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!
What the hell was Claire doing here at Zamford Tech? Was I dreaming?
"Baby girl!!!" She squealed, running into the office, which made me feel more like a prisoner than an intern.
"Claire! What are you...?" I was beyond shocked, but she took the words out of my mouth.
"I've been reposted to Zamford Technologies! Can you believe that?" She pulled me in for a hug.
"How did you do that? Don't tell me you manipulated your way here," I folded my arms across my chest, giving her a playful glare.
"I wouldn't call it manipulation," she said with an eye roll, "Where is he?" She asked, looking around for my brother in anticipation.
I felt pity for her. She was almost obsessed with Kester, but he would never love her back. He already had a fiance, and I believe he loved her. Moreover, Claire wasn't his kind of woman.
Just before I opened my mouth to speak, the door to my office opened, and the face of the man who made me uncomfortable with just his stare walked in on us. His face was set in its usual frown.
The moment my eyes met Kester's, I felt the familiar knot tighten in my stomach. His forest green eyes bore into mine for a brief second before I instinctively looked away, my heart racing.
He stepped into the office holding a sleek shopping bag, the door softly clicking shut behind him.
Claire's excited chatter died mid-sentence as her gaze locked onto him. She froze for a moment, then straightened her posture as though trying to appear more poised. I could practically hear her heartbeat accelerating in the sudden silence.
"Kester," she breathed in a soft voice as if his mere presence was a divine blessing.
He didn't even glance her way.
Instead, he strode over to my desk with that same cold energy that made everyone in his presence feel like they were two steps behind him. The bag landed on my desk with a muted thud, and I looked up at him questioningly.
"This is for you. Open it when you're alone." He said casually.
"What's in it?" I asked curiously, despite myself.
"Do as you're told for once in your life, Kasmine," He replied calmly.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I felt embarrassed. But before I could open my mouth to speak, Claire interrupted me.
"Alpha?" She called.
He paused and turned his head, his eyes finally landing on her, "Yes?"
"I'm Claire," she said, stepping forward, her hand extending toward him. "The new intern. It's such an honor to intern in your company. I've heard so much about Zamford Tech, and I am glad to be a part of it."
His gaze drifted to her outstretched hand, but he didn't take it. Instead, he raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a faint, mocking smirk.
"Claire? The one who fought her way into my company?" he asked, his voice carrying a sardonic edge.
I saw the shift in Claire's countenance as her outstretched hand dropped beside her.
"I..." She swallowed nervously. This wasn't the reception she hoped for.
He let out a scoff, shaking his head slightly as he glanced at me briefly. "Get busy, Claire. This isn't a place for idle chatter."
***
Claire hadn't come into my office since she left. She felt terrible at how Kester had spoken to her. He knew her too well, but every time he came across her, he acted like he'd never met her before.
She was my friend, for fuck's sake!
I rolled my eyes at the thought of how annoying my brother had become. Then, my gaze rested on the bag he had dropped casually on my table.
I had forgotten all about it.
I remembered his words: "Open it when you're alone."
It was cryptic, sure, but Kester was always cryptic. And there was something unsettling about the way he said it and the way his gaze had lingered on me before he left. His gaze held something I couldn't name, but it left a sour taste in my mouth.
I cautiously pulled the bag toward me. The sleek black packaging felt lighter than it looked. Taking a deep breath, I slipped my fingers into the opening and began to pull out the contents.
My breath hitched.
The first thing I saw was the soft, crimson lace of a lingerie set, the kind you'd see on the cover of an intimate apparel catalog.
My fingers trembled as I unfolded it, revealing intricate floral embroidery that looked scandalously suggestive. I quickly stuffed it back into the bag, my heart pounding.
But my curiosity won out. Against my better judgment, I reached in again and pulled out two more sets—one was a daring black, while the other was an innocent-looking white with satin ribbons.
They were undeniably beautiful. And sexy. Far too sexy to come from my brother.
A thousand questions flooded my mind. Was this some sort of peace offering for being an ass to me for some days now? Or was it an inside joke gone terribly wrong?
Wait... Did he have someone else in mind when he bought these? Perhaps he bought them for June and decided to tease me with them?
