Page 49 of Rejected by My Stepbrother Alpha (Billionaire Shifter Club #1)

Two days later, he found me again. And instead of pretending like that night never happened, instead of brushing it off as a meaningless mistake, he did something that completely blindsided me.

He made me an offer.

Be his wife.

No romantic declarations. No poetic confessions. Just a simple, direct proposition.

He would support my acting career, ensure I had every financial advantage I needed to succeed. In return, all I had to do was stand beside him and play the role of his devoted wife.

I never asked why he needed it. Not really. I had my suspicions—his family is powerful, traditional, insistent on him finding a proper mate. A real werewolf wife. But instead of entertaining their demands, he had married me.

And now, here we are.

And yet, standing here, watching him approach, the contract feels more like a cruel joke than a simple arrangement. Because no matter how much I tell myself this is temporary, no matter how much I remind myself that none of this is real—there’s a part of me that wants it to be.

And that part? That foolish, fragile part of me? It wants more.

He finally reaches me, his presence eclipsing everything else around me, swallowing the space between us like a tide pulling me under. My heart betrays me, beating a little too fast, a little too loud.

He looks down at me, his expression as unreadable as ever. His voice is smooth, even, controlled. “Good evening, Vesper. Sorry I’m a bit late.”

I hate that my stomach clenches at the sound of my name in his mouth.

For a split second, I wish he had said something else. Something softer. Something that hinted at more.

“Good evening, my love.” Perhaps

Or maybe he would pull me in, press a lingering kiss to my temple, murmur something against my skin just loud enough for me to hear. Maybe his fingers would tighten possessively around my waist, letting everyone know that I belonged to him.

But he doesn’t do any of that.

Because that’s not what we are.

Instead, he keeps it formal. Professional. The way he always does. And despite knowing I should be used to it by now, it doesn’t stop the quiet ache that settles in my chest.

The paparazzi lose their minds, their cameras working overtime now that we’re together. “Mr. and Mrs. Thane! Over here, please! Pose for us!”

Alexander places his hand lightly on the small of my back.

Lightly. Polite. Respectful. Controlled. Not possessive. Not the way I wish it was.

I smile for the cameras, slipping effortlessly into the role of the devoted wife, but inside, something simmers beneath my skin.

A reporter steps forward, hopeful, eager. “Vesper, Alexander, could we get a quick interview with you both?”

I know Alexander well enough by now to see the subtle change in his posture. He’s good at hiding it, but I know. He doesn’t like this. He tolerates the public, endures the attention when necessary, but the media? The interviews? The endless scrutiny? He hates it.

And so, before he can even answer, I step in smoothly. My voice is honeyed, graceful, carrying just the right amount of warmth and finality. “Maybe next time,” I say with an effortless smile. “Right now, we just want to enjoy the movie. We hope you all do too.”

The reporter looks momentarily disappointed, but they don’t push. Instead, they nod, stepping back as Alexander takes my hand and leads me forward, past the flashing cameras and relentless questions.

And then, just as we’re clear of them, he squeezes my hand gently.

It’s barely anything. A small movement, a brief pressure. But my skin burns from the contact, my pulse betraying me, racing under his touch.

And then, in that deep, impossibly smooth voice of his, he murmurs, “Thank you.”

I swallow, the warmth spreading through my body. “For what?”

“For sparing me that interview,” he says, glancing at me with something like amusement. “And for not making me stand there any longer than necessary.”

And then—he smiles. Not a smirk. Not a polite, practiced expression. A real smile, small but undeniable.

I feel my stomach tighten. My breath stutter. My heart pound just a little harder.

Because I know, right in that moment, with absolute certainty— I am so incredibly in love with this man.

In truth, I’ve known for a while now. And it’s a painful realization.

The kind of pain that settles into your chest and makes itself comfortable, pressing down with every heartbeat. The kind that lingers in the quiet moments when I let my guard down. The kind that makes my stomach twist every time I look at him.

Alexander walks beside me, his grip on my hand steady but light, just enough to appear affectionate for the cameras but not nearly enough to mean anything real.

His eyes, sharp and unreadable, are already fixed ahead, focused on the small path leading into the cinema.

He looks so effortlessly in control, so untouchable, like nothing in the world could ever faze him.

And here I am, standing next to him, drowning in feelings I shouldn’t have.

For a brief, reckless moment, I wonder—should I tell him? Should I just say it? Just let the words slip past my lips and be done with it? Maybe then this ache in my chest would loosen its grip. Maybe then I wouldn’t have to carry this secret alone.

But I know better.

I know exactly where I stand with Alexander.

He made it clear the day he offered me this contract marriage, and he’s never wavered since.

He’s never once pretended that this was anything more than what we agreed upon.

And to be fair, he’s been more than generous—he’s given me everything I need for my career, every opportunity I could have dreamed of.

He’s never been unkind, never once treated me unfairly.

But he doesn’t love me.

I feel it in the way he touches me—light, polite, calculated. I see it in the way he speaks to me—formal, always just on the edge of distant. I hear it in the way he says my name—never too soft, never too warm.

He’s not cruel about it. He’s not dismissive or careless. He simply… doesn’t see me the way I see him.

And yet, despite knowing all this, despite understanding exactly what this is supposed to be, I can’t stop the feelings that have taken root inside me. They keep growing, wrapping around my ribs like vines, tightening every time I’m near him.

