All Chapters of Forbidden: My Stepbrother, My Mate: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Ella.The silence stretched impossibly long. Everyone was watching. Waiting. Phone cameras pointed at us from multiple angles. This moment being recorded. Shared. Posted online before I could even answer.I opened my mouth. Nothing came out. My throat had closed up completely, like someone had wrapped their hands around it and squeezed. The air in the cafeteria felt too thick, too hot, pressing down on me from all sides. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. Couldn't do anything except sit there frozen in place while hundreds of eyes bore into me.The bond burned hotter. Kyle's emotions crashed through me like a wave. Rage. Pure, hot rage building like a storm about to break. It wasn't just anger, it was something more primal, more dangerous. Something that made my heart race and my skin prickle with warning.I felt the exact moment he stood up.The sound of his chair scraping against the floor echoed through the quiet cafeteria. Loud. Violent. Angry. The metal legs screeching against t

Kyle."I mean it, Ella. You deserve normal. You deserve someone who can take you to dances without wanting to kill every guy who looks at you. Someone who doesn't have to fight the urge to shift in the middle of the cafeteria because another male dared approach what's his." Someone who wouldn't drag her into pack politics and territorial disputes. Someone who wouldn't put her at risk just by loving her. Someone whose father wouldn't use their bond as leverage in werewolf power games.My hands were shaking. My wolf was right there beneath my skin, demanding I turn around and look at her. Screaming that I was making a mistake. That a real alpha would never walk away from his mate. My father's voice echoed in my head, all the lessons he'd drilled into me about strength and claiming and never showing weakness.But this wasn't weakness. This was protection. The one thing that might actually keep her safe from the chaos that came with being bonded to a werewolf. From the constant danger of

Ella.Elena started talking about some work event she had coming up, and the conversation shifted. I focused on my plate, counting the minutes until I could escape.Kyle said almost nothing for the rest of the meal. Just sat there looking like he wanted to be anywhere else, his expression carefully blank even though I could feel the storm of emotions churning beneath the surface through the bond.When Elena brought out dessert, homemade tiramisu, I couldn't take it anymore."I'm sorry, but I have a lot of homework." I stood, grabbing my plate. "Can I be excused?"My dad frowned. "You're not staying for dessert?""I really need to study. Big test tomorrow."It was a lie, but he didn't know that. He sighed and waved his hand. "Fine. But next time, plan better so you can have family meals with us.""I will. Thank you for dinner, Elena. It was delicious."I practically ran from the dining room, scraping my plate into the trash and putting it in the dishwasher before anyone could stop me.

Ella.Kyle rolled off me so fast he was a blur. I scrambled up, trying to fix my hair. My shirt was twisted and halfway untucked. My lips felt swollen. There was no way anyone looking at us wouldn't know exactly what we'd been doing.The footsteps stopped right outside my door.Kyle crossed to the window in three long strides, putting as much distance between us as possible. He stood with his back to the room, shoulders tense, facing the glass.His shirt. Where was his shirt?I spotted it crumpled by the foot of my bed. Grabbed it, and threw it at him. He pulled it on within seconds. My heart slammed against my ribs so hard I thought it might actually break through. Blood roared in my ears. Every muscle in my body locked tight with panic.The door opened.Elena poked her head in, and I wanted to die. Just sink through the floor and disappear forever."Oh." Her eyes landed on Kyle by the window, then moved to me sitting on my bed. "Kyle, there you are. I was looking for you."My mouth

Kyle.I woke up gasping. Drenched in sweat. Hard and aching and hating everything about this situation.The dream hit me like a freight train.It was still dark outside. The clock on my nightstand read 3:47 AM.I groaned and rolled onto my back. Stared at the ceiling again. That same stupid water stain that never changed no matter how many times I looked at it.The dream had felt so real. For a few blissful moments, I'd thought it was real. Thought I'd actually completed the bond with Ella. Actually made her mine.But it was just my subconscious torturing me. Showing me what I wanted but couldn't have.A cold shower at dawn gave me something to do besides lie in bed thinking about things I couldn't change. The water beat down on my shoulders, but it did nothing to wash away the frustration. The wanting. The absolute mess my life had become.By nine thirty, I was walking toward the coffee shop on Main Street. Each step felt heavier than the last.Jason sat at a corner table. Away from