Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 118

Chapter 118

KESTER.

I was almost behind schedule. I had to make a quick stop at eropita Hospital to make sure everything was fine. Just a quick 'hello' check on them. Nothing more.

I still didn't ask them what Kasmine was there for, but I was certain my presence there reignited a certain understanding that was established between us some years po

The basement of my office reeked of stale sweat and grime. The kind of smell that clung to the walls, seeped into the cracks of the concrete, and wrapped itself around the atmosphere like a living thing.

Behind me, three of my men followed.

In the center of the dimly lit room, tied to a chair, was a man. A pitiful mess of sweat-drenched clothing and trembling limbs. Ropes soaked in wolfsbane cut deep into his wrists and ankles, biting into flesh and leaving ugly, raw marks that hinted at the pain he was going through.

He let out a pathetic, broken whimper that barely made it past the gag stuffed in his mouth. His head lolled slightly, the blindfold over his eyes hiding the panic I knew was brewing beneath.

With a rough yank, one of my men stepped forward and pulled the blindfold free.

The second his gaze met mine, his entire body tensed. His breath hitched. His pupils shrank, then expanded in sheer, unfiltered fear.

I let out a slow, cruel smile.

"Alfred," I said, drawing his name out like a lullaby, sickly sweet and dangerous. "Alfred Anderson."

The moment he heard my voice, something inside him snapped. His breathing turned erratic, his chest heaving as he struggled against the bonds, making the wolfsbane burn deeper into his skin.

How poetic. Even his own desperation was a punishment,

His attempts at speech were nothing but muffled sounds behind the gag. Pathetic.

I sighed, tilting my head and feigning disappointment. "Now, now. No need to rush, Alfred. We have all the time in the world."

I grabbed a stool, dragging it with an intentional screech across the floor before positioning it directly in front of him

Then, I sat, legs spread, arms resting lazily on my knees - the picture of relaxation, while he sat there, unraveling in the worst way possible.

My wicked grin widened as I leaned in, my voice dipping into calmness, "Let's have a chat, shall we?"

sweat-slicked face, his pupils darting from me to

There wasn't

of fear that stripped a man down to his rawest form and left

legs out in front of me, "You know, Alfred, I have a

continued, leaning forward just enough to watch the

+25 BOUG

Chapter 11

up for grabs? Naturally, we acted fast. My company pursued you and offered you a position with a salary far better than whatever scraps Kex was throwing your way." My voice dipped,

escaped his nose, and

it guilt

the time I was done with him, he'd be obligated to feel

wasn't the one doing the hunting." My

garbled plea tried to escape past the gag.

patient man, Alfred.

on the stool before letting my gaze drop to the floor, feigning thoughtfulness. "You know," I mused, "There's a little shop down by the east side. Old run-down thing. Barely gets customers." I paused, lifting my gaze and studying the

with a woman. Red hair, big blue eyes. Small but fiery, judging by the way

entire body locked up. Eyes went wide

Ah. There it was.

tried to push through the gag,

bursts. His mate. He knew exactly who I

the fear eat away at him. Letting it fester and

with a quiet sigh, I leaned in just a fraction more. "Now, Alfred," I murmured, my voice eerily calm, "why don't you tell me the real reason

He just sat there, breath shuddering, shoulders trembling, as if weighing

undo the gag. It slipped from his mouth, wet with spit, and for a moment, he only gasped, pulling in air like a drowning

mate-don't hurt

entirely on you,"

swallowed thickly,

his plan. He knew you'd come after me. He knew you wouldn't pass

silent, letting him dig his own

Internal reports, upcoming projects, and weaknesses he could exploit. I swear, I didn't have a choice-he said he'd

didn't think, I erhoed, my smile widening "That

his forehead, a sheen the

His breathing was shallow now, his

to,