Page 11 of Rejected by My Stepbrother Alpha (Billionaire Shifter Club #1)

T he Empty Bed

Asher

My footsteps echoed on the white linoleum floor. I was roaming the empty hospital halls like a ghost. I hadn’t slept at all since I returned from the mating ceremony, and that was hours ago. The first rays of the sunrise were coming in through the window across the hall from my dad’s hospital room.

I couldn’t sleep because each time I shut my eyes, I saw Ivy’s anguished expression right after I rejected her as my Mate.

What have you done?

Her words kept running through my mind on repeat. With each step I took, the words followed me. They were stalking me, creeping up on me like a sinister shadow in the night.

My heart felt like someone had lit it on fire. The pain from a broken mating bond was indescribable.

The image of Ivy running away, her long hair whipping through the wind, and her white dress illuminated in the dark night, would forever be branded into my mind. I’d almost run after her, but managed to stop myself by remembering all the reasons she couldn’t be my Luna.

My heart gave an agonizing throb, and I gripped my chest .

What have I done?

No, I couldn’t question myself.

I had to reject her. She was working with Evelyn.

I turned down the corridor that led to my dad’s room. I’d been walking the same three hallways tonight. Checking in on my dad each time I passed his room.

I was three doors away when the loud beeping started.

My heart dropped and my head spun with panic.

Dad.

I sprinted into my father’s room, my pulse racing, my thoughts spiraling to worst-case scenarios.

No!

My father—the only parent I’d ever known—lay there, his chest still and his glazed hazel eyes open and unseeing.

“Healer Emery!” I called even though I already knew it was too late.

Healer Emery was already racing into the room and started chest compressions.

Grief squeezed my heart in a vice-grip until I was afraid it was going to explode inside my chest.

One of Healer Emery’s assistants ran into the room.

I stumbled back to the corner to give them some space.

“Get the crash cart, now!” Healer Emery ordered.

The assistant wheeled a white machine with two orange paddles attached to it, which he handed to Healer Emery.

“Charge to two hundred. There’s no pulse,” Healer Emery said as he rubbed the two paddles together.

The assistant quickly tapped the machine.

I sent a quick prayer up to the Moon Goddess, pleading with her to spare my father.

Healer Emery put the paddles on my dad’s chest and shocked him. His body flailed up and then crashed back down. Healer Emery looked up at the monitor, which was showing my dad’s vitals.

“No change,” he said. “Charge to two-fifty.”

My dad’s body moved automatically because of the next electrical shock, but I knew even as they charged to three hundred, that he was gone.

My sixth sense knew that my dad’s soul had already left his body, and that they were trying to save an empty shell that used to be him.

The two healers stared at the monitor, but all that was on the screen was a flat green line representing the end of my father’s life.

“Time of death, 0400,” Healer Emery said after a moment.

The assistant gently shut my dad’s glazed eyes.

I slowly walked to my father’s bedside, my hands shaking, my throat closing. He might have been sleeping if his chest were rising and falling, but instead, it was as still as a pond during the early morning.

I stood and stared down at my dad in silence. My gaze was as unseeing as his had been.

“I’m so sorry, Asher.” Healer Emery said, his voice cracking. A single tear ran down his cheek, and he quickly wiped it away. “He was an amazing man and Alpha.”

“He was an even better father.” My tone was devoid of any emotion. A numb sensation spread over me. “Can I have some time to say goodbye before you…” I trailed off.

Healer Emery bowed his head. “Of course, Alpha Asher.” He and his assistant left the room.

I couldn't even process that I was now Alpha of the BloodMoon Pack. All I could do was stare at my father, trying to accept that he was gone from this world too soon. My rational mind knew that he was dead.

But it wasn't something I understood.

I reached a shaking hand out and pressed it against the cooling skin of his chest and tightly shut my eyes as they burned with the sharp sting of tears.

I wasn't sure how long I stared down at my father.

I couldn't make myself move. Because when I did, Healer Emery was going to take his body, and all that would be left for me to gaze at would be an empty bed.

“Is Ivy not coming?” our pack’s lawyer, Lyle, asked Evelyn, who was pretending to cry in the chair across from me.

Her dress was ridiculous—a long, black gown complete with frilly ruffles and an ugly hat with a black lace veil on the back. She wiped her non-existent tears away from her eyes with one of my father's monogrammed handkerchiefs.

My hands clenched into fists. I wanted to rip the white square away from that greedy gold digger. She didn’t deserve to have anything that once belonged to my dad.

“I don't think she will be able to make it,” Evelyn answered in a pitiful voice. “I haven’t seen her since,” she glanced at me, “last night.”

My stomach jolted with worry, followed by a pang of guilt.

Ivy hadn’t been back to the house yet? Where was she?

Lyle cleared his throat and organized the sheaf of papers on his desk.

It was the afternoon of my father's death, and per pack tradition, his will was to be read in front of his surviving family.

Evelyn, Lyle, and I were gathered in one of our pack's meeting rooms in our large town hall.

Lyle was at the head of the table, his reading glasses balanced precariously on the tip of his nose.

After finding my father dead this morning, all I wanted to do was sit in my bedroom with all the lights off and process that my father was really gone.

But I had to attend the reading of my father's will.

I had to know that if on the same day I was going to lose my father, I would lose his legacy, too.

Evelyn continued to wail into the handkerchief like she was starring in a cheesy soap opera.

“First of all, I’d like to say I’m so sorry to both of you for your loss,” Lyle said as he looked up from his papers. “Alpha Russell will be dearly missed as the leader of this pack, a businessman, and a friend to all.”

