KESTER.I hadn't slept. Not even for a second.I almost lost it. But I didn't because it was Kasmine, after all. She's the one thing that keeps me tethered. My antidote.If it were anyone else, I swear, I'd have taken their heads off by now. The maids would be scrubbing the blood off the marble floors already.I had been lost in thoughts all the while she was sleeping on me. Her soft snores broke through the static in my mind, calming my racing heart.It's always been this way for the past five years now. Her very existence is my calm.She tames my demons, even without her knowing. Little wonder I kept taking her belongings and stacking them up in my room over the years.But that fucking slap... Her hurtful words...It broke something in me.I felt it snap the moment her palm met my face.For one breath—for one fucking second—I saw red. She had no idea how hard I fought it. How much it took to keep my hands at my sides when every instinct in me screamed to remind her who the fuck I wa
KESTER.I stood by my table and stared blankly into the laptop, watching her prepare for work as though I hadn't watched her sleep all night.With Kasmine, it was never enough. She was too beautiful a sight to ignore. Too fucking intoxicating. The kind of beauty that made my cock hard every time I laid eyes on her.She went about her usual morning routine – styling her wavy, luscious brown hair, humming softly under her breath, singing along to whatever song played from the speakers, completely unaware of how fucking hypnotic she was.Then came the part that always made my lips twitch with satisfaction.She moved to her wardrobe, rummaging through her clothes – my clothes – and picked out one of the sexy skirts and blouses I had gotten for her.She didn't know what I had done. She had no idea that her wardrobe was no longer hers but mine. That I had quietly replaced every unappealing piece of clothing she had with the ones I preferred—skirts that hugged her hips, blouses that clung to
KASMINE.The image of Kester's back had burned itself into my mind, haunting me through the night, refusing to let me rest. Even now, as I walked toward my office with a spring in my step, I couldn't stop the smile that kept tugging at my lips.Kester was determined, tearing down my defenses with a patience that was both infuriating and intoxicating. And damn it, he was winning.I swear he was getting more points than I'd like to give him.I had crumbled the moment my gaze landed on the massive tattoo spanning his back—ink etched into his skin simply because I liked tattoos.My chest had ached, my throat had tightened, and tears had spilled as I traced the beautiful patterns with my hands.But even after pushing him to tell me how he knew I liked them, he vehemently refused to. And now, just thinking about it sent a shiver through me.But as soon as I stepped into the elevator, all of my excitement screeched to a halt.Claire.The guilt hit me like a punch to the stomach. I had aband
KASMINE.I kept reading the notes over and over again, even when I willed myself to stop.Kester's possessiveness needed a degree. His will to become a man he wasn't...? It was impressive.His obsession with doing things that he originally wouldn't do was as consuming as a wildfire in winter. And it was becoming dangerous.Kester was never such a man. And I never envisaged him being such a man, even in his next life.But this?"Who are they from?" Jake asked, yanking me back to reality. His brows were pinched while his eyes scanned my face like he could see straight through me.I inhaled sharply, pressing the note between my fingers like it might disappear if I held it tightly enough."Uhm..." I swallowed, forcing my expression to stay neutral. "I... I don't know, Jake. There's no name on it."The lie slipped past my lips so smoothly that it frightened me.He didn't say another word. He just leaned into his seat, his expression saying everything his mouth couldn't say.And, gods, I ha
KESTER."You still haven't told me what you were doing in that boutique, Kester," Kasmine asked for the hundredth time as we drove home.I smirked, gripping the wheel with one hand while the other itched to reach for her. I was tempted—so damn tempted—to tell her. But no, it had to be a surprise. Probably when we've decided on a date, which I know could be a long time from now – say in two to three months – then she'd know that she didn't need to shop for a wedding dress and that I already had it taken care of.I turned to steal another glance at her, and, heavens, she looked beautiful.She didn't just look beautiful. She looked sinful... ruinous. Like something a man would walk willingly into disaster for.The day had been about her—her hair, her nails, her skin—every detail fine-tuned to perfection... Everything she'd need to look and feel beautiful for our trip tomorrow. And I was happy I did. Because I loved what I saw—she looked like she was made for indulgence. My indulgence."Y
