Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 295

Chapter 295

KESTER.

The dog lunged forward, barking... until I looked at it.

With just a glance, its body froze mid-growl. The hackles on its back still raised, but its eyes-those loyal, trusting, stupid eyes- went glassy.

It stared into me as if recognizing something ancient and stronger. Then it whimpered, backed away, and sat obediently.

"Good boy," I murmured as I stepped inside, brushing dust off my jacket sleeve.

The air inside was too warm. Melissa had been baking something-cookies, maybe. Something sweet and safe and homemade.

I inhaled it like perfume.

I strolled into the living room like I owned it. The couch was plush and gray with a throw blanket neatly folded over the armrest. i sat down, crossing one leg over the other, elbows spread wide across the backrest, claiming the space.

"Melissa," I called out calmly. "Bring the kids. Let's all sit together. I've had a long day. Don't be rude."

There was no response at first as they all stood frozen in the dining area.

Then, slowly, Melissa appeared first. Her face was pale, lips trembling, hands shaking by her sides. Behind her was her husband, holding the little girl, and the boy just behind them, clutching the hem of his dad's shirt.

The room was so quiet I could hear the dog's tail thump once against the floor before it stopped.

"There we go," I said with a smile, gesturing to the couch. "Come on. Sit with me. Let's be a family tonight."

Melissa didn't move.

Neither did the kids.

I tilted my head at the little boy. "You. What's your name?"

He didn't answer.

"I asked you a question."

His lips quivered. "...Jamie."

"Jamie," I repeated, tasting the name on my tongue. "Come sit beside me, Jamie. Don't be shy.

Melissa gasped and stepped forward. "Please," she said, barely above a whisper. "Don't involve them. Alpha, please. Whatever this is, just take it up with me."

I didn't respond. I slowly pulled up my phone to see who was calling at this crucial moment.

Kasmine..

Fuck. Wrong timing.

1/4

Chapter 295

answer anyway. She was probably

with her

his voice cracking under the strain of terror, "I know you wouldn't be

looked at him with amusement. He thought I was there for him? How

eyes watery

like he thought I was God, and prayer could save

Disgusting.

turned to Melissa again, smiling wider. "Go get dressed, will you? Something nice. We're going for a

pause as if she was contemplating her next words or actions. Then, suddenly,

I never meant to tell her. She... She kept insisting and..." Tears carved tracks down her face, and for a brief, vicious moment, I had the urge

I'm sorry, Alpha." She

at her

and she only gave a small

them with satisfaction as they realized how much trouble

and I looked at the screen. It was Kasmine. She had called four

text.

me shifted. I

unlocked

It

Urgent?

gave

the perfectly constructed moment of

created-blurred around the edges like fog creeping over a

felt fear. Real,

and thankfully, she

I rushed, eager to hear her voice and know she was

around the phone. I didn't even realize I'd stood up. My breath caught like it

There was a pause.

into the beast in me and tamed it with

I froze.

anymore. None of it

Because she had spoken.

fault, she continued in a broken voice. "Please... don't take it out on her. I'm the one who made her tell me. She didn't mean to do anything wrong. She just..." A hitch in her breath. ...she was just trying

There was silence.

And it burned.

wasn't in that house

was trapped