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.

wasn't the kind of excuse an

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

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

me. He was prying, but it

expression composed. "Somehow, it

leaned back in his chair, his frail frame sinking into the high-backed seat. "I know the people behind Karina. And they

Mellors knew

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

Keter, it's nearly impossible

I said nothing

she

like this made

that anger

fingers while I sat pretending

it

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

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

was reminding me exactly

and neither would pride. I had walked into this meeting knowing what it meant, knowing what I had to do. That didn't make it any

picked up my glass, rolling the stem between my fingers before taking a slow

I felt her inhale beside

as I nodded, keeping

think it was time

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

If only she knew.

down with a quiet clink, his fingers resting lightly against

come to an understanding," he broke the silence, "I

a date for the engagement