Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 458

Chapter 458: 458-The Power Of Hickey
Helanie:

“So basically, once again, Helanie saves the day?” Norman asked, narrowing his eyes at me.

It looked more forced than anything because I could tell he was actually happy I came up with the idea of fire arrows.

“I did,” I shrugged, making him roll his eyes before his gaze landed on my neck.

I watched as he squinted and bent down slightly to get a better view before I quickly moved my hair to the side where the hickey was.

We were standing outside the hostel with all the students behind me. They had all woken up by now.

“That was crazy, but Helanie, I’m impressed with your ability to do anything—”

Maximus started to speak, but then he frowned and shook his head. I quickly looked down to make sure my hair was still covering the hickey, but the wind was blowing it away.

“What is that?”

Instead of waiting until we were alone, since he was apparently that desperate to ask, he did it in front of everyone.

Thankfully, they were all behind me so they couldn’t see where he was looking at.

“I got hurt last night. Anyway, I think those things came for Professor Emmet,” I said, trying to change the subject.

As I turned to point at Emmet, I caught him smirking. I swear, this man—

“Yeah, and Helanie wouldn’t let them take away her favorite professor,” he stated loud and clear.

I felt so shy that I instantly looked down. He was bored all the time, didn’t even pay attention until it was about me and then, his energy was different. He made sure I knew from his actions that he felt alive with me.

“True, we would never let that happen. But why would they want to take you away, sir?”

Sage jumped in, taking over the conversation.

The way she kept sliding closer and closer to Emmet made me uncomfortable.

“Maybe they were running out of snowmen,” Emmet commented in a cold tone, but somehow, Sage found it hilarious.

She started laughing so hard that everyone fell silent, just staring at her until her laughter finally died down.

“Okay, everyone, I appreciate your help. It made me realize we’re really building good warriors, Alphas, and Betas,” Norman said, taking charge. “Since the rest of the staff has taken time off, I’m giving you all two days off as well. You can go enjoy your time with your packs and return to the academy to continue classes. The seniors will resume training, and the test will be conducted on the scheduled date.”

Everyone cheered and began heading back inside to pack their belongings while I sighed.

“I am not going back to the mansion.”

“She is not going back to the mansion.”

Emmet and I said it in unison.

The three brothers exchanged glances before looking over at Emmet.

“Why not? It’s her mansion too,” Maximus argued, his face showing clear frustration.

“I’m not comfortable there,” I spoke up since it was about me.

“Why? We’ll be there,” Maximus groaned, looking disappointed.

“It’s okay. I’ll get her a suite. She and her friends can stay there and take a break from all the trouble at the same time,” Norman suggested, making Maximus turn to look at him.

“Maximus, leave it to me,” Norman shut him down before he could argue.

Kaye kept watching my face in silence.

“Thank you,” Emmet responded, and Norman narrowed his eyes at him.

“I mean, she’ll be grateful,” he added quickly.

“I am, thanks!” I said to Norman, though he kept staring at my neck, making me incredibly uncomfortable.

However, since he wasn’t saying anything about it, I figured I was safe. But not from Maximus.

He wasn’t the type to sit in silence and ignore something.

“Is that a hickey?”

Before I could react, he reached over and flicked my hair back, fully exposing my neck.

“Hey!” I protested, quickly pulling my hair to the front again.

“That is?” Kaye asked, raising an eyebrow, though he looked more amused than anything.

“Who—you know what, never mind. It’s not my business,” Norman muttered but then bit his tongue to stop himself from saying more.

“No, I want to know,” Maximus placed his hands on his waist, making me glance at all of them one by one.

“It is indeed a hickey,” Emmet spoke up.

I had expected him to save me somehow. I just didn’t think he’d take such a direct approach.

“Okay, and how do you know?” Maximus turned to face him now.

“Guys, behave. It’s her personal life. Let’s not make her feel pressured to answer,” Norman cut in, shooting a look at Maximus.

He wasn’t very good at whispering, though.

“Maybe go make an announcement over the speaker. I don’t think the ghosts of our ancestors heard you, brother,” Kaye commented with an eye roll, making Norman step back, looking embarrassed.

“It’s not just that. She’s not just hooking up or dating someone—not that it would be an issue if she was. But I’m saying this because… I know who gave her that hickey,” Emmet continued, making my heart twist in my chest.

“Who?” Maximus turned to his brothers.

In a subtle movement, Emmet turned his gaze toward me, smiling before he finally said—

“I gave her that hickey.”

I heard a sharp inhale but didn’t dare lift my head until I saw Maximus move in a flash of lightning and push Emmet back. He put all his strength into it, making Emmet actually budge quite a bit.

“Maximus,” Norman grabbed him from behind and shoved him to the side, his towering figure stepping between his brothers.

“Why would you do that? You’re my brother, and you know she’s—my mate and my ex—” Maximus had tears in his eyes as he questioned his brother for breaking the so-called bro code.

Really?

“As if you didn’t get engaged to Charlotte,” I scoffed at his hypocrisy.

“That makes three of us. You might be next, Norman. Congratulations,” Kaye turned to Norman and patted his back, making him shift uncomfortably.

“Don’t be a jerk,” Norman hissed, slapping Kaye’s hand off.

“Fine, I can expect you to take revenge on me, even though Charlotte is my mate, so things are different. But why did my own brother do this?” Maximus didn’t care if anyone heard him.

However, Norman was freaking out, glancing toward the hostel to make sure nobody was coming outside to witness the commotion.

“I didn’t do anything, and neither did she. Just like Charlotte is your mate—she is mine.”

Emmet squared up, his voice harsher than I’d ever heard before. I had never seen him respond to Maximus in that tone.

He was beyond pissed this time but he had also announced to his brothers that we are mates.