Chapter 124

Book:My Stepfather's Mate Published:2025-4-2

Aileen
Dave looked at me dumbfounded by my response.
“Why have you never told me about these things that happened to you before?” he asked. “When did you learn to keep secrets like that from me? And how many of these secrets are you still keeping?”
Oh no, did I dig my own grave with that answer?
“Uh, no…. I’m”
“Don’t even try to give me an excuse. You know I don’t like those things!” he cuts me off.
I fumbled at my words.
He reached out his hand to caress my face. “Aileen, you know I don’t like lies or deception. Then why are you doing this to me? Please just be honest with me. That’s all I ask from you. Tell me what you are hiding from me.”
I shook my head, “Dave, believe me. I’m not hiding anything else from you. I just thought if I told you about the situation at college you might worry for nothing. That’s why I kept it hidden from you. That’s all. Even Mom doesn’t know about it. Only my friends like Skylar and Rosalia knew.”
“Is this really the reason why you kept it hidden from me? Or is that a made-up lie as well?”
“No, I’m telling the truth, believe me!” do I sound even the least convincing? I don’t think so.
He examined my face, his eyes focused on me. I had nothing to defend myself. All I can do is hope for him to believe my words.
He sighed, removing his hands away from my face.
“Yeah, I’ll believe you now. Cause there’s no option other than that available. But, despite all this one decision of mine remains the same.”
“That is?”
He glared at You aren’t hanging out with that Skylar friend of yours, neither he is coming over to your house again. Today was the exception. I hope you won’t break the rule.”
I couldn’t believe him. He’s still not over it.
“But, why are you treating Skylar like that? What has he done to you? He’s a nice guy, I told you,” I explained.
“He may be a nice guy to you. But as I told you, when he couldn’t state his intention clearly, I don’t think we can trust him. This is for your safety.”
“My safety? Aren’t you doing this because you feel self-conscious around him? Does he make you feel inferior that you are being like this? Like I can’t even explain”
“I feel self-conscious around him? He makes me inferior? Did you really say that?”
When he repeated the question, I realized what I said just now without thinking. How could I say those mean things? What has gotten into me? I’m so horrible!
“No, I”
He backed away from me, distancing himself.
“I didn’t expect you to think this way towards me. I’m glad you got to speak your mind. Good for you.”
“No, it’s not good!” I yelled, “I didn’t mean to say these things. It’s not true at all! Please don’t take it to heart.”
He sighed, then narrowed his eyes.
“You don’t have to worry about my heart. But, you do need to worry about yourself now.”
“What?”
“If you want to keep living your peaceful college life as peaceful as it is now, then you need to abide by my rules. Which means, you need to ditch that boy from your life. If not, then I’ll need to force restrictions on you.”
“Restrictions?” What is he even talking about?
“Yes, restrictions. There will be someone who’ll be keeping your eyes on you, following your every movement, and giving me updates about it. You’ll not be allowed to talk with anyone outside of college or engage in social activities without my presence. And you’ll lose all the freedom you have now. This is the rule you have to follow as long as you live under my wing.”
Huh?
“Are you being serious right now?” I mumbled, unable to believe his words.
“Yes, I’m serious. Do I look like I’m joking right now? Do my words sound funny to you?”
No…. definitely not. I couldn’t believe he was in his right mind when he said those things.
“Dave…you are really going to do all this if I don’t listen to you?”
There was a long pause before he finally replied, “Yes, it may be hard on me. But, I’m going to do it. As long as it’s for your own good, I’ll do it. Cause I think that Skylar doesn’t have any good intentions. So, if I have to go this far just to protect you, I’ll do it.”
I was shaken up by his words completely. This is the first time I’ve seen him being so possessive like this.
“You keep saying that you are doing this just to protect me. But, is that really true? All You are doing is for your own satisfaction. You can’t do this to me!” I yelled, glaring at him.
His eyes looked so cold at that time they could cut through ice. They lacked warmth and were devoid of all color.
“Yes, I can. Cause I’m the Alpha, I have the power to do it. And don’t forget you are my mate! I’m your guardian in the eyes of the world. So, my doing this looks more than justified. Don’t you think?”
“You are wrong!” I retorted, “You don’t consider me your mate. You just think of me as your possession only, like something you can own and control. I’m sorry, but I’m not meant to act as a doll under your reins. I have a free will. That’s why, I’m not going to listen to you. Do as you like. I just don’t fucking care!”
He didn’t say anything afterwards so I just marched out of the room without looking back behind me.
But, that emotionless expression on his face was stuck to the back of my mind and it ticked me off very well.
Why does he always manage to piss me off in one way or another? I know he can be stubborn sometimes. But this is just him being selfish for no reason.
He just wants to strip me of my freedom and lock me in my home. There’s no way he can do that to me!
It’s my wish and freedom with whom I can make friends with. How can he…. can he…. just interfere with everything and cut off people from my life?
Does anyone have the right to do that other than you? Let alone, my mate or my guardian? Definitely not!
Then, why do I have to face this? What have I done to deserve this?
Fuck, he’s even worse than Jack.
At least Jack was a bit understanding and had free will. He just didn’t like my over-attachment issues and jealousy.
But, Dave seems to have a problem with everything that I do in life.
Ugh! I can’t deal with this anyone. I’m so mad!
I reached my room and just banged the door shut. Then sat down on my chair but still felt irritated so I just went to lie on the bed.
Dave’s words rang in my ears.
“I have the power to do it. All I’m doing is just to protect you”
Protect me, don’t make me laugh!
You were not there when your dad left me among those rich boys who tried to take advantage of me. Skylar was there to save me. Even though he was outnumbered he still saved me.
He was the one who helped me get along with my classmates at the party. He’s the only one who willingly likes to hang out with me like today even though I’ve been ignoring him from the very start.
Then, how can you tell me to cut off such an important person away from my life? Even though I know, how much he helped Rosalia and the principal?
His contributions…how can I forget all that? You can’t just tell me to cut him off from my life and pretend it never happened before!
This isn’t a game. We can’t always start over with new characters. Why’s he toying with my life? Does he think it’s a game? Does it seem funny to him?
If not, why is he doing all this?
You don’t know what Skylar is going through. He never shares about his personal life with others, how can you be biased towards him based on his response only?
You can’t judge a person like that, Dave!
“I think you should calm down,” Kiki said.
I’m enough calm. Don’t ask for anything more. Or else I’ll forget you live in my head.
“I don’t live in your head only. But, also in your body.”
Yeah, you don’t need to repeat
A knock on the door drew my attention.
“Aileen, please do as I said to you. It’s for your own good.” I could hear Dave’s voice outside the door.
He still dares to be here after all that?
I jumped out of my bed and walked over to the side of the door and opened it for him.
“Please don’t approach me again until you’ve gotten over your idea of controlling my life. Till then, I’d like to maintain my distance. Thank you,” I stated before closing the door in his face.
I don’t know how he was looking at that time, but I could bet he looked sad.
Why are you making me feel guilty even though you are the one who started it in the first place?
I heaved a sigh with a heavy heart and just sat down on the floor hugging my knees to my chest.
Why do we always end up hurting each other one way or the other? Even after talking it out, we can’t seem to…make a solution easily.
Is this how we are going to be our whole life? Do I always have to forgive him for all these stunts that he manages to pull now and often?
Will we end up like Mom and Dad?
That…. doesn’t sound good. I…. don’t want that.