Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother
Chapter 276
“No. You’ll be the girl who was fated to her stepbrother. And didn’t run.”
“But…”
“I sincerely wouldn’t want to use my command on you, baby,” I interrupted, pressing my forehead to hers, closing the us until she had nowhere to run. “But I will if I have to. So, don’t make me.” I whispered with my eyes closed.
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She flinched.
“I want you to walk with me tonight on your own two feet. I want you to come with me willingly. Just this once. Trust me.”
I pulled back, smoothed my palms down my thighs, and stepped out of the car. The light drizzle was heavier now, pattering against the hood of the Bentley as I adjusted the sleeves of my dark blue dress shirt, rolling them up just past my wrists.
I moved to her side of the car and opened the door slowly.
She was still curled slightly in the seat like she wanted to disappear into the upholstery.
I crouched just enough to be level with her.
“Kasmine,” I said gently, wiping the tears from her cheeks with my thumb, slow enough to memorize the way they felt.
She tried to turn her face, but I held her there and kissed her.
She didn’t kiss me back.
But she didn’t pull away either.
When I finally lifted my head, I looked her dead in the eyes.
“Everything will be fine,” I said quietly. “I’ll take care of everything. Trust me.”
And then I reached in and gently pulled her out of the car.
The dining room was lit like a banquet hall. It was the kind of dinner we only ever had on pack holidays or when council members came over. But tonight, I had called for this. I had planned it down to the last seat.
Even the atmosphere tasted formal.
My uncles, Greg, Ralph, and Vincent, were seated across from me, grumbling amongst themselves about stocks, women, and old war stories. On the opposite end, Dylan- the Head of the Council–sat, and beside him were Lance and James, my Beta and Gamma.
Kasmine sat beside me, extremely still. Her fork barely scraped at the steamed vegetables on her plate. I personally dished out her meal for her, specifically putting more veggies on her plate. The doctor said it was good for her and the baby.
Every so often, shed shift slightly like her skin didn’t fit her right or like the fabric of her dress itched more than it ever should.
I reached out and placed my hand over hers, my thumb gently brushing over her knuckles. I could feel her resisting the urge to flinch as if my touch burned her.
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Chapter 276
Jorja saw it.
I caught the flicker of her frown across the table, but she turned her gaze quickly, tucking it behind the rim of her wineglass. She probably thought it was just a Brother comforting his sister. Nothing more.
By the time we were halfway through the main course, I felt Kasmine’s pulse fluttering beneath my palm. She was seconds away from bolting.
And that was when my father cleared his throat.
“So.” He set his utensils down and leaned slightly forward. You called all of us here. Said you had good news. What is it?”
The clinking and chatters quieted.
I reached for my wineglass, not because I needed the drink, but because I needed the pause. I wanted to make sure I had everyone’s undivided attention.
“I’ve found my mate.” I dropped the words, and Kasmine’s heart kicked in her chest–I heard it. Like a bird crashing against a cage.
Gasps were stifled behind napkins. Heads turned instantly in my direction. A ripple of mixed emotions spread across the table. Dylan blinked once. James and Lance exchanged a glance. Greg arched a brow. Vincent muttered something under his breath, and Ralph replied with a shrug.
There was silence before Jorja finally spoke.
“What about June? What will you do about her?”
“She’s right,” my father added. “You know what June means to this pack and our family.”
I set my glass down gently. “I’ll handle June.”
My father’s palm hit the table with enough force to rattle the salt shaker.
“No. No, Kester. You don’t handle something like this. You do what is right. What is expected of you. If your mate isn’t June, then you reject whoever she is. That’s what any Alpha who is about to claim the Alpha King position would do.”
Jorja nodded quickly. “You have to, Kester. This isn’t just about you. It’s about the alliance. The legacy. The pack.”
“Even if the world breaks its teeth, I’m not rejecting my mate,” I said calmly.
Jorja shot up slightly in her chair. “Kester, listen to your father! Do you want to bring shame to the pack?”
“Shame would be to oppose what fate has already willed, Mother, I lifted my gaze slowly to meet hers, and I was certain she saw
the furnace in my eyes.
Uncle Greg finally cleared his throat, “Then who is she?” he asked. “Who is this mate of yours that’s worth destroying everything we’ve been trying to build?”
Kasmine shifted suddenly beside me. Panic dripped off her. She was going to bolt, but I gripped her hand tight.
And everyone noticed it. But I was certain they were still in denial. Nothing would prepare them for it.
I looked around the table, one face at a time, letting the silence fan the flames of tension and anticipation.
I turned and ran a thumb along Kasmine’s face, which had grown cold with panic. Then I slowly reached out and planted a kiss on
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her forehead while everyone watched with all kinds of expressions of their faces before I dropped the bomb.
“Kasmine is my mate.”
The silence that followed was priceless.
Chapter Comments
Visitor
that was like the kaboom and them nothing I need more chapters!
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