KESTER."Step away from her, Kex."My voice came out steady, but the restraint behind it felt like a noose tightening around my throat. Every muscle in my body coiled, ready to snap, but I held firm.I already had too much blood on my hands.I didn't want to add Kex's to it.But then he smirked.That smirk.Like he wasn't standing in front of death itself. Like he didn't give a damn that I could rip him apart where he stood.The arrogant bastard.I felt like ripping his face in half for even as much as smiling around Kasmine."You don't have to beat yourself up, Kester," he said, sounding so casual and unbothered. He shifted his weight, hands slipping into his pockets like we were discussing soccer. "We were just..." His gaze slid back to Kasmine, and something about the way he looked at her made my blood burn.His eyes dragged over her body, and my fingers curled into fists."Getting to know each other. Isn't that right, beauty?" he finished, and then, as if he wasn't already toeing
KASMINE.The tension in the car when we left the hospital was too suffocating that I was surprised I didn't end up dead before we arrived the pack.It's been two days now, and I have not seen Kester or heard from him. He made sure of that.Today was Friday, and I was a mess of emotions. I was equal parts happy, worried, and nervous.Happy because I'd get to see Jake at school today. I called him yesterday using Mum's phone, and we spoke at length. Hearing his voice was like taking a breath after drowning.Thankfully, Kester hadn't bugged Mum's phone; neither was he anywhere around to see me making the calls.I explained everything that had happened to Jake, and as always, he understood. Gods, he was so understanding.But as much as I was eager to see him, I was worried. Because Kester had assigned Gery—one of his most loyal guards—to follow me everywhere. I didn't need anyone to tell me why. But whatever happens, I'd see Jake in school today. Nothing was going to stop me.Jake wanted
KASMINE.I sat in front of the mirror, staring at my gorgeous reflection.I looked stunning tonight. Except it was for the wrong man.My little black dress hugged my curves in the right proportion. The fabric stretched over the swell of my hips, traced the dip of my waist, and framed my breasts with a deep V-cut that ran deeper than the turmoil I felt inside me, exposing my cleavages, which were full and firm.Mum had made sure every detail was perfect, down to how my hair had been styled.She made sure to tell the maids the exact hairstyle I should wear that would compliment my light makeup and dress style.They had gathered my curls into a loose updo, full and elegant as if the strands had been caught mid-motion and pinned in place by the wind itself.Soft tendrils slipped free, lazily framing my face, their curls brushing against my skin in delicate spirals. At the nape of my neck, wisps of hair teased my bare shoulders, adding softness to the otherwise sultry look.It looked effor
KESTER.The thought of not talking to Kasmine for two days plagued me. I could barely live a normal life. But I had to stay away from her before I'd do something we both would regret.I didn't want to hurt her. So, this was for the best.I made an Inquiry from the hospital and found out that she was truly there – my curiosity had got the better part of me, but that was as far as I let my curiosity take me. I refused to ask what she went there for. I'd want her to tell me herself.A part of me felt I wouldn't like what her reason would be. But I still wanted to know."Babe?" I heard a voice whisper to me while soft fingers grazed my thigh, pulling me back to the reality displayed in front of me.It was June.I had zoned out again. Fuck.I was there with them, but my attention was with someone else. Mine.I lifted my gaze, and the dimly lit dining hall of the Mellors' estate came back into focus, the heavy scent of roasted meat and aged wine pressing against me.Across the long table, A
KESTER.The long-awaited meeting had finally ended, yet my mind was nowhere near at ease.June had begged me to spend the night in their pack, but I refused. I needed to go home. Needed to see her. Even if from a distance. Even if I didn't speak to her.I just needed Kasmine.My life, which was once so neatly arranged, so ruthlessly in my hands, was quickly spiraling out of control, and I, the master of control, almost had no control over it.I clenched my jaw and redialed.The fucker finally picked up after what felt like the hundredth call."You could pass for a certified asshole, you know that, right?" I snapped the moment Norlan answered.He just laughed, "Yeah… I recognize that tone. Dude's pissed."Norlan's laugh grated on my nerves."Go on," he drawled. "Spit it out. What's got your panties in a twist?"I exhaled sharply. "I picked a date."A beat of silence followed. Then, "For what? Your funeral?"I didn't answer. He was sharp. He'd figure it out.Another pause, and then a lo
