that, but I didn’t elaborate. It truly didn’t concern him.

“He doesn’t know I’m here,” Darius stated, and I trusted him.

I sat back on the stone, feeling the lingering warmth from where I’d sat before. Ignoring Darius’ overwhelming presence, I watched the water as it cascaded down onto the rocks.

He moved slowly towards me and sat next to me on the stone, making it seem so much smaller already. I’d always wanted Darius, but he was the one thing I would never allow myself the hope of gaining. The one person that was all Jeremy’s and forever would be. I knew Jeremy liked Darius as more than a friend. I also knew he hadn’t told Darius about his feelings.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his tone husky andallman.

I made the mistake of making eye contact and was soon engulfed in the green shade of his seemingly endless eyes.

Nodding, because words failed me, I averted my gaze, hoping the ground proved interesting enough.

Two fingers urged my chin up, making my skin heat with pleasured tingles from the soft touch. I met his eyes again, seeing concern and something I’d never seen before in another’s gaze.Want.

A thought, unbidden, but unable to be denied, swept through my mind. Darius could be the one thing I could take from Jeremy. A small part of my conscience told me this was petty, that I should be the bigger person, but dammit I was done feeling like leftovers. I wanted to be the freshly made meal. The whole fuckingfeast.

Right now, I had the opportunity to take the one thing from Jeremy he truly wanted. The waterfall and forest the only witnesses to what I was about to do. Leaning in, I accepted my fate as the worst brother in the world as I allowed myself to take something for myself from once.

Stealing my brother’s best friend and crush from right under his nose.

Darius met me eagerly, his warm lips connecting with mine, allowing no doubt to creep in if he wanted me back. I swallowed my moan of pleasure, the kiss too good to be true. His hands were on me and I held onto him, too, afraid to end this moment between us. I’d started this kiss to get back at Jeremy, but withDarius’ lips on mine came a new knowledge as well. As I sighed deeper into the kiss, I knew that he would be mineforever.