Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Aurora was right about one thing–just ‘cause Ryder loved me didn’t mean I could stop growing.

After the wedding, threw myself into my studies. Master’s, PhD. Eventually landed a spot at one of the top research institutes in the country.

Loved my work. Loved the challenge, the discovery, the purpose.

And every single day, Ryder came to pick me up.

Walk into the lab, wrap his arm around my waist, kiss me in full view of my colleagues–making it very clear I was taken.

“You know none of them are interested in me, right?” I’d tease.

He’d pull me closer, voice low and possessive. “Don’t care. Let ‘em know you’re mine.”

Honestly? Loved it.

Especially ‘cause it drove Grayson insane.

Grayson still hadn’t dated anyone since Aurora.

Mrs. Thornwolfe kept trying to set him up–he refused every match.

And whenever relationships came up at family dinners, he’d glance at me. Just for a second. Then look away.

Like he was trying to prove some kind of point.

Didn’t care.

But Ryder cared.

Every time Grayson so much as looked at me, Ryder would pull me into his lap, wrap his arms around me, make sure Grayson couldn’t even see my face.

And later that night, he’d take me with this intensity that left me breathless–like he needed to prove something.

Like he needed to remind both of us that I was his.

Sometimes, I’d deliberately make noise–just to mess with him.

Loud enough I was pretty sure Grayson could hear us three rooms away.

“You’re so childish,” I’d whisper, laughing breathlessly against Ryder’s neck.

He’d grin–feral, satisfied, possessive.

“Maybe. But you love it.”

God help me, I really did.

One evening, lying tangled together in bed, turned to him.

Chapter 12

“Ryder?”

“Mm?” Tracing lazy patterns on my bare shoulder, eyes half–closed.

“Want to go skiing.”

His hand stilled. Eyes opened–sharp, focused, worried.

“What?”

Propped myself up on one elbow, looking down at him.

“Been scared of snow–covered mountains ever since the accident. And I’m tired of being scared.”

Took a breath. Voice steady.

“Bravery isn’t about not being afraid. It’s about facing your fear anyway. And I want to face mine. With you.”

Ryder’s expression softened—but could see the conflict in his eyes.

He had his own trauma from that day. Memory of finding me in the snow, lifeless and cold.

But finally, reached up and cupped my face. Thumb brushing over my cheek.

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Searched my eyes for a long moment.

Then nodded.

“Okay. We’ll go.”

Trip was… perfect.

Knox and the other guards were more nervous than we were.

“Alpha, weather’s stable, but we’ve got backup evacuation routes mapped just in case-”

“Slopes have been cleared and inspected twice-”

“Got a medical team on standby-”

Ryder finally held up a hand. Tone patient but firm.

“Knox. Appreciate the thoroughness. But we’re gonna be fine.”

Knox looked unconvinced but nodded. “Yes, Alpha.”

First day, Ryder and I stuck to easier slopes–reacquainting ourselves with the feel of skis, the rush of cold air, the freedom.

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

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Chapter 12

But second day, as the sun began to set and the mountain glowed gold and pink, Ryder turned to me.

“You trust me?”

Didn’t hesitate. “Always.”

His eyes flashed amber–just for a second.

Then grinned–wild, playful, dangerous.

“Then hold on.”

Before I could ask what he meant, pulled me close and shifted.

Body blurred and expanded, bones cracking and reforming, fur erupting across his skin in this wave of silver–white.

Within seconds, massive wolf stood before me–easily the size of a small car, blazing amber eyes and fur that gleamed like moonlight on snow.

Lowered himself. Gaze steady, reassuring.

Climb on.

Didn’t need to be told twice.

Scrambled onto his back, burying fingers in his thick fur, heart racing with exhilaration and awe.

“Okay,” whispered, breathless. “Ready.”

And then he ran.

It was like flying.

Ryder’s powerful legs ate up the distance, massive paws barely making a sound as he bounded across snow–covered terrain.

World blurred around us–trees, rocks, valleys–all passing in a streak of white and blue and gold.

Wind whipped through my hair–cold, sharp, alive.

Threw my head back and screamed–pure joy, pure freedom, pure exhilaration.

“Ryder! Oh my God! This is incredible!”

Felt his rumbling laugh through his body–deep, resonant sound vibrating through my chest.

ཡཾཝ

He leaped over a fallen log, landed smoothly, kept running–faster, wilder, freer.

Crested a ridge–suddenly entire mountain range stretched out before us. Endless peaks bathed in golden sunset light, sky painted in shades of pink and orange and purple.

Most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

Ryder slowed to a stop at ridge’s edge, breathing steady despite the run.

Slid off his back, legs shaky from adrenaline, heart pounding.

He shifted back–naked, breathtaking, mine–and immediately pulled me into his arms.

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Screw My Childhood Sweetheart–His Alpha Brother Marked Mo Dirett

Chapter 12

“You okay?” Voice rough with concern and lingering adrenaline.

Looked up at him, eyes shining with unshed tears.

“Ryder… that was the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced.”

Expression softened. Hands came up to frame my face.

“You weren’t scared?”

“No.” Shook my head. Voice steady, sure. “Wasn’t scared at all. ‘Cause I was with you.”

Something in his eyes broke–in the best way.

Kissed me–deep, slow, reverent–like I was something precious he’d been terrified of losing and just got back.

When he pulled back, forehead rested against mine.

“I love you,” he whispered. “God, Freya, I love you so much.”

Cupped his face. Thumbs brushing over his cheekbones.

“Love you too. Always.”

Kissed me again–softer this time, sweeter.

And as the sun set behind us, painting the world in gold and fire, realized something:

I wasn’t afraid anymore.

Not of the mountains. Not of the past. Not of anything.

‘Cause I had Ryder.

And that was all I’d ever need.

Five years later, Ryder and I had Lacey–golden hair, fierce heart, fearless. She had a sister too, sort of. Senna, daughter of Ryder’s Beta, Mason.

When Senna’s birth mother died, Mason fell apart. Ryder begged me to take her in.

I tried to love her. I really did. But every time I looked at Senna, all I saw was obligation,

Lacey, though? Lacey loved her without question. Called her “my sister” so fiercely that people stopped asking. Senna worshiped her.

Then one night, Senna begged Lacey to drive her to some concert. Lacey said yes–because she always said yes.

Drunk driver. Head on collision. Lacey died instantly.

Senna walked away.

Mason couldn’t look at her after that. His mate had already left years ago, took their adopted son Knox and tried to rebuild. After Lacey’s death, even that fragile distance collapsed.

And me? I couldn’t look at Senna either. Every time I saw her alive, breathing, here–all I could think was: Why her? Why not my daughter?

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Screw My Childhood Sweetheart–His Alpha Brother Marked Me First!_________10.4%

Chapter 12

Ryder tried to hold us together, but you can’t fix something this broken.

So we ran. New pack, new territory, new life out west.

It didn’t help.

Senna stopped talking. I stopped pretending. Mason refused to come–couldn’t bear watching Senna live the life Lacey should’ve had.

This morning. I watched the girl I raised–but never loved–walk into a new school where nobody knows her name.

Where she can pretend she’s not the charity case who got the real daughter killed.

Ryder squeezed my hand before I drove away. “She didn’t mean for this to happen.”

I didn’t answer.

Because I took her in because I had to. I raised her because it was right.

But I never wanted her.

And now that Lacey’s gone? I don’t even have to pretend anymore.

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