Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 285

Chapter 285: 285-His Sweet Confession

Helanie:

“He used to avoid me like I didn’t even exist. There were times when he could just walk past me—no! Walk through me,” I uttered, still sobbing as I spilled my heart to him. Although I couldn’t tell him about the Alphas, I did speak about my father and my stepmother.

“Helanie, tell me where they are, and I will fucking kill them in the worst way possible,” he said, gripping my hands again. He pulled me slightly away, just enough to make his point, though I was still close, my hands resting on his chest and my eyes locked with his.

If only I could tell him everything. I just couldn’t. If I told him about the Alphas and he went after them, I would be asked to provide evidence. Then I wouldn’t be able to take my revenge. They’d become vigilant, and I couldn’t risk that.

They will never understand the lengths I am willing to go to make them bow to me.

“It was a long time ago. I was very young when I left the pack. I’m sure my dad and stepmother left that pack as well,” I lied, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

From what Charlotte and Emma told me, my mother never revealed anything about my father being in the same pack. I’m certain she didn’t know herself. The last time she spoke with him, my dad told her he’d take me and leave for another pack to start anew, ensuring she would never find us.

My mother must have lived her life believing my father abandoned the pack.

“I don’t hold that anger in my heart for them. But I want to transition so these scars go away,” I added, though I didn’t mean it.

Those scars were the only thing I was terrified of losing.

I didn’t want them to fade until I had exact my revenge. They were my motivation. I owed it to my body to keep them.

“I’m sure you will,” he said softly. “You just need to keep believing and wanting your wolf. Show the desire to transition.” He paused, placing a hand on his forehead, his expression tightening. He seemed so infuriated, but I could tell he was keeping his anger in check for me. That much I knew.

But I was already regretting bringing up my father. I had no idea how far he was willing to go to find them. And if he did, it would only spell disaster for me.

It was then that I realized something: I wanted my wolf, but I wasn’t sure if I truly wanted to transition. Could that doubt be what had silenced my wolf again?

“Promise me something,” I said softly, reaching for his hand. The moment our hands touched, I noticed how warm his hand was. Not just warm—it felt like fire.

“Hmm?” He lifted his head from the ground, his red eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“You will not do anything without my permission. I don’t want you going after my father. Whatever he was, whatever he may be, he’s still my father. I could never bear for you—or anyone—to hurt him,” I uttered, though the words felt hollow.

It was true that knowing someone hurt my father would devastate me, but it wasn’t as though he didn’t deserve it. Still, the thought of him being harmed was too much.

“You really do have a heart of gold, don’t you?” Maximus smiled softly, raising my hand to his lips and kissing the back of it. For the first time, I didn’t pull away.

“Maximus, why is your body so hot?” I asked after a moment, noticing the warmth radiating from him. Letting it all out while he hugged me had made me feel better.

“I’m fine. I just—okay, hear me out,” he said quickly, dragging me over to the bed and gently making me sit down. He knelt in front of me, his gaze steady but filled with emotion.

“I get very possessive over you, okay? I don’t know if it’s the mate bond or something else, but I just… I get so angry when someone hurts you, upsets you, flirts with you, talks to you, or even looks at you. I never thought I had this in me, Helanie. But ever since I started seeing you differently, I’ve just felt like—ugh! I think I’ve fallen in love with you.”

My heart thundered in my chest as his words sank in. His confession was raw, almost explosive, leaving me speechless.

“You don’t have to feel the same way,” he added quickly, as though afraid I’d reject him. “I just needed to get it off my chest. I’ve been trying—trust me, I’ve tried my best not to fall for you. But you’re… you’re incredible. Your scent, oh Goddess, your scent. Whenever I get too close to you, it hits me like the most expensive drug, and I can’t help myself,” he rambled, his words tumbling out in a flurry that left me blushing.

It wasn’t as though I hadn’t noticed it too. But the difference with Maximus was that he wasn’t my fated mate. I had made no promises about anyone who wasn’t my mate.

“And you blushing gives me hope,” he said with a pout, his tone softer now but no less intense.

“No! Don’t get any wrong ideas. Remember, we’re stepsiblings,” I said sharply, grimacing at the thought.

“And you are my trainer, and also—” he pointed a finger at me, cutting me off mid-sentence.

“Is there anything else left that makes this taboo? Don’t add any more titles,” he said with a smirk. “As for me being your trainer, there’s no such rule. I’ll deal with the rest.”

His confidence made me frown and raise an eyebrow at him. He sounded so self-assured, so certain about us.

“Anyway, you should go before anyone sees you in my room,” I said, freeing my hand from his and pointing toward the door. I reminded him of the others in the mansion who might be lurking around. If Charlotte saw him here with me, she’d go absolutely nuts.

“Okay,” he said with a sigh, but then he hesitated. “At least let me kiss you on the cheek. Please—a goodnight kiss.”

His request was so endearing that I almost gave in. Almost. I bit my lip, torn between saying yes and declining outright.

He seemed to take my silence as a yes. Leaning in closer, he gently pressed his lips to my cheek. His touch was soft, comforting, and respectful in a way that made my heart flutter. The fact that he’d asked for my permission only deepened that feeling.