1: Rivals to Stepsiblings

IVY

I stared at the score on the top-right corner of the script, willing the scores to change but it didn't.

The 98 remained there while my stomach churned.

I looked through the script, searching for a mistake from the teacher. There was a mistake quite alright but it wasn't from the teacher. It was from me and that stupid miscalculation had caused me two whole marks!

"Careful Ivy," the voice that always annoys me and makes my skin crawl said. I didn't need to look up at him to see the taunt in his eyes.

"Glaring at your scores won't make it change," he leaned over to peer at my script. "98. Not bad. From there to 70 to 40 and finally, the zero that you deserve so you'll be forced to withdraw. Who knows, I might be kind enough to employ you as a cleaner here."

I looked up at him. If it was another person, I'd have been shocked at the intensity of the hatred in their eyes. But this was Brandon Castle. He hated me more than anything.

And I hated him thrice as much.

"Fuck you, Brandon," I attempted to stand up but a firm hold on my shoulders forced me back to my seat. His hold was so strong that if he should apply a little more pressure, my bones would break.

I tried hard not to wince. I'd rather die than show a weakness in front of Brandon.

Around us, our classmates were going around doing their business. They never care about what Brandon, their golden lycan prince does to me, a measly human girl.

"You don't leave when I'm talking. You're nothing but a..."

"But a lousy human who should be feeding off the craps your likes give away?" I completed for him with an eye roll, "Are you really a lycan prince? Royalty doesn't have to yell their identity every single time. But I guess you're hardly one seeing how you're this bothered by this lousy human."

"You little..." his hold tightened and I couldn't control my wince this time around. I could have sworn I heard my bones break.

Before he could take his theatrics any further, the next teacher walked in. All through the classes, I couldn't get the 98 score out of my mind. Even during the lunch, it was all I could think about. I couldn't understand why I'd get a 98 with how studious I was and Brandon Castle, the jerk of all jerks, who hardly listen in classes, who's always on the football, who's always organizing parties, and whom I've never seen in the library will get a perfect score.

And this wasn't the first time it'd happen. Or the second. Or the third. Or even the fourth. It has happened far too many times for me to count.

I was often the second best while he was always the best. I hated that with every Fibre of my being.

"Hey Babe, careful." Demi's voice interrupted my thoughts and I stopped just before I could bump into him. I was walking back from the cafeteria with my friend Jackie and I wasn't even really conscious of it.

If Brandon’s voice makes my skin crawl, Demi's own always irritated me and makes me want to throw now. The only difference was that with Brandon, I didn't have to pretend but with Demi, I must pretend.

"Yeah, thank you." I had to keep my tone light and casual.

"We have a date with my friends this weekend, remember?"

"There's a tutorial on that day," I started slowly, "I can't afford to..."

His eyes narrowed and I read the threat in them loud and clear, "It's by 3pm. I'll text you the details."

He didn't wait for me to say anything. He just sidestepped us and walked away.

"You know I still can't believe you're dating Demi of all people. I mean, he's such a jerk."

I couldn't believe I was dating him either. I smiled instead of buttressing her point.

"What do you mean?"

"What do I mean what? He was completely rude to you just now and that's not the first time it will happen."

"He wasn't rude. He was just pissed off because I've been putting off this meeting for a while."

"That's hardly an excuse," she scoffed, her eyes fixed on the corridor Demi just disappeared into, "I mean it's Demi. He shouldn't even have the audacity to look at you not to talk of asking you out."

"But he did and I accepted. Just let it go, Jackie."

I was desperate to end the conversation. I didn't need any more reminders of what was making me miserable.

Jackie opened her mouth to say something but two junior students in their excitement bumped into her. They were too carried away that they didn't notice. They disappeared down the hallway but not before I heard a bit of their conversation.

"Heard Brandon’s mate will transfer to this school starting from next week."

"ohhh, she's already on everybody's lips," Jackie picked it right up.

"I heard Brandon met his mate during the holidays. She's the beta's daughter. She was living with her mom in Vegas and now, she's moving back here to live with her dad. But I think it's just to stay close to Brandon and stake a claim on him. I mean, it's risky business to have Brandon as a mate and do anything long-distance with him."

I rolled my eyes at my investigative report. I don't care about Bran or his mate or whatever. I only wished the mate would keep him busy so he'd leave me alone.

********

Mom was all smiles when I got back from school. I was still trying to guess why she was in that kind of happy mood when she stretched out her left hand and the sparkling gold jewelry on it caught my attention.

"Moooooom!" I screamed, "You're engaged."

I expected her to smile and tell me yes. But her smile kind of evaporated.

"More like married."

It was my smile's turn to evaporate.

"Married?" I exclaimed, "What do you mean married?"

"Sit down, Ivy." she dragged me to sit opposite her on the lone couch in the sitting room.

"It was kind of impromptu," she started while I stared at her in disbelief, "But I'm sure about him. I've been sure since I started dating him so when he suggested getting married spontaneously today, I didn't think twice before saying yes."

"I don't even know this man," I protested weakly.

"You do. You just don't know he's the one I'm married to now. Ivy, trust me, you were a priority throughout this huge decision. You need a father figure since your dad..."

"Mom, if that's the only reason why you decided to marry this stranger..."

"He's not a stranger, Ivy," she grabbed my two hands and started to slowly caress them, "he's the man I love with all my heart. I married him because I love him and because he's going to be a great father figure to you. You deserve a complete family, Ivy. It's the least I can do for you for being such a perfect daughter."

"Mom," I whispered, tears pooling in my eyes, "I only care about your happiness. You deserve to be happy and if he's going to make you happy, then I'm all for it."

"Thank you, my precious daughter." she pulled me in for a hug and we stayed like that for a while.

"This ring must have cost a fortune, mom!" I exclaimed after pulling back from her. I wasn't familiar with rings but it must cost over a million dollars.

"Are you dating a billionaire? Or sorry, are you married to be a billionaire?"

"It's still a surprise."

"A surprise? Mom! You kept his identity away from me for more than a year. Now, he's my stepfather, I should know who he is."

"You'll find out tonight," she beamed like a teenage girl in love, "he's coming over with his son for dinner today."

"Ohh, so I'm getting a stepbrother too?"

"Yeah. I remember you asking for a brother on your 4th birthday and you might be getting..."

"Wait," I interrupted her, "I smell something burning."

"Oh shit!" she dashed up and started running to the kitchen, "freshen up and join me, okay?"

I nodded at her. Once she was out of sight, I sighed and collapsed against the backrest of the couch.

A stepfather and a stepbrother? That was one gift I didn't see coming.

Almost three hours later, I opened the door to meet a surprise waiting for me.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

I never cuss unless Brandon was involved and now, he was on my doorstep.

His eyes narrowed with rage when he saw me. He was about to reply when another person joined him on the podium.

The Lycan King. I've seen him a couple of times in our school and on the TV. I've never seen him up close but his aura and energy.

I was only human but something beyond my control was compelling me to bow to him.

"Ohh, Sweetheart, you're here," Mom's voice behind me cut off my thoughts. I started shaking my head slowly.

Surely, it couldn't be what I was thinking.

"Let them in, Ivy. That's your stepbrother and stepbrother."