Tempted By my Evil Lycan Stepbrother novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Veilwalker

Riley’s POV

“Mom… wait!”

I caught up to my mom and grabbed her hand, but she yanked it away from me.

“I don’t want to talk to you anymore, Riley.” Her eyes were burning with anger.

I took a deep breath. “Can you at least let me explain?”

“What’s left to explain? You betrayed me completely!” Her fists clenched, her voice trembling. “Are you like the rest of them now? Do you think I’m some homewrecking woman who goes around and ruins other people’s families? God, I… I thought at least you were on my side. I thought you’d understand that Soren and I are in love!”

I let out a sigh.

Mom’s always been a hopeless romantic.

There was no point trying to explain to her that falling in love with a married man and breaking up a family were exactly the same thing.

“Mom, please. That’s not what I meant. It was…Ezra. He forced me to say that to

you.”

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“Ezra?” She frowned. “And since when are you two so close? I’m your mother, Riley! He told you to humiliate me and you just went along with it? What were you thinking?!”

I wasn’t thinking. It was that damn mark.

“I messed up, okay? Please don’t be mad.” I softened my voice. “And think about it–this might not be such a bad thing to do. If you really go to the laurel tree and pay respects to the former Luna, people might see you as generous and understanding. That could actually help you.”

“Enough!”

She cut me off, her face red with anger.

“I don’t need to pay respect to anyone. Because I did nothing wrong! And I hope you seriously think about your actions, Riley, because this is NOT how you treat your own mother!”

She lifted her skirt and stormed off.

I stood there and let out a long breath, feeling frustration piling in my chest. Shit. I fucked up real good.

Rene was also growling, agitated. She wanted to go run through the woods and blow off steam, but this was Lycan territory— not my hometown.

Like everyone kept reminding me, there were rules here.

Eventually all I did was to turn around and slowly walk back toward the garden.

After another dance ended, King Soren gathered everyone under the laurel tree. He asked all the couples who found their mates tonight to step forward.

There were 5 couples. Quite a lot. Even though tonight’s ball was supposed to be about Ezra, and he wasn’t among the couples, people still clapped and cheered for the ones who found their true love.

“Anyone else found their mate?” King Soren asked loudly.

I stood at the edge of the crowd. Completely still.

Chapter 9 The Vellwalker

+25 BONUS

They I felt someone step up behind me, that familiar scent wrapping around me. I froze, holding my breath. But that damn scent was everywhere.

“….Well done back there, little sis.” His sexy yet evil voice rang in my ear.

“Fuck off,” I hissed under my breath.

He let out a low laugh. “I can’t. Because you know the bond already ties us together. Forever.”

Up front, King Soren gave his blessing to each couple. Flower petals rained down as the couples kissed, and the crowd cheered.

“May the Moon Goddess bless your sacred bond. May you live happily ever after!” Ring Sorent announced.

I didn’t know about the others. But I knew I wouldn’t.

While everyone clapped and cheered, I heard Ezra’s voice again, cold and mocking:

“We’ll have so much fun together, little mate.”

***

By the time the ball ended, it was almost dawn. I dragged myself back to

When I woke up, it was already evening.

my room and collapsed straight into bed.

I dragged myself out of bed and went to take a shower, hoping it would clear my head.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, I stood in front of the mirror naked, staring at the mark on my chest.

It was shaped like a wolf fang. Deep and angry–looking.

I touched the edge–still sore.

From what I knew, marking usually happened during the first time mates had sex. After that, a bond formed–one that made the male protective and possessive, and the female obedient and loyal.

Ezra and I didn’t have sex. Truth to be told I’d rather get trampled by a crazy boar than sleep with him.

But the mark still worked.

My instincts kept telling me to submit to him. It was fucking frustrating.

“Ezra Ravenshire is not a good mate. Even though he has a strong wolf,” Rene growled.

“Agreed,” I said coldly.

“So do we have a plan?”

“We do, actually.”

I put on a hoodie and jeans, pulled the hood over my face, and quietly slipped out of the room.

No one noticed me leaving. Not the guards, not the drivers. I walked under the cover of darkness toward the Full Moon Pack’s downtown district. I had memorized the address beforehand and kept repeating it in my mind as I searched.

30 minutes later, I stopped in front of a small, sketchy door tucked away in a back alley.

So, this was it.

My secret.

No one knew. Not even Mom. Maybe Grandma had guessed, but we never talked about it.

Chapter 9 The Vetwalker

+25 BONUS

If this worked, it might be my one shot at walking away from Ezra.

I took a deep breath, pulled a veil over my face and pushed open the door.

A staircase led downward. At the bottom was a heavy iron door, guarded by a massive bycan.

“This ain’t a place for little girls!” he growled.

“Is Mateo here? He’s expecting me.”

He looked stunned for a second. “You know Mateo? Who are you?”

“The Veilwalker.”

His eyes widened in shock, and maybe a little disbelief. But he stepped aside and respectfully let me in.

Behind the iron door was a whole different world.

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