Navy's Sons: Bullied by Quadruplet Stepbrothers novel Chapter 3

Tabitha’s POV

“It’s a hot day. They’re probably cooling down at the pool. Come with me.”

And we do. The sun glints off the water as we follow Emery to the back patio. I hear music playing softly from a speaker somewhere and some voices bouncing off the water and stone.

I try to steady my breath. My palms feel clammy. My heart is going at it like it’s ready to run a marathon. But I keep walking. I keep my chin up. I tell myself it’s fine. I’m not that girl anymore. Not the one who hid in bathroom stalls during lunch. Not the one who cried behind the bleachers. Not the one who tripped and fell and got laughed at by the whole school because I’m not as strong as them.

I’ve changed. And they will see that too.

So I pull my shoulders back and follow Emery past the sliding doors, bracing myself for what’s on the other side.

As soon as my gaze lands on the pool, I immediately catch the familiar figures of four men.

Here they are.

Jace is sitting at the edge of the pool with his feet in the water. Reed is standing waist-deep tossing a ball up and catching it like he’s bored. Luca is stretched out on a lounge chair with his sunglasses on. And Evren’s under the umbrella with a book in his hand.

And here I thought I was the only one who has changed for the past five years. They have changed too. They are no longer boys… these are men. Their arms are lean and defined. Their chests are broad and toned from years of training. Even the way they move feels heavier now, like they’ve grown into their strength.

I’m not sure if I should be amazed or terrified.

Emery walks up and stops near the pool. The brothers keep doing whatever they’re doing until he clears his throat.

“Boys,” he says. “I want you to meet someone.”

That gets their attention. One by one they glance over.

“This is Tabitha. She’s Isla’s daughter.”

Silence ensues. Their faces twist with recognition, like they’re trying to place a name to a ghost. I don’t look away. For a moment, it’s like we’re frozen in some weird staring contest, no one willing to speak first. The shift in their eyes tells me everything. They know exactly who I am.

“No fucking way,” Reed gasps. He lifts a finger and shamelessly points at me. “You’re telling me that’s Chubby Tabby?”

My cheeks burn in utter embarrassment. I can’t believe he just said that out loud. That stupid nickname. That humiliating reminder of everything I tried to leave behind.

Jace squints like he’s trying to make sure I’m real. “Wait… Tabitha Huxley? From Silver Hill High?” His eyes scan me slowly from head to toe. “The chubby girl who cried behind the bleachers?”

“She doesn’t look so fat now. In fact… she’s cleaned up pretty well,” Reed comments, boldly sweeping me up from head to toe.

“This is… unexpected.” Luca pushes his sunglasses down his nose. “I almost didn’t recognize her.”

Yeah, I’ve slimmed down considerably for the past five years. Either from being sick often or because of my more active lifestyle. But I’m definitely far from the fat loser they used to know. And yet, I wished they had just forgotten about me. Not this. Now, I feel like they will only have more reasons to pick on me.

Evren doesn’t say a word. He closes his book, sets it down, and looks at me with that same unreadable expression. His eyes drop to my knee, just briefly that I almost miss it. Then they come back to my face.

“I’m marrying Isla. So, you better get used to seeing them around,” Emery declares.

“Hi, boys. It’s so good to finally meet you.” Mom beams and waves her hand enthusiastically.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Reed grumbles.

Evren’s gaze shifts from Mom back to Emery. His jaw clenches in apparent irritation. “What is the meaning of this?”

“I already informed you that I plan to remarry. Isla will be my new wife and that makes Tabitha your new stepsister. They will be moving here in the estate from now on.”

“You’ve gotta be kidding me…” Reed spits in clear frustration.

Yeah, I’m not happy about this too, jerk.

Evren hops out of the pool and angrily marches towards his father. I can almost hear his teeth grinding in fury as he stares his father down.

“You’re bringing a human into this house? Into our bloodline?” he snarls.

“Watch your tone, boy. I may be your father but I am still your Alpha.” Emery’s jaw tightens with barely-restrained anger.

“This is stupid and you know that!” Evren bellows.

My mom jumps in fear. I clutch her arm as we scoot a few inches away from the Aldairs, but it’s not enough to escape the terrifying pressure that radiates off them. The air grows thick and almost suffocating. Their eyes shift in molten gold, glowing with fury and power. Those are the eyes of an Alpha—the superior bloodline of werewolves that the Aldairs have long been celebrated for.

“You don’t question my decision, Evren. You follow it,” Emery growls, voice sharp enough to cut through steel. “This isn’t up for debate. Isla will be my wife, and Tabitha will live under this roof. That makes her part of this family.”

Jace lets out a sharp sarcastic laugh at the pool. “This must be a joke. You’re telling me Chubby Tabby is going to be our new stepsister?”

Before I can react, he scoops a handful of water and flings it straight at me.

“Ahh!” I yelp, stumbling back as the cold water drench me full.

“Enough!” Emery’s voice booms across the patio.

Emery’s voice cracks like thunder, louder than anything I’ve ever heard. It slams into your chest and rattles your bones. That’s the Alpha in him, the raw command buried in every word. The kind that makes wolves drop to their knees without thinking.

His sons lightly bow their heads, but the hint of anger still simmers beneath their forced submission.

Emery’s eyes sweep over his sons like a blade. “You don’t have to like it. But you will respect it.

Disrespect either of them again, and you’ll answer to me.”

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