His Estranged Mate

Chapter 23: Disguised Devil?

CATRINA

"What do you want, brother?" I ask for the tenth time now. We are in Xan's car and he's taking me to his place, to meet our dad.

He confessed to me that he's my step-brother. That our dad had an affair a few months before he met my mom. My mother didn't accept Xan so he left and since Xan didn't have his mother with him, my dad left with Xan to look after him.

Apparently, my father is not dead how Connor claimed him to be. I don't know why he lied and why did Cayden or my mother not correct him then. I remember how unaffected my mother appeared to be when Connor said that my father is dead. I can't imagine how enraged I'll feel if someone said that Connor's dead when I know that he's very much alive.

Come to think of it, I never in my life thought that my father's unfaithful behavior would be the reason for my parents' separation.

"I don't want anything from you, malyshka. Dad wants to meet you. We came to know about your existence only a few days ago. I don't know why Christine sent you away," he whispers, trying to make his words sound less rude. But it hurts all the more to hear this and to think that he faced the same rejection from my mother.

"Okay, but can we make it quick, I have to go back home," I say after getting a hold of my emotions.

"Sure. You can decide whether you want to go back to your mom or stay with us. I'll make sure you are cared for till you find your mate," he offers and I smile at his words. He sounds very thoughtful.

I didn't believe him at first but then he told me about Christine and Cayden and about how they look and where they are living right now. He even shifted into his wolf form in my living room.

That's when I believed him that he's truly my step-brother. He's family and I can never reject my family member.

"My mate?" I ask, not quite sure if I should tell him about Connor.

"Yes, you know that you are also a werewolf, dormant but still a wolf. You do have a destined mate but maybe you don't know him, or you do?" he asks, after taking a very huge sniff, and his upper lip curls up. His eyes change a little, and his nails lengthen a bit causing me to gasp.

He quickly turns to look at me and then takes deep breaths.

"I am sorry, I need to bring my wolf forward to use my sense of smell," he says.

"That's fine but please don't use your sense of smell on me," I reply feeling quite embarrassed that he can scent me or my clothes.

"So, will you tell me about him," he asks and I frown.

"Who?"

"I sniffed the air, more specifically you, and you were with someone yesterday, weren't you?" he asks with a smirking face, sending a chill down my spine. I want to slap that smirk off his face. He looks like a guy from the wrong side of the town but I don't let my judgment show on my face.

"Yes, I was. He's my friend," I say.

"Okay." He says in a sing-song voice and I catch the playful tone in his voice which causes me to blush.

"Fine. He's my mate," I snap. I already hate this werewolf sense of smell. I don't know how he sniffed out Connor's scent from me. I took a shower and wore new clothes then how did he scent it?

I'll make a note of asking Connor about how scent things help.

"Someone stole you before you met us. That's a shame but I am happy for you," he says and leans over to squeeze my shoulder in reassurance. For some unknown reason, I don't like his touch. I shrink back from him, putting some distance even when there is the gear-console between us.