My Alpha Stepbrother is My Bully (Nevaeh) novel Chapter 110

Chapter 110

Eli

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59

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It takes less than an hour for Evie and Clara to show up in my room. They didn’t even bother knocking, and Cam just let them. I can picture him in his dumb, male way, thinking, “Oh, these are Eli’s friends. I better just let them in!” which is so frustrating because Clara obviously came here to kill me!

“Eli…” The devil herself says in a calm voice when she sees me, but I can tell she is seething. Her whole face is twitching, and that only happens when she is barely keeping her shit together. The woman is one second away from choking me in Homer Simpson fashion.

I gulp nervously, trying to shrink back into the pillows on my bed as if they could somehow shield me from Clara’s wrath. But I know that’s just wishful thinking since there’s no saving me from my best friend’s anger. I can, however, try to get out of this alive. Try!

“H-hey Clara, fancy seeing you here…” I attempt a casual tone as I’m lounging on my bed, but my voice comes out more like a terrified squeak.

And that gives me away. Clara knows I’m feeling guilty now and narrows her eyes at me. “Cut the crap, Eli. What’s this I hear about you dying? And why the hell am I finding out from Evie, of all people?”

I wince, shooting a glare at Evie, who has the decency to look a bit sheepish. Some friend she is ratting me out like this to her dangerous big sister. I sigh heavily, knowing there’s no way to avoid this conversation now.

“It’s not as bad as it sounds, okay? The werewolf cancer… it’s back, but I’m handling it. I didn’t want to worry anyone unnecessarily.”

“Bullshit!” Clara snaps her calm facade cracking. “We are your friends, Eli. You and I practically cooed and kicked our legs up at the sky while still in diapers, and you choose to keep this away from me?!”

I blink. “Okay. Aren’t you being a little bit dramatic-”

“YOU AND I ARE PRACTICALLY SISTERS. I LOVE YOU MORE THAN I LOVE EVIE!”

Evie gasps at Clara’s words with a hand on her chest and her jaw slacking to the floor. “Oh my god, I fucking knew it!”

Clara ignores me. She is too busy glaring daggers at me, and that’s when I crumble like a cookie since I hate fighting. I might act like a total badass at times, but arguments are so freaking draining!

“Okay, okay! I hear you! It was wrong to keep this away from you guys. I was planning on telling you. Believe me, I did, but then the moon goddess said Cam’s mate is ill, and I’m ill, and now I’m all confused!”

Evie perks up at that, earlier guilt forgotten. “So you do think Cam could be your mate! I knew it!”

“This is not the time, Evie!” Clara growls, shooting her sister a withering look before turning back to me, her expression softening. “Eli, I know you must be confused and shit, but really? I’m your best friend!”

Evie pouts. “Are you guys just going to pretend I’m not here?”

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Chapter 110

59

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I ignore Evie and hang my head in shame. “I know, I know. I’m sorry, Clara. Truly. I just…I didn’t want to tell anyone because it would make it more real.”

Clara sighs, her anger deflating as she sits down on the bed next to me. She isn’t the touchy-feely type. The gothic woman is actually cold to everyone but me, so I’m shocked when she gives me even the tiniest smile.

“Okay, I never give speeches, but I’m going to give you one now, okay?” Clara locks her eyes on mine. “You have werewolf cancer, and yes, that’s scary as hell, Eli, but please don’t shut me out. You’re my best friend, and even after you left the pack to live your life, I kept on believing you would come back.”

“You did?”

“I’m not done!” Clara exclaims, and I immediately shut my mouth to let the woman continue. “Anyway, I kept hoping you would come back. You know how I am-I don’t normally open up to people, but…you bring out the best in me, and I’ve missed you tremendously. And now that you’re finally back, I don’t want to lose you. So, if you’re sick, please keep me in the loop. Maybe I can help?”

I feel my eyes misting up at Clara’s heartfelt words. She’s never been one for sappy speeches, so I know this is a big deal coming from her. I reach out and squeeze her hand, offering a watery smile.

“I…I don’t know what to say.”

She snorts. “How about thank you?”

I grin. “Thank you.”

Clara and I share a look while Evie sighs in her place with the same pout on her face. “What about me, guys?”

I turn to Evie, feeling guilty for neglecting her during my heart-to-heart with Clara. “Evie, I’m sorry. You know I love you too, right? I didn’t mean to exclude you.”

Evie’s pout transforms into a small smile. “I know, I know. I’m just feeling a little left out here, but that’s easily fixed!”

Unlike us, Evie isn’t afraid of physical contact. The girl launches herself at both of us, engulfing Clara and me in a group hug. Clara grumbles in protest but doesn’t actually push her sister away. I can’t help but laugh, feeling the tension and fear that had been weighing me down start to dissipate in the embrace of my two best friends.

“You guys are the best, you know that?” I mumble, my voice muffled against Evie’s shoulder.

“Of course we are,” Evie chirps. “And don’t you forget it! Now, about this whole possible mate situation with Cam…”

Clara groans. “Evie, priorities! Eli just told us her cancer is back, and you’re fixating on her love life?”

Evie releases us from the hug and sits back, looking a bit chastened. “You’re right, you’re right. Sorry, Eli. It’s just…if Cam really is your mate, then maybe that could help with your illness somehow? I’ve heard stories about fated mates having a special bond that can heal fatal injuries and stuff…”

I shake my head, not wanting to get my hopes up. “Those are just stories, Evie. And even if Cam and I are

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Chapter 110

mates, which I highly doubt, it doesn’t change the reality of my condition.”

(59)

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“But you don’t know for sure,” Clara chimes in, surprising me. “Maybe Evie has a point. Have you talked to Cam about any of this?”

I fidget uncomfortably. “No…I mean, he knows my cancer is back, but I haven’t discussed the mate possibility with him. I…I really don’t want to do that unless I know for sure because it’s awkward. I mean, we practically grew up together!”

“And?” Clara challenges. “So do childhood friends that wind up becoming couples.”

“That’s true…” I murmur, and Evie gives me a cheeky little grin.

“I guess we will see on the day of his birthday, and guess what? Since it’s a pool party, you will get to check out his body before knowing if he is yours to keep.”

I groan, burying my face in my hands. “Evie, you are incorrigible! I’m not going to ogle Cam like some desperate cougar. It’s his 18th birthday, for moon’s sake.”

Clara snickers. “Cougar? Please, you’re only five years older than him. That hardly makes you ancient.”

“Still,” I insist, “it feels wrong to be scoping out my stepbrother, mate possibility or not. I’ve known him since he was a chubby little kid.”

“Who is now a smokin’ hot man,” Evie adds with a wink. “Come on, Eli, live a little! What’s the harm in just looking? Maybe you’ll experience this sizzling feeling when the mate bond comes to life, and then you will know for sure he’s your destined other half.”

I sigh in exasperation. “And if I don’t feel that sizzling feeling? Then I’ve objectified my stepbrother for nothing and made things super awkward.”

“Orrrr,” Clara drawls, “you’ll realize you’re actually attracted to him, mate bond or not mate bond.”

I roll my eyes but say nothing because, honestly, she is right. I’m attracted to Cam and I don’t know what to do about it. Hide it forever? That’s probably for the best.

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