We step closer to the entrance of the cinema hall, the warm glow of the chandeliers casting long shadows over the deep red carpet.

A man standing by the door greets us with a polite nod before leading us up the steps to our designated seats.

Alexander thanks him with a smooth nod, his voice low and effortlessly authoritative.

But just as we’re about to take our seats, his phone vibrates.

I watch as he pulls it out, his expression sharpening instantly. It’s subtle, barely a flicker across his face, but I know him well enough by now. The way his eyes narrow, the way his lips press together just slightly—I can tell it’s either work or family. And if I had to guess, I’d bet on family.

He glances at me, his voice smooth and controlled as always. “I have to take this. I’ll be back in a minute.”

I nod, forcing a small smile. “Sure.”

He steps away, slipping out of the hall, and I let out a slow breath before sinking into my seat.

I already know how this will go. He’ll talk to whoever it is—his mother, probably—and there’ll be some tension, some polite but clipped exchange of words.

He won’t let it show when he comes back, but I’ll be able to see it anyway, in the way his jaw sets just a little too tight, in the way his shoulders carry just the slightest hint of strain.

I exhale, settling into my seat, forcing myself to focus on the movie about to start.

The air in the cinema feels warm as more guests file in, their voices blending into a low hum of conversation and laughter. Most of the seats are filled now, the excitement buzzing through the crowd like electricity. I sit still, hands folded neatly in my lap.

And then one specific guest walks in.

I don’t even have to turn my head to know it’s her. Laura. I feel the discomfort crawl up my spine before she even steps into my aisle, before I even see that perfectly styled hair and that practiced, saccharine smile that she wears like armor.

I don’t get along with Laura. Never have. Never will.

She’s the kind of actress who thrives on attention, who craves the spotlight so badly it’s almost an addiction, the kind of woman who measures her worth in applause and flashing cameras.

And I know—because I’ve felt it every single day on set—that she still hasn’t forgiven me for landing the lead in this film over her.

She was bitter from the start, that bitterness seeping into every word, every glance, every forced, clipped interaction between takes.

So when she steps closer, eyes lighting up in faux delight as they land on me, I already know exactly how this is going to go.

“Oh my God, Vesper,” she breathes, her tone dripping with artificial warmth as she approaches.

Here we go again.

I force myself to stand, to return the greeting, to play the game. We embrace briefly, just enough to be polite, before stepping back.

Then she tilts her head, eyes glinting with something sharp, something calculated. “Is Alexander here? I hope he was able to make it.”

I smile, cool and unreadable. “Yes. He stepped outside for a bit.”

Her lips curve just slightly, but it’s not a smile—it’s the beginning of an attack.

“Oh perfect,” she hums, her tone just a little too sweet. “I’m glad he could make it, even though I thought he’d be too busy getting ready for his mating ceremony.”

I freeze.

His what?

She must catch the look on my face, because a flicker of satisfaction flashes in her eyes.

“Oh… looks like you haven’t heard yet,” she says, smiling like this is the highlight of her night. “There’ve been whispers. Apparently, Alexander has felt the fated mate bond with a she-wolf from a very esteemed family.”

I clear my throat, trying to keep my voice steady. “Well… I haven’t heard anything like that.”

She tilts her head, mock concern dripping from her words. “Gosh. You haven’t? You poor thing.” Then she shrugs like it’s no big deal. “I mean, come on—you had to know Alexander wouldn’t stay with a halfblood forever. But hey, at least you got to be the face of a blockbuster.”

She pauses—just long enough to let the smugness settle in.

“I mean, that’s more than most halfbloods could ever dream of, right?”

She gives a light laugh like it’s all harmless fun and turns to walk away, slipping into her seat without another glance.

I sit back down, trying to keep my face calm, but inside, everything’s spinning.

It’s not even her ridicule that’s bothering me. I’ve heard worse. It’s the one thing she said that I can’t stop thinking about—Alexander and the possibility that he’s found his fated mate.

Could it be true? Did she make it up just to get under my skin on the night of my premiere? Or is there really something to it?

My chest tightens. My head starts to pound. My thoughts are racing, going in circles I can’t break.

And then, Alexander slides back into the seat next to me, like nothing’s happened. His expression is calm, eyes locked on the projector screen.

I look at him, searching his face for something. Anything. A hint. A crack in the calm. But he’s completely relaxed, focused on the movie as the opening credits start to roll.

I want to ask him. The words are right there, but I don’t say them. I can’t say them. This marriage… it’s a contract. Technically, it’s not my place to ask about something as personal as a fated mate.

But I can’t stop thinking about it.

The whole movie flies by in a blur. I barely register what’s happening onscreen. All I can feel is the knot in my chest tightening, the questions getting louder in my head.

And before I know it, we’re in the car heading home. I’m in the passenger seat, watching the city lights go by, my thoughts still stuck in the same loop.

I keep sneaking glances at him, hoping he’ll say something. Hoping he’ll mention it. Hoping for anything.

But he doesn’t. He just drives, quiet and calm like always.

The silence is heavy. It feels like it’s pressing in on me.

And the only thought I can’t shake is this:

Alexander Thane—the man I’ve fallen in love with—has found the one person who the moon goddess has prepared just for him. And I have no idea how to feel about that.