Page 2 of Rejected by My Stepbrother Alpha (Billionaire Shifter Club #1)

The only time that he’d actually shown any other emotion was when we ran into each other in the hallway one night.

He was just out of the shower, a white towel wrapped around his waist—this was where the image from my daydream had come from—and when I’d unconsciously bit my lip and scanned his bare chest, a flash of attraction had crossed my stepbrother’s face.

It had been so quick, and Asher hadn’t looked at me since then. I was starting to think I had imagined it.

“Why is Asher moving back?” Maeve asked as she finished lengthening my eyelashes and picked up a tube of pale pink lipstick.

“His dad had a heart attack,” I said quietly. “It was pretty serious. For a minute there, um, we didn’t think he would make it.”

I swallowed and hoped I wouldn’t cry. Although I hadn’t known Russell for long, I admired his leadership within our pack and his company. I hadn’t met anyone who had one bad word to say about him.

“Oh, Ivy, I’m so sorry,” Maeve said. “How is Russell doing now?”

“He seems to be doing better. He’s even back at work and attending pack meetings. Russell told me that Asher is helping him a lot with the business and our pack.”

My pulse jumped from just saying my stepbrother’s name.

What’s wrong with me?

Why couldn’t I stop thinking about him? Why couldn’t I stop picturing the way he looked right after his shower? Or the flecks of gold in his hazel eyes. Why did I keep fantasizing about him whenever my mind wandered?

Even though we didn’t spend our childhoods together, it still felt wrong to obsess over Asher.

“I’m glad that Russell is doing better. As the Alpha of the pack, I’m sure he’s strong and resilient. Isn’t this night to honor him?” Maeve asked.

She stepped away from me to look at her work so far.

“Yeah, more so for his business achievements. My mom described it as a, ‘high-profile corporate gala event to honor Russell’s business achievements in the technology industry’ or something along those lines,” I said.

“So, you basically have to rub elbows all night with a bunch of rich people?”

“Yeah, pretty much. If I’m being honest, I’m, um, kind of nervous for tonight. You know how shy I can get around big groups of people, and my mom said I needed to represent the family or I was going to embarrass Russell, and…” I trailed off.

I couldn’t tell Maeve about how nervous I was to see Asher tonight.

He would be wearing a suit and would be looking devastatingly handsome.

Deep down, I was terrified that the sight of him in a suit would make me forget myself and run up to him and confess that I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

What would all of Russell’s important business associates think of me then?

They would probably think I was some freak who was in love with her stepbrother.

The worst part was…they wouldn’t be wrong to assume that.

But how could I love Asher? I’d hardly spoken to him. Why did I feel this soul-deep connection to someone I barely knew?

Maeve rolled her eyes at the mention of my mom saying I needed to represent the family tonight.

She and my mother had never gotten along.

Honestly, my mom had never gotten along with anyone from our old pack.

Our old pack wasn't affluent enough for my mother's taste.

My whole life, she'd taught me how to be the “proper shifter woman” as if there were such a thing.

The taboo fantasies I had about Asher were as close to rebellious as I'd ever been in my life.

“I tried to get you a ticket for tonight,” I said. “But my mom told me that there weren't enough tickets. I really appreciate you driving here just to do my makeup. My mom said her makeup artist could do it, but I only trust you.”

“It’s just so good to see you. And don’t worry about impressing anyone. From what you told me about your stepdad, I’m sure Russell only wants you to have fun tonight. Your only job tonight is to have fun,” my friend said and smiled. “Now, let’s get you in that dress!”

Maeve helped me zip up my dress, and after I slipped on my shoes, she spun me around to face the floor-length mirror.

“Oh my…” I trailed off as I took myself in.

My mother’s stylist had picked out this dress for me, and I thought it was too fancy—it looked too similar to a wedding dress to me.

However, the braided crown and Maeve’s makeup skills pulled the look together.

The dress complemented my slim figure in a way that most clothes didn’t.

The tight bodice showcased my slight curves, and the flowy skirt made me look taller than I was.

The silver high heels I was wearing helped with that, too.

Maeve had mixed white and silver eyeshadow to create a gorgeous color that accentuated my blue eyes.

My look was completed with the simple silver necklace that I always wore.

I only took it off when I showered. At the end of the chain was the letter “I”.

The necklace had been a gift from my grandmother.

Her name was Isabelle, and she had passed away when I was thirteen.

My mother and I had lived with my grandma for all of my life.

I’d never known who my father was. Growing up, it seemed like my grandma was the only one who understood me.

It had been she who raised me while my mom chased after rich and successful men. I’d never felt close to my mother.

