Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 295 Chapter 295 KESTER.

The dog lunged forward, barking... until I looked at it.

With just a glance, its body froze mid-growl. The hackles on its back still raised, but its eyes-those loyal, trusting, stupid eyes- went glassy.

It stared intoas if recognizing something ancient and stronger. Then it whimpered, backed away, and sat obediently.

"Good boy," I murmured as I stepped inside, brushing dust off my jacket sleeve.

The air inside was too warm. Melissa had been baking something-cookies, maybe. Something sweet and safe and homemade.

I inhaled it like perfume.

I strolled into the living room like I owned it. The couch was plush and gray with a throw blanket neatly folded over the armrest. i sat down, crossing one leg over the other, elbows spread wide across the backrest, claiming the space.

"Melissa," I called out calmly. "Bring the kids. Let's all sit together. I've had a long day. Don't be rude." There was no response at first as they all stood frozen in the dining area.

Then, slowly, Melissa appeared first. Her face was pale, lips trembling, hands shaking by her sides. Behind her was her husband, holding the little girl, and the boy just behind them, clutching the hem of his dad's shirt.

The room was so quiet I could hear the dog's tail thump once against the floor before it stopped. "There we go," I said with a smile, gesturing to the couch. "Con. Sit with me. Let's be a family tonight." Melissa didn't move.

Neither did the kids.

I tilted my head at the little boy. "You. What's your name?" He didn't answer.

"I asked you a question." His lips quivered. "...Jamie." "Jamie," I repeated, tasting the non my tongue. "Csit beside me, Jamie. Don't be shy.

Melissa gasped and stepped forward. "Please," she said, barely above a whisper. "Don't involve them. Alpha, please. Whatever this is, just take it up with me." I didn't respond. I slowly pulled up my phone to see who was calling at this crucial moment.

Kasmine..

Fuck. Wrong timing.

1/4 Chapter 295 I didn't answer anyway. She was probably calling to complain about something else again.

I'll deal with her later.

By the tI lifted my eyes again, Melissa's husband was already on his knees, 'Alpha, please," he whispered, his voice cracking under the strain of terror, "I know you wouldn't be here if I hadn't offended you. I am ready to bear the consequences. But my children... My wife... please... have mercy." I looked at him with amusement. He thought I was there for him? How pathetic? He was actually trembling, lips dry, eyes watery like a kicked mutt trying to save its pups. His hands were clasped like he thought I was God, and prayer could save him.

Disgusting.

I turned to Melissa again, smiling wider. "Go get dressed, will you? Something nice. We're going for a walk. There was a small pause as if she was contemplating her next words or actions. Then, suddenly, she busted into fresh sobs.

"I... I never meant to tell her. She... She kept insisting and..." Tears carved tracks down her face, and for a brief, vicious moment, I had the urge to trace those tracks with my claws and watch the tears turn to blood.

"I swear, I'm sorry, Alpha." She choked, going down on her knees.

Her husband looked at her with terror and realization.

"You offended the Alpha?" He asked her, and she only gave a small nod. "Fuck." I watched them with satisfaction as they realized how much trouble they were in.

My phone chimed with a text, and I looked at the screen. It was Kasmine. She had called four times, and now she was sending a text.

Something inshifted. I grew a bit worried.

I swiftly unlocked the screen.

"Call me, Kester. It is urgent. Please." Urgent? My heart gave a traitorous thump.

Everything-the fear, the tension, the perfectly constructed moment of despair I had created-blurred around the edges like fog creeping over a mirror.

I felt fear. Real, chest-tightening, gut-wrenching fear.

I called her immediately, and thankfully, she picked up.

What is wrong, baby? Are you hurt?" I rushed, eager to hear her voice and know she was okay.

My fingers tightened around the phone. I didn't even realize I'd stood up. My breath caught like it didn't know whether to keep going or just stop altogether.

There was a pause.

And then, in the softest voice I'd ever heard from her-the voice that always reached into the beast inand tamed it with one gentle breath-she said, 'Kester don't hurt her." I froze.

The room behinddidn't matter anymore. None of it meant shit now.

Because she had spoken.

"It was my fault, she continued in a broken voice. "Please... don't take it out on her. I'm the one who made her tell me. She didn't mean to do anything wrong. She just..." A hitch in her breath. ...she was just trying to helpbecause I compelled her to." There was silence.

And it burned.

And suddenly, I wasn't in that house anymore.

I was trapped in her voice.

I closed my eyes. The phone was hot against my ear, or maybe it was my skin

that was fevered. My fingers twitched at my side like they didn't know What to do anymore. "I'm busy now, baby. I'll be hsoon." I said in a gruff voice.

Because I knew Kasmine, and I knew how dangerous it was to let her keep talking. She'd say just the right words: She'd unravel everything I'd spent hours tying tight. And I was right.

Because right before I could end the call, she said one more thing- "Kester. If you lovelike you say you do... don't hurt Melissa. Please." I felt something splinter in my chest, like old wood.

Goddamn it.

She could undoanytshe wanted. She held so much power over me, and I didn't know if I should be happy or worried about 1. it.

I turned around slowly and took in the sight of the family again, and rage burned through me.

"Kester...?" She whimpered.

Fuck.

She was crying. Fuck My breath leftin a single, shuddering exhale.

I'm on my way home, baby." 3/4 Chapter 295 I took one step back.

Then another. And another.

I stared at Melissa like I wanted to burn a hole straight through herland yes, dial But I didn't dare touch her.

I just turned... and walked away.