Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 536

Chapter 536: 536-Has She Fallen For Him?
Emmet:

“She’s a mess. It’s only been a few hours, and she hasn’t stopped crying, passed out twice, and hasn’t even let a single drop of water go down her throat,” Maximus grunted, shaking his head as he fisted his palm.

I heard him, and I had seen her too.

It was like someone had reached down my throat and grabbed my heart in their fist. It wasn’t easy to see Helanie show so much love and concern for my brother. I was worried for him myself and would do absolutely everything to get him out, but the way she showed it, it was different.

“She had done something similar for us. Even more. Remember when we were taken by the Glimard? She chased us in the snow to rescue us and found us,” my wolf shocked me when he took her side. I always thought he didn’t want me to accept her.

But I also knew why.

Accepting her means making her go through the pain I carry. My wolf would rather see us suffer alone than make our mate feel it too.

“So what, Maximus?” I took a stand for her, because I always would, no matter what. “That only shows what a ride or die she is. Our brother has done everything for her in return for nothing. I’m glad she took that stand, because what you didn’t see, I did,” I nodded, forcing myself to smile even when it wasn’t easy for me to cope with that information.

“What did you see?” Kaye questioned.

We were having a meeting in the garden, away from everyone, trying to figure out how to help Norman out. But it was a little confusing that they had found his DNA everywhere at the crime scene.

But I trusted my brother when he looked me in the eye and told me that he had nothing to do with it. There is no amount of evidence that could outweigh my brother’s words for me.

“Norman looked slightly at ease. I guess he was surprised Helanie took such a bold step for him. So we should be thanking her for giving him some peace before he was taken away,” I stated, watching them nod reluctantly.

“Now what do we do? If he stays in jail for another day, Helanie will lose her eyesight from crying. Which is a bit odd—and I’m not judging or complaining—just pointing it out,” Maximus quickly explained so I wouldn’t lecture him again.

“She acts so mature and stubborn around me—,” he stopped when Kaye had to add something.

“Distant and aloof with me,” he grunted, almost pitying.

“Decent and very obedient with Emmet.” Since I didn’t say anything from my side, Maximus shared his own observation.

“But she acts like a spoiled brat—a cute one, in front of Norman,” Maximus was right. It made me feel a little jealous too.

“Not little. If we can use the heat inside you, we can light the world up in flames,” my wolf groaned at me.

“Anyway, let’s see what could be done—” I stopped talking when I saw a maid running towards us.

“Helanie Niles is crashing out,” his words made us exchange a glance before rushing out of our seats to check on her. And just like the maid had said, she had locked herself in the room and was throwing things around.

“Step back,” I gestured at my brothers before I shouldered the door open. The inside of the room was a mess. She had broken every vase in Norman’s room, every chair was thrown against the wall, and every door was in pieces.

“Norman wouldn’t be very happy,” Charlotte sang in her mocking tone, causing me to turn and give her a harsh glare.

She quickly straightened her back and looked down. I also noticed Helanie’s mother standing among us. She was trying her best to look like she was only here for the drama, but she couldn’t fool me. I could see right through her. The way she was biting the inside of her cheek and blinking constantly was a hint that she was worried for her daughter.

“Helanie,” I stepped into the room, making sure she didn’t step on the broken pieces of glass.

She threw her body into my arms and began to sob again.

“Get her out of the second floor. Don’t leave anyone behind,” I whispered to Maximus, gesturing at Charlotte. I knew she didn’t care at all about Helanie, so she shouldn’t be standing there watching her suffer.

Maximus walked out, pointing at Charlotte to follow him, while Kaye started to leave to get the maids and other servants out for a few minutes.

“Helanie, it will be alright,” it felt like committing a crime when I hugged her back. But at the same time, it was the type of crime I wouldn’t mind being punished for. I never thought I’d be able to hold her in my arms again.

“It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have dragged you brothers into this mess. Now he will be in prison—” She broke the hug and stomped her feet, one after another like a child throwing a tantrum.

Her eyes were swollen shut at this point. The idea of my brother being in prison for even a minute was killing her.

Her mother quietly stepped into the room, the only one with us at that moment.

“It’s not your fault. And my brother will be out in no time. We will offer a huge deal and free weapons—we’ll do anything to make them release Norman. It’s not like Zellu’s life means more to them than some good weapons,” I said, though I wasn’t sure it would work. Not that they cared about Zellu after he committed his crimes. But the other Alphas were scared of the weapons being used on them, so they wanted to make a statement by punishing Norman.

But my words were enough to make Helanie stare at me with hopeful eyes.

“They will free him?” she asked, her big eyes wide open and teary.

“They will release him,” I said. It wasn’t me who said it, but the woman watching her silently.

Her mother.