Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

KESTER.

I felt alive. After having that moment of vulnerability with Kasmine yesterday, a new kind of hope sprang to life in me.

I felt like something inside me had cracked open, and light was finally starting to pour in.

I knew there was garbage in me... years of it, stacked like rotting furniture in a haunted house. But admitting it was never a thing. I never admitted any of it to anyone, not even to the so-called doctors at rehab or my therapist. But it only took Kasmine a second to get it all out of me.

As long as Kasmine stayed beside me, I'd do whatever it took. Therapy. Self- work. The whole fucking climb uphill.

I'd stop hurting people if that's what it took to see her smile again.

I'd chain my anger, muzzle it, watch every single word I said, just to make sure I don't get her worried.

Hell, a slit my own wrists and bleed out into a canvas if she ever said she loved red and wanted to see a shade no one had ever

seen before.

That's how far I'd go. That's how much she'd already changed me.

I was already going through a long list of the best trauma therapists in the country.

I was eager to start. If I do my best, I should be

ready to have a proper family with her - a wedding, a new home, welcoming our baby, and a lot of other things.

"Kester?" Her sweet, sugary voice called out softly, fresh from the bathroom, still damp with steam and the scent of lavender. She stood there with a towel wrapped around her like some sacred vision her hair dripping down her shoulders.

I looked up instantly, giving her my full attention.

"Yes, baby."

She hesitated for half a second. But it was enough to set my nerves on edge.

"I'm going to see Mum today," she said. “She asked for me the other day, but... you didn't let me leave."

Something inside me clenched.

Not again..

I tried to breathe slowly, doing my best to keep the new leaf I had just turned evergreen and fresh.

"Mine..." I called softly, "I don't think that's a good idea, baby." I tried to smile, trying to make it sound like a suggestion.

But my heart suddenly began to race. I'd be a fool to let her leave. At least not to the pack.

Because deep down, I knew what this was. This was a door opening just wide enough for someone to reach in and pull her away from me.

She was finally softening, understanding me, and loving me again.

I couldn't lose that.

This wasn't me trying to control her. No. This wasn't like before. Th was different.

This was me protecting what was finally starting to believe I was worthy of. This was me protecting myself and my family. I won't let anyone take them away from me. I wouldn't survive it.

"I really have to see Mum. She must be worried. I haven't been able reach her since the last time we spoke, three days ago," she sighed, folding her arms.

Yeah. About that... I couldn't bring myself to tell her I was the reason she hadn't heard from anyone. I had made sure no one would be able to reach her on her new phone, and likewise her.

I'd rerouted calls, blocked certain contacts, and used every trick I knew to keep her unreachable.

And her social media accounts? They were also logged in, on my own device.

So, I made sure to delete some chats and messages that I felt might disrupt our peace and quiet, even before she realized they were ever there.

This was before I decided to turn a new leaf. But she'd go nuts if she ever found out. So, I'd keep it at that for now.

I sighed, working a small smile onto my lips. "Your mum is fine, baby. If something was wrong, we would've heard from the pack already. Don't beat yourself up, okay?"noveldrama

"Kester, you promised to stop controlling and restricting me... You said all that two nights ago, remember?" She sounded upset, and I hated that.

I clenched my jaw, trying to stay calm and keep myself steady.

I didn't even realize I was fisting the bed sheet beside me until I felt my nails

digging into my palm.

She stepped closer.

"Kester..." she called gently, "Look at me."

I kept my eyes locked on the floor.

A moment later, I felt the shift in the bed as she knelt in front of me

That pulled my eyes up.

"I'm not leaving you," she said. "You hear me? I'm not going anywhere promised I'd stay with you through it all... Therapy, the whole ride.

e.'m not

running. I'm not giving up on you."

My throat tightened, my breath catching like a hitch in a gear.

She leaned in and kissed me.

"I'll come back," she whispered against my lips. "I always come back to you."

I reached up slowly and cupped her cheek, pressing my forehead to hers. "Let

do at the pack." I lied hoping she'd let me.

me take you, then. I also have a thing or two I need to

Her fingers brushed my jaw gently. "Kester... no," she said softly. "You don't need

to do that. I can go with the driver. I need this to be something I do on my own. You understand that, right?"

Something in me twisted, bil 1 nodded slowly, even if everything in the screamed otherwise.

"Okay,” I said. Then I swallowed and added, “Then I'll wait outside. won't follow you in, I swear. Just... let me be the one to get you there safely."

She smiled and shook her head softly, I insist, Kes. I can go with the driver. I won't be long. I promise."

That fucking word again.

Promise.

"And," she added, "This should be a test for you... A test to learn to trust that I'd

do the right thing and come back to you.'

My fingers curled around her wrist. I held it lightly like she was glass

“Okay,” I said finally swallowing the lump of j there and back."

panic. “Okay. Just... come back to me, Kasmine. No detours. No second stops.

Straight

She smiled, nodding. "Straight there and back."

And just before she stood up, she leaned forward again, kissing the center of my

chest like she was soothing the wild thing living beneath my ribs.

And it worked.

For now.

But God, if she took too long...

If she didn't text...

If she came back smelling like anything unfamiliar...

I wouldn't survive it.