Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 251

Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 251

I heard a soft knock on my door. One of the guards, probably sent to let me know it was time.

Claire perked up. "That's our cue, birthday girl! The moon won't wall

She reached for my hand, grinning like this was the beginning of a fairytale.

The hall was a sea of elegance-velvet drapes, floating candles, goldimmed everything. Dignitaries, nobles, visiting Alphas, Betas, and Lunas-all dressed to the teeth-littered the place like it was some royal gala. Music floated from a live quartet in the corner, spicy food, expensive wine, forced laughter...

Mum had done a perfect job setting it all up. I'd give her that. The whole thing looked like it belonged in one of those glossy magazines.

And somehow, in all that perfection, I felt like the ugliest mistake in the room.

She hurried to me, and within seconds, I was being paraded like a prized auction item, introducing me to so many guests I had no idea who they were. All the while, she wore her perfect smile-the kind that said look at us, we're still a power family. Nothing's broken here.

Not even the fact that her supposed soon-to-be son-in-law was currently behind bars, facing accusations serious enough to stain bloodlines.

And with this, I realized something cold:

People move on fast. God forbid you're the one bleeding because no one sticks around long enough to mop up the mess. Just try not to be on the other end of the table because, in a minute, they'll move on and leave you behind.

of yours, Kasmine!" she snapped under her breath as she nudged me toward a young Alpha who looked barely older than me. "I

only with my lips. My

she needed to marry me off before the stench hit the wrong nose. Sometimes, I wondered if she even remembered that I was just twenty-one. Still figuring myself out. Still hurting.

are luxuries. Appearances? Those

cake I

dances than I had the patience for, half of them with men who smelled

war heroine. Probably enough to start a gift shop if I ever decided

go rogue.

My phone beeped.

the event was slowly dragging to an

fluttered with a stupid flicker of hope

7

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Chapter 251

it be

my birthday for anything

I'd seen her earlier, flitting around in glittery lilac dress, playing the perfect socialite, making sure the guests were

least they weren't

and,

a text from the same unknown