Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 199

Chapter 199: 199-Off-Limits Now

Helanie:

“What happened? Why did you stop? Don’t you want to take revenge? Let me in, and you can be the best among everyone. The power you will hold will let you do wonders. Those Alphas won’t stand a chance against you,” the voice urged, its tone growing impatient. It almost sounded excited at the thought of me letting it take over my body.

“No!” I groaned, pulling my hand back from the doorknob.

“Why not? You could get revenge on anyone with the power I’m offering you,” it said, sounding slightly disappointed that I had withdrawn my hand.

“What would you gain from helping me? I know no one does anything for free. So, what do you want in return?” I asked, my voice steady despite the growing tension.

At this point, I had seen enough terrifying things that the voice, and whatever dark secrets it held, didn’t scare me as much as it had the first time.

“Hmm, you’re quite cunning, Helanie,” it replied. “Most people who have been through as much trauma as you wouldn’t think twice before accepting help. As for me, I just want to help. I’m cursed to remain trapped here for eternity. My punishment ends when I help someone. I want to help you and finally be set free. I want to leave this world and be with my loved ones in the afterlife.”

The sadness in its voice was almost heartbreaking.

“Who are you? What did you do to deserve being trapped here?” I asked. But the voice went silent.

Just then, my phone started to ring. I frowned as I glanced at the caller ID: Professor Kaye Calling…

I declined the call and looked around, feeling the cold air bite at my skin. Moments later, another call came through—this time from Lamar.

I scratched my scalp, confused.

“Go take the elevator. I’ll see you again soon,” the entity advised. I hesitated but eventually stepped back into the elevator.

After reaching my floor, I decided to answer the next incoming call, which was from Kaye.

“Hello?” I said, but was met with heavy breathing on the other end. My body froze, and a sudden wave of dizziness hit me.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Helanie?” Suddenly, he said my name, and I straightened my back.

“Where the heck were you? Your friends called me and told me you’ve been missing for hours, and then—” As he spoke, he abruptly stopped and began to moan loudly. “Ughhh, Kesha, you’re so sexy.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear, disgusted. Raising my head, I realized I was back on the tenth floor again.

It felt like I was stuck in a loop.

“It was just a little hint to show you how much things can hurt you,” the entity said mockingly. “Kaye will soon have sex with that chosen mate of his. And then what? You’ll cry and feel lonely. Let me help you!”

So it was all just an illusion. This entity was messing with my mind, forcing me to confront painful truths.

Instead of engaging with it again, I turned and rushed back to the elevator. But this time, it felt real—no illusions, no tricks. I left the tenth floor and finally made it back to my own.

The minute I stepped out of the elevator, my breath hitched. Rayden was leaning casually against my dorm room door, his hands shoved into his pockets.

My body tensed. I hadn’t expected him to follow me.

I stayed rooted just outside the elevator, debating whether to step back inside and retreat to the ground floor. But no—that would make it seem like I was afraid of him.

“What happened?” he asked from across the hall, a nasty smirk plastered on his face.

“Step aside. This is my room,” I said firmly, keeping my distance.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t take orders from anyone,” he replied, shrugging nonchalantly.

Just then, the door behind him opened, and he nearly stumbled back before catching himself. Lamar stepped out, his gaze flicking between us.

“What’s going on here?” Lamar asked, his tone calm but with an edge that suggested he’d overheard something.

Rayden’s smile widened as if he was trying to ease the tension. “Nothing,” he said smoothly, slipping his hands back into his pockets. “I think your friend doesn’t like me very much. It’s so hard to get your mate’s friends to like you, isn’t it?” he added with a forced chuckle, placing a hand on Lamar’s shoulder.

Lamar didn’t flinch but simply folded his arms over his chest. His piercing glare bore into Rayden’s hand until he got the message and removed it.

“Look,” Lamar said, gesturing at me with a quick glance. “That girl over there? She’s my best friend. She’s very—very—dear to me. To the point that I wouldn’t hesitate to shove my hand up someone’s ass and pull their alpha wolf out through their anus if they upset her.”

The threat wasn’t direct, but we both understood it. Rayden’s smirk faltered slightly.

“She’s a special one,” came another voice. Gavin appeared at the top of the stairs, his narrowed eyes locking onto Rayden.

“Jeez! Calm down. I was just teasing her,” Rayden said, raising his hands slightly in mock surrender. “I saw her coming and decided to stand outside the door to block her path. Of course, I know she’s important to you all.”

The disappointment on Rayden’s face was evident. I bet he’d never expected me to have someone who would stand up for me. Not after how easily they’d played me the last time, when Altan ran away from the scene of the crime.

“You shouldn’t joke with her,” Lamar said firmly. “There are plenty of other girls in this hostel. Try pranking them. She’s off-limits.”

This time, Lamar placed his heavy hand on Rayden’s shoulder.

Though Rayden didn’t budge—being an Alpha, his strength was unmatched—it was clear Lamar wasn’t intimidated by him either.

“Got it,” Rayden muttered under his breath, his smile fading. He began walking past Lamar and then me, briefly locking eyes with me before taking the stairs.

I hurried toward my room, eager to put this whole interaction behind me, when I heard Gavin call out, “Helanie!”

Without turning around, I replied, “Not tonight, Gavin. I don’t want to talk.”