Chasing Our Stepsister: The Rejected Alpha Twins

By Liz Barnet

What do you do when the man from a one night stand turns out to be your stepbrother?
Do you forget that incredible night or…do you commit the same sin again and again?
For Jade Evans, caught amidst her mother's new marriage and the turmoil it brings, an alcohol-fueled encounter on the hills leads to a shocking revelation- the stranger she shared an unforgettable night with is none other than her soon-to-be stepbrother.
But that's not it- the man she encounters on the wedding day isn't the one she spent that passionate night with. Instead, he's someone closely associated with him. Now that all three of them have to stay under the same roof, surely, nothing can go wrong...right?
***
"Remember when you said you'd drink me all up?" I projected my thoughts into his mind, interrupting his stream of thoughts.
His body seemed to freeze, his eyes snapping in my direction.
"What? Surprised?" I casually brought a piece of toast to my mouth, taking a bite.
His jaw clenched visibly, clearly rattled as he lowered the glass without taking a sip, unfastening the first few buttons of his black shirt.
Fuck! I wanted to see him just as exposed as that night.
As for Chase, he didn't spare me a word.
"I've got to admit, Stepbrother," I chuckled inwardly, confident he could hear my thoughts, "You're quite skilled at playing the 'clueless' act. If I hadn't seen your face so clearly, I might've believed that you're not Chase-"
"Devon, where's Chase, by the way?" Frank's voice abruptly interrupted, causing me to freeze in place, my eyes shooting towards him.
Did he just say... Chase?
No way. I must've misheard.

• Language: English
• Publisher: supernovel
• Release date: Mar 1, 2024

Book preview

Chapter 2 The Stranger

Jade

This is betrayal! I blurted out, my eyes teary, and my voice slurred as I downed another shot. The burning sensation running down my throat sent fiery jolts through my already frayed nerves- this would calm me down.

One more! I thumped my hand twice on the counter, and the bartender, familiar as always, handed me another drink. I knew all the bartenders here, more familiar than I was with my mom these days, to be honest.

As I gulped down yet another drink, I felt the dizziness attempting to smother my thoughts. Well, the effects of the liquor were already taking over, but I was confident I could handle them.

The bar, dimly lit with decorations that lacked elegance, possessed a peculiar charm, especially for those seeking refuge in conversations, drowning their sorrows in alcohol, or, in my case, attempting to numb the pain. Yes-at least I was trying to drink it away.

I don't think it's betrayal, Jade, Mya's voice intruded into my thoughts, piercing through the soft background music. She can do what she wants. It's her life, and don't you think she deserves happiness too?

God! I'd never wanted to punch my own wolf so bad!

It is- to me, it is, I retorted, If I were in her place, if I had lost my mate... a hiccup interrupted me, more tears streaming down my cheeks, I'd never even think about seeking the company of another male and making him my so-called chosen mate! I mean, this is fucking bullshit. If you could choose your mate, why do so many people just fucking die waiting for theirs? Why not just choose a mate and move on?

Jade-

Then tell me, why don't they? Because that's love. It doesn't follow logic, okay? It doesn't know the concept of moving on, and most of all, it doesn't understand the word 'betrayal.' But right now, my mother is doing exactly that-betraying my dad!

It's the choices that shape the course of every being's life, whether human or werewolf, Jade, she began.

Nonsense! I scoffed, taking a sip of my drink, but she continued.

Everyone deserves a chance at happiness. Some people find it by waiting their whole lifetime for their mate or choosing not to pursue another chance at love. But then again, it's their life, it's up to them, and they should be allowed to make their own decisions, right?

I stayed silent- honestly, I didn't want to speak.

Your mom, simply because she's choosing to move on, doesn't mean she's a bad person or doing something terrible. It's her choice, and she's seizing the opportunity to live life with someone who'll be there for her throughout their lifetime, she continued. What happened in the past is exactly that-the past. It will never be your present or any part of your future. So why should Eleanor stay stuck in the past? She deserves to be happy, too, doesn't she?

She does...

You'd also be happy seeing your mother happy, you'd love to witness her smile instead of her tears, before I could respond, she cut me off, And before you lie and say you won't, just remember, you and I share the same consciousness. So lying to me is futile.

This is precisely why I'd always preferred a simpleton wolf over a wise one.

But in the midst of it all, she'd forget about my dad... It slipped from my lips, my voice barely above a whisper.

How do you know that? Just because she might not mention him doesn't mean she'd forget him. And you know your dad, don't you? He'd have also wished that Eleanor wouldn't be alone, and there'd be someone to take care of her just the way he did, she said gently. So, let Eleanor be with Frank if that makes her happy. In the end, you won't lose anything. Not your dad, not your mom, but you'll only gain a person to stand by you and your mom's side in tough times.

