Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 106

KESTER

The thought of not talking to Kasmine for two days plagued me. I could barely live a normal life. But I had to stay away from her before I'd do something we both

would regret.

1 didn't want to hurt her. So, this was for the best.

I made an Inquiry from the hospital and found out that she was truly there my curiosity had got the better part of me, but that was as far as I let my curiosity take me. I refused to ask what she went there for. I'd want her to tell me herself.

A part of me felt I wouldn't like what her reason would be. But I still wanted to know.

"Babe?" I heard a voice whisper to me while soft fingers grized my thigh, pulling me back to the reality displayed

in front of me.

It was June.

I had zoned out again. Fuck

I was there with them, but my attention was with someone else. Mine.

I lifted my gaze, and the dimly lit dining hall of the Mellors estate came back into focus, the heavy scent of roasted meat and aged wine pressing against me.

Across the long table, Alpha Mellors and Luna Shannon stared at me, their expressions painted with polite concern, while June eyed me to answer whatever question her father had just asked, which I missed because I was mentally absent from the meeting.

But I had missed it. Completely.

"You seem rather distracted, Alpha Kester," Mellors observed, his voice dry and raspy, no thanks to sickness and time. His thin lips twisted slightly while his pale eyes narrowed as he studied me.

I straightened, forcing myself to focus. I felt embarrassed.

"My apologies, Alpha Mellors," I said, clearing my throat. I have a lot on my mind."

It wasn't a lie.

kind of

this being caught off guard, being seen as anything less than controlled, composed, and capable. And right now, I was radiating the exact

deep lines

prying, but it wasn't unexpected. The Mellors

expression

Then he leaned back in his chair, his frail frame sinking into the high-backed seat. "I know the people behind Karina. And they are the same ones behind the difficulties your business has been

news. Mellors

are already considering pulling out," Luna Shannon end, "Customer Interest has declined. You're losing inst. And

gone, Keter, it's nearly impossible

I said nothing

she wasn't

like

beneath that anger was

empire was slipping through my fingers while I sat pretending to give a damn about

it

last thing I wanted was to give

tone. "June loves you, and I know she'll make a fine Lima, while

reminding me exactly how vulnerable I

pride. I had walked into this meeting knowing what it meant,

picked up my glass, rolling the stem

I felt her inhale beside me like she was holding her

face as unreadable as ever as I nodded, keeping my voice steady.

time I

corner of my eye, I saw

If only she knew.

a quiet clink, his fingers resting

to an understanding," he broke

to set a date