Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 419

Chapter 419: 419-The Kiss I Rejected For The Kiss I Enjoyed
Helanie:

I froze at his unexpected behavior. But I wasn’t offended. I was just too shocked to respond.

“So? Do you want me to explain more?” he let out a small laugh when I stayed silent, and I snapped out of my daze.

Still unable to respond properly.

“What happened?” he snapped his fingers in front of my face.

“I… am not jealous,” I tried to compose myself, leaving the questions for later.

I was confused about what had just happened.

“Really? Do you want me to call her—” As soon as he said that and grabbed his phone, I jumped in my seat and stopped his hand.

“No! Don’t. And yes! I don’t want you to date her. I mean, I don’t want you to date anyone,” I muttered under my breath, and he leaned back comfortably once again.

“It’s because I believe you deserve someone… very special,” I said, still unable to think properly.

“I’ll go now,” I hastily got up when I felt like it was too late for me to bring up the kiss.

I couldn’t gather my thoughts properly. He didn’t stop me this time, but his words did.

“She asked me to help her with a gift when she accidentally bumped into me at the shop. I didn’t even realize you thought she and I were dating over that one encounter.”

I turned and sighed, swallowing hard.

“Okay,” I replied, but as I turned my head again, he spoke.

“I have something for you.”

I stopped again and turned to him. He rolled his chair behind his desk, opened a drawer, and pulled something out.

He placed the compass on the desk, nearly taking my breath away.

“You’ve been very interested in this. You can have it,” he tapped his fingers on the compass. I kept staring at it, wondering if it would be rude to accept a magical item that had once been displayed in the academy library.

“Go on, take it. It’s all yours,” he leaned back again, this time rubbing his fingertip over his bottom lip. But it wasn’t done in a creepy or suggestive way. He was unconsciously touching his lips, while I was the one captivated by his every little move.

I walked over to him and the minute I tried picking it up, he snatched it back, his eyes suggesting a playful tease. I gulped shyly, praying he stops or else I will lose my control.

“Am I not going to get anything in return for it?” he asked, his eyebrow raising high on his forehead.

“What do you want?” I asked, sounding so obedient.

He gently touched his lips, and before I could get any ideas, he said, “A smile.”

That was it?

I gave him an awkward smile, and he laughed at it before putting it down again.

I carefully picked it up, watching the needles go crazy. Before he could notice the way they were moving, I shoved it into my pocket.

“Thank you,” I murmured, and he just blinked once in response.

I walked out of the room, all the while hoping he would stop me one more time. I wanted to stay in that room and listen to him talk. But it was only after I left his office that I touched my lips.

“Wait… he kissed me,” I uttered, shocked, still glancing back at the door even as I kept walking forward.

“Does that mean all the things he does for me aren’t just for his stepsister?” I asked myself, a small smile creeping onto my lips.

“Ah, shit. I should have told him that I made a promise to the Moon Goddess and that I would wait—but then I’d have to tell him about our mate bond. And what if he doesn’t remember and gets frustrated?” I kept rambling under my breath, wondering what the right step should have been.

Avoiding it all, I walked out of the academy and headed toward the hostel. The seniors were gone—at least all except one.

The one I was desperately trying to avoid was pacing back and forth in front of the main gate, his phone pressed to his ear. He was whispering—or more like listening in a bad mood—when his eyes landed on me.

“I’ll talk to you later, Dad,” he muttered before hanging up and rushing to block my path.

“I’m not in the mood, Rudy,” I said, trying to walk past him, but he kept stepping in my way.

“At least let me apologize,” he insisted.

I stopped resisting and gave him a long stare.

“Nobody is stopping you. Go ahead and apologize to Jenny, Lamar, and Penn—the ones you actually belittled,” I folded my arms across my chest, making it clear that an apology to me didn’t make sense.

“You want an alpha to bow down before another alpha?” he asked in an offended tone.

“An alpha apologizing to a she-wolf without a wolf—without even doing anything to her in particular?” I called him out on his hypocrisy, but he already had a response ready.

“And I’m sure I don’t have to remind you why an alpha can bow before a she-wolf but not another alpha. It’s about the heart. When my entire existence is ready to bow for you, my ego means nothing. And if it means that much to you, I’ll apologize to them too. I’m ready to do anything to… have a chance with you.”

I wish he had stopped before that.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable. I had just shared a small kiss with someone I had a crush on, and nothing could top that moment—not even Rudy.

His eyes narrowed on my lips, and in a burst of emotion, he leaned forward to kiss me.

I quickly placed my hands on his chest and pulled away, shocking him—and myself.

“I’m so sorry—I—” he stammered, looking hurt, especially when someone else came to witness the scene.

“Maybe a rejection would make your brain work again,” Penn taunted, standing with Lamar and Jenny behind him.

“Penn,” I shot him a look—a warning not to hurt the already wounded.

“Rudy, I—” I murmured, but he was already prepared to leave.

He bolted past us like he had somewhere urgent to be.