Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 104

Chapter 104

“There can be moments of jealousy.” He squeezed my hand. “Jealousy might not be the right word. We all want that link with you-

“Vaughn doesn’t.”

“Vaughn’s fear doesn’t want the bond. The rest of him certainly does.”

“Sometimes fear can override everything else.”

River tugged me to a stop. “We’re going to fight that fear with him. Have a little faith. We’ll all come together when we’re supposed to.”

“You really believe that?”

He bent to brush his mouth against mine. “I do. Fate is a more powerful force than any of us.”

I wished I could believe in fate and her benevolent goodness, but I’d seen too many bad things happen.

Luc lifted a hand, tucking my hair behind my ear and letting his fingers sift through my strands. “Fate doesn’t mean that bad things won’t

happen. It simply means that through the bad it’s possible for good to come.”

“Like a silver lining?”

“Kind of. I believe that fate can bring purpose to all the things in our lives, even the bad. She can rearrange the pieces to bring us to something

more beautiful than we ever could’ve imagined.”

I thought about all the pain of this past year. Losing Lacey. My parents slowly disappearing. Moving. My mom’s growing hatred. It had all brought me to Cloverdale. To the guys. The truth was, I would experience all of that pain again if I knew it would bring me here.

I leaned into River, pressing my lips to his. I poured all my gratitude into that kiss. I thought of how it felt to be loved by him and how safe I felt with our bond. When I pulled away, his eyes were a little glassy. “Thank you,” I whispered.

“Love you, Ro.”

“I love you too.” Just saying the words made me giddy.

Luc grinned down at me. “We really should go or they’ll send out a search party.”

“Come on.” I tugged on his hand, leading us towards the lodge.

We walked as quickly as possible without breaking into a jog. A handful of people were hanging around downstairs when we arrived, but Luc simply offered a wave and pulled me towards the stairs.

The door to Knox’s room was flung open as we reached the landing. Anson filled the entryway. “What the hell was that? We could all feel it.”

Luc motioned him back into the room, and I shut the door as soon as we were inside. Turning, I scanned the space. “No Vaughn?”

Caspian shook his head. “He said he had stuff to do.”

I pinned Caspian with a stare. “Did he ask you to tell him what we said?”

Caspian nodded, looking a little sheepish.

“Don’t tell him,” I ordered.

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Screw My Childhood Sweetheart–His Alpha Brother Marked Me First!

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Chapter 104

Kaur’s eyes wadened a fraction and the rest of the prys wean atent

He doesnt get to play both sides of this. Staying informed but are being a part of the band. He’s in or be’s out.”

Caspian hit the inside of his cheek. “He’s not going to take that well

I baffed. “I don’t take his hot and cold act well. My shoulders shumped. I fel for him. I really do. I can’t imagine what all he’s been through. But we have to push back a line. Vaughn is sed to having things his way because people are scared to go against it. It’s time he learns some

boundaries.”

“It’s a good plan, Knux said, looking around the room. “Are we agreed?”

Anson gave a chin lift. “Agreed.”

Loc nodded. “Agreed.

Caspian stared at the floor. I moved to him them, taking his hands in mine. “I know it’s hard. But this is for him as much as it is for us.”

Caspian lifted his head to meet my gare. “Agreed.”

I brushed my lips against his as I squeezed his hands. “Thank you.”

“Now, will someone finally tell us what happened?” Anson griped.

I released Caspian’s hands and stepped back into Luc’s bold. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head and grinned at the group. “We bonded.”

Knox’s mouth dropped open. “Wow. That’s amazing”

There was a small tic in Anson’s jaw. “How?”

I took Luc’s hand, needing his calm reassurance. “We got caught in the rain and ducked into a storage shed. We were just talking, and then we

kissed and boom.”

“We’re all talked and kissed,” Anson pointed out.

Caspian clapped him on the shoulder. “You know that isn’t how it works. It’s not some checklist you can mark off. It’s a lowering of the metaphysical walls in one way or another.”

“We were talking about my mom,” I said softly. “Dinner brought up some stuff.”

Concern flashed across Anson’s expression. “Are you okay?”

Tm good. But I needed to process it.” I looked up at River. “Luc was there for me.”

Knox smiled, and I relaxed as I took in how genuine it was. He crossed to me and River, pulling us both into a hug. “Happy for you guys.*

His gesture was followed by more hugs and back slaps. Moving through these awkward moments gave me hope for our future.

I let out a big yawn, covering my mouth.

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