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162. Laughter Between Plates
Last Updated:
2026-02-27 23:37:36
NightingaleDear Readers, What message came now? Can you guess it?
Latest chapter
Mated to My Rival Step Brother 163. Lines You Don’t Get to Draw
Blake’s POV:The movie keeps playing.Laugh tracks. Music swelling. Two princes falling in love on a screen that suddenly feels unreal, distant—like something happening in a world I don’t belong to anymore.My phone buzzes again.Once.Short. Sharp.My chest tightens before I even unlock it.Alex: I’m coming to Aaran’s dorm.The words blur for a second.My pulse slams hard enough that I can hear it in my ears.I shut the laptop without thinking.Aaran looks at me instantly. “Blake?”“I—” My voice comes out rough. “I’m sorry.”He straightens. “What happened?”I stand, already backing away. “I need to leave. Right now.”Concern crosses his face, followed by something quieter. Disappointment he doesn’t try to hide.“I promised you the movie,” I say quickly. “I promise next time I’ll stay. I mean it.”He studies me for a long second, then nods. “Okay.”No argument. No guilt.That somehow hurts more.“I’ll walk you—”“No,” I interrupt gently. “Please. Just… thank you. For tonight.”His smi
Mated to My Rival Step Brother 162. Laughter Between Plates
Blake’s POV:The first thing I notice is the smell.Not the sharp kind like instant noodles or burnt oil. This is warm. Layered. Comforting. Like something that belongs to a home rather than a dorm.I step further inside Aaran’s kitchen, my eyes automatically scanning the space. Everything is neat but not sterile. Countertops wiped clean. Ingredients already prepped. A soft hum of heat coming from the stove.Aaran moves around easily, like he knows exactly where everything belongs. Sleeves rolled up. Hair slightly messy. Focused without looking tense.“You cook?” I ask, leaning my shoulder against the counter.He glances at me over his shoulder, one brow lifting. “That sounds like an accusation.”I huff. “No. It sounds like disbelief.”He chuckles, turning back to what he is doing. “I take that as a compliment.”I step closer and then stop.There are dishes everywhere.Not scattered. Planned.Grilled chicken glazed with herbs. A pot of creamy mushroom soup gently simmering. Roasted ve
Mated to My Rival Step Brother 161. Alex's Message
Blake’s POV:Aaran’s dorm building stands apart from the rest.Not isolated. Just… intentional.The structure is darker than the others, polished stone mixed with deep metal panels that catch the light in sharp angles. Red runes are carved near the entrance, subtle but powerful. Bloodmoon design. Bold. Dominant. It fits him more than I want to admit.I stop for a second before knocking.This is fine, I tell myself.This is just study.This is not about Alex.The door opens before my knuckles even land.“Blake,” Aaran says, smiling like he has been waiting behind the door the whole time. “You came.”“I said I would,” I reply, stepping inside.The door closes behind me with a soft click.The dorm is… a lot.Black dominates the walls, broken by deep red accents. Velvet textures on the sofa. Steel and glass furniture that looks expensive without trying to show off. The lighting is low but warm, casting everything in a calm glow instead of shadows.It reminds me of Alex’s dorm.That though
Mated to My Rival Step Brother 160. Where Pain Learns to Breathe
Lyra’s POV:The room is quiet when Maya returns.Not silent. Just soft.The kind of quiet that wraps around you like a blanket instead of pressing down on your chest.I hear the faint sound of water running in the washroom. Then it stops. Footsteps. Slow. Careful. Like she is already thinking about me with every step she takes.“Maya,” I call softly.“I am here,” she answers immediately.She comes to my side, crouching in front of the bed. Her eyes sweep over me, checking. Always checking.“Ready?” she asks.I nod, though fear and anticipation twist together inside me. I have not moved much since last night. My body feels fragile. Not weak. Just aware of every place that hurts.Maya slides one arm behind my back and the other under my knees.“Tell me if it hurts,” she says.“I will,” I promise.She lifts me slowly. Her body is warm and steady. Strong in a quiet way. I cling to her shoulder without thinking.“It is okay,” she murmurs. “I have you. I might be fragile, but my wolf isn't.
Mated to My Rival Step Brother 159. Permission to Smile
Lyra’s POV:Maya’s arms are still around me when the quiet settles.Her warmth is steady. Careful. Like she is afraid I might break if she breathes wrong. I let my head rest against her shoulder and close my eyes for a second. Just a second. The pain is still there, sharp at my right side, pulsing like it wants attention. But it is quieter now. Softer.Because she is here.“You did not even say anything when you came in,” I murmur.Maya hums. “I was scared if I talked, you would disappear.”I smile faintly. “I am not a dream, Maya.”“Good,” she replies. “Because I am not ready to wake up.”I chuckle, then wince immediately.Maya stiffens. “Sorry. Did that hurt?”“A little,” I admit. “But it was worth it.”She shifts, adjusting her position with slow care. Then she reaches for the food bag.“Okay,” she says in a business tone that fools no one. “Doctor Maya reporting for duty. You need to eat.”“I am not hungry,” I protest weakly. Though I want to try her cooked food but my appetite is
Mated to My Rival Step Brother 158. Back into Her Arms
Maya’s POV:The pass feels heavier than it should.It is just a card. Silver metal. A wolf engraved at the center with a faint thunder mark behind it. Selene had placed it in my palm earlier with a calm smile, as if she was handing me a library card and not permission to cross into one of the strongest territories in the region.I keep checking my bag to make sure it is still there.The road narrows as I walk. The Academy lights fade behind me, replaced by tall trees and a quiet that presses against my ears. My steps slow without meaning to. Every snap of a twig makes my shoulders tense.I am alone.This is my first time entering another pack’s land alone. No Blake. No Liam joking beside me. No Leo pretending not to watch everything around us. Just me, a bag of food, and a heart beating too fast.“You are allowed,” I whisper to myself. “You have permission.”Still, fear crawls up my spine. After a good amount of time spent on the car journey, I reach the border.The Silver border reve
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