My Alpha Stepbrother is My Bully (Nevaeh) novel Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Eli

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I gawk at Cam in shock, my jaw somewhere on the floor. How did he piece everything together so quickly?

As if reading my mind, Cam sighs. “It isn’t THAT hard to figure out. I mean, we always knew the cancer would return, especially since it’s werewolf cancer. And that thing the moon goddess said?” His expression grows even more unhappy before he continues. “What she said finally makes sense-you’re probably my ill mate.”

He suddenly gives me a look so tender that I don’t have it in me to argue with him. Cam’s concerned expression melts my heart, and I avert my eyes since I can’t handle it. I’m not used to people caring about me. It makes me feel…strange. Nervous, almost.

“I might be, but we don’t know that for sure. It’s not like I’m the only female wolf in the pack with an illness. Freya has leukemia, and Josephine has the same werewolf cancer as I do, doesn’t she?”

“That’s true…”

Cam’s expression still doesn’t change even after he has spoken, and I can tell he still thinks I’m his fated mate. It’s written in his eyes-the struggle of him trying to see me in a different light. If I’m his mate, then we have to change our perception of each other. We have been stepsibling enemies for most of our lives, and turning that into romance…I don’t even know if that’s possible.

Part of me wants to embrace the idea, to let myself imagine a future where I’m loved and cherished by someone. But the logical part of my brain reminds me of the very real obstacles in our way-he is my stepbrother, we have never gotten along, and let’s not forget about my illness.

Cam seems to be struggling with similar thoughts. He runs a hand through his dark hair, mussing it up even more. “Eli, I…I don’t know what to say.”

“You’re telling me,” I mutter, bending down to start gathering up the scattered pages of my ruined diary. I need to keep my hands busy, to have something to focus on other than the intense way Cam is looking at me.

He kneels down to help me, our fingers accidentally touching in that cliché way as we reach for the same page. There’s even a jolt of electricity at the contact and we both freeze, eyes locked. In that charged moment, I see my own longing reflected back at me in Cam’s emerald gaze.

Cam must see the same in my eyes, for he swallows visibly, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Eli…”

But before he can continue, a knock at the door makes us spring apart guiltily like two teenagers caught in a compromising position. Which, in a way, I suppose we are.

“Elmyra? Can I come in?” My mother asks from the other side of the door. Unlike Cam, she actually knocks.

I scramble to my feet, shoving the diary pages into Cam’s hands. “Quick, hide these!” I hiss under breath.

my

Cam looks around wildly before stuffing the crumpled pages under my pillow just as the door swings open. My mother steps into the room, her gaze immediately zeroing in on Cam and me standing there looking guilty as sin.

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Chapter 108

“Camden? What are you doing down here?” She asks, her brow furrowing in confusion.

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Cam clears his throat, pasting on a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “I was just checking on Eli, seeing how she’s settling in.”

My mother’s expression softens as she looks at her perfect stepson. “That’s very kind of you, dear. I’m glad you two are getting along.” She turns her attention to me, her smile fading slightly. “Elmyra, I was hoping we could talk about what the moon goddess revealed last night.”

I tense, my nails digging into my palms. So she did hear about Cam’s ill-fated mate. I wonder if she has put two and two together like Cam has.

“What about it?” I ask, trying to keep my voice casual.

My mother sighs, wringing her hands. “Well, it’s just such awful news, isn’t it? The poor girl, whoever she is. I can’t imagine how Cam must be feeling.” She shoots Cam a look of motherly concern.

Cam shifts uncomfortably under my mother’s sympathetic gaze. “It’s…a lot to process,” he admits. “I’m trying to stay positive. Whoever my mate is, I bet she is strong enough to survive her illness.” His attention lands on me. “But forget about me. We should be focusing on Eli-”

I shove an elbow into his side to make him keep his mouth shut. He mutters the words, “fucking hurts…” under his breath, but I pay him no mind. Instead, I plaster a fake smile onto my lips. The damage, however, is done.

My mother cocks her head to the side, and there’s no mistaking the suspicion in her eyes. If her golden child tells her to focus on me then believe me, she will.

“What about Eli?” she asks.

“Nothing!” I say quickly, shooting Cam a look to tell him to stay quiet. He grimaces but mouths, “You owe me,” and turns away his head. I continue talking, “I’m just hungry, that’s all. I’ve been missing your lasagna.”

