Chapter 41
KASMINE.
Was it wrong to feel the way I did? Absolutely.
Did I care? I did, once. But now, gazing into the eyes of the man before me, I was gradually getting to the point where I didn’t care anymore as his charms wove through me like a spider’s thread, gently pulling me closer.
I couldn’t help but fall for his tricks.
This was all a trick, wasn’t it? It had to be. The Kester I knew would never do any of this for anyone. Not in a thousand years, no matter who they were. But me? Kester Hamilton, the man who barely acknowledged anyone’s existence, had taken me shopping? And he even picked out some things he liked for me? And the weirdest part? He was happy doing it!
The Moon Goddess should have told us that this was the year the world would come to an end!
“Come on We still have the night ahead of us.” He said to me, his voice tinged with an uncharacteristic warmth. I couldn’t help but wonder in utter curiosity what else he had planned out.
I’d never seen Kester this…. happy before. Even though his emotions were usually wrapped in layers of ice, tonight, there was something different in his eyes. A hint of warmth that seemed to soften the sharp edges of his persona. The Kester I knew would have rather gouged his eyes out than let anyone see him vulnerable.
But today, the way he smiled subtly while handing me his preferred choices at the mall warmed something in my stomach, and a part of me wanted to keep that genuine smile on him for as long as possible.
I felt a strange pride swelling in my chest, the kind I’d never felt before, knowing I was the reason behind that smile. He never showed it to anyone else.
Kester did a lot for me while we were still kids. I was an unhappy little girl when my father died, but when Mum married the Alpha, Kester became a big brother and also stepped into the role of something close to a father for me. He showered me with so much love that it was almost unnatural and divine.
He never let me cry or be sad for a second unless he wasn’t home.
Perhaps it was time I returned the favor. If this – Whatever this is between us – Makes him happy, then I am ready to play along a little longer, at least until I find a mate and he finally marries June.
This was all just a fling… I kept reminding myself that I was in it to enjoy the thrill. But the more I tried to convince myself, the more I wondered if I really wanted it to end.
Not every woman has the opportunity to own a man like my brother… But here I was… Owning him in the most sinful way there is, even if it is for a fleeting moment.
“Careful, Mine,” Kester warned, his hand steadying me when I nearly lost my balance with the bags I carried. Even though he’d told me to let the guards help, I was too excited to go in without holding some bags myself.
My heart raced with excitement, but not just from the shopping–no, it was from him. From the way his voice shifted to a softer tone like I mattered more than anything else.
The guards trailed behind us with more bags, and I was happy to have a better look at the things we’d bought. My mind was consumed by the way Kester was looking at me now as if he was seeing me for the first time.
As soon as we stepped into the sitting room, the smell of food wafted into my nostrils, making my mouth water and my stomach tighten with hunger.
Chapter 41
+25 BONUS
Selene… What was that?
I have never smelt something this mouthwatering–rich, battery warmth mingling with the deep, savory notes of slow–roasted meat, kissed by garlic and herbs, while the subtle sweetness of caramelized onions lingers in the air. It’s the kind of aroma that seeps into your bones, making your stomach tighten with hunger and your mouth water in desperate anticipation.
“What are you waiting for?” Kester called from over his shoulder when he noticed I had stopped halfway into the living room.
“Can’t you perceive it? Something smells really nice. You’re certain mum already left?” I asked, my gaze darting to the kitchen to see if I’d get a glimpse of Mum standing there, but there was no one.
“Finally!” June shrieked as she descended the stairs, catching my attention. My gaze snapped from the kitchen to the staircase where she alighted from, and the hunger in my stomach turned into something else… Wait… Was it envy?
I froze.
The scent of the food, the warmth of the room, even Kester’s soft voice–everything blurred, and suddenly, the only thing that mattered was June.
She stepped down the stairs with that familiar grace, her heels clicking against the polished floor, the sound echoing louder in the silence that had settled around me. My eyes instinctively followed her, though I didn’t want to didn’t want to feel anything at all. But I did.
Her dress clung to her like it was made just for her body, hugging every curve in a way that made it impossible to look away. A deep crimson–almost too red, the kind of color that screamed for attention. The fabric shimmered under the soft light, and the plunging neckline was just dating enough to make every male gaze fixate.
June was the kind of woman men wanted. Beautiful, sophisticated, poised. Everything I wasn’t.
And Kester? He was staring at her. His eyes softened when they landed on her, and I felt a sickening knot twist in my chest.
She practically floated down the stairs, her eyes locking on Kester’s with a look that spoke volumes.
“You went shopping?” June asked, walking toward Kester like she owned him. And, of course, she did. She was the one he was getting married to. She had every right to.
I clenched my jaw, trying to silence the voice in my head that wouldn’t stop screaming, “Stop. Don’t think like this. You have no right to feel anything about this.”
I had no right to feel this way or compare myself with her. She was older than me, and I was Kester’s little sister! I reminded myself that what Kester and I were doing was nothing more than a thrill–But still…
“Yes. We did. I got some things for you, too,” I said, my voice coming out too bright and too forced, attempting to sound unaffected as she wrapped her perfectly manicured bands around Kester’s arm like it was her birthright to touch him. And, of course, it was.
I stole a quick glance at my hands. Messy nails, chipped polish that I hadn’t bothered to fix in weeks. A sudden rush of shame flushed my skin at the realization. When was the last time I even took care of myself?
I couldn’t recall.
Thad to get my nails done. Not that I wanted to do it for Kester. It was for Jake, For our date this Sunday. He deserved to see me looking beautiful at my best. I already bought a dress for it at the mall today.
2/3
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Chapter 41
If Kester found out that I had picked a dress for a date with ake, he’d kill me.
“Oh. That’s lovely, Kasmine. I can’t wait to see them!” June said with a beautiful smile. One that spun the wheels of guilt deep down my stomach.
She was a great lady and didn’t deserve the things I had allowed and was still going to allow between me and Kester.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Kester asked her in an icy toge, glaring down at her. His jaw tightened, and his nose flared.
“Nothing much, honey. I just thought we should eat together as a family tonight,” she said, finally pulling her hands off him, making me heave a sigh as she walked toward the dining, “See? I prepared all that for us.” she continued, gesturing toward the spread that stretched across the dining table. It looked like a banquet, and for a moment, I thought we were expecting guests.
“That’s so thoughtful of you, June. I’ll just freshen up and come down for dinner, then.” I said, praying to the goddess that I didn’t sound as disappointed as I felt.
If we were having a family dinner, what would happen to Kester’s surprise for me? Apart from looking forward to the surprise, I was sincerely looking forward to getting a little help from him with that release I had been denied twice already.
My core ached with the need for that release, but the universe seemed to be against it.
The guards had already gone ahead of me to drop my things in my room. I opened my door, struggling with the bags and the feeling of jealousy trying so hard to take root in me when my gaze caught something in my room that made me freeze instantly, making my heart stop.
What in the name of Selene?
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Chapter 42
Chapter 42
