Helanie:
His lips tasted like fresh cherries, intoxicating and sweet. His arm was wrapped tightly around my waist, his body pressed firmly against mine. The disgust I used to feel upon someone’s touch was slowly fading when only around certain rogue brothers and it really confused me. But then my body would remember and I would flinch hard.
However, before it could go any further, I remembered we weren’t alone either. My eyes darted toward the car, and I broke the kiss, gently unwrapping his arm from around me. Lucy wasn’t in sight.
"She’s lying down in the backseat," Maximus said, noticing my discomfort and answering my unspoken question.
"What are you doing?" I asked, the realization of what had just happened washing over me. Kissing him was a mistake.
"Your friend ruined my plans for the night, so I decided to steal a little kiss to salvage it," he replied smugly, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. His tone was almost infuriatingly cocky, making me roll my eyes.
"What’s your point? I’m your student and your stepsister. What exactly are you planning here? Because, Maximus, I didn’t feel the mate bond with you. I’m sure whatever you felt was just heat from the combat," I said coldly, even though I didn’t entirely believe my own words.
My life had turned into a complete mess. My friends were fighting and hiding things from me, my reputation at the academy was hanging by a thread, one of my mates had found a chosen mate, and now his brother was claiming to be mine. On top of that, the seniors would undoubtedly be plotting their revenge after their humiliation.
With all this chaos, I couldn’t afford to focus on the romantic side of my life. And I certainly couldn’t accept my mates—not with the promise I made to myself and the challenge I issued to the Moon Goddess.
"I felt it," Maximus said firmly. "I know we’re mates. As for my intentions, they’re clear. You extend your hand, and I’ll hold it." His playful tone had vanished, and I could sense his displeasure at how dismissively I spoke of our mate bond.
"Anyway, I’ll drop you both—" he started, but I cut him off.
"How about I just go back to where Jenny is?" I suggested, but he shook his head.
"Jenny has her brother and Lamar. Lucy’s alone. Go with her and text your friends that you won’t be at their cabin tonight," he said, his tone now practical and calm, more like someone trying to help than someone pushing his agenda.
I’d spoiled his mood, but at least I got some insight into what he was thinking. Sadly, I couldn’t indulge his delusions. I had a mission.
I climbed into the passenger seat, leaving Lucy to sleep in the back. When he dropped us off, I gently woke her and helped her upstairs. She clung to me as we entered the building.
Once inside the elevator, she kept hugging me tightly. As I pressed the button for our floor, a red button lit up unexpectedly. Before I could say anything, Lucy lifted her head, her eyes fixed on it. Then she turned to me, her expression mirroring my own confusion.
"You see it too?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Her reaction confirmed I wasn’t imagining things.
"There’s no tenth floor, Helanie. Why is this button here? It wasn’t there before," Lucy whispered, her voice trembling. I could see the goosebumps rising on her skin.
"We should let it be—" I started, but my words didn’t seem to register. Before I could stop her, she pressed the button.
"Lucy!" I yelled, but she simply shrugged.
"I just want to forget about the pain I’m feeling right now," she murmured, her voice heavy with emotion. It was clear that she was desperate for a distraction, even if it meant venturing into the unknown.
"What is this place?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
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