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

he sighed. "I like my heart in one

bridge of my nose.

didn't respond immediately. Then, in a quieter volc "You sure this is

I didn't answer.

I wasn't sure

hope June doesn't turn into a lovesick lunatic when you pull the rug out from under her.

don't care how she takes

the parking lot, and before the car had even fully

to get

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

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,

watched it like it held some kind of answer

when she didn't even

Kes." She stood, wrapping her

warm embrace. "You're back. How was

en more c

curious.

her tone,

tension in her shoulders, the unease in her eyes. "Are you okay?"

dad and I are fine." At least she sounded

"No." She

I prompted, "You

"Go on in and have

it unless she wants to. So, there was no point pushing

I turned toward the stairs, shrugging off my suit jacket

felt unusually

if I should knock or just push the door open

I'd be able to see her whout having

the pull was stronger than reason, Carefully, I turned the handle, easing the door open just enough to see Inside.

untouched.

sign of

the fuck was

door open with more force than necessary, stepping inside,

"Kasmine?"

Nothing.

any sign that she'd just stepped out for a moment. Her shoes weren't

stood there, the more that uneasy feeling

as I spun toward

Empty.

"Fuck."

a hand through my hair, the first sting of real panic slipping beneath

and

1

I swiped over to the

was already taking long, furious strides out

time I hit the stairs,

"Mum?"

at the urgency of my tone, her fingers twisting together in

The way she flinched had my teeth

"Where's Kasmine?"

immediately. Just that slight hesitation was enough to make

screen, tapping into the tracking app before the thought even

head.

Chapter 107

dot blinked

She was not her.

breath locked in my

She was at Velarié

teeth ached. I barely heard