KESTER.
It took all the self-control I could muster to stay away from the house all weekend. I could have done something I might end up regretting.
Whatever unholy feelings I was developing for Kasmine were beginning to get out of hand, and I didn't know for how much longer I could hold back.
I returned home just this morning to get ready for work.
I stood in front of Kasmine's door, contemplating whether to knock or not. I was, no doubt, ashamed of what had happened on Saturday. She felt my hard cock, and it was super embarrassing.
But, fuck it. Now wasn't the time for regrets. It was getting late, and we had to leave for the office.
Just as I was about to knock, the door pulled open, revealing my little sister - my obsession.
I froze.
She stood there, framed by the soft morning light spilling into the hallway. Her rich, brown hair cascaded over her shoulders in loose waves, a few strands catching the sunlight.
She looked... stunning. No, beyond stunning. Her blouse, a soft cream color, clung to her frame in all the wrong—or maybe right—ways. The buttons strained slightly across her chest, teasing the curves I had no right to notice. She'd tucked it neatly into a dark pencil skirt that emphasized the perfect line of her hips and ended just above her knees, revealing the smooth, toned length of her legs.
She was so beautiful that it felt sinful.
I felt my mouth go dry as my gaze dropped, tracing the shape of her body before snapping back up to meet her eyes.
Too late. The damage was already done. My pulse quickened, and my traitorous body reacted almost immediately.
A twitch in my pants made me curse silently. Fuck it. Not now.
My length strained so hard in my trousers that it made shame bloom hot across my chest.
"Kester?" Kasmine called. Her voice was soft and confused, and she cleared her throat. "Are you okay?"
I blinked, snapping out of whatever trance I had fallen into. Her brows furrowed slightly; her lips parted as if she were about to say more.
"What the hell are you wearing?" I blurted, my voice harsher than I intended.
Kasmine's eyes widened, and she stepped back instinctively, crossing her arms over her chest. "Excuse me?"
"That—" I gestured vaguely at her outfit, struggling to keep my eyes on her face. "That skirt is too tight. And that blouse..." I swallowed hard, "It's inappropriate for work."
Her expression shifted from confusion to incredulity. "What? Kester, this is professional. It's just a blouse and a skirt! What's your problem?"
"It's distracting," I snapped, my frustration spilling over.
"Distracting?" Kasmine's lips curved into a disbelieving smile, "For who, exactly?"
There she got me. Of course, I was the one she was distracting.
"Just... change into something else," I said, my voice lower now, barely masking the strain.
Kasmine's jaw tightened, and she tilted her head. "You can't be serious. You're my boss, not my wardrobe consultant. I'm not changing."
"You live under my roof, Kasmine," I shot back, taking a step toward her as she took two steps backward, "You'll do exactly as I say. Go in there and change into something else, and meet me in the car," I ordered and walked out on her.
I felt more at ease as I stared at her through the glass pane separating my office from hers. She sat at her desk, her hair swept over one shoulder.
I had put her right next to my office where I could see and know what she was up to every time.
She was putting on something more... Decent? Not that the first outfit wasn't decent. I just couldn't bear the thought of having my baby sister flaunting all those curves for hungry eyes to see.
"You keep living in self-denial, Kes," My wolf, Zeth, said with a snarl.
"She's my sister, Zeth. Stop having nasty thoughts about her." I retorted.
Zeth had remained silent since the previous weekend when he almost took control and scared Mine to death. He had almost claimed her. I was so pissed at him.
I know my feelings for her were becoming a concern I needed to work on, but I've never thought of acting on those feelings.
She was my sister, for fuck's sake!
My countenance turned sour immediately as my eyes caught an unpleasant sight.
Karl.
My jaw tightened as I watched.
The kid was barely in his twenties, a fresh intern with an awkward haircut and far too much confidence for my liking. He walked into her office with that cocky grin plastered across his face, leaning casually against her desk like he belonged there.
And then, Kasmine smiled at him.
Not just any smile—a soft, genuine one that made her eyes light up. The kind of smile that was rare, precious. The kind of smile I hadn't seen directed at me in a long time.
Fuck.
My chest tightened, a sharp ache slicing through me, followed swiftly by a wave of irrational rage. My hands clenched into fists, my nails biting into my palms as I tried to rein it in. But the longer I watched, the more unbearable it became.
The boy was laughing now, saying something that made her tilt her head, her smile widening. And she was laughing too; the sound muted through the glass but no less maddening.
