Tasting 80

80-Everyone Will Hate Me For Kissing My Stepbrother

Nora:

I went after Natalya and found her in the bedroom. She was pacing around, hands on her face,

constantly wiping off the sweat. Once she saw me enter the room, she turned her face away and

gazed out the window.

“Why did you leave like that?” I t

to sound casual, pretending

I hadn’t just been caught kissing my stepbrother.

“What was that, Nora?” she raised her voice, showing how shocked and disgusted she was.

“What?” I felt guilty for gaslighting her, but it was my life, and she kept interrupting my peace.

“I saw you–,” she suddenly lowered her voice, “kissing him. He’s your–Oh Goddess, Nora! What are

you doing?” Her reaction made me feel revolted.

“I wasn’t kissing him,” I said, “actually, his back was blocking your view so you couldn’t see properly.

We were just talking. He was whispering in my ear,” I tried to cover it up.

Because there was no way I could tell her he was my mate without revealing my wolf. And knowing

her, she would force me to show her my wolf, exposing all my secrets at once.

“Really? I saw your lips against his,” she clasped her hands over

her waist and shook her head in disappointment.

I can’t believe you would pull such a stunt. Weren’t you already feeling important enough? Why did

you have to go after him? Do you not realize the consequences if anyone finds out?” As she kept

rambling, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about her choice of words.

“I’m not seducing anyone,” I defended myself, shocked that she was placing all the blame on me.

“Nora! You don’t have to lie to me. I know you and I know them as well,” she sighed, rolling her eves

and passing judgment on

me.

“Huh? Please tell me, what do you really know about me?” I

inquired, my tone hinting at a warning for her to think before she speaks.

But she ignored all the warnings and proceeded to explain what she truly thought of me, “First

Brody and now your own stepbrother? Nora, I understand you’re attractive and have a great body,

but come on!” she yelled, her words cutting deep.

“I never seduced Brody, you saw that he was into me himself. I can’t believe you think this way

about me,” as soon as I started sharing my feelings, she shook her head to silence me.

“Nora! Don’t change the subject. I’m only saying this because you’ll get in trouble. I can’t scold your

stepbrother, but you!” she softened her tone as tears welled up in my eyes.

“Nora! It’s not a healthy way to find a mate. Do you even realize what will happen when the council

finds out that you’re involved with your stepbrother?” She approached me and gently took my

hand, rubbing the back of it.

At that moment, I couldn’t even admit that I hadn’t kissed my brother.

“It was just a quick peck, there’s nothing going on between us,” I lied, lowering my head as her

words frightened me.

It wasn’t a lie, though. I couldn’t explain to her the deep connection I felt with Ryker and Cain that

went beyond mere attraction.

“Then you should keep it that way. It should never go beyond kisses,” she hugged me, but I couldn’t

bring myself to return the embrace.

“I’m not only saying this for your sake, but Alpha King Ryker could be expelled from the pack for

being involved with his stepsister,” she sighed and released the hug. “I know I may seem like the

villain in your story right now, but I’m saying this for your benefit. If you still choose to continue, I’ll

support you.”

Her statement shocked me. I lifted my head and saw her smiling at me. “I’m ready to face the

consequences of another lie. I won’t tell anyone what I saw, and if anyone suspects, I’ll pretend I’m

blind and never saw anything.”

While her attempt to comfort me and assure me of her support was sweet, I had been warned.

I didn’t want Ryker to suffer or lose his position. So, in my heart, I decided to let it go for now.

“I won’t do anything to bring shame to my name or Ryker’s. Lord Atwood brought me here with love

and respect; I can’t betray his

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trust,” I resolved, and she gave me a reassuring nod.

“By the way, now that this is out of the picture, I’m really curious about something,” she bit her

bottom lip and shyly tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Is Ryker really in love with you? I mean, was it just a heat-of-the- moment thing or do you think

that’s why he cares so much about you?” The way she asked me that question made me recall how

Ryker had been treating me lately.

He was being gentle, no unnecessary taunts or mockery.

“It was just a heat-of-the-moment thing,” I lied. As I tried to walk away, she grasped my arm to stop

in my tracks.

“But no other brother looks out for you the way he does. So–” Before she could jump to the

conclusion of Ryker being in love with me, I hushed her.

“Cain and I have a good bond. He shares his work with me and treats me well. It’s just that he’s

been a little busy lately,” I replied and walked away, leaving her frozen in her spot.

“So you and Cain are also good friends?” she asked with a hint of excitement in her voice. I would

be lying if I say I have not noticed how her face lights up at the mention of my mate.

“Yeah! We are,” I uttered and attempted to walk away but she held my hand tightly and I knew in the

moment that something dangerous was creeping through her mind. And I was right. What she said

next left the world beneath me shaking.

“Then can you ask Cain to paint tonight like he paints his other models?” Her request halted my

steps.