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.

you

"I like my

my nose. "I need

Then, in a quieter volc "You sure this is gonna give

I didn't answer.

I wasn't sure

lunatic when you pull the rug out from

care how

before the car had even fully stopped, I was

to get

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

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 fixed on the clock on the wall, her

she watched it like

I called her attention when she didn't even notice my

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

embrace. "You're

en more c

curious.

heard the nervousness in her

her shoulders, the unease in her eyes.

“He didn't. Your dad and I are fine." At least she sounded

"No." She

I prompted, "You

then shook her head. "Go on in and have a shower, sweetheart." She kissed my cheek,

to. So, there was no point pushing my luck. I had somewhere important to

I'd get it out of her later, I turned toward the

unusually hot

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

was asleep. I'd be able to see

reason, Carefully, I turned

untouched. Everything neat

was no sign of anyone in the

the fuck

more force than necessary, stepping inside, my

"Kasmine?"

Nothing.

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

stood there, the more that uneasy feeling

I spun toward the bathroom,

Empty.

"Fuck."

first sting

pocket and

1

lips pressed 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

I hit the stairs, I was seeing

"Mum?"

of my tone, her

flinched had my

"Where's Kasmine?"

hesitation was enough to make my blood churrt. I didn't wait for

over my screen, tapping into the tracking app before

head.

Chapter 107

small, pulsing dot blinked onto the

She was not her.

My breath locked

She was at Velarié

so tight my teeth ached. I barely heard when orja