Page 13 of My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret 3

"That's the more reason I haven't slept in four days now."

He stared hard at me."Wait…"

I stayed silent.My fingers twitched.

"No fucking way."Chris's eyes widened."Don't tell me it's her."

"Chris…" I said his name like a warning‚ like a prayer‚ like I needed him to shut the hell up before I lost it.

"Holy shit‚ it is her‚ isn't it?"he leaned back‚ stunned."The same girl who ruined your fucking libido.You mean to tell me your first love‚ your kryptonite‚ your ‘I can't get hard unless I see her' girl is your goddamn sister now?"

"She's not my sister‚" I snapped‚ and my voice came out more broken than angry."She's not my blood.She's…" I paused‚ throat dry.My chest was burning.

Chris blinked."She's what now?"

I dropped my face into my hands and just sat there‚ breathing hard."It doesn't matter‚ man.I can't touch her."

"Why the hell not?She's not your blood.You just said that."

I lifted my head slowly‚ eyes still on the ground."Because she's the daughter of my mom's best friend.Her parents died in a car crash.My mom made a promise on that woman's grave that she'd take care of her like her own daughter.and she did.That promise became her fucking mantra.‘Protect anna like she's your blood‚ Ryan.Her mom trusted me.She trusted us.'"

Chris didn't say anything.

I rubbed at my jaw‚ clenching it hard."So yeah.She's not my sister.But she is.She's everything my mom raised her to be.Everything I was warned never to touch.and now she's back‚ and she's my…"

I stopped myself‚ staring at nothing.

"She's your what?"

I shook my head."Doesn't matter."

"Bullshit.You're telling me that same girl you went years obsessing over—the same one you couldn't even jerk off without thinking of—is back under your roof‚ and you're just gonna pretend nothing's happening?"

"I'm not pretending."

"Then what are you doing?"

"Fighting.Fighting the bond."

"Fuck.Is she your mate??!"he asked‚ and I groaned.

"Shit!That's deep man.That's why you can't sleep?"

I nodded slowly."Four nights now.No sleep.I can't close my eyes without seeing her face.Without wanting her.I fucking hate myself for it‚ Chris.I hate myself for wanting her the way I do.I hate that I want to claim her so bad‚ I felt like I was going to rip my own skin off if I didn't."

Chris just stared‚ not saying a damn word.

"You ever thought about just telling your parents?"he asked eventually."Like‚ hey‚ I know she was adopted and all‚ but she's my mate and I'm in love with her?Maybe they'd understand?"

"My dad might.He found out my mom was his mate when they were step-siblings.Didn't stop him.He didn't even ask questions.He just took what was his."

"and your mom?"

I laughed‚ bitter and sharp."She'd lose her fucking mind.She made a promise‚ Chris.To a dead woman.and me touching anna would be like spitting on that promise.Like defiling something she swore to protect."

"You really think your mom would see it that way?"

"I know she would."