Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 107

Chapter 107

KESTER

The long-awaited meeting had finally ended, yet my mind was nowhere near at

ease.

June had begged me to spend the night in their pack, but I refused I needed to go home. Needed to see her. Even if from a distance. Even if I didn't speak to her.

1 just needed Kasmine.

My life, which was once so neatly arranged, so ruthlessly tiny hands, was quickly spiraling out of control, and 1, the master of control, almost had no control over it.

I clenched my jaw and redialed.

The fucker finally picked up after what felt like the hundredth call.

"You could pass for a certified asshole, you know that, right?" I snapped the moment Norlan answered.

He just laughed, "Yeah... I recognize that tone. Dude's pissed."

Norlan's laugh grated on my nerves.

"Go on," he drawled. "Spit it out. What's got your panties in a twist?"

I exhaled sharply. "I picked a date."

A beat of silence followed. Then, "For what? Your funeral?"

I didn't answer. He was sharp. He'd figure it out.

Another pause, and then a low, knowing hum. "No fucking way."

"Yeah." I tilted my head back against the seat, staring at the ceiling of the car like

it could somehow save me. "The engagement is set for the 23rd."

"Damn. And here I thought you'd at least pretend to fight it for a while. That Alpha King must've had a sword to your throat." He said.

"Close enough."

He let out a low chuckle. "So, tell me.. what's the play here Gonna fake your own death before the ceremony? I know you wouldn't have agreed unless you had an angle."

I let his sarcasm roll off me. "I'm making sure I get something out of this."

"That's the spirit," he mused. "If you're gonna sell your soul, might as well charge interest."

1 ignored him. "June's been all over me about this. Since she doesn't want to give

it a rest and let me be, I'm using her. The second we're engaged, I'll make sure her father starts making moves to help me immediately. Ain't waiting for after the engagement like he fucking promised.

Norlan hummed again. "So you picked an earlier date to fast-track Daddy's contributions to the Kester Investment Fund. Clever."

"Exactly." I ran a hand through my hair, my patience thinning "I need to be done with this as soon as possible.

"And then?"

Chapter 157

"And then," I exhaled, "I break it off."

He let out a slow, appreciative laugh. "You cold hearted bastard."

"She didn't leave me a fucking choice, Norlan. I tried to push her away all these years.

"Oh, I agree," he said lightly. "It's just... damn, remind me ever to fall in love with you.

scoffed. "Like you could handle

"I like my

the bridge of my nose. "I need

respond immediately. Then, in a quieter volc "You sure this is gonna give you what you

I didn't answer.

wasn't

a lovesick lunatic when you pull

care how

and before the car had even fully stopped, I

to get

by the guards and maids I came across. I nodded at a few and muttered half-hearted responses to others because my focus was

in the living room, sitting still too still. Her eyes weren't on the TV in front of her, even though her favorite show was playing. Instead, they were

the time, yet she watched it like it held

attention when she

finally noticing me. "Oh. Kes." She stood, wrapping

a warm embrace.

en more c

curious.

nervousness in her tone, and I

in her eyes. "Are you okay?" My gaze

dad and I are fine." At least she sounded honest

"No." She

I prompted, "You

in and have a shower, sweetheart."

Jorja. She'll never talk about it unless she wants to. So, there was no point pushing my luck. I had somewhere

her later, I turned toward the stairs, shrugging

felt unusually

handle, contemplating if I should knock or just push the door open as carefully as I could, just in case she was

if she was asleep. I'd be able

stronger than reason, Carefully, I

off. Bed untouched. Everything

no sign of anyone in the

fuck was

force than necessary, stepping inside, my pulse already picking

"Kasmine?"

Nothing.

for any sign that she'd just stepped out for a moment. Her shoes weren't by the door. No worn clothes were tossed

longer I stood there, the more that

I spun toward the bathroom,

Empty.

"Fuck."

hair, the first sting of real panic slipping

my pocket and dialed,

1

into a thin line as I swiped over to the tracking app and

the app to load, I was already taking long, furious strides out of her

time I hit the stairs,

"Mum?"

at the urgency of my tone, her fingers twisting

The way she flinched had my

"Where's Kasmine?"

to make my blood churrt.

fast over my screen, tapping into the tracking app before the thought even fully formed in

head.

Chapter 107

small, pulsing dot blinked onto

She was not her.

in. My breath locked

She was at Velarié

jaw flexed so tight my teeth ached.