Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 322

Chapter 322: 322-His Drunk Brother

Helanie:

“That seems scary. I’m so glad Professor Kaye was there to help you out,” Lamar said, throwing a stone away after I finished telling them part of what I went through in Rune’s dream prison—obviously leaving out the whole kiss and mate bond thing with Kaye.

We sat on the ground in a circle, trying to think of a way to help Lucy.

“But—now we know how to get out of it. All we need to do is find the rose in the dream prison, which is our way out, and just destroy it,” Gavin still hoped this was the way to help Lucy out of her coma because it was the only thing we knew of. Finding another way would take too much time.

“That’s the issue, Gavin. It’s not that easy to find yourself, let alone that rose. And Rune will be even stricter now that Kaye and I escaped his grasp,” I wanted him to understand how dangerous Rune could be.

“Besides, didn’t she tell you how it’s done? Lucy can’t sniff out the rose herself, and it doesn’t work any other way,” Lamar helped him understand why this plan wouldn’t work either.

“I just can’t believe she’s lying in the hospital because of me, and I—” Gavin broke down for the fifth time. Lamar had to hug him while giving me a sad look. He really felt Gavin’s pain, and so did I.

“Gavin,” I slid closer to him and wrapped my arm around him. Lamar and I stayed with him, hugging him as he cried his heart out. After he was done, and they were ready to leave, I called out to Gavin one last time. The thing was, he became my friend before Lamar, and I could tell it was bothering him that he was now left out completely.

“Gavin, are you and Salem okay? I just know she has been trying to reach out to you,” I wanted to rebuild our friendship, but it would take some time—especially after he manipulated Lucy so much.

But then again, he was guilty, and if Lucy wakes up and forgives him, we won’t have any reason to keep distancing ourselves from him.

“I know. I don’t want to think about anyone else until I’ve helped Lucy. I can’t be happy if she’s not happy,” Gavin said softly, sitting on Lamar’s bike.

The two sped away, while I wanted to go meet Kaye at the hotel. But I didn’t think going unannounced would be a good idea.

So, I called Emmet first since he was easier to talk to.

“Hello?” His voice was so raspy, and the cold tone he used made him sound even more intriguing.

“Umm, I was thinking about meeting Kaye. Is he okay now?” I asked, guilt dripping from my voice.

“He’s still pretty much the same. But don’t worry, he’ll be fine soon,” he reassured me again, just like the other day.

“And if you want to meet him, I’m at home and heading to the hotel. I can take you with me,” he offered while groaning a little, probably getting ready to leave.

“Okay, thank you so much. I’m on my way home—or you can pick me up on the road—” I didn’t want to go home and then leave again. If he picked me up on the way, it would save us both time.

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” I heard him mumble, followed by the sound of fabric ripping.

“Seriously?” he complained. “I freaking ripped my new shirt.” That was the first time he had talked to me about random things.

“Never mind, I’ll just wear this one.” At this point, I realized he wasn’t even talking to me. But since he stayed on the call, I did too. Don’t ask me why. Walking alone on the empty road in the dark would have been really scary if he hadn’t been on the phone with me.

After a few minutes, he just hung up as if he forgot he was on the call in the first place.

I was strolling toward the mansion, not in a hurry, when Emmet’s car pulled up. He opened the passenger-side door for me, and I slipped inside.

“Where were you all day?” he asked, starting the car again.

“I went out to meet my friends,” I replied, adjusting my seatbelt.

The rest of the car ride was mostly silent. Emmet hardly said anything, just kept nodding his head like he was lost in thought.

After a while, we arrived at the hotel. We both got out, only to be met with news that even Emmet didn’t expect.

“What do you mean we can’t meet him?” Emmet asked Maximus, who had come to speak with him. He raised a brow at me, probably surprised to see me with his brother, but then focused back on Emmet.

“I don’t know. By the time I arrived, Norman had already taken him away. He told me Kaye needs some time and that it’s better if we leave him alone for now. The more he sees all of us, the more depressed he gets. I don’t even know what that means,” Maximus scoffed, clearly unhappy about Norman taking Kaye away.

“I’m sure Norman has a good reason for it.” Emmet didn’t seem happy either, but he always put his faith in Norman.

I wasn’t too sure. He did it after I told him about Emmet and Kaye. Was he doing it to keep me away from him?

I wasn’t going to ask Kaye for rejection—not after the last time when he got so upset. I wasn’t that heartless. I came here just to check on him.

“Of course, you would say that. It saves you time,” Maximus taunted Emmet, who only gave him a stare before reaching into his pocket.

“Hey, you’re not going to drink when you came here with her, right?” Maximus quickly objected.

“I was just looking for chewing gum,” Emmet defended himself, his miserable tone unintentionally shifting the mood.

“Well, you chew your gum, and I’ll take Helena home,” of course, Maximus wouldn’t let this opportunity slip away.

Emmet didn’t argue, and since I didn’t either, Maximus and I headed to his car. He had one big question for me.

“So? Did you do what you needed time for?”