Something inside me snapped.
I didn't even realize I was moving until I was standing in her office doorway. The lighthearted atmosphere evaporated instantly. Karl froze mid-laugh, his grin faltering as he turned to face me.
"Karl," I called, my voice low and cold, every syllable dripping with restrained fury. "Do you not have any work to do?"
The boy visibly swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing as he straightened up. "Uh, I was just—"
"You were just being irrelevant in my company? Is that what you were hired for? To socialize?" I stepped into the room; my hands balled into a fist in my pockets - good thing they were in there.
Kasmine's brows furrowed, "Kester... He was just..." She tried to defend him, but it only enraged me more.
I ignored her, my focus solely on the boy. Karl stammered something incoherent, his confidence crumbling under my glare. "I—I'll get back to work," he muttered, retreating so quickly he nearly tripped over his own feet.
The door clicked shut behind him, leaving just Kasmine and me in the room.
She crossed her arms, fixing me with a look that was equal parts confusion and irritation. "What the hell was that about?"
I turned my gaze to her, my jaw still clenched. "He had no business being in here."
Her lips parted, a flash of disbelief crossing her face. "He's an intern, Kester, just like me. He came to ask about the report I was working on and probably make a new friend, too."
"I didn't bring you here to make friends. Get back to work." I said coldly and turned to leave, but her next words halted me.
"Why? Why do you keep treating me this way? Why don't you allow me to befriend guys? It's not right, Kes!"
I could hear the hurt and frustration in her tone, but I couldn't cared less as I walked out without sparing her another glance.
KASMINE."Mum... I don't want to be here anymore. Please?" I said to my mum for the hundredth time since the day I arrived.I thought I could work things out with my brother and be freer around him, but I was wrong. He's been worse than he used to be with his overprotectiveness."Come on, honey. You'll be fine. Besides, you'll be coming home tomorrow, won't you? I know you miss me, your friends..." Mum said, trailing off again, probably talking to someone else in the background. It's been a habit of hers that I detested. She always wanted to handle too many things at the same time."See you tomorrow, mum," I hung up the call even before she could respond.My mum was never available. How would she know what I was going through? We couldn't even as much as connect through a simple conversation, how much more build a connection where she'd know how I truly felt on the inside about certain things I was going through?I had no one to talk to except...Speak of the devil, and she appears!W
KESTER.This woman had made it a point of duty to torment my life. If only she knew how much I hated having her around. I had barely spoken to her since she showed up at my office yesterday unannounced.This whole marriage arrangement between my parents and hers would be the worst thing that'll ever happen to her - not me, because I can never love her. No matter how hard she tried."Do we really have to go?" Her silky voice sounded from behind me. She walked toward me and placed her slender hands around my waist from behind, "I came to spend some quality time with you.""I never asked you to come, June," I pulled her hands off me, "But since you are here, get dressed and let's go. I have important matters to attend to in the pack."I locked my luggage and headed to my mirror, adjusting my hair.She was quiet for a while before speaking again, "Okay. I'll get to spend some time with your mum, too."Was that meant to console her? That's her business.From the corner of my eye, I saw som
KASMINE.My brother couldn't have meant all he said to me in my room. He must have said those things to get me further scared of having anything to do with any man until I have my mate.All through the drive to the pack, I sat quietly in the car, replaying his words in my head. Thankfully, he was in another vehicle with June. He always traveled with his driver and a small convoy for security reasons.He was becoming even more protective."27th, Kasmine. 27th of August..." I kept reassuring myself every day since my life became a misery."I'm already running late, mum. It's almost ten," I said to my mum when we arrived at the packhouse.I didn't miss the subtle glare Kester shut my way, but I ignored him."You'll be back in time to have lunch before you leave, right?" She asked, patting my head lovingly as she planted a small kiss on my forehead.I narrowed my brows. What was she talking about?"I'll be staying the weekend, mum. Remember?" I stated with an eye roll."No, you're not," I
