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.

of

guard, being seen as anything less than controlled, composed, and

forward, the candlelight emphasizing the deep lines on his face. "Does this distraction of yours have anything to do

prying, but it wasn't unexpected.

keeping my expression composed. "Somehow,

his chair, his frail frame sinking into the high-backed seat. "I know the people behind Karina. And they are the same ones

news. Mellors knew

already considering pulling out," Luna Shannon end, "Customer Interest

Keter, it's nearly

I said nothing

she

out like this

that

A leader. And yet, my business my empire was slipping through my fingers while I sat pretending to give a damn about a lunch meeting 1 didn't even want

it

to lunch Instead. The last thing I wanted was to give June an excuse to insist I stay the night in their

slow sip of his wine before speaking again, But don't worry too much about it," he said with pride in his tone. "June loves you, and I know she'll make a fine Lima,

me exactly how vulnerable I

Anger wouldn't serve me here, and neither would pride. I had walked into this meeting knowing what

the stem

grip on my thigh tightened slightly. I felt her inhale beside me like she was holding her

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

was time I took

her fingers relaxing against my leg. From the corner of my eye, I

If only she knew.

glass down with a quiet clink, his fingers resting lightly against the rim. He watched me with a patience that felt

to an understanding," he broke the

to set a date for