Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 292

Chapter 292: 292-Giving My Stepbrother A Chance

Helanie:

“Maximus, what are you saying?” I wasn’t sure if he was even in his right mind. He seemed drunk and probably didn’t even know what he was talking about.

“Tell me, Helanie. Can you give me a chance in your life? I’m not asking you to accept me right away, but at least let me stop this engagement so we can figure out our own… relationship,” he pleaded, his eyes looking like they were about to overflow with tears.

I was worried about him. Seeing him so upset wasn’t something I was prepared for. And it confused me how deeply concerned I felt seeing him like this.

“Tell me, what do you feel about me?” he insisted, stepping inside so he could enter my room. I had to step back to maintain some distance.

“There’s so much you don’t even know about me—,” I started rambling, but he quickly hushed me.

“First, tell me. Do you even feel anything for me?” he asked, bending down and resting his hands on his knees. “I want to date you. Let’s see if you can fall for me. Tell me if you even like me, even a little,” he demanded, his eyes shimmering with tears.

I had never known he could be so broken because of me.

“Tell me,” he pressed again, his voice louder now. The reflexive answer slipped out of me instantly.

“Yes!”

That was all I said before his face lit up. He cupped my cheeks in his hands and pulled me closer. The moment his lips touched mine, the unease in my body started to fade.

It felt strange. I thought I hated being touched by anyone now. Was my body healing? First Kaye, and now Maximus.

But then, I remembered Lord McQuoid’s announcement, and I gently pulled away from the kiss. I hadn’t even had the chance to savor it properly before the thought hit me hard.

“Helanie, just let me take care of everything,” he said, suddenly sounding so reassured.

“Maximus, I do have feelings for you, but that doesn’t mean—,” I tried explaining, but he seemed to already know where I was going with it.

“I just want to date you first. I know where I stand, but it’ll help you figure out where you stand and if you want to accept me as your mate and husband,” he said with understanding in his voice.

I knew I had answered his question and given him hope, but there was a part of me that couldn’t stop worrying about so many things.

About his brothers being my mates, about my mother being his stepsister, about my revenge, and even about my own mental health.

“It’s okay. Whatever it is that you think I don’t know, you can share it with me. I won’t judge. I’m just so happy—,” he said, excitedly jumping up and down before forcing himself to act more composed. “Hey, don’t be too worried. I’ll make sure to stop this engagement.”

But this was the moment I had to stop him. “You have to wait first. Don’t do anything until I say so. Because, Maximus, I’m not sure if I’m ready to date you yet. Let the engagement pass—it’s not like it’s their mating ceremony.”

I didn’t know why I felt so uneasy. I knew he wasn’t my fated mate, so I didn’t have to worry about the promise I made to the Moon Goddess about not accepting anyone she chose for me. But still, there was something Kaye needed to do before I could move forward and date Maximus.

Yes, I was enjoying Maximus’ company. And it felt like it was about time I let someone into my life—not to mark me or fully accept me, but at least to show me that I could have a happy life, too. And Maximus was someone who had recently touched my heart.

“But Helanie, that would be too late. This engagement will announce their relationship to the world,” he said, shaking his head in disapproval.

“The world already knows, Maximus,” I replied, and he let out a sigh.

“I just need to do something, and then—” I paused, but he smiled even brighter.

“And then you’ll date me, right? Damn it! I can’t believe you’ll actually be mine,” he said with a happy sigh, placing his hands on his waist.

Was it really such a big deal for him to date me?

He seemed so happy about it. I knew I’d face harsh criticism from the academy students, from his brothers, and even from my mother, who might come for my throat. But I would be happy.

If I could fight for myself, I could fight for my love, too.

“Maximus, just don’t celebrate too soon. Once I’ve taken care of this one thing, I’ll need you to sit down and listen to me. There’s a lot, like I said, that you need to know about me. And I’m not sure if that will change how you see me. That’s why I want you to make your decision after you’ve heard everything,” I said nervously, pacing back and forth, likely confusing him even more.

“You don’t even know anything about me yet. Not even that I couldn’t get to celebrate my eighteenth birthday. There is so much,” I suddenly stopped talking. That eighteenth birthday that I wanted to celebrate so bad got me in trouble.

“There’s nothing you could say that would make me love you any less. I’ll be waiting,” he said lovingly, his tone always so soft when he spoke to me.

“But tell me, what were you doing before I got here?” he asked, raising a brow as his gaze fell on the pillow on the floor.

Then his eyes moved to my phone, where a video was still playing. He tilted his head slightly, then nodded as if piecing together what I had been up to.

“You want to learn to fight? Is it for Norman’s classes?” he asked. Of course, he had no idea it was for something else entirely. But sure, it would help me with the combat class as well.

“How about this—I’ll ask Norman to give you lessons. I could teach you myself, but I’m not a great teacher, just a good fighter. Norman, on the other hand, has proper lessons planned out. If he could tutor you before his classes officially start, you’d be ready for them. What do you think?”

His suggestion would have been perfect—if only it had been about anyone other than Norman.

But one has to bow before the buffoon in times of need.

So, with a gentle nod of my head, I accepted his offer. “That would be so helpful,” I replied.