KASMINE.Jaden had begun our "date" with questions and answers. No one told me I was coming for an exam."So, tell me, Kasmine..." He leaned back against his chair, swirling the wine in his glass like he was some aristocrat about to interrogate the help. "You're what now? Twenty-two?"I blinked, fork freezing midway to my mouth. "I'll be Twenty-one in two weeks."He smirked. "Ah, still a baby."My jaw tightened. "I wouldn't call myself that."He let out a short, amused breath. "Of course, you wouldn't. You probably think you're all grown up, don't you?"I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.'It's just dinner. Get through it and go home.'Was he always this arrogant, or was he was just excelling at it tonight?I adjusted the napkin on my lap, keeping my expression neutral as I took a sip of water. This was our first meeting, and within ten minutes, I already wanted to leave.I stared at him, debating the best way to answer. With words? Or by throwing my drink in his face?Instead, I for
KASMINE.The drive was cold. Tense. Nerve-wracking. Not because of the silence—but because of him.Kester sat beside me, a storm barely contained beneath his skin. His grip on the steering wheel was tight, knuckles pale against the leather, and though his gaze stayed fixed on the road, the tension in his jaw and the rigid line of his shoulders told me exactly how pissed he was.My fingers twitched all the way home.Kester, in his usual character, didn't say a word to me throughout. He was just seething beside me, driving at a speed that almost made me say my last prayer.We drove into the parking lot, and he jammed the car door shut, but before he'd walk over to my own side of the car, I was already out and walking toward the house.I didn't wait for him.A part of me was happy he'd saved me from that jerk. But the other part of me was angry with him for so many reasons.He didn't speak to me for two days. And now, suddenly, he thought he had the right to storm in, play hero, and act
KASMINE."Fuck..." A curse ripped from his throat as his hands snapped to my waist, holding me in place, his fingers digging in just enough to make me gasp."You don't get it, do you?" His voice was lower now, a bit darker. "This isn't fucking easy. You think I don't want to bury myself in you right now? Take you exactly the way I know you need?" His fingers flexed again, and my breath hitched. "But I won't do it like this. I won't do it when I'm too fucking furious to control myself."I leaned in, brushing my lips against his jaw, letting my voice drop to a whisper. "I don't care."His breath hitched.I pressed closer, feeling the heat rolling off his body, the tension crackling between us like a live wire. "Unless you want someone else to fuck me," I murmured, my lips grazing the shell of his ear, "then walk away."His entire body went rigid.Bingo! I got him.A muscle jumped in his jaw, his fingers tightening on my hips in a way that sent a delicious thrill up my spine. "Kasmine."
KASMINE.Heat licked through me, pooling between my thighs.A palm slid down my spine, pushing me further into the bed making my arch my back, before gripping my hips and positioning me the way he liked.His other hand nudged my knees apart, parting my thighs with an ease that sent another wave of need crashing through me.I felt his arousal so thick and hard, picking my entrance.A dark chuckle vibrated against my skin. "Oh, baby... you have no idea what you've just asked for." And that was all the warning I got before I felt him sink himself deep and hard into my wetness.I screamed, but thanks to the gag, it was well muffled.Kester didn't think I deserved to adjust to the brutal force at which he had plunged into me because he continued immediately, sliding in and out of my pussy without a care in the world.He fucked me. Hard. Fast. Unapologetically."This is what you wanted, huh?" he groaned, his voice laced with lust and a hint of dark satisfaction before pulling back until jus
KASMINE."Fuck..." A curse ripped from his throat as his hands snapped to my waist, holding me in place, his fingers digging in just enough to make me gasp."You don't get it, do you?" His voice was lower now, a bit darker. "This isn't fucking easy. You think I don't want to bury myself in you right now? Take you exactly the way I know you need?" His fingers flexed again, and my breath hitched. "But I won't do it like this. I won't do it when I'm too fucking furious to control myself."I leaned in, brushing my lips against his jaw, letting my voice drop to a whisper. "I don't care."His breath hitched.I pressed closer, feeling the heat rolling off his body, the tension crackling between us like a live wire. "Unless you want someone else to fuck me," I murmured, my lips grazing the shell of his ear, "then walk away."His entire body went rigid.Bingo! I got him.A muscle jumped in his jaw, his fingers tightening on my hips in a way that sent a delicious thrill up my spine. "Kasmine."
