Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

"Kasmine, why don't you talk to your brother? Tell him how much I like him," Claire was at it again.

It was lunchtime, and we sat in the cafeteria together, including Jake. I hoped Kester wouldn't get angry over this because I wasn't alone with Jake. In fact, he should feel much better that it was all three of us, which would further prove to him that there was nothing going on between me and Jake.

"I've told you before," I said, stabbing my fork into my food with unnecessary force. "My brother and I are sworn enemies at the moment. I can't help you, Claire. Sorry."

Claire gave a theatrical sigh.

"You haven't been eating, Mine. Is everything okay?" Jake asked.

I froze, the concern in his voice startling me. Was it that obvious? My hand

hovered over my plate as I fumbled for a response.

"I'm fine," I lied smoothly-or tried to. "I just..." My breath hitched, betraying me, so

I added, “I miss my mum. I wish I could see her soon."

Another lie. It tasted like ash on my tongue, bitter and unspeakable.

How could I tell them the truth? How could I let them know that my brother, the man who everyone else seemed to see as perfect, had become the source of my nightmares?

That he'd been acting in ways that hinted at... No. I needed to stop having such ridiculous thoughts. Kester was my brother. My brother. He couldn't possibly harbor those kinds of feelings for me.

But I wouldn't blame myself for thinking it. Not when he grabbed me the way he did, touched me, stared at me-spoke to me-in ways that made my skin crawl and my mind spiral.

But maybe that's just how Kester was. Intense. Controlling. Overwhelming.

"You've drifted off again," Jake said softly, breaking through my haze and pulling my attention back to him.

"Why did you accept the internship at my brother's company?" I asked, going straight to the point.

I hadn't had the opportunity to ask him yet. I needed answers.

"Mine..." Jake leaned forward, reaching for my hand, but I pulled back quickly, fear thrumming through my veins. What if Kester saw us? What if someone told him?

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Chapter 13

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choice. My original internship let me go, and no other companies were willing to take me

you couldn't even tell me?" My anger bubbled to the

get you on the phone?" he fired back. "We hardly

but that didn't stop the sting. "We spoke the day before you

mine now. "That was the first time we'd spoken in

was getting upset. Did he just try to yell at me? I was about to reply to him in the same measure, but before I

Please?" She clasped her hands together in an exaggerated plea, setting her face

it. You're setting yourself up for heartbreak." I reminded her. She was going into something

he'll see reason. He'll realize I'm

douchebag?" Jake finally spoke up,

muscles, that sharp jawline-" She trailed off, her eyes glinting with a faraway look. "Have you seen his eyes? Selene above, they're the most gorgeous things I've ever seen. And his

makes me wonder what they could do to a woman when he's

to terrorize me. The ones that had grabbed my neck more times than the breaths

added with a wicked grin,

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Chapter 13

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is my brother! You shouldn't

was a joke. "But if

bitterly. "That'll probably work better for

***

be a long day, and I

the week-the day for movies, spontaneous visits to Claire's, shopping, and laughter.

used to sneak off to see Jake when I was still at the pack house, and we'd spend time together. That's how we

his house while his usual, controlling self has refused to let me go

This wasn't the plan.

threw my blanket off with an angry sigh, the sudden need for food gnawing at me, pulling me out of the safe, silent bubble of my room. I had promised myself I wouldn't let him see me, wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing how much

stay alive to make good on

the kitchen, trying to fix something quick to eat. I would have made Cacio

from wherever

him to catch me alone in the kitchen, no opportunity for him to slink in and

I even realized it, it was done. Quicker than I

myself a glass of water, the hair on the back of my neck prickled-a subtle warning that I wasn't

Slowly, as if

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