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.

it wasn't the kind of excuse an Alpha should

seen as anything less than controlled, composed, and capable. And right now, I was radiating

leaned slightly forward, the candlelight emphasizing the deep lines

through me. He was prying, but it wasn't unexpected. The Mellors were

expression composed.

into the high-backed

news. Mellors knew for

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

nearly impossible to get it

I said nothing

she

out like this made my

beneath that anger was

empire was slipping through my fingers while I sat pretending to give a damn about a lunch meeting 1 didn't even want

it

I had 11 moved to lunch Instead. The last thing I wanted was

know she'll make a fine Lima, while you will make a perfect Alpha King after me." His gaze met mine, "Once you're at least engaged, I'll

me exactly

jaw tightened, but I refused to let the frustration show. Anger wouldn't serve me here, and neither would pride. I had walked into this meeting knowing what

glass, rolling the stem between my fingers before taking a

inhale beside

kept my face as unreadable as ever as I

think it was time I took Norlan's

softly, her fingers relaxing against my leg. From the corner of my eye, I saw the faintest smile touch

If only she knew.

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

to an understanding," he broke

a date for the