KASMINE.I was terrified. The silence in the car was unbearable.I sat stiffly in the back seat, my hands clenched into fists on my lap as I stared out of the window.Kester was seated beside me, leaning back with his hands casually resting on his thighs, his jaw tight, and his expression carved from stone.He hadn't said a word to me since he saw me with Jake. In fact, as soon as I saw him, he quietly walked away.I least expected him in my school. I never knew he had something important to take care of there. I wouldn't have sat down in plain sight with Jake.He had sent June home, and the poor girl couldn't even complain. She took it in good fate, promising to return next weekend.Sometimes I wonder what she was still doing with a douchebag like my brother.His silence was worse than anger, and it made my skin crawl. I dared a glance at him out of the corner of my eye, hoping for some clue as to what he was thinking, but his face betrayed nothing.The driver navigated the convoy th
KESTER.If only she knew. Poor Kasmine. She just sold her soul to the devil by telling me she'd do whatever I wanted her to do.Now, I was looking for the perfect 'favor' to ask of her.Under the guise of handling paperwork, I stayed rooted to my spot, my eyes fixed on her. She didn't know I was watching, and I liked it that way. The glass panel between us offered a perfect view of her, yet it wasn't enough to bridge the space I ached to close.Kasmine sat at her desk, her attention absorbed by the monitor. She brushed a strand of hair away from her face, the gesture so small and unassuming, yet it sent an ache through me. That hair, dark and soft, had once rested against my shoulder when she fell asleep in the car as kids. How could something so simple haunt me like this now?Her lips moved as she murmured something under her breath, likely annoyed at whatever task she was handling. The sight made my chest tighten.Gods, she was exquisite. A picture of innocence wrapped in temptation
KASMINE."I am so sorry. I..." I said, heaving a sigh of frustration.The phone felt slippery in my hand as I clutched it tightly, careful to keep my voice low. My heart pounded with an anxious rhythm that almost left me breathless."Kasmine... I know it's not your fault, but how many more apologies will you have to offer?" He questioned."I'm trying, Jake," I whispered, pressing my palm against my mouth to muffle the words. "I don't know how to make him see reason. Kester is—he's suffocating me." My voice cracked, and I bit down hard on my lip to stifle a sob.On the other end, Jake's silence lingered for a beat too long before he finally spoke. "Mine, you have to fight for yourself. You deserve your own life. He can't keep dictating everything you do." His voice was so gentle that it made my chest ache more.He chose to call me 'Mine'. From Jake, the name felt sweet, almost natural, as if the name belonged to me and not to his control. But from Kester… it was different. Every time h
KESTER.Kasmine was chaos personified, her presence pulling every dark and dangerous thread of restraint I had taut. Well, she would always bear the consequences, as far as I was concerned.She could yell, curse, and claw at the barriers I'd built, but ultimately, she was mine. She just didn't know it yet.Although I couldn't get my hands on any solid evidence yet, I knew she was hiding something. And according to my source, there was more I needed to know about her and Jake, which was why I made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Of course, that was after I made sure he was suddenly discharged from his place of internship without any offense.Everyone has a price. The trick is knowing which strings to pull... and when to tighten them."Everything is set now, Alpha," Knox said."You may leave," I dismissed him and his team.I had returned home early today. I know Mine would have the chance to talk to that subhuman in my absence, but it was okay. I was handling a better situation here at
"Kasmine, why don't you talk to your brother? Tell him how much I like him," Claire was at it again.It was lunchtime, and we sat in the cafeteria together, including Jake. I hoped Kester wouldn't get angry over this because I wasn't alone with Jake. In fact, he should feel much better that it was all three of us, which would further prove to him that there was nothing going on between me and Jake."I've told you before," I said, stabbing my fork into my food with unnecessary force. "My brother and I are sworn enemies at the moment. I can't help you, Claire. Sorry."Claire gave a theatrical sigh."You haven't been eating, Mine. Is everything okay?" Jake asked.I froze, the concern in his voice startling me. Was it that obvious? My hand hovered over my plate as I fumbled for a response."I'm fine," I lied smoothly—or tried to. "I just..." My breath hitched, betraying me, so I added, "I miss my mum. I wish I could see her soon."Another lie. It tasted like ash on my tongue, bitter and u
KESTER.I went for a run. Something I hadn't done outside the confines of my home gym in a long time. But today, it felt like the whole house was closing in on me, and I needed a breath of fresh air.I ran until my lungs burned, until the early morning air felt like razor against my skin, until the world blurred into nothing.Two days.Forty-eight fucking hours.And Kasmine hadn't stepped foot outside her room, neither had she opened the door for me or anyone else aside from her favorite maid who takes her meals to her and comes out with them untouched.I was losing my mind.It was just five more days until I was shackled to an engagement I didn't even want, and I wasn't even prepared for it.When Kasmine barged into my room and found me and June in that awkward position, I heard her saying something about picking a date. She must have come across the whole engagement thing on social media, all thanks to June.If only she'd let me explain myself, she'd see that it's all just a big mis