What a terrible sense of humor!
The idea of Kester browsing through a lingerie store seemed laughable as I imagined it, yet here was the evidence in my hands.
My gaze darted to the glass wall separating my office from his. To my shock, he was sitting at his desk, reclined in his chair, watching me intently. His eyes didn't even waver when I caught him.
My stomach dropped.
I flinched, shoving the lingerie back into the bag as the heat burned its way up my neck and into my cheeks. His expression was unreadable, but the intensity of his gaze... I couldn't tell if he was amused or… something else entirely.
Oh, Selene! What have I gotten myself into? My brother was beginning to act in a way that disturbed me.
I stood up abruptly, clutched the bag in one hand, and went to his office.
"Okay, Kester, the joke's up," I dropped the bag on his desk with an eye roll, "They are for June, aren't they?" I sighed, placing both hands on my waist.
He didn't reply immediately. Instead, a flicker of something similar to irritation crossed his sharp features. Then, he masked it with a calmness that only fueled my frustration. "Who says they are for her?" He asked, his gaze never leaving mine.
"You didn't possibly get these for me," I said, laughing incredulously, though the laugh came out more like a nervous breath. "Sexy lingerie, Kester? Really?"
He leaned back in his chair, the faintest smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "And why can't I? Is it such a crime for a brother to buy his sister lingerie?"
"Lingerie, Kester? Do you hear how insane that sounds?" I asked incredulously, pulling the red one out of the bag and pointing it at him.
He shrugged, unbothered by my rising irritation. "It's just clothing."
"No, it's not just clothing," I countered, my voice lowering as I stepped closer to his desk. "Why would you buy these for me? You're not my boyfriend. What's the point of this?"
His eyes flicked to the bag, then back to mine, his expression darkening slightly as his jaw clenched. "Does everything need a point with you, Kasmine?" He stood up, adjusting his navy blue suit.
"Kester..." I was saying, but the words stuck in my throat when he took long strides until he stood close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him. The scent of his cologne—spiced cedar and something darker—filled my senses.
The office suddenly felt so small as his huge frame swallowed my small one. My pulse quickened, and I couldn't stop the bead of sweat sliding down my temple.
I clutched the bag tighter, suddenly feeling like I was holding a live grenade.
" "Stop overthinking things, Mine," he murmured, the word dripping with an intimacy that sent a shiver racing down my spine.
That single word—Mine—knocked the air from my lungs. I didn't like the way it sounded.
"You are my kid sister. And I can buy you anything I deem fit. These are just lingerie. Not sex toys." The tone of his voice didn't match the intensity of his gaze. His tone was softer.
The casual, deliberate way he said those two forbidden words, 'sex toys,' made my heart slam against my ribs. I knew he could hear it, feel it, the tension between us.
I swallowed hard, nodding slowly, my voice coming out small and strained. "Okay. Thank you," I said, desperate to create distance between us and to diffuse whatever this was.
But his eyes stayed on me, dark and intense, like a predator watching its prey. I could feel my skin burning under his gaze, my legs threatening to buckle beneath me.
I cleared my throat, "I should…" Just as I was about to say more, thankfully, the door swung open, breaking the tension between us. I jumped, stepping back as if caught doing something I shouldn’t have.
It was his girlfriend, June.
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.Getting your head back on straight is hard enough on a typical day.But when you've just seen her—a stunning, maddening woman in one of those tiny dresses I've warned her not to wear—fuck, it becomes nearly impossible.The small, flowery dress clung to her curves like a second skin, so short and delicate I could probably shred it with a single tug of my fingers. The image of it falling away, the bare expanse of her skin beneath, burned in my mind.And those green eyes of hers... Why the hell does she stare at me like that? Like she knows exactly what she's doing to me.It wrecks me every time.Blood rushed south, hot and primal, and I nearly lost myself. Again.Now, here I was, tortured and frustrated, staring at my laptop and watching her read a book.I was fucking watching her read a book!Her long legs are tucked under her, the hem of that damned dress riding up just enough to tease. I could watch her for the rest of my life.I shouldn't be watching her. I know that. But th
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