KASMINE.The drive was cold. Tense. Nerve-wracking. Not because of the silence—but because of him.Kester sat beside me, a storm barely contained beneath his skin. His grip on the steering wheel was tight, knuckles pale against the leather, and though his gaze stayed fixed on the road, the tension in his jaw and the rigid line of his shoulders told me exactly how pissed he was.My fingers twitched all the way home.Kester, in his usual character, didn't say a word to me throughout. He was just seething beside me, driving at a speed that almost made me say my last prayer.We drove into the parking lot, and he jammed the car door shut, but before he'd walk over to my own side of the car, I was already out and walking toward the house.I didn't wait for him.A part of me was happy he'd saved me from that jerk. But the other part of me was angry with him for so many reasons.He didn't speak to me for two days. And now, suddenly, he thought he had the right to storm in, play hero, and act
KASMINE.Jaden had begun our "date" with questions and answers. No one told me I was coming for an exam."So, tell me, Kasmine..." He leaned back against his chair, swirling the wine in his glass like he was some aristocrat about to interrogate the help. "You're what now? Twenty-two?"I blinked, fork freezing midway to my mouth. "I'll be Twenty-one in two weeks."He smirked. "Ah, still a baby."My jaw tightened. "I wouldn't call myself that."He let out a short, amused breath. "Of course, you wouldn't. You probably think you're all grown up, don't you?"I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.'It's just dinner. Get through it and go home.'Was he always this arrogant, or was he was just excelling at it tonight?I adjusted the napkin on my lap, keeping my expression neutral as I took a sip of water. This was our first meeting, and within ten minutes, I already wanted to leave.I stared at him, debating the best way to answer. With words? Or by throwing my drink in his face?Instead, I for
KESTER.The long-awaited meeting had finally ended, yet my mind was nowhere near at ease.June had begged me to spend the night in their pack, but I refused. I needed to go home. Needed to see her. Even if from a distance. Even if I didn't speak to her.I just needed Kasmine.My life, which was once so neatly arranged, so ruthlessly in my hands, was quickly spiraling out of control, and I, the master of control, almost had no control over it.I clenched my jaw and redialed.The fucker finally picked up after what felt like the hundredth call."You could pass for a certified asshole, you know that, right?" I snapped the moment Norlan answered.He just laughed, "Yeah… I recognize that tone. Dude's pissed."Norlan's laugh grated on my nerves."Go on," he drawled. "Spit it out. What's got your panties in a twist?"I exhaled sharply. "I picked a date."A beat of silence followed. Then, "For what? Your funeral?"I didn't answer. He was sharp. He'd figure it out.Another pause, and then a lo
KESTER.The thought of not talking to Kasmine for two days plagued me. I could barely live a normal life. But I had to stay away from her before I'd do something we both would regret.I didn't want to hurt her. So, this was for the best.I made an Inquiry from the hospital and found out that she was truly there – my curiosity had got the better part of me, but that was as far as I let my curiosity take me. I refused to ask what she went there for. I'd want her to tell me herself.A part of me felt I wouldn't like what her reason would be. But I still wanted to know."Babe?" I heard a voice whisper to me while soft fingers grazed my thigh, pulling me back to the reality displayed in front of me.It was June.I had zoned out again. Fuck.I was there with them, but my attention was with someone else. Mine.I lifted my gaze, and the dimly lit dining hall of the Mellors' estate came back into focus, the heavy scent of roasted meat and aged wine pressing against me.Across the long table, A
KASMINE.I sat in front of the mirror, staring at my gorgeous reflection.I looked stunning tonight. Except it was for the wrong man.My little black dress hugged my curves in the right proportion. The fabric stretched over the swell of my hips, traced the dip of my waist, and framed my breasts with a deep V-cut that ran deeper than the turmoil I felt inside me, exposing my cleavages, which were full and firm.Mum had made sure every detail was perfect, down to how my hair had been styled.She made sure to tell the maids the exact hairstyle I should wear that would compliment my light makeup and dress style.They had gathered my curls into a loose updo, full and elegant as if the strands had been caught mid-motion and pinned in place by the wind itself.Soft tendrils slipped free, lazily framing my face, their curls brushing against my skin in delicate spirals. At the nape of my neck, wisps of hair teased my bare shoulders, adding softness to the otherwise sultry look.It looked effor
KASMINE.The tension in the car when we left the hospital was too suffocating that I was surprised I didn't end up dead before we arrived the pack.It's been two days now, and I have not seen Kester or heard from him. He made sure of that.Today was Friday, and I was a mess of emotions. I was equal parts happy, worried, and nervous.Happy because I'd get to see Jake at school today. I called him yesterday using Mum's phone, and we spoke at length. Hearing his voice was like taking a breath after drowning.Thankfully, Kester hadn't bugged Mum's phone; neither was he anywhere around to see me making the calls.I explained everything that had happened to Jake, and as always, he understood. Gods, he was so understanding.But as much as I was eager to see him, I was worried. Because Kester had assigned Gery—one of his most loyal guards—to follow me everywhere. I didn't need anyone to tell me why. But whatever happens, I'd see Jake in school today. Nothing was going to stop me.Jake wanted
KESTER."Step away from her, Kex."My voice came out steady, but the restraint behind it felt like a noose tightening around my throat. Every muscle in my body coiled, ready to snap, but I held firm.I already had too much blood on my hands.I didn't want to add Kex's to it.But then he smirked.That smirk.Like he wasn't standing in front of death itself. Like he didn't give a damn that I could rip him apart where he stood.The arrogant bastard.I felt like ripping his face in half for even as much as smiling around Kasmine."You don't have to beat yourself up, Kester," he said, sounding so casual and unbothered. He shifted his weight, hands slipping into his pockets like we were discussing soccer. "We were just..." His gaze slid back to Kasmine, and something about the way he looked at her made my blood burn.His eyes dragged over her body, and my fingers curled into fists."Getting to know each other. Isn't that right, beauty?" he finished, and then, as if he wasn't already toeing