But I don't need anyone to stand beside me, Mya. You don't understand, I can't bear the thought of someone taking on my father's role. I don't want to give it to anybody. And I don't even know how I'm going to see my mom the same way, I breathed out, feeling like my head was about to explode at this point. Everything was overwhelming. This is fucked up!

Before Mya could respond or offer more well-meaning but unwanted advice, the sound of a stool being pulled up beside me broke through my turmoil. My gaze shifted, and I found a strikingly attractive man taking a seat beside me. 

Well...He looked like a god, though I couldn't confirm if he really was one.

With his impeccably defined chiseled jawline and a hint of stubble adding to his charm, sharp nose, and plump pink lips, his deep, stormy sea-colored eyes held secrets yet to be unraveled as they gazed at me with a subtle smolder. He had an aura that drew me in...something different.

His well-tailored shirt accentuated his broad shoulders and muscles, and a hint of a tattoo peeked out from beneath the cuff of his shirt, promising stories of adventure.

God! I could tell he certainly was not a human...but aside from being a werewolf, he had to be something else, something greater than god.

At that moment, the clinking of glasses, chatter, and the hum of the bar seemed to fade into the background as our eyes locked.

Hello, beautiful, he flashed me a smile, revealing a set of perfectly shaped pearly white teeth. A few strands of his tousled hair added to his allure.

Fuck! This was a work of art-the man before me.

So you're going to ignore me like that now? Mya's voice echoed in my head.

But what did she even say? I hadn't heard a word, not with a god sitting in front of me. So, I chose to ignore her once again and replied to the man.

Oh, hi.

I noticed a subtle twitch at the corner of his lips-he had definitely caught the stammer in my voice. Shit!

If you don't mind me asking, what's the reason behind a beautiful lady drowning herself in alcohol? he inquired, leaning against the stool, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. That was when I realized he had a drink in his hand, which meant he'd been here for some time, long enough to witness me downing more than ten, maybe even twenty shots.

Care to take a guess? I found myself asking, surprising even myself as the question slipped from my lips.

Fuck! What was wrong with me?!

His smirk widened, and he tried to conceal it behind his hand as he scratched his jaw.

Heartbreak or regret? he guessed, leaning in ever so slightly this time.

I swear to all the fucking gods in the world, I didn't know why my breath caught because of that small movement. Okay, I admit he was good-looking, but it wasn't just his looks... there was something else.

Uhuh, none, I responded, managing to keep my voice steady this time.

Surprise flickered in his eyes, evident in his gorgeous features, Then, what is it?

You don't even know my name, and you're curious about what's driven me to drink like an alcoholic? I chuckled as I downed another shot, my gaze fixed on him. The effects of the liquor were making my personality seem even stranger to me.

Well, then, start by telling me your name, beautiful, he said, with no hesitation whatsoever.

Why don't you tell me yours first, handsome?

He smiled at the nickname I'd suddenly given him before he introduced himself. Chase. Chase Ashford, he said. Now, can I know yours?

Well, that sounded familiar. I didn't know where I'd heard it before, maybe it was nothing. Alcohol makes everyone seem familiar, doesn't it?

Jade Evans. Nice to meet you, Chase, I mused, downing another shot.

Woah, you might want to take it easy there, he cautioned, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. I can tell by looking at you that you're not a regular drinker.

So, you can read people, huh?

I don't know, but I think I can read you.

Really? So, help me solve a puzzle, one that's apparently the reason behind my sudden drinking appetite, I found myself leaning in, our faces closed as we locked eyes. His gaze darkened, and I could take in his scent, it was like a well-worn leather jacket infused with a hint of smoky cedarwood. I kind of loved it already. Does it really mean betraying their departed mate if they find love in someone else? Is it not a betrayal to the one they were destined for, made for, if they choose someone else's company just because they are gone?

Chapter 3 Awakened Desires

Jade

His body tensed at my question, a fleeting emotion passing through his eyes, hinting at depths beneath the surface. However, my intoxicated haze prevented me from scrutinizing it thoroughly-I had never excelled at observation anyway.

I mean, just look at me... I failed to notice the entire affair between Mom and Frank, right under my nose. I was such an idiot.

And why this sudden question, Jade? he asked, the name rolling off his tongue like silk, sending shivers down my spine, as erratic as the waves of the ocean. His eyes now seemed the most captivating thing in the world.

