KASMINE.The sheets tangled beneath us as we lay in each other's arms. Thanks to the air conditioner in the room, my body temperature was beginning to regulate. I was feverishly hot after Kester ruined me.His palm moved lazily up and down my back as I lay on his chest, my fingers absentmindedly tracing over the ridges of his muscles."I hope I wasn't too hard on you, baby?" He asked in a gruff voice, and his question was almost laughable. Kester was anything but gentle. And he knew that."It's nothing I couldn't handle," I replied, and his chest heaved with a deep sigh before he kissed my forehead."I'm sorry, love. You'll get used to it."And that was supposed to make me feel better? That's funny.No matter how many times we fucked, I'd never get used to it. Kester was insatiable. Greedy. A man who didn't just fuck—he devoured. He destroyed. He owned. And the worst part? I let him. I wanted him to.I hadn't even gotten my wolf yet. So, sometimes, when he fucked me, and his wolf slip
KASMINE.The phone dangled between Kester's fingers; the screen began to glow with the same name flashing persistently. Jake.The way he held the phone, the way his jaw ticked beneath the dim sunset glow, the way his body coiled like a beast seconds away from striking—I knew I was in trouble.Kester was a possessive man. Territorial to the point of madness. I had never tested his patience like this before. I'd danced around the edges of it, teased him with it, but now? Now, I had shoved a blade straight into the gut of his control."Where did you get that?" My voice came out hoarse, almost pathetic.His lips twitched, but there was no amusement in his eyes. Only something terrifyingly dark. Something sharp enough to cut. "Where do you think, baby?"I swallowed hard.I had hidden it well. Or at least, I thought I had.Kester hummed, tilting his head and running a thumb over the screen. "Funny thing about secrets, Mine," he murmured. "They don't stay buried for long."Then, right before
KESTER.The room still smelled of her—faint traces of sweat and sex, the sheets tangled from where I had fucked her until her voice broke.I had brought the sex from the mini room to the main bedroom. I wanted to mark every corner of this room with our sin. And I almost did.Just a few more corners left.She had clawed at my back, bitten into my shoulder, screamed my name like she had nothing left in her world but me.And for a while, that was all I needed.Now, reality had crept back in.I sat at the edge of the bed, naked, one hand dragging through my damp hair while the other scrolled through the endless stream of disaster flooding my inbox.The Scotland branch was bleeding money. Someone was pulling strings behind the scenes and cutting off my supply chain.I exhaled slowly, rubbing the bridge of my nose. Valor Lante was behind this. That much was clear. But they weren't attacking directly. They were using Belinzo.The contract between Belinzo and Valor Lante had seemed harmless o
KESTER."What the fuck are you doing here?" The disgust in my voice was thick enough to cut through steel. My grip on the door tightened as I stared at her—the absolute last person I wanted to see.June had the audacity to smile, tilting her head like I'd just asked her to move in. "I'm happy to see you too, Kester," she teased, then reached down to grab her suitcase, stepping forward like she belonged here.I blocked the entrance. "How the fuck did you get this address?" My tone was colder than the ocean breeze.June rolled her eyes, all mock innocence. "Your father gave it to me. He also gave me the go-ahead, actually. Thought you might need some… company." She exhaled, "What's the big idea? It's just you and your sister. Another presence – your soon-to-be wife – won't kill."My jaw clenched. That old man was pressing too many fucking buttons, and at this rate, he wouldn't live long enough to keep doing it.June, oblivious—or maybe just too smug to care—shrugged past me and into the
KESTER.I searched around the whole house and sparse neighborhood, but there was no sign of her.My heart drummed so fast that it seemed unhealthy.A part of me – the cowardly part – whispered to me to check the water to see if she had drowned or something. And even though I hated myself for even thinking that way, I found my legs moving in the direction of the body of water spread out before me.Our house was quite secluded, away from the whole bustling of the magic of Maldives. That's how much quietness my mother wanted to have. Only a few houses, which also obviously belonged to high-class people, were in the area.June hadn't even noticed I had left the house. I heard her making some calls with her friends – the ones she always lied to about how I treated her right and all that bullshit I'd never do for her. She was at it again.I walked a good distance away from the house, toward the woods, relief that I didn't see any sign of her drowning. I could get a whiff of her perfume. It
KESTER.They hesitated for half a second.Then, like puppets on frayed strings, they turned on each other.The first blow landed with a sickening crack that sent satisfaction running through me.Fists flew. Blood sprayed. I watched with a blank expression as they tore into one another like rabid animals in a death match they hadn't chosen.They weren't fighting to survive.They were fighting to die. What an irony! And I wanted to watch every agonizing second of it.I wasn't even halfway through the entertainment when I heard her voice."Kester..." She called me, a bit firmer above the trembling of her voice.My head snapped toward her, and everything—the rage, the heat, the violent thrumming in my veins—came to a screeching halt.My fingers, still sticky with blood, twitched at my sides.She was shaking. Her body curled in on itself, arms clutching what was left of her dress. Her eyes brimmed with something I never wanted to see on her face.Fear.Not relief nor gratitude.My stomach
KASMINE."Oh, heavenly goddess! Kasmine!" June's voice rang with relief as she threw her arms around me, squeezing the air from my lungs. "I'm so sorry you had to go through all that."I let her warmth settle over me, trying not to think too much about where she had been last night. But I felt better to see her looking lively today. She was happy, and I found myself wondering what they had done the previous night. She hadn't slept in her own designated room.Yeah, I know how that sounds. Like I'd spent the night stalking her, right?Well… I kinda did. Not in a creepy way, though. Just… checking. Checking if she had returned after going to "talk" to Kester.I didn't make the mistake of sneaking to Kester's door. He'd sniff me and come running into my arms like a lost puppy. I didn't want that. I wanted the night to be all about June. But... Had they only talked? Slept quietly? Or...No. I couldn't think about that.It shouldn't be my concern if they fucked. They were meant to get marr
KESTER.The ocean stretched wide before me, endless and serene, the waves rolling in gentle, rhythmic crashes against the shore.I had never been the kind of man to marvel at nature, but today, standing on this beach with the salty breeze brushing against my skin, I found myself appreciating the beauty of it.Yet none of it—not the brilliant blue sky, not the golden sunlight reflecting off the water—held a candle to the sight in front of me.Kasmine.I watched my obsession tense every now and then, trying to walk with her legs pressed tightly together.She went and sat beneath the shade of a small coconut stall, her legs crossed at the knees, doing everything she could to avoid looking in my direction.Her dark hair tumbled over one shoulder, the ends damp from an earlier swim, and her flawless skin shimmered under the sun.That bikini—that goddamn bikini.She had worn it despite my warning. The black fabric clung to every curve of her body, leaving just enough to the imagination whil
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