All Chapters of Fated To My Cruel Step-Brother and His Enemy: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

I hadn't realized that I had blacked out until Mom prompted me. "Yes, honey? Everything alright?" she asked with concern."Yeah, Mom," I muttered, forcing a smile. "Just... a lot to take in, you know? New school, new town, upcoming wedding..." I couldn't finish because I knew that I was unable to voice the real worry gnawing at me – the looming mating ceremony.She squeezed my hand. "I know, sweetie. It's a lot. But hey, you're strong, you've got this. And remember, if things get too overwhelming, you can always talk to me, okay?"I squeezed back as a warmth bloomed in my chest. "Okay, Mom. But you too, alright? Don't bottle things up. You know I'm here for you, no matter what."She chuckled with her playful demeanor returning. "Seems like the roles are reversed here. You're turning into the mother and I'm the teenager.""Hey," I countered playfully, "we've always had each other's backs, right? Especially since Dad..."Mom pulled me into a hug, her familiar scent of sunshine attackin

“Hey, Jin,” I said as a nervous smile plastered itself on my face as Jin approached. He didn't answer my greeting, he just kept that lopsided grin fixed on me as he walked closer. My stomach did a nervous flip-flop. Was he mad at me for something?Finally, he stopped right in front of me – an inch too close for casual conversation. Before I knew it, he extended his hand, palm facing up."What...?" I asked, eyes on his palms as confusion clouded my brain."Your hand, Nimue," he commanded in a tone that left no room for argument.At this point, I was more than confused. Jin wanted my hand. Whatever for? Yet, deep down inside of me, something wanted me to comply. It was like smelling danger in the form of lotus and lilies."Why?" I blurted, feeling ridiculously self-conscious under his intense gaze."Just give it to me," he said simply.There was something about his tone, something both playful and commanding, that made me hesitantly place my hand in his. He didn't squeeze, just turned

I told Lucille about my plans on how to make Nimue suffer and beseech for my mercy right in front of the whole school. As expected, she was in.Why wouldn't she be? I was her master, after all.“Time to take your leave, Lucille. Honestly, I'm already growing bored with your company.” I hissed, standing up to go have an intense moment of showering.Lucille whined on a high-pitched squeak. "But Kieran! I just got comfy!" she protested, burrowing deeper into the cushions of my bed.Seriously?!I rolled my eyes. "Comfy? Lucille, you've been sprawled there like a melted marshmallow for the past hour. Besides," I leaned closer, spanking her ass, "don't you have, like, homework, or something stupid waiting for you back in your own pathetic house?"Her lower lip wobbled dramatically. "But I left my textbooks at the library," she whimpered. "And it's dark out there! What if a rogue squirrel attacks me?"I snorted. "As if a squirrel would stand a chance against you, Empress of Procrastination.

Fortunately, it was one of the maids who caught us in that position. Her eyes widened in shock, but she quickly averted her gaze. She wouldn't dare look at me with that face that was turning the shade of a beetroot. Good. Let her tell the whole mansion about the Alpha’s son groping his soon-to-be sister. It’ll be a fun gossip.Nimue, on the other hand, looked like she’d swallowed a lemon whole. Her face was a flaming red, and her eyes dimmed and darted around like she was angry and embarrassed. “You’re such a jerk, Kieran,” she hissed, snatching her takeout bag and fleeing the scene.I watched her go with a smile curling a corner of my lips up. Score one for me. I won this round. Seeing her look so embarrassed had just made my day. She better brace herself because there was more where that came from.With Nimue gone, I helped myself to some food as my appetite had miraculously returned. As I was about to leave the kitchen, I heard the sound of the front door opening. I grimaced. My f

The clock struck twelve, its chimes reverberating through the eerily silent mansion. In my hand, my phone displayed Lana's text in all caps, and it was doing no good, really. My heart was thumping so fast, that I felt hot blood run through my veins. Here I was – a certified midnight renegade, sneaking out to meet a guy with the air of a grumpy Byronic hero who knew how to make unsettling eye contact way too well. Tiptoeing down the hallway, I felt like a mischievous sprite on an unauthorized midnight adventure. Every creak of the floorboards sounded like an electrochemical horn, announcing my traitorous steps. “Okay, Nimue," I muttered to myself, clutching the railing for my dear life. Every muscle in my body felt like it was vibrating at a high frequency. "This is a terrible idea. A TERRIBLE idea!" "Nonsense!" boomed Umbra in my head. "This is a golden opportunity! Embrace the mystery, girl! Who knows maybe this Beta will turn out to be your own Mr. Darcy?” Luna, ever the voice o