KESTER.Fucking bitch!I thought she was dead or something.Why didn't she stay wherever the fuck she just crawled out from?Rage curled through my muscles like a vice, my fingers twitching as I fastened my seatbelt."Kester... You have to breathe... You are too tensed," Kasmine said from beside.I had booked the next available flight back to New York the second Lance sent that cursed message. Of all the goddamn problems circling me like vultures, Karina was the one I needed to deal with first."Kester. What's going on? You can talk to us," June asked. Her hand reached toward mine, and I recoiled like she was some disease-ridden mutt.Instead, I grabbed Kasmine's hand, the one resting idly on the armrest between us. I squeezed, drawing in the warmth of her skin. Instantly, the chaos in my head steadied—just a little.She calmed the storm in me always.The hurt in June's eyes when I withdrew from her and took my sister's hand instead was sincerely insignificant. The last thing I gave a
KASMINE.The heat between us was unbearable. It coiled in my stomach, twisted up my spine, and spread through my veins like wildfire.Straddling Kester's lap, I could feel every rigid inch of him pressing against me, the hard muscles of his thighs beneath mine, the slow rise and fall of his chest as he breathed me in.His fingers trailed up my thighs, setting my nerves on fire. My dress was already bunched up at my waist, leaving me bare to his touch, to the wicked things I knew he was about to do to me."You're burning up for me, aren't you?" Kester's voice was low, rough, and full of smug satisfaction as he slipped a single finger between my folds, dragging it through my wetness.I gasped, my fingers tightening around his shoulders, nails digging into the fabric of his white sleeves. The pressure, the teasing stroke, everything was enough to send a violent shudder through me."Kester…" My voice was breathy and desperate.His dark eyes burned into mine, filled with raw possession, wi
KASMINE.It was painful at first but got better when he introduced his fingers to the party. He circled, pinched, and rubbed my clit as his hips jerked up, meeting my rhythmic moves."Oh, fuck. You'll be the end of me, Kasmine," he rolled his eyes, and I saw the raw pleasure in them.The pain and pleasure were so overwhelming that I thought it wouldn't end anytime soon. And it didn't. At least, not with Kester. Not when he fucked like he was collecting a debt I owed him.I was scared we might not be done by the time we reached the pack. I saw the familiar territory come into view. We were less than fifteen minutes away."Kester... We are close," I managed through ragged breaths and blurry eyes, but he only smirked."Scared mum and dad would see us fucking?" He asked, plunging into me so hard it felt like he was right in my chest.I leaned down and kissed him, cupping his face in my trembling hands as my release coiled tighter and hotter.He seemed to like it whenever I did that becaus
KASMINE.The car pulled over at the parking lot, and only then did I realize how much I had missed home. It's been a few weeks since I last visited.The pack was busy as usual, with people going about their usual activities.We arrived less than five minutes after our heated session. It took me a surprisingly short time to arrange my hair. My hands trembled as I adjusted my dress, smoothing out imaginary creases.I reached for the door handle, my fingers curling around it, ready to bolt—but before I could step out, a strong hand latched onto my arm, pulling me back.A breath hissed between my teeth."Let me go," I snapped, whipping around to glare at him.Kester's deep green eyes locked onto mine with an amusement that made my stomach churn."Behave yourself. Don't go showing everyone how angry you are, or they might begin to ask questions," his gaze fell from my eyes to the side of my lips where he had bitten, and something dark crossed his eyes.His tongue darted out to wet his lowe
KESTER."Leave us," I said to Lance, James, and Dylan.They hesitated for a fraction of a second—perhaps debating whether it was wise to leave me alone with her. But one deathly look from me sent them moving. The door clicked shut behind them.I leaned back, studying her as she moved with that aura about her—the kind that suggested she belonged anywhere she pleased.She sat down.Bold of her.I hadn't even offered her a seat."It's been a while," she mused, tilting her head just slightly, her gaze raking over me. "You've grown into a fine young man, Kester."Her voice was smooth, like fine silk wrapped around a blade.Her short, blonde hair still looked as silky as I remembered, only, this time, it was more well taken care of. Because the last time I had that hair wrapped in my hands, it took a good number of able-bodied men to tear her away from my grip. I left it in a mess."Good thing you've had your hair fixed, Karina," I murmured, my tone as empty as my patience, "I see your hair
KASMINE.I stood before the Leropita Psychiatric Hospital for over five minutes, unable to make a decision whether I wanted to go in or not.The building seemed too cold and clinical, with its pale grey walls and tall glass windows that reflected nothing but the dull, overcast sky. It smelled like rain was coming, the wind carrying the sharp smell of damp pavement and antiseptic.My fingers curled tightly around the strap of my handbag.Would they even let me access Kester's files?Would I find what I was looking for?My hands suddenly became clammy, and my heart picked up speed as I stared at the entrance of the hospital.It was a bit too quiet, too.Of course, not many people experience mental issues every single day. At least, so I thought.I exhaled, shoving the doubt aside.I clutched my handbag closely, the strap sitting tightly on my shoulder as I entered the premises.The lobby was cleaner than I expected, almost disturbingly pristine. The walls were white, the floors polished
