Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 196

Chapter 196

I blinked rapidly. "What?" I asked with a breathy scoff.

Mum didn't even flinch. "Yes, Kasmine. It was signed and agreed upon when his father helped your father seven years ago. He got us through a major crisis, and in return, a marriage alliance was secured. It is beneficial to us all in the long run."

Her voice was calm and steady as if she were simply reading out a bedtime story. Her words weren't making any sense. None of this was.

"Wait. I was payment? Gratitude? Appreciation?" I counted the words.

I turned to face her fully now, standing close, right in her face. I wanted her to look me in the eye and tell me it was okay to trade my life and future for the pack's 'beneficial

future.

"Don't see it that way, baby." She reached out to touch my arm, but I stepped back. “If this wasn't necessary, it wouldn't have happened."

There wasn't an ounce of regret in her voice. Not a single hint of remorse.

"This isn't happening." I shook my head, the words spilling out before I could even think.

"Kester will never let this happen. He won't. You'll see,

"Kester knows, baby." She said, and I froze. "He was there when it was all agreed upon."

The air in my lungs vanished.

Blood turned to ice.

The world tilted just slightly.

"What?"

***

The perfect day I had been looking forward to crumbled before my eyes, slipping through.

my fingers like sand. And there was nothing I could do to save it.

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Chapter 196

1 sat with Jake in our usual garden, the secluded spot on the school grounds where we

always snuck to. The place where, for a little while, the world didn't exist.

I wanted to be happy to see him. I really did. But my mind was too clouded, and my heart

too heavy.

caught on immediately. "Kasmine," he said softly, his warm brown eyes scanning my face. Is everything

eyes. "I'm fine. Jake. Sorry. I'm just..." My voice trailed off,

this about Karina? About the problems she's stirring up in the pack?"

at him

was he talking

slightly. "What?" My brows

familiar, but I sincerely couldn't tell where I had

brother's stepsister, I guess.” His tone was the kind that said, Come on, isn't this

confusion only

curiosity piqued, and for some reason, my heart began

in my stomach while dread curled

then maybe you should

back slightly, studying my reaction. "They'll explain it better." He said, and before I could. protest, he had brought out something from his

It was a box.

that looked both

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Chapter 196

pushing aside the dread lingering at the edges

hard, my fingers twitching slightly as I stared at the

conversation, but

flicking between the box

gave me a small, nervous smile-one that barely masked the anticipation

wait," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck, a habit of his when he was unsure of himself. "I planned to do this on your birthday, make it special, you know? But He exhaled, his shoulders rising and falling. "I can't wait anymore, Kasmine. I don't want to wait

me at the way the world suddenly seemed to shrink down

revealing a delicate silver bracelet. Simple, yet stunning. A small charm in the shape of a crescent moon dangled from it,

stared at it, my

this..." He gestured slightly with the box. "This is me saying I want you, Kasmine. Us.

in a

as emotion surged inside

cut in gently as if he could already hear the turmoil in my head. "I know your brother is a problem. I know you're technically supposed to wait until

own choices. His jaw clenched briefly. "Screw that. I don't care if

I'll wait.

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Chapter 196

My heart clenched painfully.

"What

bridge when we get there,"

in his tone-his absolute faith in

have thought about this longer. I should be cautious and careful about the decision I was about to make. But the truth was, nothing had ever felt as

did.

Not Alpha Jaden.

it would