Tasting 30

30-Mingling With My Stepbrother

Nora:

“You say the most rubbish things I’ve ever heard. And don’t ever talk about it with anyone,” he

hissed at me under his breath, glancing around to make sure nobody had overheard us or was

watching us argue.

“Okay! Calm down, I’m not running around with the news. Your dignity is secured,” I rolled my eyes,

still bothered by the blood pouring out of his injuries.

What a weirdo.

“Let’s go,” he then hoisted the bag over his shoulder and began making his way towards the crowd.

“Nash! Are we celebrating it tomorrow?” Daphne hastily caught up to him and asked, but he only

shook his head without even looking her way. The smile she had plastered on her lips in anticipation

of celebrating with him had vanished.

So they were not back together.

However, real anxiety settled on me when he reached the crowded area and started making his way

through. The girls were not planning on giving him any space, even when the security guards

started to push them away.

“Nash! Please join me in this ring,” one of the girls shouted, but Nash didn’t even raise his head.

“Treat me roughly, daddy!” The other girl added, and while they were attempting to get closer to him

and push the guards away, I started to be left behind,

“I can’t walk like that. Can you guys please” I requested from the crowd, but nobody was paying

attention to me.

“Ouch!” I complained when some guy pushed me to the side, almost making me trip, and the others

started to climb on top of me. I had to keep standing on my feet or I would become a victim of the

stampede,

“I want an autograph!” a guy yelled and raised his notebook, which hit me hard on the back of my

head. I started to rub my scalp while losing sight of Nash entirely,

The suffocation began to bother me. I frowned and looked around, keeping my hands up in a steady

position.

“Please, can you train my brother? He’s a huge fan and wants to be like you,” another guy pushed

me away so that he could reach Nash.

At that moment, I started to get teary-eyed. The disrespect, as if I wasn’t even visible, was getting to

me until suddenly, the crowd stopped yelling, and the path before me started to clear. I lifted my

head and saw Nash return, standing before me. He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer as he

began to make his way out again. But this time, he kept me close and safe.

In fact, as the crowd gathered around him again like a group of coyotes, he brought me ahead of

him, my back touching his chest, and pulled his arms ahead in a circle, caging me in a protective

way, I don’t know what happened in that moment, but a smile covered my lips along with some

tears. I had never been

19.41%

York My Showth

protected like that. His strong muscular arms didn’t let a single harm or hand touch me.

He took me with him to his car, even opened the door, and made sure he was standing behind me

like a brick wall until I slid into the passenger side. Then, he walked over to his own side, but one of

the crazy girls rushed to my side and tried to open the door. In fact, she ended up opening it until

Nash glared at her.

“Hey! Leave her alone,” he yelled, and the girl gasped, quickly closing the door. I don’t get what this

girl thought she was going to achieve. Was she hoping to sit on my lap or what?

Nash then got into the driver’s side and dropped the bag in the backseat. “Keep your head down;

the flashes will give you a headache now,” he said very carelessly, but it still sounded so much

better. I closed my eyes as he had advised and escaped the crazy pack of reporters.

Once he had safely made it out of the crowd and was on the road, I opened my eyes and settled

comfortably in the seat. He had his eyes on the road when he pulled his hand back without even

checking and grabbed his bag. He unzipped the bag, still looking ahead, and pulled something out.

It was a bottle with some juice in it.

“Take this; you’ll feel better,” he gave it to me, not even turning around to look at me. I steadily held

the bottle and then took a sip out of it. It was odd because the juice wasn’t the only smell on the

bottle.

There was a very unique and soft smell emanating from the bottle because it was nestled in

between his clothes. It gave me

47.14%

III

30lingling With My Stepbrother

If 283 Mouchers

the impression of his cologne. I found it odd but kept to myself.

“They scared you, didn’t they?” he finally turned to me, briefly looking at me before returning his

gaze ahead.

“How are you not scared of them? Doesn’t the crowd give you anxiety?” I questioned, noticing a

proud grin covering his lips.

“I’m-used to it. It gives a boost to my ego,” he mumbled.

“Why won’t you transition? It’s not like you lost. You don’t need to punish yourself,” I almost

pleaded. The more I looked at him, the more I felt like I was the one who caused him so much

damage.

“No! I’m fine. It’s a test of my ability to tolerate pain,” he denied

again, but I had another reason ready for him to change his mind.

“But what about your wolf? Wouldn’t he crave to fulfill his duties by relying on him for transitioning?”

As soon as I said that, the car slowed down, and I found him zoning out.

“My wolf? Why would he care about anything? He’s just an animal,” I was stunned at his response. I

couldn’t help but turn in the car seat to face him.

“Don’t tell me you don’t talk with your wolf?” I stared at his face for an answer, knowing it was going

to shock me.

“Talk to my wolf?” he grumbled, “they’re not supposed to be treated like they’re part of us. They’re

just a mere part of our existence.” The scoff and disrespect he showed towards his wolf left me

shaken to my core.

74.32%

16.11

I freaking loved talking to Akira. Is this how all the brothers

thought about their wolves?