I inclined my head, but before I could say anything, Evelyn sobbed loudly.

“T-thank you,” Evelyn said in a teary voice. “I loved him so much. He was my soulmate. It was cruel that Russell and I only had one year together.”

Goddess, she was laying it on thick.

Lyle smiled sympathetically at Evelyn. But I noticed a tightness in his eyes. Was it possible that I wasn’t the only one who could see through Evelyn’s act? Was this a good sign for how the reading of the will would go?

“Let us get started,” Lyle said and cleared his throat.

His words made my stomach drop, and my mouth went dry.

What were the chances that my father actually changed his will last night? I didn't see Lyle at the mating ceremony, but it had been dark, and he could have been in the back. Our whole pack had been in attendance. There must have been a lot of people I didn’t see.

Nervously, I shifted in my seat as Lyle looked down at the papers in his hands.

Here we go…

“I will now read the last wishes of Russell Joseph Callahan. His will is recognized under pack law, witnessed by Emery Powers—head healer of the BloodMoon pack—and notarized by me, Lyle Walker. This means that his will can not be contested under any circumstances,” Lyle read.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Evelyn's lips twitch into a quick smile.

Shit.

My stomach knotted with worry. This was it. If my dad hadn't changed his will, Evelyn would be able to sell the company and live a life of luxury with Ivy.

Or maybe not. If Ivy had been in on her mother's schemes, wouldn’t she be here to ensure that the plan worked?

No, I couldn’t doubt myself now. I wouldn’t be a good leader if I did.

Where was she, though? I just wanted to know that she was safe.

Lyle opened his mouth, and my palms began to sweat.

“Russell Joseph Callahan’s last will and testament states the following: I, Russell Callahan, leave everything I own, my company, BloodMoon Enterprises, and all of my assets, to my son, Asher Callahan.”

The room was silent for a moment.

He trusted me enough to change it.

Pride and love for my dad filled my heart .

Evelyn immediately stopped “crying” and lifted her head. She jumped to her feet and glared at Lyle.

“What the hell are you talking about?” she snapped. “He changed his will yesterday! He was going to leave everything to me. You were there, Lyle!”

Lyle folded his hands in front of him and regarded Evelyn with a cool expression.

“Yes, I was there. And that’s why I went back to the hospital last night when I knew you would be at the mating ceremony.

In my professional opinion, you coerced Russell into changing his will.

You took advantage of his condition. I talked with him, and he revealed that he was just about to call me and change it back. ”

Evelyn stomped her foot and let out a frustrated groan.

“I don’t care what you say!” Evelyn snarled, her face growing red. “I’m going to contest his will. I was his wife for Goddess’s sake. I am entitled to his money and company. It’s only fair.”

“There is nothing to contest,” Lyle said. “Russell was of sound mind when he changed his will back. There was a witness, and it was notarized. If you’d like, you can take up the matter with the Elders or our new Alpha.” Lyle’s lips twitched when he pointed at me.

Evelyn whipped her head to glare at me. The ridiculous hat wobbled on the top of her head.

“You did this! You greedy, little—“

My blood boiled with rage, and I shot to my feet.

“Don’t you dare call me greedy!” I retorted. “You never loved my father! You were only using him for his money.” I raised my hand and jabbed an accusing finger at her. “You’re nothing but a gold digger who can’t even squeeze out a few real tears the day of your husband's death.”

Evelyn and I stepped toward each other, both of our bodies beginning to tremble—a sign that we were going to shift into our wolf forms.

“How dare you say that to me,” Evelyn said in a steely voice. “If I can’t contest the will, then you are to marry Ivy. She is your Fated Mate. The Moon Goddess has destined your coupling. Then, I can at least get some of the money that I’m owed.”

An image of Ivy in a white dress walking down the aisle toward me flashed into my head. It was just like last night had started out, but a completely different ending this time.

No.

I had made the right choice by rejecting Ivy. Even if my heart was aching with regret. Evelyn had just shown her true colors, and after her insistence that I marry Ivy, I was certain that they were working together.

“You really do have some nerve.” I slowly shook my head, unable to believe a person could be so greedy. “I will never marry Ivy.” Those words felt wrong coming out of my mouth, but I pressed on. “I’ve already rejected her because she’s no better than you.”

I paused and had to collect myself before continuing. This could get heated fast. No matter how much I hated the woman before me, I couldn’t attack her. I’d regret attacking a woman unprovoked.

“You and Ivy need to leave.” I ignored the small pang in my heart when I said Ivy’s name. “I’m the Alpha of this pack now. You have until tonight to pack your things and leave. If you two aren’t gone by sunset, I will make you leave.”

“And he will have help,” Lyle said. He rose to his feet and walked around the table to stand next to me. “Asher is our new Alpha. Everyone will stand by him.”

Evelyn looked between us and opened her mouth like she wanted to argue, but then closed it.

“You will regret this,” Evelyn threatened in a low, dangerous voice.

“No, I won’t,” I countered. “But I’ll make sure you regret manipulating my dad.”

Evelyn scoffed and left the room, her veil fluttering behind her.

I shook Lyle’s hand and thanked him for his support. When I left the meeting hall, the emotion that filled me wasn't victory from besting Evelyn or grief from today.

My father’s death had numbed me to everything. Of course, I was happy that my father’s business was safe and Evelyn had ended up with nothing.

But as I walked back to the hospital to sign some forms for Healer Emery, a desensitized feeling started in my heart and spread throughout my body.

If I were being honest, I was having a hard time feeling anything at all.

Besides a vague sense of worry about the Mate I’d rejected last night.