Page 40 of My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret 3

I shook my head slightly."I'm not a fan of romance novels‚ so I've never really…"

Dad sighed and explained it in a way I could understand.He told me that Ryan being my mate meant he was chosen for me by the goddess‚ that no one else could ever compare‚ that we were bound in a way that went beyond human relationships.The more he spoke‚ the more I started to understand, but before I could say anything‚ Mom cut in sharply.

"Still… it won't work."

Ryan's head snapped toward her."Why not?!You and Dad did the same!"

Mom let out a slow breath‚ looking at him with something between pity and frustration."Ryan… it's different.Your dad and I were different.Your dad wasn't adopted into the family.I didn't see him as an older brother.I saw him as my stepmother's son.He never lived with us‚ he stayed away‚ so it was different.But you and Anna… you both grew up together.She's adopted into the family.Even though she's not blood related‚ she's your sister.She's adopted into this family as our own.You both just… can't happen.You can't compare it to us.Do you understand‚ Ryan?"

Ryan's voice was tight as he gritted his teeth."Then it's too late.Anna and I are already intimate."

"It's not too late‚" Mom shot back quickly."We'll close this chapter.It's over.It was a mistake.You're both young and clouded by emotions.It was my fault‚ and I'll take the blame.I caused this‚ so I'll make it right.Anna won't stay here any longer.She'll move into the dorms at her school.and you, you'll get engaged to Sophie‚ take over the company and your dad's pack‚ and move on with your life.You'll marry Sophie, she's good for you.She's royalty.Her dad's the alpha King of Europe.You're a perfect match.Forget Anna."

"No!"Ryan's voice boomed‚ but Mom's words were final.

Dad let out a long sigh‚ looking at Ryan."I think your mom's right."

CHAPTER 140

Anna's POV

"Then I'm not going to that dinner‚" Ryan said sharply‚ his voice low but so full of anger it was as if it could cut through the air‚ making my chest tighten.

He looked straight at Mom and added‚ "If you both want to act this way‚ if you refuse to see things as they're meant to be‚ then forget that dinner.I'm not going."

Mom's eyes narrowed‚ her voice rising."Fine‚ don't go‚ Ryan.Act all mighty‚ act all strong‚ but one thing you will never get is Anna.She's your sister‚ and that's all you should know."

She turned to Dad."Cancel the dinner with Alpha King George‚ I won't attend either‚ not while Ryan is acting like this.You can cancel it."

Dad's phone rang‚ breaking the tense silence in the room.He glanced at the screen‚ his eyes narrowing slightly before he answered.

"George‚" he said‚ his voice calm but firm.I couldn't hear the other side of the conversation‚ only the low rumble of a deep voice through the receiver.Dad's expression shifted almost instantly‚ his jaw tightening‚ his eyes flicking away from us as if something urgent had just landed in his lap.

"Yes… I see‚" he said quietly."That's a problem… No‚ I understand."He rubbed the back of his neck while pacing a few steps before finally stopping."We'll have to reschedule the family dinner then.I'll be there."

He ended the call and slipped the phone into his pocket."Something urgent came up‚" Dad said simply‚ his gaze sweeping over all of us."I have to go."

No one asked questions‚ but the air in the room seemed to grow even heavier now that the dinner was off and Dad was leaving in a hurry.

Mom suddenly turned to me."Anna‚ baby‚ come with me.We're going to our room.We need to start packing.You're not staying in this house one more minute."

Even though I didn't want to leave‚ I followed her.When we got to the room‚ I tried to speak‚ to tell her to stop‚ but the look on her face was enough to silence me.She yanked open the closet and started throwing clothes into a suitcase‚ the sound of hangers clattering making my stomach twist.

"Mom‚ please—" I started‚ my voice breaking.

She didn't stop until she saw me crying.Then she came over and sat beside me on the bed‚ her voice softer but still firm."Anna‚ my dear… you might think you love Ryan‚ but you don't.It's just the love you've always had for him as your brother‚ and you've mistaken it for something romantic.I know you're confused‚ and I know you two were already… involved before I found out.But you have to listen to me‚ Ryan is your older brother.This was a mistake‚ and I'm going to make it right."

Her hand was warm against mine‚ but her words were deep."I don't want you repeating the same mistake I made.You're still too young‚ just nineteen.You should be focused on your studies‚ not on this‚ not on mistaking brotherly love for romantic love."

She closed the suitcase with a snap."Let's go to the dorm.That's where you'll stay from now on."

I couldn't speak.My feet felt heavy as we walked back to the living room.Ryan was there‚ and the second he saw the suitcase‚ he rushed forward‚ grabbing for it.Mom held it behind her‚ but he turned to me.

"You're not leaving‚ Anna‚" he said‚ pulling me into his arms.

I wanted to melt into him‚ but Mom's glare froze me in place.

"It was a mistake‚ Ryan‚" I said‚ my voice shaking."What we had… it was a mistake.I mistook brotherly love for romantic love."