Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 56

KASMINE.

I stepped out of the bathroom, my bare feet sinking into the thick rug, but the

warmth did nothing to chase away the cold sinking into my bones.

This was breaking me.

Piece by piece.

No matter how hard I tried to ignore it, to suppress it, to pretend that I wasn't unraveling at the seams, it was destroying me.

I pressed a trembling, hand to my chest, my heart thudding too fast, too violently.

This couldn't continue.

It shouldn't have started in the first place.

But the more I told myself that, the more Kester's voice replayed like a loop in my head, dark and possessive, with promises that made me tremble.

'You can't and won't leave me.'

'You are my obsession, Kasmine.'

'After this, you will get addicted to me.'

And yes, I was getting addicted to him, and it was scary. He had devoured my light and left me craving his darkness.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing his words away, but they only burned deeper, carving themselves into the fragile parts of me that already belonged to him.

Because that was the truth, wasn't it?

I wouldn't deny the pull I felt toward Kester. In the last few days, he had managed to worm his way into my fragile heart, and despite reminding myself that he was my brother, my heart kept growing softer for him every second.

I pressed my fingers against my lips, remembering how he kissed me like he was trying to make me feel the obsession coursing through his veins, how he touched me like he was trying to carve his name into my very soul. And now that he had been the one who had taken my virginity, he seemed to have nestled himself deeper into the most fragile part of my heart where I couldn't pull him off easily, otherwise, I'd bleed.

But, no. This had to be controlled. Otherwise, we'd both bleed after this.

A strangled sob escaped my lips, and I clamped a hand over my mouth, my shoulders shaking.

He had been so broken when he left the bathroom. I saw it all in his eyes. My words always had a way of killing him each time, but I had no choice.

I forced my breathing to steady, swiping furiously at the tears streaming down my cheeks. I locked my door securely before reaching for my secret phone.

"Oh, Selene..." I gasped when the screen lit up, and my stomach dropped.

Missed calls: 12

Chapter 56

Mess

6

Jake.

BONUS

He was dying with worry.

was

My pulse pounded violently as I tapped on his name, my fingers barely able to keep steady.

Jake: Kasmine, where the hell are you?

Jake: It's been hours. Why aren't you answering?

Jake: Are you okay? Say something. Please.

Jake: I swear to the Moon, if he's hurting you-

I sucked in a sharp breath, my chest tightening painfully.

for making him worry and left him in the

hand, I dialed his number, my heart slamming against my ribs as

the room, my free hand clutching the fabric of my

Ring

Jake. Pick up..." I

Ring

The line went dead.

screen as it flashed

No.

No, no, no-

I tried again.

Call Unreachable.

tightening. "Oh, Selene..." I whispered, gripping the phone so tightly my knuckles turned

as quietly as it shouldn't have been. A pang of sadness and guilt hit me hard occasionally when I recall how I always seemed to ruin Kester's plans

for both of us.

had planned for it, probably envisioned it down

ruined

didn't leave his room all day, and I didn't even have

Kester said I would. I moved quickly, dressing for work, eager to see Jake to ensure he was okay.

made my

Chapter 56

looking for the dress I had returned from

already taken it with them when they came to clean my

and a certain tall, muscular, heart-stoppingly handsome man strode in with

Gods.

it

giving a hint of what lay beneath it, and the delicate

hair-sleek,

Too perfect

slide my fingers through it, tug until that maddening perfection cracks, if it would make him look less attractive. He was so

time you've seen

first time I'd seen him, so why did he feel like a brand new

smirk deepened as if he

seemed better this morning. Wasn't as gloomy as I expected him to be. And sincerely, it

wrenched my gaze away before I could drown in him completely, attempting to break the silence between us, Did you see my dress?" I cleared my throat, scanning my wardrobe for

right away, and for a moment, I thought he

my heart skipping a beat before I resumed rifling through my

"You what?" I asked, turning to

to a stop

could you? That was one of my favorites, Kes.." I was

kind of detached curiosity that sent a chill

his attention to my closet as if the conversation was

he

"Kester-

should be grateful," he cut in, his voice becoming lethal instantly. "Burning that dress was the only thing I did, Kasmine. Don't

to take last night." I stiffened, the anger in his eyes

my gaze, suddenly hyper-aware of the anger crackling beneath his

you doing?" I

my

Chapter 56

truth, he did. Every single piece in this wardrobe had

out and

wear," he replied without glancing at

"Since when do you pick out my

work?"

a dress from the rack

fingers like it was something precious. The moment

red

lavees. It was beautiful, but that wasn't

problem was him.

I knew Kester.

me

gaze flicked to mine, dark amusement swirling in those deep-set

this is what I want you to

move, and Kester didn't

placed the dress in my hands, his fingers brushing