KASMINE."Excuse me, ma'am," I called out, stepping back up to the desk.She exhaled, rolling her eyes like I was the biggest inconvenience of her day. "Yes, Kasmine," she drawled, her voice laced with exhaustion. "What now?"I dropped the file on the desk between us. "These records aren't… sufficient." I tapped the thin folder with my fingertips, keeping my voice steady even as irritation licked at my nerves. "Some vital information seems to be missing. Is there a mix-up somewhere?"She didn't even pretend to care. Her eyes flicked to the file, then back to me, her expression blank with careful disinterest."This is all there is on Kester Hamilton's records," she said flatly. "I'm sorry."The apology was false, lacking any real sincerity. It only fueled the slow burn of frustration rising in my chest.I leaned in slightly. "I'd like to speak to someone else. A doctor. Someone who was actually in charge of his case."I was also losing my patience. I didn't know what game she was playi
KESTER.I exhaled slowly. "So let me get this straight. This pathetic excuse of a stepsister not only has support from other Alphas, but her mate is one of the big names on the list?"My father didn't answer, but his silence said enough.It was all coming together. Alpha Wes and Kex were acquaintances. And Wes was rumored to have gotten his mate just recently. I didn't know it was Karina all along.So, Kex wasn't the only one who wanted to see my company crumble. Karina was pulling strings behind the curtains.Fuck.Who would have thought?I was beginning to see more reasons why I should take the Alpha King position. I swear to fuck, I was tempted. Because that would be the only way I'd shut these bastards up for good.I clenched my jaw, shoving my hands deeper into my pockets. "So let me guess," I said in a tight, mocking voice, "You knew this whole time, didn't you?"Still, nothing."Of course you did." I scoffed, shaking my head. "How does it feel, old man?" I asked, my voice dripp
KASMINE.I kissed him back with every fragment of a love I thought I'd buried. His lips tasted like regret and desperation.When he finally drew back again, his forehead rested against mine. We were both gasping like we'd sprinted a hundred miles just to arrive at this mistake."Tell me it didn't mean anything," he said softly and brokenly. "Lie to me, Kasmine. Lie just once, and I swear I'll stop."I couldn't say it.The phone buzzed again.But all I could hear was the sound of his heart pounding under my hands.My lips trembled. "Kester…"His eyes clenched shut like the sound of his name on my lips was too much. Like it shattered him from the inside out."Don't," he whispered. "Don’t say it unless you mean it.”"I'm..."He didn't wait to hear it. He caught my mouth again, hungrier this time. One hand slipped from my cheek, the other one still securely curled around the side of my neck. I heard the gentle clanking of his belt coming off.“Kester…” I managed, gasping between kisses, “
KASMINE.I was equal parts disappointed and happy.I opened it.Jake:"Hey, babe. Noticed something weird in my system. Same bug showed up on yours, too, two weeks ago, remember? I think it might've spread from Kester's since they are all in the same proximity. All three systems were on the same network recently, also. Mind if I check his, too? Might be safer that way."I blinked at the message. Then blinked again, because… what?First off, what the fuck was he doing at the office? It was past eight PM on a Saturday.Me: "Jake, what are you doing at work? It's a Saturday night."My thumb hovered over the screen as I added another message."Also… what do you mean by 'same proximity'?"I pressed send and leaned against the marble sink counter, exhaling slowly.The phone buzzed again.Jake:"I forgot my wallet in the office yesterday. Came to pick it up and decided to run a couple of quick checks on the system. My antivirus flagged something weird. I remembered your PC lagging earlier th
KASMINE.I got worse as the sun went down. At first, I thought I felt this sick because it was just a few more hours left for Kester to seal his fate with another woman. But as the clock ticked away, I realized it wasn't just emotional.It was physical, too.By the time I finished getting dressed for the occasion, my hands were trembling. My vision swam in and out of focus. Every little movement I made felt like wading through wet concrete.Claire had offered to stop by. She said she'd braid my hair and fix my lashes just the way I liked. But I told her we'd meet at the venue instead. I hadn't seen her since our last conversation about Kester—and after everything she told me... I didn't know how to face her.Didn't know how to face myself.Didn't even know what I was still angry about… I was exhausted.The moment I stepped into the car, the motion made it worse. My stomach twisted. My hands turned clammy. My head pulsed behind my eyes like a second heartbeat.Something was wrong.On o
