I Don't Want You

Chapter 7

~Brae~

I was seven when I realized Bray was capable of feeling...Other emotions.

"You seem to know everything about curses," Bray blurted one day, catching me off guard. We were still kids then, and it was so unlike him. He'd never brought up the topic before, and honestly, it wasn't something I thought he cared about. The sound of his voice seemed to stop the room. Even my parents had paused, intrigued.

"Yeah?" I tilted my head, curious.

He opened his mouth again, about to ask the question. But then, before any words could escape, Aviana stepped in from the kiychen. The moment she appeared, his entire demeanor shifted. His eyes darted to her, then back to me, then to our parents. His face reddened, clear embarrassment settling in. Whatever question he had? Forgotten. His silence begged all of us to change the subject, as if his thoughts had been exposed.

That was the first time it clicked. Bray was developing those feelings for her.

It should've been obvious. Looking back now, it all made sense.

That's why he was so sensitive to the her comments, while the same words from someone else would barely register.

That's why he was suddenly extra extroverted when she'd show up, trying to catch her attention anyway he could. And when she wasn't there, he was more tolerable. Always in his room.

Was he hoping she'd be his mate?

I glanced at my parents, and the knowing looks they exchanged between each other said it all. They could see it too. That same excited smile tugged at both their faces as they watched Bray struggle to regain his composure when Aviana walked over to him, her voice light as she asked if he'd eaten the pudding she'd hidden in the fridge.

They wanted it... But why did the idea of them happening make me feel so ill?

Despite all of this, I couldn't deny it-it was fun watching them.

Aviana, with her usual obliviousness, was always terrible at catching onto Bray's subtle hints. It made me laugh every time she furrowed her brow, confused by his odd actions or the things he'd say, only for them to end up bickering over how "confusing" he was. Their arguments were a constant, both of them missing the undercurrent of tension that I saw so clearly.

And deep down, I knew they would be good for each other. Bray's protectiveness and quiet strength paired with Aviana's kindness and resolve-it was a natural fit. But still... I didn't want it to happen.

Bray's always had everything. All the attention, the recognition. His name was always spoken first, before mine. Actually, it wasn't even a matter of before mine-his was the only name that mattered.

To most people, I was just "his sister." Not Brae. Not a person. Just the sibling attached to him. Even my name was chosen to match his. My parents thought it was cute but I hated it with my whole being.

In a room full of people, they'd always greet him first, before finding me, that's if they ever did. But how could I blame them?

I was the dull one in this family. The second-most feared and respected family in the pack, and I was the odd one out. While they all commanded rooms with their piercing gazes, strong voices, and unshakeable presence, I stood there-warm and soft, like some lost teddy bear.