Chapter-5 She is hard to handle

EVANDER MAXIMUS STERLING POV

To say she was trouble in disguise would be an understatement. Though she was looking all polite and humble on the outside, the changing expression on her face from time to time was an indication that she was trying her best to conceal her emotions, the emotions of mischief and trouble.

When dad had said my new mother's daughter will be coming and staying with us, I couldn't give two damn about her. I mean, I was thrilled because dad always wanted a daughter, but I didn’t have any other thoughts nonetheless. Yes, I agreed to be her protective brother and treat her nicely, but that was all because of his wish.

I wasn't in favor of the idea, but I wasn't against it either.

He had said she was sweet, cute, and polite, and let me tell you that's the most useless description he had used for her.

Polite, calm, and sweet? She was more sarcastic, seductive, and alluring.

"Evander, I have arranged for the things you asked me for. I have sent two uniforms for the assembly days and the books she'll be needing. Since her mother already registered her, you don't need to worry about the paperwork. Is there anything you need help with in regards to her?" Alex asked me, and I stood near the window of my office, sighing.

I don’t know what else she would be needing. It’s not like I am well-versed with these things. And honestly, I am not that concerned about those things either. The person I am concerned about is her.

Should I ask Alex about his opinion?

Alex is my closest friend. He understands me the most and has been through thick and thin all these years. Should I tell him that I don't feel too good about this girl staying here in my house? That I am stuck between my duty and my feelings? On one hand, I want to keep her by my side and protect her, and on the other side, I want to stay away from her.

Should I actually take up on her offer and send her to some dorm or student accommodation? But if dad came to know about it, he is going to feel very bad, and I don't want that.

From the way he hugged her and beamed at her, it was clear he liked her and was already accepting her as his daughter, but what about me? Was I ready to have a step-sister?

It’s not like I can’t handle her or protect her, but the way my heart is reacting near her is the main problem. Is it because I am already starting to love her as a sister?

"Evander, what are you pondering over? Is there something you want to share or talk about?" Alex asked me, and I sighed.

"It’s about her. You met her earlier, didn't you? What are your thoughts about her, Benjamin?" I asked before turning to look at him.

"About her? I don't know if I have the right to judge her since I didn't exactly interact with her, but she looks like a wounded soul. I might be thinking too much into things, but the way she jumped and looked at me with wide eyes when I walked up to her, she looked like the kind who has always been alert of her surroundings.

The way that pup Ashton told her to not worry, and no one will hurt her, tells me she has a past that she would rather not open up with," Alex said, and I sighed.

I know what he was trying to say. However, from the way she talked to me so confidently, she was definitely not weak like he was trying to say.

And as much as I hated to say it, for the first time in my life, I felt some emotions bubbling inside my heart for a girl.

Emotions of wanting to protect something. And for a cold-hearted person like me to feel something like that, the first time I met her, I can't help but feel like she is not a simple girl.

"Honestly, she is the type of girl I would want to protect," Alex said, breaking me out of my thoughts, and I looked at him, feeling agitated for no reason when he said that.

"Do you think she needs your protection with me in the picture?" I asked him and was about to tell him that he could leave when the gate of my office was opened and my Gama Jason walked inside.

"Evander, my man, I heard a flying rumor about a girl being spotted near your home? Is that true? What are you hiding? No girl has entered your house ever before, right? Who is this special girl?" Jason asked, and I rolled my eyes at his words.

"Hey! Don't look at me like that. Everyone knows that no matter how famous you are for your handsome looks, you have never hooked up with any girl. And judging from how coldly you behave with them, I don’t think you are going to mate with anyone anytime soon. So,why don’t you  introduce me to this beauty so that I can finally claim someone as my mate?" Jason said, and I took a deep breath.

"That's his new step-sister, Jason," Alex said as I saw him signaling Jason something, making me sigh.

"She is off-limits, Jason. And I don't want to hear anything about it," I said before taking a deep breath as I turned to look outside the window at my house that wasn't too far. I could see a little being moving inside the house through the shadows.

What exactly is she doing? There is no way she is dancing at this time, right?

"I think I should leave. It's a new place for her. What if she feels uneasy? I should keep her company," I said to my friends, the urge to go back early surfacing in my mind for the first time in my life.

"Damn, you look like you are already whipped for your step-sister. What is this? Adoration of big brother surfacing already?" Jason asked me, and I squinted my brows when she came out of the house, walking towards my office building.

Why was she coming here? Does she want something? Or is it because she is feeling alone? I thought before turning around to look at Jason.

"I don't think I am still getting into the role of the big brother. It's more like genuine care for a person who is going to live in my house. This reminds me, I have to talk to her about changing packs and formalities like that," I said, and Alex nodded his head.

"It will be better if you mention it sooner. Will you be taking her to school tomorrow?" Alex asked me, and I sighed before shrugging.

"Wait. Is your sister a teacher too?" Jason asked.

"She is seventeen years old, Jason," Alex said, and Jason, being the eldest of us, widened his eyes.

"She is six years younger than me. Will she even accept me?" He asked dramatically while looking at the ceiling, and Alex was about to throw the duster at him when we heard a soft knock on the door, making me look at them as they evened their position.

"Come in," I said calmly.

As she entered the room, I looked at her, raising my brows slightly, as her outfit registered my mind.