Secretly, I was afraid that my mom hadn’t married Russell for the right reasons, but I didn’t know how to tell my stepfather that. Especially after he had just had a big health scare. I didn’t want to be a pawn in my mother’s games, though. But how did I get out of a game I never wanted to play?

I shook my head, trying to stop my racing thoughts. I gave myself another once-over and grinned.

“I look…beautiful,” I breathed out and continued to study myself in the mirror.

“You look stunning!” Maeve said.

“I can't thank you enough.” I turned and hugged my oldest friend.

She squeezed me tight, but when she pulled back, her expression was concerned.

“Oh, Ivy, you're shaking. Are you really that nervous for tonight?”

“Yeah, I just don't want to do anything stupid…” I trailed off, Asher's handsome face coming to mind for the millionth time today.

“Why don't you order some champagne from room service?” Maeve suggested and started to put her makeup back into her bag. “A drink might be good for the nerves.”

I paused, unsure if that was a good idea or not. What would I say around Asher if I had alcohol in my system? But one drink couldn't hurt, right? Like Maeve said, it would help with my nerves for tonight.

Maeve and I had the best time over the next half hour. I ordered a chilled bottle of champagne to my room and sparkling grape juice for Maeve since she had to drive home. We put on music and talked about Maeve's dream of one day owning her own makeup line.

Our fun was interrupted by a sharp knock on the door.

“It's my mom,” I said, and drained my second glass of champagne. I hadn't wanted the bottle to go to waste.

Quickly, I hid the empty champagne bottle and glass so my mom wouldn’t comment on it.

“Oh my Goddess, even her knock is intense,” Maeve whispered.

I let out a loud giggle but clapped my hand over my mouth, not wanting my mother to hear. When I stood up, I swayed a little.

“That second glass of champagne was a mistake,” I murmured to myself, then hurried to open the door.

My mother stood in the doorway, looking beautiful in a silver floor-length gown. Her reddish-brown hair was in a slicked-back bun. Everyone said that I was the spitting image of my mother, and now that we were both dressed up, I could see it even more.

“Let me see you,” my mom said without preamble.

She scanned my hair, then my face, and finally my dress.

“Good, you’re presentable,” she said coldly and looked past me. “Thank you, Maeve. Here’s your compensation.” My mother held out a white envelope that was probably filled with hundreds.

I flushed.

Maeve was my oldest friend. Now that my mom was married to a billionaire, she was treating her like she was just another one of her employees. Although my mom had never treated Maeve well, even when we didn’t have much money.

“Thank you, Mrs. Callahan, but that isn’t necessary. I wanted to do Ivy’s makeup because she’s my friend. And it's good to see you, too,” Maeve said and smirked.

I had to bite my cheek to keep myself from smiling. Maeve had managed to point out my mother’s rudeness in a way that wasn’t blatant.

My mom frowned but chose not to comment. She turned back to me.

“Ivy, I expect you to be outside the ballroom in twenty minutes. We will need to make an entrance as a family.”

Of course. Isn't it always about appearances when it comes to my mom?

I swallowed and smoothed my dress.

“Uh, right,” I said.

I had to make an entrance with Asher? Excitement and fear shot through me.

“For the love of the Moon Goddess, don’t say ‘uh’ in front of any of Russell’s business associates. You will embarrass our family,” my mom snapped.

“Sorry,” I murmured and looked down.

My mom was gone before I glanced back up.

Without a word, Maeve walked over and shut the door. She pulled me into a hug.

“Don’t listen to your mom. Everyone’s going to love you. You look stunning, but most importantly, you’re charming, and everyone will see that. Even if you say ‘uh’ once or twice,” Maeve said, then gathered her things to leave.

“Thank you, Maeve. You’re the best.”

“I know,” she teased and winked.

Maeve left after another long hug, and I spent the next five minutes trying to psych myself up in the mirror.

The champagne had helped a little bit, but I was still anxious to see Asher.

It didn’t help that my stepbrother was staying in the hotel room next to mine.

The gala was being held in this fancy hotel, and Russell had booked rooms for the whole family.

My mom and he were staying in the room down the hall from us.

After another deep breath, I opened up my door, ready to face the night.

But the two glasses of champagne caught up to me, and I tripped over my feet.

I let out a little squeak as I fell. Protective arms wrapped around my waist, and right before the back of my head hit the ground, the person who caught me pulled me up against their body until my breasts were pressed against their muscular chest.

I looked into the eyes of the person who had saved me, but my thank you got stuck in my throat. These were the same eyes that I saw in my wildest fantasies. This was the man whom I couldn't stop thinking about.

My stepbrother, Asher Callahan.

As I stared into his gorgeous hazel eyes, my mind, body, and soul sang with the need to never leave the safety of his arms.