KASMINE.Kester asked the driver to take me home. And while I could say I was thankful he didn't ride with me, a part of me wished he did.Call me crazy, but I was beginning to crave the fear he instilled in me. That overwhelming, commanding, dominating aura of his. It wasn't just fear—it was something far darker, far more addictive. A pull I couldn't resist, even though I knew I should have."Don't forget to give him this," Claire chirped, breaking my thoughts as she handed me a small gift bag. "Tell him it's a thanksgiving gift to the Moon Goddess, Selene, for my recovery."I blinked at her, trying to mask the guilt churning in my chest.Selene's Thanksgiving? Seriously? I would never understand this girl.Who in their right mind gave Kester gifts under the guise of divine gratitude? Was he now Selene's emissary on earth?I suppressed the urge to scoff. I knew Claire's game. She didn't care about Selene. This was just an excuse to give Kester something personal. And she was so earne
KESTER.I had totally forgotten about the arrangement I had with my father about picking June up and bringing her to my house.I was already prepared to leave the office when his call came in, reminding me about it.No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't escape bringing her here for a whole week.After a hot shower, I stepped into my room, feeling the lingering tension in my muscles ease. June lay sprawled on my bed in a red nightie that was clearly designed to be enticing, but it wasn't—not to me.She was busy with her laptop, fingers clacking away on the keyboard, her attention consumed, and I couldn't be more grateful for that. She looked really busy.She was here, but her presence was nothing more than background noise.I hadn't seen Kasmine all evening, but I wasn't in a rush. The night was still young, and I had plans to spend most of it in her room."Her presence is an eyesore to me, Kes," Zeth said from the back of my mind, clearing simmering with rage. "It's a good thing she
KESTER.I didn't expect anything less, considering the fact that I didn't allow any man near her all her life. But I know how younger ones could be. They were good at sneaking their way around without the adults finding out.Relief washed over me so hard that I almost felt dizzy. This only meant one thing... I was going to be the first and only man in her life."You're a virgin?" I asked, and she looked away. She was probably shy about it, but she replied with a small nod."Fuck, Mine. You should have said so," I brushed off some strands of hair from her face, my hand lingering for a moment behind her head before pulling her close and planting a soft kiss on her lips.She hesitated this time and held on to the hesitation. "Don't worry, Mine. I won't hurt you," I said softly, "At least, not tonight.""I have to go now, Kes," she said suddenly, her voice breaking the moment as she moved to jump off the countertop.I caught her wrist before she could. "Why the rush?" I asked, a sly smile
KASMINE.When I decided to play this game with Kester, I thought I knew what I was getting into. I thought I could handle the darkness that lived behind those smoldering eyes, the control that seemed to seep from his very pores. But I was wrong. Nothing, not even my worst nightmares, could have prepared me for this.Tears couldn't stop falling as I stepped back, one step at a time. I needed to put enough distance between me and this monster here.I couldn't look away from the phone screen. My stomach twisted painfully at the sight displayed there.I saw Jake in his room.He was sitting at his desk, his sweet, innocent smile lighting up his face as he worked diligently on the project this monster had given him earlier. A project, I realized now, designed to keep him distracted.Kester had crafted this game to perfection. He had made it a point of duty to wear Jake out in and out of the office. In the office, he made sure to keep Jake so busy that Jake would hardly ever have the time to
KASMINE.I cried. I was intentional about it this time. I let the tears fall.I heard June walk toward the main door of the house to the outside. She might have thought we were outside, I guess.I looked at Kester pleadingly but his eyes held nothing but wicked intent. I knew he didn't like June, but that didn't mean she should see us like this. My life would be ruined. His reputation. Our parents. Everything.His body began to stiffen. He was close to his release. I put in more effort, granting him as much access as he would like if that would make him cum sooner.June closed the front door and called out again, "Kester? Kasmine?" This time, she was headed for the kitchen. I heard her footsteps. They were getting closer.I tried to keep myself from moaning, but Kester wasn't helping matters. This was the time he moaned and growled the loudest.I applied something I had learned some time ago from a porn site - cheek suction.I sucked in my cheeks, tightening my lips - which were alrea
KESTER.I meant every word I just told her. The earlier Claire stopped bothering me, the better for Kasmine. Otherwise, I'd punish her if that would make her set boundaries between me and her pestering friend.I pushed through my bedroom door, my anger radiating off me like a storm, spilling into the air like smoke. The shift in the atmosphere was instant, thickening with my mood, and unfortunately, June took notice."Kester..." She was on her feet in an instant, crossing the room toward me. "I waited up all night for you."And?All I saw in her was a stubborn child, desperate for attention.Why was she telling me that? Does it look like I care? Didn't I tell her to go to sleep?Her blonde hair was styled to perfection—sleek, shining, not a strand out of place. So, she really hadn't slept. The thought annoyed me more than it should have. What was she expecting? A reward?I ignored her, stripping off my watch and tossing it onto the dresser before heading straight for the closet. I ba
