Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother novel Chapter 250

KASMINE.

It was finally happening.

My birthday!!!

The day I’d dreamt of since I was old enough to understand what it meant. The day I would shift for the first time, meet my wolf, and maybe—just maybe–feel the mate bond that would finally free me from the chains I’d never dared speak of since I turned 16 – my stepbrother.

But why, then, did my heart feel so heavy?

Why did it feel like today–my day–wasn’t mine at all?

I was supposed to be excited, giddy even. Months ago, I’d imagined this evening with a smile on my face and hope lighting up my

soul.

Instead, my chest ached. There was a tremble in my fingers that no one else could see.

Because stupid, naive me had gotten entangled. Entangled with the one person I should have run from so much so that today, which was meant to be my happy day, I’d feel sadder than a woman who just lost her mate. No. Not just lost him. Watched him die and had to keep breathing anyway.

“Oh, Selene! You already look breathtaking!” Claire shrieked behind me, shattering the veil of my thoughts.

I offered her a small smile in the mirror, my fingers tightening around the edge of the vanity as the maids fluttered around me, twisting my hair into a crown I no longer felt worthy to wear.

No matter how sad I felt, I was proud of the woman staring back at me from the mirror.

My gown slid over my skin like water. A long, black silhouette that hugged my curves before spilling down to the floor in waves of satin. It shimmered faintly under the chandelier’s light, catching on every edge like it was alive, like it knew it was meant to leave people breathless.

The neckline dipped just enough to tease, framed with delicate embroidery that almost looked like black vines, curling toward the hollow of my throat where my gold necklace sat.

That necklace never leaves my neck. Not even when I didn’t want to set eyes on the man who gave it to me.

Claire practically bounced behind me, still gushing. “God, I swear, if was a wolf, I’d mark you myself. You’re dangerous, Kasmine!”

I gave a dry laugh. She didn’t catch it, though. Claire never did when she was too hyped.

My eyes drifted back to the mirror. Smokey eyeshadow framed my gaze, making it darker than usual. Bold. Beautiful. I looked… like the woman everyone expected me to be tonight. Strong. Regal. Ready

But inside, I was slipping. Slowly and quietly.

As one of the maidjusted the clasp on the back of my gown, my thoughts slid where they had been trying to go all day.

Kester.

I hadn’t seen him since I got back from Claire’s house. The house fel empty. His intimidating presence was nowhere around the