Because, Chase, I whispered, unable to tear my gaze away from him, You know...everyone has a past. We all do things before finding our mate-have sex, drink, party, meet people, get attached, and sometimes break. But once we find them, aren't we supposed to live for them? Like Seriously, once you find your mate, you have to dedicate your entire soul to them, isn't that how it is? Make them your whole world, and they make you theirs. If choosing someone after they're gone and moving on were that easy, why would there be such a sacred concept as finding your true soulmate? The Goddess could've given us fucking flimsy choices to pick from, then. What's the point of all this?

He listened to me, carefully, his expression conveying that he absorbed every word.

It's betrayal... To my surprise, he spoke up, his voice dropping low and carrying a strange tone, It's not about your choices before them; it's about your choices after them and during the time they were with you. If you opt for someone else just because they're gone, no longer with you, and then label it as 'being happy,' that's selfish... it's not how it works. At least, that's what I believe.

His response caught me off guard. Honestly, I hadn't expected him to not only agree with my point. Hell, not only just agree but say the exact words that were in my heart. 

While everyone else had dismissed my perspective, this stranger before me had delicately dissected the components and torn them apart, and molded them in a more eloquent manner-a better way to express it.

I listened to him and he continued, his voice soft and gentle, the night on full swing and the music in the background fading softly drawing all of my attention to him.

To be honest, my entire soul was drawn to him.

Come to think about it, that person you're leaving behind while holding someone else's hand, has dedicated their whole life to you. They loved you, cherished you until their last breath. Then why can't you just do the same? Why do you need another person beside you? he asked, a bitter chuckle slipping past his lips. They could have rejected you and held someone else's hand, couldn't they? Then why did they choose you? It's because they loved you. Just because they're gone, are you going to betray them like that? That's fucking bullshit. He downed his first shot, emitting a low sigh. 

Even if you put aside the whole 'mate' thing, thinking about love in general, for me, it should happen only once. Once you're in love, no, actually, once you're truly in love, you would never want anyone by your side, whether that person is gone or alive. It's a choice, Jade. It's the choice that makes the difference.

Do you really believe it, or are you just saying? I asked, my voice soft.

Trust me, sunshine, I believe in what I just said more than even you can, he chuckled again, and this time, it sounded bitter.

It made me wonder how he could relate to this so much if this wasn't something he hadn't been through. I mean, I didn't know anything about him, what he had been through specifically, and to be honest-I didn't want to know. I was too steeped in my own dilemmas.

So you're that 'I can die waiting for you' kind of guy? I looked at him, unsure if it was the alcohol or just me, but he was... attractive. I mean, really. I've seen my fair share of men and their charms, but something about Chase Ashford was different. Utterly different.

Yes, Jade, his eyes met mine, and they looked at me differently, way differently. I'd live for the one I love, and... there'd be no coming back, no matter what. Whether she's gone or she's right before me-it'd be her. Once it's love for me... it'd always be her.

Was he even real? I didn't know, but he felt unreal.

I'd blame the alcohol for a brief moment; my thoughts began to divert from the conversation and solely focused on how beautiful he looked under the dimmed lighting of the bar. He was truly... gorgeous.

My God! He was more than just gorgeous. I didn't have words to describe it, but... he was truly the kind of man who could bring you down to your knees, and you wouldn't even complain. Much like I wasn't, as he perhaps unknowingly or knowingly stirred awake my deepest desires.

But I wonder what made you ask me such a question. The way you've been downing yourself in alcohol, the way your eyes aren't spilling the truth, the way... you sounded when you asked me that question... he raised his hand and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, unknowingly sending a shiver down my body, All of it makes me wonder whether you have truly lost someone and are torn between two ends. Or it's just something else. I know you won't tell... but, I guess, I can stay with that.

Well...

He was right-I wouldn't tell him, but it was astonishing how he had read me so easily.

Was I that easy to read, or was it my questions that made it too obvious? Guess, only he knew the answer.

Have you found your mate yet, Chase? I found myself asking even though I'd almost stopped it. Almost.

A flicker crossed his eyes before a smile broke on his face as he pulled his hand away. Well... not yet, his voice dropped a tone, sounding deeper. What about you, Jade? Have you found your other half?

I shook my head. No. I haven't.

And what's allowed in your past before you finally met him? His question surprised me nonetheless, but I kind of... liked it.

Almost everything... My voice barely rose above a whisper.

Mistakes? he asked, his voice deep, sending chills through my whole body. He was awakening a desire I hadn't felt for years...

Yes, certainly, I found the courage within the intoxicating effects of the liquor, but the man before me was even more intoxicating-so seductive and alluring that for a moment, I just wanted to lose myself in the blue of his orbs, get swayed by the charm of his words.

I see... It was his time to whisper.

Do you have time to make mistakes, Chase? The words left my mouth before I could even stop them. His blue eyes flickered to look at