KESTER.I dragged my mouth away from hers just for a breath, only to find myself drawn back, hunger consuming me as I kissed her again, deeper this time. I pulled her closer until the heat of her body seared through the fabric of our clothes.She responded with a soft gasp, one hand tangled in my hair, the other gripping the edge of the table beside us for support.I pressed her further against her vanity table, making it wobble under the pressure of our movements. A few items that I barely took note of fell to the ground.I lifted her right leg, placing it securely on my waist, granting myself the access I needed.The lamp by the nightstand just beside the table tipped over, its light flickering briefly before it settled with a dull thud. I barely registered the noise in my ears.The mess on the floor mirrored the mess in my head—everything in disarray, just like the way my mind spun in circles around her."Kes..." She whispered, moaning against my lips when my finger brushed over th
KASMINE.The universe had already cursed me for my sins—I was sure of it. How else could I explain this torment? This unbearable, all-consuming need with no relief in sight?I couldn't concentrate on anything. Not the pile of work in front of me, not even Jake's constant questions about how best we could communicate now that I no longer have a secret phone.I had ignored him. But a part of me felt terribly bad about it. He deserved an answer. He deserved my attention. But I barely had the presence of mind to spare him more than a few nods. Guilt clawed at the edges of my thoughts, but it wasn't strong enough to override the fire burning beneath my skin.I needed a release. Desperately.My body was on high alert, and the slightest hint of contact with a man made my body tense, my core tightening with anticipation that had nowhere to go. The simplest things—watching a man roll up his sleeves, hearing the deep timbre of a voice—sent sharp jolts of arousal straight to my center. It was un
KESTER.June's laughter followed after the silence.I didn't react.But I felt the slow burn crawling up my spine. It wasn't anger or fear. Just a quiet, dangerous fucking fury that pressed like cold steel behind my ribs."You think I'm stupid?" she asked, lifting her head, chin tilted with a smirk that told me she thought she'd won.I didn't answer. I just looked at her."I've seen the signs for months, honey," she continued. "Hell, I saw the signs long before you can ever even imagine. But I said nothing."I tilted my head just slightly. "What signs?"She laughed again, slowly walking away from the table, pacing like she was giving a TED talk about betrayal. "Don't play dumb, Kester. You know exactly what the fuck I'm talking about."My silence was its own kind of answer.She turned sharply. "You've been fucking your stepsister."I didn't flinch. I didn't give her the satisfaction. But my hand curled into a fist by my side."I saw you," she continued, almost as if she was cutting he
KESTER."What's going on, Kes?" June's heels clicked on the marble floor as she walked toward the mini bar, her reflection glinting off the glass cabinetry as she poured herself into the room like she had truly become a part of the home.I didn't even turn to face her. I didn't look up. My fingers curled around the crystal glass of whiskey, my eyes fixed on the ice slowly melting inside it with lethal quietness.I was thinking of when would be the best time to go and get my mate and take her back home. When would the best time be to shatter the illusion of freedom she thought she had? This afternoon? Or tonight?June was just one final piece on the board. One final checkmark before I cleaned the house.Karina - check.Wescor and Belinzo - check.Kex and the fake Elvris - double-check.Ongoing deal with the real Elvris - check.Alpha Mellors' irrevocable contract - check.June - about to be checkmated."I just saw the news about Karina. This is... Who would have ever thought?" She drop
KESTER.Her eyes darted from the screen to Jorja, to Dad, to me. Searching for a reaction or for someone to tell her this was all just a bad dream.No one said a word.Not even Jorja—Queen of Constant Commentary. She stood frozen, one manicured hand on her chest, the other under her chin as she watched the show."Here." She said, regaining some boldness. "You can check my phone. I never sent such a text to anyone." She handed the phone over to Lance, who navigated through her text messaging app. After a few seconds, he flashed the screen in her direction, and I swear, her eyes almost fell out of their sockets.The text messages were there on her phone. The dates showed that she had sent the text just two days ago."No. No." She shook her head, "There is... There is a mix-up here. I can't recall doing any of these... No." She was trembling, taking slow steps backward. "Someone must've… drugged me or set me up or something. This isn't—this isn't fair."Fair?I almost laughed.She looked
