“Are you sure you want to deny me as your mate?” Because of the dread, I felt in Bradley’s voice, I could not respond appropriately. I could feel his hold on my shoulder harder, showing that he disagreed with my statement.

“Bradley, we shouldn’t be talking about this since we’re siblings,” I say, realizing that I cannot answer his question openly.

“We’re not related at all!” Bradley corrected my statement and looked me in the eye as he caressed my chin.

“What exactly are you doing, Bradley? Even if we are not biologically related, we are still considered siblings because your father married my mother.” I averted my gaze to go away from his face, which was so close that I could almost smell the mouthwash he was using.

“I disagree, as Zeke said earlier. We don’t share a last name because our parents want us to end up together.” Bradley’s lips were pursed in a wicked grin.