She was wearing a pair of denim capris with a loose top tucked inside in front while laying loose from the back side along with flip-flops. She was looking stunning even in such average clothing as her pony bounced with her each step.

"A beauty at this time? I think I am seeing you for the first time. What’s your name beautiful?" Jason asked her, and she looked at me before raising her brows as if waiting for me to introduce her, and I know I should introduce her to him to avoid any misunderstanding. However, for some reason I wanted her to introduce herself.

"Thanks for the compliment. I wish I could say the same for you. I am Avyanna Roosevelt, Alpha Sterling's new stepsister. And can you wipe that arrogant smirk? It makes you look like a pedophile and I am sure you won’t want anyone to misunderstand you unless you are one," She said, and I had to bite the inside of my mouth to keep myself from chuckling as this was the first time a girl talked to Jason like this, and the shocked expression on his face was saying it all.

"Pedophile? How can you even call this handsome person a pedophile? It looks like Evander’s coldness is already getting to you. You wounded my heart ruthlessly. Anyway, I am Jason, sweetheart, and I am only 23," Jason said, and I sighed as Alex closed the door behind him, making me look at her curiously.

'She brings out emotions out of you that I never thought you were capable of,' My wolf said, and I squinted my brows.

'What do you mean? Did you think I was emotionless or heartless like everybody thinks?' I asked, and he shrugged his shoulders.

'I don’t know about that, but you sure act like something is up your ass all the time,’ My wolf said, and I rolled my eyes, not knowing what that was supposed to mean.

‘You leave no chance to pass a comment, do you?’ I asked him and he gave me a wolfy grin, making me sigh loudly.

"So?" I asked her as she stood there looking at her surroundings, my question making her look at me.

"I am hungry," She said in her soft unadulterated voice, and I mentally cursed myself for not keeping track of time. I was so used to living alone and going back late that it completely went out of my head that I have a new person I need to feed now.

"I am sorry for forgetting. What would you like to eat? I can cook something," I offered, and she looked at me with shocked eyes as if not expecting that.

Does she think I don't know how to cook and live on air? I thought before looking at her as she walked close to me, making me look at her curiously when she passed me and stopped at my table.

“Will it even be edible? I have heard rumors about you and being a cook does not even hold the last place in that list,” She said, and I rolled my eyes.

"You have nice taste in decor and everything," She complimented, and I nodded my head.

"Well, shall we get going? Don’t worry. I know not to poison the girl my father has taken a liking to," I said, and I was hoping for some rolling of eyes or another witty comment from her, but she rather looked relieved from my words, making me grit my teeth in annoyance.

After some time, she turned to look at me, her long hair flailing along with her, making me want to touch them and feel how soft they are before I cursed myself for thinking like that.

"I am not concerned about you adding poison either, but can we eat in some restaurant? I don't want to go back just yet. I like how this place is so green. It feels good," she said, smiling at me with her beaming eyes, and as much as I hated how much effect it had on my heart, I wanted her to smile at me even more.

Was Jason right? Has her presence ignited the big brother living inside me? Am I feeling protective and caring of her?

"I am glad you liked it. If you want, I can ask Alex to place some more inside plants in your room or the balcony," I offered.

"Alex? The beta? He is a nice guy. And I would love that," She said, and I squinted my brows.

Now she has met him for a few minutes, and he is already a nice guy for her? And what about me? She is so squeaky around me. Am I the bad guy for her? Is she afraid of me? Do I not look good and approachable? I thought, looking at her with annoyance.

‘Woah, calm down, big guy. Can you stop acting jealous of such a small thing? You will scare her at this pace,’ My wolf said, and I sighed before taking a deep breath to control my nerves.

He is right. Why am I jealous of that? Do I want her to rely on only me? And if yes, then why the hell would I want that?

This girl is seriously messing with my head, and I don't like the sound of it. Given how I am going to be her teacher from tomorrow onwards, the effect she has on my mind is not good for me.

What will people think of me if I banter in school over useless things like this? I thought before looking at her waist.

She is healthy in all the right places. She wasn't skinny, but she wasn't too healthy either. Just the right type.

I like girls like her who take care of themselves and don't starve themselves in the name of being skinny to look good. And judging from her muscles, I am sure she works out too.

"Your checking out me from behind is kind of creepy, you know," She said, bringing me out of my daze, and I looked at her, matching her gaze, wanting to keep my emotions in check so that she doesn’t know she has caught me off guard.

"You have beautiful hair," I blurted out randomly, and she nodded her head.

"I get that a lot. I love them too. Though they can get a little hard to handle sometimes, I like how they make me feel," She said as we entered our home, making me pause.

Our home. I liked the sound of it. It's been so long since I felt a sense of belonging.

‘Evander, can you stop changing your moods so quickly? You are scaring me now? Why are you already acting so whipped? It is already hard for me to not like her, and you being like this will make things worse for me,’ My wolf confessed, and I looked at him wide-eyed, not understanding what he was trying to say.

"I will prepare some spaghetti. Is that okay with you?" I asked her, and she bit her lips before looking at me as she played with her toe fingers.

"I..umm… I am a vegetarian," she said, looking at me with expectant eyes, making my heartstrings pull at her expression, and I had to use all my patience to not pull her cheeks.

She is going to be harder to handle than I had imagined, and it's not because she has such demands, but because she is making me feel things I never felt before, and I don't know how to handle them.

She is definitely a witch who knows the art of seduction. I thought before walking towards the kitchen.