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 the darkness behind ine as

There wasn't

gaze. The kind of fear that stripped a man down

legs out in front of

I continued, leaning forward just enough to watch the terror settle deep in his bones, "when

+25 BOUG

Chapter 11

Lante, we saw an opportunity. A talent like yours suddenly 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, "And you took it. Just like we

his nose, and

guilt

both because, by the time I was done with him, he'd be obligated to feel even more because I plan

my disappointment," I murmured, tapping my fingers lightly against my knee, "when I realized I wasn't the one doing the hunting." My

to escape past the

man, Alfred. Truly. But

down by the

a woman. Red hair, big blue eyes. Small but fiery, judging by the way she cursed out my men while sitting uncomfortably

body locked up. Eyes went wide with

Ah. There it was.

strangled sound tried to push through the gag, his breath coming

bursts. His mate. He knew exactly who I

linger, watching the fear eat away at him. Letting it fester and sink

murmured, my

there, breath shuddering, shoulders trembling, as if weighing

his mouth, wet with spit, and for a moment, he only gasped, pulling in air like a drowning man breaking

he croaked, voice hoarse and raw. "My mate-don't hurt her. I'll tell you

entirely on you," I cut in.

thickly, throat

me. Everything about me leaving Valor Lante? That was his plan. He knew you'd come after me. He knew you wouldn't pass up the chance to snatch one of his best employees. That's what he

silent, letting him dig

I swear, I didn't have a choice-he said he'd ruin me if I refused. I just needed the extra money

think, I erhoed, my smile widening "That

sheen the

now, his chest rising

to,