Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9: 9-Fool Me Once!

Helanie:

I had woken up early, anxious about my stepbrother waking and revealing the truth about our mate bond. Would he be that stupid to tell everyone and get us both in trouble?

Maximus had warned me of the consequences if anyone even heard us joking inappropriately.

Imagine how I’ll be treated when they discover I’ve felt the mate bond with my stepbrother.

My mother would kick me out, and I’d be seen as a lewd creature. As if my pheromones hadn’t already made me feel filthy.

I put on an old dress and left my room for breakfast, hoping to learn what was going on in the mansion.

Since Charlotte stayed up until 5 a.m., her mother couldn’t wake her. So, it was just the two of us.

As I sat down, I noticed the man from last night, engrossed in his phone. The way he abruptly ended his call after seeing me made me hold my breath.

Introductions were made, but he kept staring at me. For a moment, I wondered if he remembered me at all.

I mean, he was pretty drunk last night.

"Emmet! Why don’t you try this? I made a cheese omelet for you. It’s a new recipe, and I know how much you like it," my mother said brightly to my stepbrother. But I noticed they seemed quite hostile towards her.

Emmet tapped his fork in his plate, but instead of accepting the plate she offered, he just stared at her.

"Emmet! She’s trying her best to get along with you. At least make an effort," Lord McQuoid complained, but his son only rolled his eyes.

I didn’t want to see him that way, but he was so masculine and oddly attractive. My gaze then shifted to Norman, sitting beside him, his perfectly pressed light silver shirt with the sleeves rolled up just past his elbows, exposing his muscular arms.

I quickly looked away, realizing what I was doing.

Even though I tried to stay calm, it didn’t change the fact that I had felt the mate bond with the man sitting there, acting like he owned the world. He was my stepbrother, and that spelled trouble.

The only good thing was that I didn’t have an active wolf, so after the initial mate call, there was no way he could know we shared the mate bond.

But if he somehow remembers, I’m doomed.

"I’m done," Emmet suddenly stood, causing Norman to glance up at him. He then looked over at their father and noticed that Emmet’s abrupt departure was going to upset him.

"I have some meetings I need to finish before the storm. Also, I’ve asked Emmet for help," Norman quickly got up after his brother. I wondered if he was telling the truth or just making up an excuse to cover for him. The moment he offered that excuse, their father seemed to relax.

"Ah, right. I’m glad Emmet is taking an interest in the business as well. Everything my golden child touches turns to gold," Lord McQuoid smiled with pride, even as Emmet himself didn’t seem too moved by the praise.

Emmet slid his hands into his pants pockets, casually tossing his coat back, then strolled away. His broad and muscular brother followed, grabbing his coat in a very particular way, draping it over his arm before leaving.

I hadn’t known them for long, but Norman struck me as someone extremely image-conscious. The way he dressed, accessorized—everything was so precise and expensive.