Lahat ng Kabanata ng Mated To My Lycan Stepbrothers: Kabanata 421 - Kabanata 430

DANEI was half-watching the news while eating breakfast when Sierra burst into the kitchen.“Dane, you need to see this.”I turned the TV up as she started pulling dishes out of the cabinet. The anchor’s face was serious.“…Teen student Emily Hayes has been admitted to Riverbend Hospital under a mental health emergency. Authorities say she experienced a severe breakdown earlier today. School officials are working with her family…”Sierra cut it off, her hand on the remote. “They’re calling it a breakdown.”“They always do,” I muttered. “But we know better.”She looked at me. “Now Dane.”I nodded and grabbed my keys.The hospital lobby was quiet that morning, like the world outside hadn't quite woken up yet. The walls smelled faintly of bleach and coffee. A tired-looking nurse sat behind the reception desk, sipping from a paper cup. No one looked at me.I waited until the nurse glanced down, then brushed my hand across my face.The glamor shone brightly, my hair darkened to a sandy br

SIERRAI barely got into the hallway before I froze.“New runes,” I whispered to Dane.He nodded, crouching by Lila’s locker. “Same glow.”The symbol was fresh, etched into the metal, pulsing faintly blue under the fluorescent lights.“Lila’s locker?” I echoed.He tapped it. “Hours old, maybe minutes.”I swallowed. “She’s being targeted.”We split, Dane went to get my notebooks while I marched straight to the principal’s office.I kicked the door open.Principal Deaks looked up, expression polite.“Miss Sierra,” he said, standing slowly from his chair. “Something wrong?”“New disturbances,” I replied, steadying my breath. “In Lila’s locker.”He frowned, just the right amount. “That’s… disturbing. I’ll call security right away.”I shook my head sharply. “No. You’ll do nothing.”The shift in his expression was subtle, but I caught it, like a mask twitching.He straightened his tie, his voice smooth. “What…Miss Sierra, this is serious. If there’s another magic…”“You’re not calling anyon

SIERRAThe apartment was silent except for my steady breathing. Lila sat across from me, candles forming a circle around us. Our hands were linked, palms up. The smell of salt filled the air. Blood spilled onto our palms, our blood bond.“Ready?” I whispered.Lila nodded, tears clinging to her lashes. “Yes.”Her voice was barely a whisper, but there was no hesitation in it. She was ready, even if she was scared. So was I.I looked over her shoulder to the others. Kane stood tall and alert, arms folded tightly across his chest. Zane had already drawn faint protective symbols at the corners of the room, eyes narrowed with focus. Dane was fidgeting, but his stance was solid, jaw clenched.They were ready too.“Kane. Zane. Dane,” I said, voice quiet but firm, “guard me. Keep them back. Don’t let anything cross the circle.”All three nodded. Kane stepped closer to me first, resting a steadying hand on my shoulder. His fingers were warm and strong.“We’ve got you,” he said, voice low, almos

SIERRAI woke up with a start.My eyes snapped open, but everything felt slow, like I was moving through water. My limbs were heavy, my chest tight. Even breathing felt like work. I blinked against the shadows of the room, trying to remember where I was. For a split second, I thought I was still in the spell circle. Still chanting with Lila. Still fighting to keep the shield intact.But no… that was over.I was in the apartment. Home, at least, what we now called home.I tried to sit up. My muscles ached, every inch of me sore. Like I had been running in my sleep, or fighting some invisible war. Maybe I had.The room was dim. A few candles were still lit, their wax nearly gone. The fire in the corner crackled softly, just enough to keep the space warm.I looked around, heart aching at what I saw.Kane was slumped on the couch, one arm dangling off the side, chest rising and falling in deep sleep. His mouth was slightly open, like he’d passed out mid-sentence. His jacket was half on, h

SIERRAI don’t remember being moved.One minute I was curled up on the couch, warm and completely out of it. The next, I stirred just a little and felt warm water around me.Gentle hands.A soft cloth brushing my skin.Someone whispered, “Shh… go back to sleep.”It was Kane’s voice. Calm. Steady.I wanted to open my eyes, to ask what was happening, but my body didn’t listen. I was too tired to move. My mind floated, half-asleep, but I felt safe. I felt… cared for.~ Kane’s POV“She’s out cold,” I said quietly, wringing out the cloth.Zane came in holding a fresh towel. “She didn’t wake?”“No,” I shook my head. “Not even when I moved her. That really drained her.”Dane leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “I hate seeing her like this.”I gently washed her arm and looked down at her peaceful face. “She gives everything. Every time.”“She pushes herself too far,” Zane said softly. “And she won’t stop unless we do something.”Dane nodded. “We can’t keep letting her go into danger a