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

my nose. "I

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

I didn't answer.

wasn't

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

don't care how she takes

pulled into the parking lot, and before the car had even fully stopped,

needed to

tossed my way by the guards and maids I came across. I nodded

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 fingers twisting together in

time, yet she watched it like it held some kind of answer to a problem

called her attention when she didn't even notice

me. "Oh. Kes." She stood,

warm embrace. "You're back. How was

en more c

curious.

her tone,

her shoulders, the unease in her eyes.

off, forcing a smile. “He didn't. Your dad

"No." She

I prompted, "You

"Go on in and have a shower, sweetheart." She kissed my cheek,

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

later, I turned toward the stairs, shrugging

felt unusually

contemplating if I should knock or just push the door open as carefully as I could, just

if she was asleep. I'd be able to

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

off. Bed untouched. Everything

sign of anyone

fuck was

with more force than necessary, stepping inside,

"Kasmine?"

Nothing.

just stepped out for a moment. Her shoes weren't by the door. No worn clothes were tossed over the chair. No discarded

longer I stood there, the more

I spun toward the bathroom,

Empty.

"Fuck."

my hair, the first sting of

phone from my pocket and dialed, but it went straight to

1

I swiped over to the tracking app and opened

to load, I was already taking long, furious strides

I hit the

"Mum?"

my tone,

flinched had

"Where's Kasmine?"

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

swiped fast over my screen, tapping into the

head.

Chapter 107

dot blinked onto

She was not her.

My breath locked in

She was at Velarié

so tight my teeth ached.