KESTER.I didn't waste a single second. The moment Jorja spun on her heel, I was right behind her.She was fuming, and that said a lot.Jorja valued image above breath itself. Her obsession with appearances had governed every move she'd ever made. She hated anything that would ruin her image or that of her family.So, if she looked like she wanted to throw someone through a window, I knew the situation was beautiful.No wonder Kasmine was really scared about our secret. With a mother like this? Shame was a goddamn religion."Good morning, Alpha," The five men greeted in unison.I peeped outside and caught sight of two matte-black vans and a Hilux parked on the driveway.A few more men flanked the vehicles, securing the perimeter. And, of course, a curious audience who wouldn't miss the spectacle for anything in the world had begun to form.The icing on the cake? The news reporters were here to cover the spectacle. I'm certain her mate, Alpha Wes, would have a wonderful time watching h
KESTER."Kester? Aren't you concerned that your sister just left without a word?" My father said to me as soon as I stepped into the house.I'd spent the night in my office, tying up every thread, smoothing out every wrinkle in my plan. Today was execution day. Every piece was falling neatly into place—Karina included. And once that was done, my company and my Alpha title would be secured, solidified, and untouchable. Then I can go get my mate and take her back to our home, and we'll live in peace.Things had never been this perfect before.Everything was aligned, gliding forward on greased rails.Suspiciously perfect? Maybe.But perfection isn't impossible—not when you have the right brain and a flawlessly loyal right-hand man like Norlan. With Norlan, even impossibilities get scheduled and signed off.The intervention team should be pulling up any minute now. And June proposed to visit tomorrow. I didn't stop her. She had to be here for me to end things with her."She's fine. No one
KESTER.The one thing the Moon Goddess had ever done right was chaining Kasmine to me with something she couldn't undo. Something she didn't choose and didn't have a choice in.Fate.I should worship the Moon Goddess for it. For once, she wasn't playing games. She gave me the one thing I ever wanted, the one thing that was mine.And Kasmine… sweet, confused, little Kasmine… she still thought she had a say in all this.I know exactly what's spinning in that pretty head of hers. She thinks the next step is rejection. She thinks that the bond we share is something she can sever with a few muttered words and teary eyes.That has to be the funniest fucking thing I've ever imagined. Because let the world split open, and the Draegor himself crawl out of the pit of hell to rule this earth—I would never reject my fated mate.Fuck.'My. Fated. Mate.' The sound of it made a dance erupt in my stomach.I couldn't believe this was happening, in all honesty.I didn't plan on telling anyone yet. We
KASMINE.My legs propelled me before my brain had the time to think. I ran as fast as I could into the crowd.All I could feel was him. That magnetic, horrifying pull closing in like a vice around my ribs.I reached for Jake and pulled him by his arm. He was the closest person I could find. Claire was nowhere to be found."Jake. Jake. Come." I couldn't even form the words I wanted to say."What—babe, what's going on?" he stammered, confused, half-turning toward me.I didn't answer. I just yanked him with everything I had, dragging him out of the crowd and into the parking lot like the devil himself was behind us.Because he was.I felt Kester's presence closing in on us like smoke. It was so fast that my heart almost jumped out of my mouth.His scent grew stronger, too. And it was mixed with fury and danger.Panic clawed up my throat."Jake!" I practically threw myself into the passenger seat of his car—the old, beat-up piece of junk his uncle barely lets him drive. I didn't care. I s
KASMINE.The crowd grew still.I tilted my head back and stared up at the sky. The moon was almost there—gliding slowly and painfully toward the center of the heavens. It wasn't full tonight. Just a gentle crescent. But that didn't matter. Everyone knew—on your twenty-first birthday, the second the moon touched the center of the sky, the magic awakened. The wolf either came—or it didn't.My chest rose and fell quickly.Almost there.Almost.Then—It happened.A sharp, stabbing pain shot through my spine like lightning. My legs buckled. I hit the ground hard, knees slamming into the grass as my hands dug into the earth.A scream tore from my throat before I could stop it.It felt like fire was eating me from the inside out. Like my skin was being peeled, my bones shattered and glued back together wrong. I could hear them—cracking, shifting, snapping—over and over again like a thousand sticks breaking at once.I couldn't breathe.I couldn't even think.I was writhing and gasping, my body
KASMINE."Hey babe," A voice sounded behind me as a warm hand wrapped around my waist from behind.I almost jumped out of my skin."Jake! You scared me!" I sighed, placing my hand against my chest.He chuckled softly, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. "Why would you be scared in a hall full of people?" he teased, cocking his head with that soft smirk he always wore when he was trying to make me forget how broken things really were. "No one can hurt you here. Relax."I tried. I really did.He looked cute tonight, in that signature Jake style—white trousers, snug black T-shirt... Casual. Clean. Boy-next-door handsome. The kind of look that once made me feel butterflies just from catching his scent.Now? The butterflies were barely breathing. Limp-winged. Exhausted.I forced a smile. Forced the ache in my gut to turn into warmth, to find something—anything—in me that still fluttered for him."Cheer up, babe," he said gently, his thumb brushing the side of my arm. "You look go