KESTER.I never believed the journey from the Crimson Valley pack was such an effortless adventure as June made it seem—twice in twenty-four hours, she showed up at my doorstep like a stray with nowhere else to be.I had just finished crafting the perfect plan to handle Karina when a knock at my bedroom door shattered the satisfaction I'd barely begun to savor.She didn't even let me bask in the moment of my anticipated victory before she ruined it with her tedious presence."What are you doing here, June?" I asked calmly, my voice a perfect description of disinterest wrapped in civility, as I pulled on my shorts and vest, carelessly tossing away the towel from my waist.Her eyes followed my movements until they stopped at the slight swell in my shorts.I sighed, not bothering to hide my impatience. "Is there something you need, June?" I asked, pulling her out of whatever stupid fantasy that must be running through her head already."I... Uh..." She swallowed, forcing out a breathless
KASMINE.I have been feeling a bit too weak lately. It had been four days since we returned from the Maldives, yet my body still felt sluggish and drained.At first, I thought it was the stress from the entire trip, but now I was beginning to think otherwise.Could it be that I caught the flu during our stay there?I couldn't afford that right now. My birthday was in eleven days, and the last thing I wanted was to look pale and exhausted on a day that was meant to be… perfect.The reality hit me mildly.Eleven days.And I hadn't even begun preparations yet. Mum was probably already deep into planning, shaping everything into her own version of perfect. But I also had some things I'd like to add to her 'perfect' list.Scrap that.This year's birthday is meant to be very significant. I needed to be in full control, not just a passive guest at my own event.She would have to work with me. Not the other way around.I pulled open the drawer beside my bed, my fingers finding the small bottl
KESTER.A slow, simmering heat crawled under my skin, spreading like molten iron through my veins. It wasn't just anger—it was something darker, something razor-sharp and corrosive."What the fuck are you doing here?"The words came out low and controlled, but there was no mistaking the venom dripping from each syllable.Yet, there she stood, smiling like an airheaded debutante who hadn't yet figured out she was walking straight into a lion's den because she still wore that stupid smile on her face."I am having trouble picking out the perfect color combinations for the engagement party, baby," she replied, letting out a breath of exhaustion. Her shoulders sagged for dramatic effect as though she carried the weight of the gods on her back.Baby?My jaw twitched.She now calls me that?If only she could see anything past the bridge of her nose, she'd realize she had no fucking business being this excited about any of this."Aren't you going to let me in?"Before I could answer, she bre
KESTER.I froze.The sound of that name alone was enough to curdle my blood.I had foolishly hoped that Kasmine wouldn't hear about Karina. But, come on, this was an entire pack. A small world with too many mouths. Of course, she'd find out eventually.Kasmine isn't a child anymore.I exhaled slowly, forcing my muscles to relax as I turned to face her. The anger I had been directing at her and Jaden shifted, curdling into something more volatile.I hadn't seen her since the day I walked her out of my office, nor had I heard anything from her since then, but I wasn't stupid enough to believe that meant she had given up.No. She was planning something. That manipulative, poisonous bitch was always planning something. And I needed to be ready."She is my half-sister," I replied without mincing words.Kasmine blinked rapidly, trying to wrap her head around what I had just said, "What? I don't understand. What do you mean she is your half-sister?""She's my father's illegitimate child. One
KASMINE."She doesn't need to be disturbed. Bring her breakfast here. Clean the room later." I thought I heard those in my subconscious.My body ached, every inch of me sore and sluggish as if I had been wrung dry and left to mend on its own. A sharp ache pulsed through my temples, cutting off the remnants of sleep.My body felt so foreign.The door clicked shut, but the sleep still kept me under until I heard another set of words from the same voice."Lock him up in the basement."With those words, my lashes immediately fluttered, forcing my vision into focus.Kester.He was strolling back into the room, bare-chested, wearing only his trousers, the dim morning light casting shadows across the ridges of his toned frame. He looked every bit the man who had unraveled me last night.He had his phone in his hands."Who are you locking up in what basement?" I whispered, as that was all my voice allowed me to do.My heart picked up speed at once.I tried to sit up, only for a sharp, searing
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