KESTER.I tried to push her thong aside, but the slick material kept obstructing my free access to her wetness.Hell, I ripped it off, and she gasped at the force."Sorry," I murmured, though there wasn't an ounce of regret in my voice. "It was in the way."I gripped her thighs, positioning her exactly how I wanted.I was in the mood to fuck her while she stood facing me, looking into my eyes to see the raw hunger that can never be satiated.She was so much smaller than me, her frame delicate compared to mine, but those heels she wore? They were a blessing. They made this perfect.Her brows furrowed, innocent curiosity flickering in her expression as she watched me press the thick head of my cock against her entrance. "How… how do we do this?"The innocence in her voice made my blood heat.I leaned in, my lips brushing against the shell of her ear as I whispered, "Ever heard of the standing missionary?"She hesitated, then shook her head.Something dark and possessive curled in my che
KASMINE.The voice from the mini speakers in the plane trailed off, fading into my thoughts, "All passengers on board, welcome to flight 309..." I barely registered the rest. My focus was on the man beside me—my stepbrother—who hadn't lifted his gaze from his phone since we arrived at the airport, as if he was expecting a call that was never going to come.He clenched and unclenched his fists and jaws every now and then to relieve the tension he was refusing to let me know he was feeling. It was rolling off of him in waves, and I could almost taste it.What the hell was going on?Something was wrong.I'd overheard the argument between him and Dad last night, though I hadn't caught enough to piece everything together. It wasn't anything new—Kester and Dad had always been at odds, more enemies than family. They fought so often that their clashes had become routine, something I'd learned to ignore out of self-preservation.Mum and I had to get used to it when we found out there was nothi
KESTER.My chest kept constricting no matter how hard I tried to clear it out. I'd been at the convenience for a moment now, but I still didn't feel well enough to step out, even to face Kasmine. Not after how I had yelled at her.I braced my hands against the sink, fingers curling against the cool porcelain as I stared at my reflection. My eyes were hooded from exhaustion and frustration. And a touch of guilt.I had let the pressure, the fucking weight of everything, spill over onto her.My reflection blurred as I closed my eyes."It's going to be fine."I whispered the lie under my breath.Repeated it.Like some desperate fucking prayer.But the words felt so empty and unreasurring. And no matter how many times I said them, they did nothing to stop the sinking feeling that I was losing control.That I was already trapped.I pushed the door open and stepped into the cabin but froze immediately.She wasn't there.The seat beside mine was empty, her blanket neatly folded. The reclining
KASMINE.The doorknob turned.My heart sank. My breath froze in my chest like ice splintering through my lungs.I whipped my head around, scanning the room. It was small, pathetic, and cramped. One window nailed shut. No back door. No closet to hide in. And, stupidly, stupidly, I hadn't even locked the damn door when Jake left.It creaked open slowly, like the beginning of a horror movie where the girl never survives. Except this wasn't fiction. This was my life. My reality. My punishment.And there stood.Kester – my so-called mate.Tall. Lethal. Beautiful in that cruel, haunting way only the devil himself could be.The scent hit me harder. It was strong, smoky, and spicy. Masculine, wild, and so mine.My body betrayed me on the spot.My traitorous wolf, Zera, whimpered inside me, "Mate. Mate."No. Not now. Not this time.But Kester saw it all – the flicker in my eyes, the way my knees trembled, and the flush that crept up my neck.He smiled. That goddamn arrogant smirk he always had
KASMINE.We had to move. There was a tightening in my gut and a pull of dread that refused to loosen.I didn't trust Kester. Perhaps he must have followed us last night without us knowing. Or he even had someone do the following. Maybe that was how he got to know our location.We had left as soon as Jake returned from getting me some new clothes, a toothbrush, toiletries, and little thoughtful things he knew I'd be needing that made me want to cry because he knew without being told.See why I had to love Jake? He was gentle in ways I didn't know I craved. Attentive in moments most people would overlook. He was so kind, loving and caring.The new motel was small, almost tucked away from the world, sitting quietly on the edge of nowhere, and it was really far from the previous one.Since we moved here, I felt more at peace. It was almost seven PM, and there have been no calls or texts from Kester yet.Good.I shifted beneath the thin motel sheets and winced. My body no longer felt like
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