Forbidden Mate- A Step-brother Romance - Chapter 56: Chapter 56

~LANA~
"I can't believe he's not responding to my texts," I vent to Isabella, frustration lacing my voice. It felt impossible that he was simply ignoring me.
How could he do this after what happened in his car? Why was he acting so distant again?
"He's probably just busy," Isabella reassures me, trying to put a positive spin on the situation. I knew she was only trying to keep me calm but it was not helping.
I let out a heavy sigh. "Busy on a date with Jada, no doubt, likely discussing their plans to get married."
It felt like I was intentionally saying things to hurt myself.
Isabella searches for the right words, clearly wanting to help ease my annoyance. I appreciated her support, but nothing she could say would truly lift my spirits. The only thing that would help is Apollo returning home.
"I just can't wrap my head around this," I whisper, my heart heavy. "After everything that happened between us, I thought he'd at least consider our relationship. I know we never really talked about it, but shouldn't our bond as mates mean something to Apollo?"
It just didn't make any sense to me. How could my feelings be this strong while he acted like he didn't care on so many occasions?
My sister exhales softly. "Trust me, it means a lot to him. Like I mentioned before, he was in a horrible state when he thought you were on that date. Those actions were not the actions of a man who didn't care about his mate. There has to be a reason behind his behavior."
I bite my lip, feeling my frustration mount. "He says it's because we're step-siblings, which I get, but how can he just ignore our attraction?"
There was a lot of sexual tension between Apollo and me whenever we got close to each other. I didn't understand how he could simply ignore it.
Isabella looks thoughtful before saying, "I don't think it's just that, Lana. There's another reason why Apollo is pushing you away as his mate. I just can't pinpoint what it is. And before you think it's because he doesn't like you, I assure you, that's not the case. Apollo definitely has feelings for you; he's just very good at hiding them."
While I wanted to believe her, it still nagged at me that he had chosen to go to that dinner with Jada.
"I think I might know the reason," I admit. "I don't have any proof, but I suspect his mother is behind this. Have you ever noticed how she calls him a million times a day?"
"Oh, I've definitely noticed," Isabella says, her eyes widening. "It's strange how she always wants updates on his whereabouts and plans. I can't imagine how exhausting that must be for him."
So I wasn't the only one who had picked up on his mother's obsessive behavior.
"She wants him to marry Jada, just like I said," I continue. "She's the type to push Apollo into doing exactly what she wants. And he seems the type to go along with her rather than follow his own heart."
I was speculating, trying to make sense of it all. It was the only explanation I could come up with.
Isabella frowns. "Would he really choose to give up a lifetime of happiness with his mate just to keep his mother happy?" she questions.
I sigh again. "I can't really blame him if that's true. At the end of the day, she is his mother. But why can't he at least talk to her about this?"
Isabella gives me a pointed look. "You mean like how you haven't told our mother about Apollo or your feelings for him?"
She had a valid point. Even now, I was still hesitant about coming clean to my mother and stepfather. I knew they wouldn't take the news well.
"That's because I know they won't react positively," I point out.
She nods in understanding. "And if Apollo's mother is the controlling type, he probably knows she won't take the news of you being his mate well either."
I chew my lip in frustration. Isabella was making a lot of sense again.
If only Apollo would acknowledge his feelings for me, I would have no problem telling my family the truth. It felt pointless to share the news with everyone if he wasn't interested in being with me.
Just as I was about to voice my thoughts to Isabella, something caught my eye from the corner of the window.
"Hold on a second," I tell her, my heart racing. "Just keep chatting with me and act normal."
"What do you mean act normal?" she whispers, concern creeping into her voice. "You're starting to freak me out, Lana!"
I was a bit scared myself, having definitely seen someone lingering outside. Who could be here at this hour?
Isabella and I had been on edge ever since the last attack.
Catching another glimpse of the figure, I recognized him and gasped. It was Jake, Apollo's Beta.
"Stay here," I instruct Isabella firmly. "Keep talking, and don't let on that anything's wrong."
Before she could ask what was happening, I bolted from the room, hurrying down the stairs and out the front door. I needed to speak to Jake. His presence made me think Apollo had something to do with his visit.
Why else would his Beta be sneaking around our house when he wasn't here?
As I rounded the corner, I spotted Jake. He sensed my presence and quickly turned, a look of panic crossing his face.
"Shit," he mutters as I approach him.
"Jake," I say coolly, "what brings you to my window at this hour?"
He forces a grin. "Just fulfilling the alpha's request."
I cross my arms, narrowing my eyes. "What request might that be?"
His demeanor seemed sketchy, and it was clear that whatever Apollo had asked him to do, he wasn't keen on letting me in on it.
He whistles and glances around, saying, "I think it's a bit late; I should be going."
I step in front of him to block his exit. "I'm asking nicely, Jake. What exactly did Apollo ask you to do while he's away?"
He looks conflicted. "I'm sorry, Lana. But your stepbrother would kill me if I told you. You weren't even supposed to see me here."
His words only fueled my desperation to uncover the truth.
"If you refuse to spill, I'll have no choice but to call Apollo and find out myself," I warn him.
"You wouldn't dare."
"Try me," I shot back, locking eyes with him in a tense stare-off.
"Damn it," he growls. "I didn't know you could be this stubborn."
"Well?" I press. "Are you going to tell me, or do I need to involve my stepbrother to get the answers?"
He shoves his hands into his pockets and sighs, "Looks like you've left me no choice."
I narrow my eyes, waiting for him to explain himself.
He looks annoyed as he continues, "Ever since the attack on you, Apollo has had me keeping tabs whenever he's not around. He just called and asked for an update on your safety."
My jaw dropped in astonishment.
W-what?
All this time, Apollo had Jake watching over me, and I was completely in the dark until now. I never would have known if I hadn't caught Jake outside my window today.
"Why would he do that?" I whisper, still trying to process what I'd heard.
He shrugs. "For your safety."
"Did he order you to keep an eye on Isabella too?" I ask.
He quickly shook his head. "Nope, just you."
My heart raced at his words. I couldn't believe it. He was genuinely concerned for my safety, enough so that he had a member of his pack looking after me all this time.
This was it. This was the confirmation that Apollo indeed had feelings for me. No matter what he said from now on, it was clear as day that he truly cared.
My heart warms at this fact. He cared. Apollo cared for me.