Tempted By my Evil Lycan Stepbrother novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Tear Them Apart

Riley’s POV

The hairs on my arms literally stood on end.

I didn’t know how much he’d heard. Maybe not a lot. But it was enough to spell big trouble for me.

“You heard wrong,” I answered quickly, trying to hide my panic.

But I’d obviously chosen the wrong response. Because Ezra’s face darkened significantly the next second. He took slow steps toward me, looking down at me from his height.

“I can hear a mosquito’s wings from a hundred meters away. And you’re saying I’m wrong?” He leaned down, his green eyes gleaming dangerously in the daylight. “Having contact with rogues is the most serious crime there is. You better tell me the truth. Right now.”

I gulped silently.

Despite the tension between Ezra and his father, and despite whatever was going on between him and me, he was still the heir to this kingdom. And he had every right to execute anyone associated with the rogues. Including me.

I had no doubt he’d drag me to the gallows if I didn’t come up with a good excuse.

I needed a plausible answer. Now.

“…I asked a friend to find a healing book for me. He just called to say he found it, but the sellers are rogues. So I said no,” I rattled off quickly.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at me with suspicion. I hardened my voice and added, “It’s not my fault, okay? And it’s not my friend’s fault either. None of us knew that out-of-print book would be in the hands of rogues. Maybe they’re lying about having it.”

He snorted. “Probably. And even if they do have it, those savages would probably treat a precious book like toilet paper. They

can’t read.”

He paused, then raised an eyebrow at me. “So who’s this friend of yours?”

“None of your business,” I answered stiffly.

He suddenly snatched my phone. Before I could react, he glanced at the screen.

“Mateo,” he said icily, then tossed the phone back to me. “That family friend of yours? The doctor? What nobody like him could find an out-of-print book for you?”

makes you think a

I shoved the phone deep into my pocket, my heart pounding.

Luckily, he only saw my contact list and not my messaging app. Otherwise, he would have seen my chat history with Mateo and discovered my secret as the Veilwalker.

That was too close. I had to be extra careful next time.

Never, ever let him near my phone again.

I took a breath to calm my racing heart and said, “He’s my only friend outside of school. Who else was I supposed to ask?

“You could have asked me,

” he said.

“You? You’d help me?” I stared at him, frowning.

“Yes. I’d rather help you with little favors than have you running to other men for help. So spill it What’s the book called?”

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Factually was looking for an out of print book.

That book might contain the only clue on how to break a matebord, which could free me from a control freak like Ezra.

So if he wanted to find that book for me, fine. Be my guest.

“The book is called The Origins of Werewolf Healing. But be warned, it’s not easy to find.”

“It I can’t find it, no one can,” he said with a light scoff

I hated his arrogance. But I had to admit he might be right. He was one of the most resourceful people in the city.

“And I don’t want you talking to that Mateo anymore,” he dropped the next bombshell, reigniting my anger. “What gives you the right to demand that?” I snapped.

He lifted the corners of his mouth into a super evil, yet super dazzling smile. “Because I’m your mate, your big brother in this house, and the man you’re going to fall madly in love with one day.”

“Fuck off,” I said coldly and turned my back on him, heading for the door. “I’m going home now. Come or don’t, I don’t care.” He followed behind me, his long legs easily keeping up. “My master, don’t you need me to carry you across campus anymore?” His tone was dripping with sarcasm.

I ignored him. Seriously, I didn’t know how, with his terrible attitude, he thought I’d ever fall for him.

The driver my mom had sent was already waiting at the school gate. Ezra and I got into the car together and headed toward the castle.

When we entered the dining room, King Soren and my mother were already waiting. They were holding hands, chatting softly and whispering intimately when we came in. I could feel Ezra’s aura instantly turn ice-cold and dangerous. I sighed inwardly. Clearly, the closer our parents got, the more he’d hate me.

“Ezra, Riley, come join us,” King Soren gave us both a warm smile. He was obviously in a good mood today. “So, how’s school?”

Ezra roughly pulled out a chair and sat down without a word. So I had to play the good daughter and answer for him. “Busy. The Hunting Season starts soon. Everyone’s teamed up and training hard.”

King Soren took a sip of his wine. “I know you’ll be number one again this year, Ezra. So don’t let me down. And no pressure on you, Riley.”

I gave a silent, cold smirk at my steak.

thought i

Clearly, the King didn’t believe a werewolf could win in a competition full of Lycans. Maybe he even thought it would be a miracle if I survived.

The King continued, “After you win, I’ll host a victory banquet in your honor and invite more noble young ladies. I’ll make sure invitations go out to ladies from all over the world. This time, you will find your mate.”

I froze.

And from the reflection in my spoon, I saw Ezra freeze too.

What King Soren didn’t know was that Ezra had already found his mate. And she was right here in this room, sitting at the same

table.

“I don’t want some stupid party,” Ezra said impatiently.

“You need a mate, a Luna, and a Queen,” King Soren declared, his voice booming. “I have no doubt the Moon Goddess has arranged a lady of equally noble birth and strength to be your mate. And she will help you rule this kingdom one day.”

I clenched my fork, a bitter feeling in my chest. Noble and strong. Those words had nothing to do with me.

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Chapter

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“I need a Liina and a Queen, why? So I can betray her like you did one day?” Ezra’s face was as cold as ice.

King Soren looked like he wanted to throw his plate in his son’s face. My mother looked like she wanted to disappear from embarrassment. After a suffocating silence, she turned to me and asked, “Oh, Riley how’s your little boyfriend? Is everything going well between you two?”

She was obviously trying to break the ice, but she’d clearly hit another one of Ezza’s nerves. He clattered his fork onto his plate and said coldly:

“Is that what we’re going to talk about for the rest of dinner? Useless gossip? If so, I’d rather not waste my time here.”

Mother shut her mouth awkwardly. Everyone ate in silence for the rest of the meal. No one tried to lighten the mood again.

After dinner, King Soren and Ezra left for work. Mom took me for a walk in the garden. I knew she had at agenda. When we reached the laurel tree, she spoke up:

“So, you and that werewolf boy… is that still a thing?”

“Nothing happened,” I said, a bit irritated.

“Good,” she gave me a soft smile. “Soren wants to find someone for Ezra, and I’m thinking the same for you. At Ezra’s victory banquet, there will be plenty of decent young men. You might even land a Lycan boy, Riley…”

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Oh, this was messed up.

I cut her off before she could finish. “I thought you approved of me dating Odin.”

Her smile was faint, and a little cold. “That boy is just for fun. Your mother married the Lycan King. You can dream bigger, honey.”

Anger rose in my chest. I snapped a branch off the laurel tree with my foot and glared at her.

“Not everyone is as status-obsessed as you, Mother,” I said coldly. “And I happen to find all Lycans stupid and arrogant. You can mark my words now-I will NEVER date a Lycan.”

“Riley-”

I walked past her, striding quickly through the rose garden to get away.

My blood was boiling with anger.

How foolish of me to think Mom insisted I come here just for my support. Of course, I was also a pawn to secure her position. If I could marry a Lycan noble, it would be another insurance policy for her wealth and status.

If there was anyone in the world who would be overjoyed about my matebond with Ezra, it would be her, of course.

Of course, she could never know.

But even if she didn’t know, she’d still try to set me up at the banquet after the Hunting Season. My mother could be so stubborn

sometimes.

And if I could beat Ezra in the Hunting Season, that banquet wouldn’t happen. I could also prove to everyone who looked down on werewolves-including my mother-that we weren’t weak.

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