My Alpha Stepbrother is My Bully (Nevaeh) novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Duncan

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I stare in the direction Blair went, feeling incredibly awkward since her mother is now crying.

“Can you believe it, Duncan?” she asks with snot and tears running down her elderly face. “She just left without hearing me out! Isn’t that a bit unfair?”

Truthfully, I’m not sure what to think since I have no idea why Blair doesn’t get along with her mother in the first place. I thought the only crime Blair’s mother had done was to not be there for her daughter.

Though judging how Blair reacted when her mother tried touching our son, I now realize there must be something else to the story that I’m not aware of. Blair barked at her mother and said she had watched her husband abuse her-is that true? Is Blair a victim of beatings from her father?

Heck, I don’t know what to believe since Blair suffers from amnesia and could very well have her memories all fucked up. I mean, she doesn’t even remember me-her own mate! What is the likelihood that she recalls her childhood accurately?

I clear my throat, unsure of what to say. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Ravenclaw. I don’t know the full story. Blair hasn’t shared much about her past with me yet.”

The elderly woman dabs at her eyes with a tissue. “It’s okay, Duncan. I knew Blair had her demons, but…” She sighs and meets my eyes. “Nevermind. Just talk to her, okay? Maybe she will listen to you if you speak to her alone.”

“I doubt that, but I will try my hardest to solve this later.”

“Later?” she blinks at me in confusion. “Why can’t you talk to her now?”

I fight the urge to grimace at her question. Blair’s mother was the old Alpha’s mate-she, if anyone, should understand that I have to speak to the pack now that Blair is back. They need to know that I’m no longer in charge since Blair is the true Alpha of the Winter pack.

“Mrs. Ravenclaw, your daughter just returned after being in a coma for weeks. The pack has been under my leadership in her absence. Now that she is back, they need to know that she will finally take over as their Alpha.”

Blair’s mother wrinkles her nose. “Do you really have to give up your position as Alpha?”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” she says, suddenly no longer crying but looking at me with a serious expression. It makes me wonder if she was ever sad to begin with. “I love my daughter, but you and I both know that you’re much stronger than her-you’re much more suited to lead the Winter pack. You’re also the one who is good friends with Alpha Noah, so I don’t see the point in Blair taking over.”

While she is right about me being physically stronger than Blair, I don’t see how that’s relevant. I’m a dragon, not a wolf, and shouldn’t be leading a full pack of them. It’s weird, especially since I can’t hunt with them or join any pack activities without a wolf form. Sure, I can turn into a dragon, but hunting in that form is

18:52 Tue, Jan 20

Chapter 86

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impossible unless my goal is to destroy half the forest with my massive size.

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I frown at Mrs. Ravenclaw’s suggestion. “With all due respect, it doesn’t matter that I’m stronger or friends with Noah. Blair is the rightful Alpha by bloodline. The pack will only fully accept her leadership, not mine.”

She releases a scornful snort. “You’re wrong, Duncan. The pack doesn’t give a flying fuck about my daughter being a lycan-they want peace, something they have grown used to ever since you took over. You’re strong and no one in their right mind would dare to challenge our pack with you in the picture since I doubt they want to be burnt to a crisp.”

I don’t bother to respond since Mrs. Ravenclaw obviously won’t listen to me. She has her own view on the situation and won’t be budged, not by me. The only thing I can do is to speak to the pack myself, especially the new elders, to get some clarity on what is best for the pack.

“You can’t leave your Alpha position!” one of the elders exclaims. I’m sitting inside “my” office with all six of them gathered around a large oval-shaped table.

There used to be five elders after most of them were slaughtered in the war against the European pack, but it seems Lyanna-Blair’s mother—has been given a seat on the council without my knowledge.

“And why can’t I give Blair the position of Alpha?” I question in a slightly irritated voice. Not only are the elders disrespecting my mate, but they are also trying to force a role upon me that I’m not interested in.

… well, it’s not that I don’t want to be the Alpha. It actually feels amazing to have people respect and look up to me since they never did before. I was seen as a weakling back when I was a simple werewolf. Now, people look at me like I’m a god, and if I’m going to be honest, I love that. But Blair is my mate, and I can’t steal her pack.

The eldest member of the council, Harold, who resembles Mr. Burns from The Simpsons, leans forward in his seat with his hands doing that funny “Mr.Burns thing.” He has always given me the creeps, but everyone falls silent when he clears his throat before speaking in his smoker’s voice.

“Duncan, you have proven yourself a strong and capable leader these past weeks. The pack has thrived under your guidance. Transferring power now, especially to someone weaker and as unstable as Blair, would be downright stupid. The pack needs stability, not an Alpha who can’t even remember her own mate.”

Who told him that Blair can’t remember me? Did Lyanna do that? Did she throw her daughter under the bus just to ensure I will remain as the Alpha? Also, is this old bastard seriously sitting there and thinking I will let him disrespect Blair?

I narrow my eyes at Harold. “Unstable? What exactly are you implying about my mate?”

Lyanna pipes up from her seat. “Duncan, dear, we all know Blair has been through a lot. Her memories are scrambled, and she’s not in the right state of mind to lead right now. You, on the other hand, have proven yourself more than capable.”

I clench my jaw, trying to control my rising anger. How dare they speak of Blair this way as if she is some broken thing not fit to lead her own pack? She is stronger than any of them realize.

“I understand your concerns,” I say through gritted teeth, “but Blair is the rightful Alpha. It is her birthright and her duty to lead this pack. My role was only ever meant to be temporary until she recovered.”

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Chapter 86

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“But the pack has never been more stable and prosperous than under your leadership!” another elder argues. “Why risk that by handing the reins to someone so…fragile right now?”

My fists clench under the table. “Blair is not fragile. She has been through hell and comes out the other side. That takes a strength that none of you could possibly understand.”

Lyanna leans forward, her eyes sharp. “Duncan, be reasonable. Please. Think about the pack and the children -they need you to protect them.”

“Are you for real right now?” I growl without thinking. It seems my frustration levels have risen so high I can’t hold myself back. “Stepping down as Alpha isn’t the same as me abandoning the pack. I will still be here-as Blair’s husband and most likely as her Beta, or Luna, or whatever role she deems fitting.”

The table goes quiet before everyone bursts out laughing. I stare at them in confusion, waiting for one of them to explain what’s so funny, which Lyanna does.

“You will be her Luna?” she wipes a tear from her eye and shakes her head. “Darling, that’s a female’s role when she marries the Alpha.”

My face heats with embarrassment and anger. “Fine, not her Luna then. But you know what I meant: I will still be by her side, supporting her and protecting the pack.”

Harold raises a skeptical eyebrow. “As her subordinate? Come now, Duncan. We all know you are far too dominant and powerful to play second fiddle to anyone, let alone a traumatized girl who can barely remember her own name.”

“That traumatized girl is your Alpha,” I snarl, slamming my fist on the table. “And you will show her the respect she deserves.”

“Respect is earned, not given,” another elder sniffs disdainfully. “And Blair has done nothing to earn ours since waking up. You, on the other hand…”

I rise to my feet abruptly, towering over them. “This discussion is over. Blair will be given the position of Alpha, and that’s final!”

The elders exchange glances, some shaking their heads in disapproval. Lyanna fixes me with a steely gaze. “Duncan, please reconsider. You’re making a grave mistake.”

I want to answer her, but I don’t. Instead, I head for the door, hoping this is the right decision. And it should be. As a lycan, Blair is fitter to be the Alpha of the Winter pack…right?

18:52 Tue, Jan 20