Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 273

Chapter 273: 273-Into The Woods

Helanie:

It was awkward finishing dinner after that. We all ate silently, and sadly, Kaye could barely swallow his food. I did notice something, though. Norman would never let anyone hurt or speak badly to his brothers whenever he was around. Maybe he wasn’t entirely wrong when he claimed he loved his brothers.

I left for my room as soon as dinner was over. In fact, I was the first to leave because I didn’t want another awkward situation to arise. Once in my room, I sat on my bed with my phone in hand.

I had been texting Lamar nonstop and wondered if he had spoken with Jenny after their meeting today.

Lamar: They’ve made a plan. They want us to join them tomorrow night to put it into action.

I frowned because I had no idea how I would leave the mansion for an entire night. The brothers would never allow it, and it wasn’t like I could sneak out with so many warriors stationed around the mansion.

Me: How am I supposed to leave?

Lamar: Talk to Lord McQuoid. Tell him you’re going to stay at a hotel or Jenny’s cabin. Say it’s a friend’s gathering.

He was right. That idea might actually work because teens always had those kinds of gatherings.

I guessed the senior members had done their research because they seemed pretty confident they could capture this monster.

But was I ready to face that Lycan again? What about the fact that he was my mate? Why would the Moon Goddess pair me with a monster who was killing innocent people?

I went to bed early that night so I could wake up and get to work. It was the weekend, and starting Monday, I planned to join Maximus for his job.

It was the same as every other night this past week. There were too many howls and wolves around the mansion. I bet it was because of the Lycan, because after 2 a.m., everything would go completely silent.

I woke up early as planned and put on the same pink dress. I left my hair down and only applied some lip gloss. I’d love to have a whole collection of skincare and makeup in the future. I enjoyed watching those beauty videos.

Screw anyone who frowned upon makeup or judged girls for wearing too much of it. Life is so much better when you love yourself and try new things.

I never judged any girl for wearing makeup or choosing certain types of clothes.

“Good morning.” I had barely stepped into Lord McQuoid’s office on the third floor when regret washed over me. He wasn’t alone. Someone else was in the office, his broad back facing the door.

I already knew who it was from the size of his shoulders.

It was Norman.

“Oh, Helanie, what brings you to my office so early in the morning?” Lord McQuoid’s face lit up when he saw me. I didn’t want to step inside anymore, but I had to since I was already here.

Norman tilted his head slightly, but I couldn’t gauge much of his reaction because his face was turned away.

“I wanted your permission for something,” I spoke softly, walking until I was standing behind Norman’s chair. I noticed him holding a pen, twirling it around his fingers.

“Sure, what is it?” Lord McQuoid asked, his eyes bright and warm. But I hadn’t forgotten how his attitude had shifted last night.

“My friends are hosting a small gathering—a party or maybe more like a sleepover—at Jenny’s cabin tonight. I wanted to join them,” I explained, swallowing hard, like I’d just gulped down a rock.

“Su—” I was pleasantly surprised when Lord McQuoid didn’t look upset by my request. But my hopes were immediately crushed when Norman cut him off to object.

“No!” he said loudly and sharply. He placed his hand on the chair’s armrest and turned to give me a quick glare. “Don’t you realize how dangerous things are these days? And you want to stay in a cabin in the woods?”

He always seemed ready to argue with me.

He could’ve said it calmly first, and if I argued, then maybe gotten angry. But he went straight to being furious.

“But we’ll be fine. Jenny has her guards, and they’ll be on watch,” I argued, growing impatient. I moved my hands as I spoke, trying to emphasize my point.

“No means no. I don’t want anyone blaming us if something happens to you. You’re under our care now, our responsibility,” Norman said harshly. Then, with a grunt and a dismissive wave of his hand, he added, “Now go. Let us work.”

“Norman!” Lord McQuoid waited until Norman finished before interrupting. “She’s your little stepsister. Talk to her nicely. And as for you, Helanie, you have my permission. But make sure Jenny brings her warriors and that you all stay inside the cabin.”

I smiled, relieved, but Norman clearly wasn’t giving up.

“What happened to you, Dad? You’re much nicer to her, but you lose your patience with Kaye so quickly?” I was surprised he compared the situations. So, he wanted to take his anger out on me?

“Norman, I know you take care of everything, but that doesn’t mean you’re my father. I’ll still make my own decisions, and you won’t intervene,” I said firmly.

Lord McQuoid forced a smile at me, though I could tell he was deeply upset with Norman questioning him.

“Helanie! Go ahead, you’ve got my permission.”

I didn’t want to stay and listen to them argue, so I quickly sprinted out of the office and went to my room to pack a small bag. I knew I’d need some things.

I quickly informed Lamar that I had permission, and he should come pick me up before Norman caused any problems.

Lamar arrived, and before anyone else noticed or knew I was leaving for the night, I was already on the back of his bike, heading to Jenny’s cabin. The woods were right next to the mountains, so we didn’t take long to get there.

We didn’t speak during the ride since the weather was bad, and we didn’t want to make any stops. We arrived at the cabin around 12 pm, just in time to discuss the plan with the top seniors, who hadn’t shown up yet. But Penn and Jenny were already on the front porch.

“Best of luck,” Lamar whispered to me, causing my heart to beat even faster. I knew he still wasn’t okay with me going out in the woods to chase after the Lycan tonight.