KESTER.It felt like death was licking at my heels.The sky outside had been brooding all day—clouds thick and grey. Fitting perfectly with my mood. Almost like the universe knew it, too, that this wasn't a celebration. This was like me attending my own funeral.My room was quiet and tense. The kind of silence you feel in your gut.Norlan was seated at the edge of the couch, his palms pressed together and his eyes distant. He looked like he'd just walked out of a car crash. And truth? I didn't look or feel any better.I stood in front of the mirror, fixing my tie with fingers that wouldn't fucking stop shaking. Each tug felt like it was tightening a noose around my own neck.Fuck.I'd never been this nervous in my life. Not even when I was wrongly diagnosed and taken to the psychiatric ward years ago. Not when I gave my first speech in front of the board. Not even when I kissed Kasmine for the first time.This was different.This wasn't nerves. This was my body revolting. My heart kne
KASMINE.I hurried to the front door to get it.Finally, one normal person who isn't part of the whole drama in my life decided to pay me a visit.Claire.It was a Friday morning, and instead of dragging ourselves to school like every other week, Claire and I had made other plans. Shopping. We were hunting for my birthday dress and maybe—if we had time—a dress for the engagement party tomorrow.Anything to take my mind off things. Especially after watching the news clip I found on Instagram over and over again where June spoke about Kester and their love story. Repeating, again and again, that the deal her father made with him had nothing to do with their engagement. That Kester earned it.I could hear his voice behind every line.He had made her say those things. And desperate, infatuated June would gladly walk barefoot across thorns if it meant pleasing him."Let me grab my phone—uhm, just sit. I'll be right back," I told Claire after a quick hug. Her smile was soft and tired, but i
KASMINE.I hadn't even dropped the cup of coffee when a high-pitched, syrupy giggle broke the silence and nearly startled me into cardiac arrest.My body jerked so fast in the direction of the sound that the dizziness I'd been ignoring all morning slammed harder into my skull, turning my vision into a funhouse mirror. Fantastic. If the walls spun any harder, I might start levitating.Maybe it was finally time I stopped playing tough and visited the damn hospital."Look who I get the pleasure of meeting all alone in the kitchen!"Karina's voice was a little too loud and sweet, like poisoned honey—and her expression? Pure sunshine with a chance of lunacy. Too abnormal to be this cheerful so early in the morning.God. Was she high or something?She had that glittery-eyed, overenthusiastic vibe of someone who'd either snorted something very illegal or returned from making a deal with the devil. Or maybe she was the devil. Who could tell with her?Either way, I didn't have the energy for i
KASMINE.I knew we were both angry, volatile, simmering with tension that had been building for far too long—but it was different with Kester.I felt it when we were both caught in the moment last night, letting off all the steam that had been brewing between us for days now.I absentmindedly stirred the hot cup of coffee that had gone lukewarm, my mind drifting to what happened last night. My thighs still ached faintly from how rough it had been.Yes. I know. Call me selfish. Call me a monster. Because I let my big brother fuck me while his fiancé was sleeping alone in his room, wrapped in her pretty little lies and future wedding plans.But I needed that. I craved it. I didn't care about right or wrong. June had the rest of her life to play happy bride with him. I only had two days left before everything changed, before I'd be stripped from his life and forced to play someone else's puppet.So, yeah. I let him have me. And I took every second of it like a dying woman clinging to her
KASMINE."Let me go, Kester!" I managed to choke out, but my words barely made it past my dry throat. I clawed at his arm as I struggled against the iron grip around my throat.His body pressed into mine, caging me against the wall, heat radiating from him like an inferno.But it was his eyes—those eyes—that made terror freeze up my blood.Dark. Dilated. Ferocious.Unhinged."Kester," I gasped, my voice cracking, "you're hurting me!"His lips curled into a wicked, twisted smile. "Good," he murmured, as if that was what he wanted, as if my panic was exactly what he needed. "Good.""Please..." I breathed."What? Can't stand the beast you awakened?" He seethed, his words coming in a snarl. "Such a perfect performance tonight, Kasmine. Bravo."His voice was simmering with a madness that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It was like I wasn't even looking at the man I knew anymore. This was something else—something unrecognizable and dangerous.His face was inches from mine, b
KASMINE.I didn't want to be down here.God, I really didn't.Every fiber in me screamed to stay tucked away in the safety of my room, buried under the warmth of silence and solitude. But I threw that choice away the moment I glanced at my phone and saw his name lighting up my screen again.Jaden.I'd been ignoring his calls for days—pressing decline like a reflex, almost like breathing. He must've finally gotten the message because he stopped calling and started texting instead.Persistent bastard.And maybe whatever deity decided to touch him with a bit of remorse didn't quite finish the job — because despite the fact that he was trying to apologize for how our first date went, he still had that sprinkle of arrogance like a perfume he refused to wash off.It was... irritating.And oddly entertaining.But it was a good distraction reading his texts – a stupid, oddly timed, mildly amusing distraction in a world where everything else felt like it was rotting around me – because they ma