Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 480

Chapter 480: 480-The Alpha’s Regret
Helanie:

Seeing Sullivan again like that, squaring up to me, made my heart sink. I gulped but tried to do it discreetly.

“Step out of my way,” I hissed, clenching my jaw. I wanted to stay focused and use everything I had learned at the academy—all the skills the brothers had taught me, especially in the combat classes.

But it was normal to feel shaken in my body when facing old enemies.

“So, what was going on?” he asked, chewing bubble gum like he didn’t care, taking slow steps toward me.

“I won’t repeat myself. Get out of my way.”

I remembered him as someone with a lot of strength. But now that I thought about it, I’d never seen him train or do anything related to combat.

“Ohh, so what if you repeat yourself? Gonna cry?” he pouted, faking a crying face and mimicking a child’s voice, “Or will you call your friends to come save your ass?”

But the second he grabbed my arm, I reacted.

It was pure reflex. Norman and Rudy had drilled it into me to act fast the moment I felt threatened by someone’s touch.

As soon as Sullivan hit the floor, I realized why he always seemed so powerful before. It was because I never fought back.

I had made them monsters in my mind, given them so much power that even when they were just as weak as me, they looked like beasts.

My confidence shot through the roof, and a smile of pride and self-worth spread across my lips.

“She’s possessed by a demon!” Larissa screamed, running over to her son—who didn’t lift his head.

He just lay there, staring at the ceiling.

I could tell that it wasn’t from pain, but from the fact that a girl had kicked his ass.

I knew Sullivan inside and out. He was a misogynistic little bitch.

I sighed and walked out the door. Maybe I’d get lucky and find a cafe.

I remembered there used to be so many cafes and restaurants in my pack, but I never got to visit any of them.

While walking down the road, I could feel eyes on me—heads peeking out of windows, people grunting.

These people had hardwired hatred for me, and that wasn’t going to change.

But a few things had changed—enough that they didn’t dare come out and say anything to me now.

I reached a cafe just a few houses down and stepped into the empty place.

There was absolutely no one else around at this hour.

I sat down, and the waitress came out, raising her eyebrow at me.

The hostile reactions from everyone used to bother me so much.

I used to compliment them nonstop, thinking maybe that would make them stop being mean to me.

But now I don’t care.

I gave her my order without throwing in any compliments, and I bet she noticed—because she asked:

“Is that it? You’re not going to say something about my hair?”

There was a mocking tone in her voice.

“Yeah… you actually need to find a new stylist,” I said, pouting as I used my fingers to show her where things were going wrong.

The look of complete disappointment on her face was amazing.

She scoffed and turned around, heading back to the kitchen, while I stayed seated and checked my phone. I had some texts I needed to reply to.

Top Senior_Rudy: Hey, heard about everything. Let me know if you need my help.

Top Senior_Sage: Just when I think there’s no more mystery around you, you surprise me. Full support from me and my pack.

There were similar encouraging messages from all my friends and packmates. It was fulfilling… until I came across Sydney’s message.

That Bitch: So you’re from my mate’s pack? Lol. I’m gonna have so much fun with you now.

I rolled my eyes and responded to everyone except her.

“Helanie!”

That’s when a familiar voice broke my peace.

My whole body tensed, and my eyes started to water—not from misery, but from the old me who used to rely so much on this person.

I looked up, and our eyes met. But the love in my eyes had faded away now.

He looked like a mess—hair all over the place, bags under his eyes.

Why? Did he cry because I wasn’t dead?

That’s when the waitress returned and placed my order on the table, her attitude changing instantly when she noticed Altan in the room.

“Your Highness,” she said, quickly bowing, clearly thrilled that an alpha had come into her little café. She’d be bragging about this for weeks.

“Can you please give us a minute?” Altan asked her, surprising her even more by showing interest in speaking with me. My body would jolt every time he opened his mouth and I heard his voice.

“There’s nothing to talk about. And actually—never mind. I’m not hungry anymore. Bring me my check, please.”

I told the waitress, who looked very uncomfortable, that a mere omega was speaking to an alpha like that.

“Do you know who he is?” she hissed, slamming her hands on the table and leaning in, clearly trying to win brownie points.

“She knows. Now leave us alone,” Altan snapped, causing her to glance at him, then back at me.

She looked confused—some people are just too ignorant.

As she turned to leave, I heard her mutter under her breath,

“Look what you did—you got him so angry.”

“Helanie!” he said again, sitting down just as I got up. Of course, he followed.

“Please, just listen to me. I want to apologize.”

I was already walking toward the counter to avoid him, but those words stopped me cold.

He wanted to apologize?

I turned around and stared him straight in the eye, my frown deepening with every second.

“Sure! What are you going to apologize for? For leaving me in that abandoned subway like a coward? Or—for playing with me while you were engaged the whole damn time?”

I yelled so loud the waitress gasped from behind the counter.