Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 572

Chapter 572: 572-Her Fiance Is Team Helanie
Helanie:

“Tell me, what did you two talk about?” he asked again, making me fold my arms around my chest and lean back comfortably. I was too happy for Emmet at that moment, so I was much more relaxed.

“It’s between us,” I replied and noticed how he reluctantly nodded. Why was he so interested in what we talked about?

“Hmm,” he replied.

The others had their cars following us. I was told they had prepared something for me, so I was really excited to find out what it was.

“By the way, don’t think I’ll forget what you did—you’ll have to explain yourself to me later,” I said. I didn’t even know what kind of explanation I expected from him for kissing me like a hungry beast in the woods.

It was so random and out of his character. I thought he loved Jessica. And oh! I was so shaken by the kiss and his touch that I forgot he had slept with Jessica. He can’t sleep with her and then cheat on her with me.

“Good. I didn’t do it for you to forget about it either. And sure, I’ll explain further in the bedroom tonight,” he said in a very grumpy and casually bossy tone. The words were so bold that my heart sank in my chest. I bit the inside of my cheek, trying hard not to show my irritation.

“You’re saying mean things,” I commented, having no idea how else to respond to him.

“Wait till I do mean things,” he muttered under his breath as we reached the mansion.

He got out quickly before I could, just so he could open the door for me. I had no clue what he was doing. Once I stepped out of the car, my attention shifted from him and his mischief to the setting.

Red roses were all I could see. The garden was filled with red balloons—guests present and so much else done.

“All that for me?” I asked Norman in tears, and he smiled, nodding his head.

I was so excited as I walked the red carpet to reach the platform. The brothers quickly joined me—Emma, Charlotte, my mother, and Lord McQuoid were all present.

There were other pack officials as well as Vonston. And then there were royal warriors on the side. One of them had a big red cushion in his hand with a shining diamond crown placed on top.

“We prepared a new one for you on the request of the rogue king brothers,” Vonston announced, gesturing for the man to hand over the crown to Lord McQuoid.

My eyes landed on the crowd and I saw Charlotte looking happy, and her mother glaring at her in shock. I was so happy that I couldn’t focus on anyone else—there were many familiar faces in the crowd. Even Darcy was there, looking bored.

“We crown you—,” as Lord McQuoid held the crown and was about to raise it, he stopped and turned to look at my mother in the crowd. I followed his gaze and noticed my mother in tears, with a smile on her lips.

It was odd. The two exchanged a look, and my mother gestured for him to do it. What was going on? Did she want to crown me herself? But if she did, she would have come up to the stage already.

“I crown you as the Alpha Queen of the North,” Lord McQuoid continued and gently placed the crown on my head, making everyone cheer loudly. Fireworks lit up the sky, and I couldn’t help but cry softly. A big cake with my face on it was brought in to celebrate my birthday next.

Like the brothers had said, I had decided to spend this day as a reminder of victory over wrong instead of that traumatic night.

The air erupted with loud claps when I cut the cake. I fed it to Norman, Emmet, Maximus, and Kaye, happily accepting it back when they fed me in return.

All this time, I had been smiling so much that my cheeks actually hurt. The rest of the evening was perfect. I didn’t get a chance to speak with everyone from the crowd, including Darcy, until I found myself in the kitchen, pouring a glass of juice.

I had eaten plenty, but I still craved some fresh juice to clear my throat. The cheering and music had been so loud that I had to speak over it constantly, and my throat had gotten dry.

“Hey,” I almost spat my drink out when Kaye rushed in, waving at me before grabbing a napkin.

“What happened to you?” I asked, trying not to laugh. He had cake smudged all over his face.

“My stupid brothers happened,” he growled playfully. “I suggested we smudge cake on your face, so they did it to me instead.”

He rolled his eyes, and I burst out laughing.

“Well, you should know by now—your brothers are Team Helanie,” I said with a shrug, stating it out loud and confidently.

“I am too,” he whispered under his breath while wiping his face.

“You’re Team Helanie?” It was Kesha, entering the kitchen and gently patting his back. “Let me clean it for you.”

Her arrival was strange. She was so quiet—her steps were so soft you could barely hear her walk. But whenever she was around, I always felt a weird sense of unease.

‘Probably because she’s rubbing your mate’s back?’ Cora muttered inside me. I hushed her to silence.

“So, Helanie, I would’ve congratulated you—but you won against a rapist. Those are the weakest of men,” she began, her voice calm and collected. “Please don’t take this as an insult, but that victory was more about justice than strength. All these people cheering for you, crowning you—they have high hopes. But do you know, only the strongest can stand against real monsters, the kind true Alpha Kings and Queens face.”

Her delivery was smooth. Even though her words were full of jealousy and hidden jabs, her tone and graceful hand movements distracted from the toxicity of it.

“And Helanie can fight any real monster too,” Kaye snapped, still dabbing his face with a napkin. He didn’t even bother explaining the ‘Team Helanie’ comment. One look at Kesha’s face told me she didn’t like that response.