My mother’s eyes light up at the mention of her signature dish. In her eyes, I might be the black sheep of the family, the rebellious daughter who doesn’t care about fashion or something else that would make us bond. But compliments? My mother takes those.

“Oh, Eli, you always did love my lasagna!” My mother exclaims in a happy tone. “You know what? I’ll whip some up for dinner tonight, just for you!”

Relief floods through me at the successful change of subject. I beam at her until I notice that Cam is frowning. He doesn’t open his mouth, though, and that’s the important part. My stepbrother is keeping my secret…for

now.

“I will head upstairs and check if we have all the ingredients. If we don’t, I can head to the store alone. You guys are fine eating later, right?”

Cam and I exchange a glance before nodding at my mother’s question. “Yeah, that’s fine,” I’m still smiling like a Barbie. It’s all fake and phony. “Take your time.”

My mother smiles back, patting Cam on the arm before turning to leave. “Alright then, I’ll get started on that lasagna. You two behave while I’m gone!” She winks as if the idea of Cam and I getting into trouble together is

18:58 Tue, Jan 20

Chapter 108

laughable.

If only she knew…

:

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The door closes behind her, leaving Cam and I alone once again. He turns to me, angrier than ever. “Why the fuck aren’t you telling her the truth?!”

I cross my arms defensively, scowling at Cam. “Because it’s none of her business! Or yours, for that matter.”

Cam’s jaw clenches in frustration. “Eli, this is serious. You can’t just keep something like this a secret, especially from your own family!”

“Watch me,” I snap back at him stubbornly. “I don’t need anyone’s pity or fake concern. Especially not from the golden child and the mother who’s always loved him more.”

Cam flinches at the bitterness in my tone, but his gaze remains steady on mine. “This isn’t about pity, Eli. It’s about getting you the help and support you need. If you really are my…”

“Don’t,” I cut him off sharply. “Don’t say it. We don’t know for sure if I’m your mate.”

“But if you are-”

“If I am, then what? We live happily ever after?” I laugh harshly. “Get real, Cam. We’ve never gotten along and don’t you start trying now just because I might be your mate.”

Cam’s expression hardens and although he remains calm, I can see that he is beyond frustrated with me. As the pack’s future Alpha, he isn’t used to people defying him. Oh, and let’s not forget that the guy is super tall and muscular, which would make a sane person not pick a fight with him.

But I’m not sane.

I glare right back at him, and Cam snarls at me, “You think that’s what this is about? Me trying to play nice because you might be my mate?” He takes a step closer, his larger frame looming over me. “Newsflash, Eli-I have always cared about you!

I hold my ground, tilting my chin up defiantly to meet his intense gaze. “Oh yeah? Then explain why you’ve been acting like a prick ever since I came back home!”

Cam laughs, but it’s a dark, bitter sound. “Seriously, are you stupid or something?”

“E-excuse me?”

“You heard me,” Cam glares down into my eyes. “I asked if you’re stupid and why did I ask that? Well, maybe since my stepsister left the pack and her whole town behind without as much as a warning. And as if that isn’t bad enough, she also didn’t call, text, or send any letters. You’ve been gone for years, Eli! Do you have any idea how much that hurt? How much I…how much we all missed you?”

I blink at him, taken aback by the raw emotion in his voice. “I…I didn’t think anyone would care if I left,” I admit quietly. “Especially not you.”

Cam’s nostrils flare with irritation, but when he speaks, it’s in a much calmer tone. “Well, I did care. A lot.

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Chapter 108

More than I ever let on. That’s why I’m so pissed at you.”

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I stare at Cam in stunned silence. It’s as if a heavy curtain has been pulled back. Cam’s anger comes from me never bothering to keep in touch-why would have known?

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, the words feeling foreign on my tongue. “I never meant to hurt you, Cam. I just…needed to get away.”

Before I know it, I’m wrapped up in a hug with my nose pressed against Cam’s abs. His nose is in my hair, and my heart skips a beat when I feel him hugging me. He could so easily hurt me like I’ve apparently hurt him. Instead, he treats me like I’m softer than dandelion fluff.

“I’ve missed hugging you,” Cam murmurs as he tightens his hug around me.

To not make things awkward, I hug him back, which proves to be a mistake since touching his muscles is dangerous. A flicker of arousal awakens between my legs, and I try to pull away. Cam, however, won’t let me escape. He keeps hugging me, and my face burns. There’s no way he can’t smell my wet underwear and obvious arousal…

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