Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 148

Kaleb.

My mind flashed to his moments of kindness. Offering me and my bond refuge. Cutting himself so that one of my pack wouldn’t be harmed. His support of me staying at Ridgewood.

Now I saw all of those moments through a different lens. A harsher one.

“Why?” It was the only thing I could seem to get out.

He moved closer to the cell and Angie took an immediate step back, her eyes cast downward. Kaleb barely seemed to notice her. “There are forces at play here that you don’t know about.”

“Then explain it to me,” I gritted out.

His mouth curved, amusement lining his expression. “I do like your spunk. Even in the situation you find yourself in now, you still have that hint of fire.”

“You mean the situation you put me in.”

“You were the one good thing your mother gave me. She turned out to be a disappointment in so many other ways.”

My muscles locked, a burning anger lighting deep inside. “What do you want from me?”

Kaleb picked an invisible piece of lint off his shirt. “Did you know the shifter world once had a ruling court?”

“I didn’t ask for a history lesson. I asked what you want from me.”

His eyes flashed, the first real hint of temper. “Listen when I’m talking, Senna.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, tasting blood.

“That’s better. We used to be governed by a king. He was served by a court. We were powerful then. Gifts were plentiful and strong. As we’ve tried to divide up leadership, give more people a voice, those powers have waned. That’s not a coincidence.”

As far as I’d learned, the vast majority of shifters in our world had very little voice. Even Mason, the leader of our pack, had little to no sway over the Quad and the laws and rules they made. There had simply been a different name put on that ruling court.

Kaleb studied me through the bars. “It’s time to return to our old ways. Time to elevate those of us with powers to those positions.”

“And let me guess, you’re just meant to be king?” I couldn’t help the sarcasm that slipped into my voice.

Kaleb’s eyes flashed. “Watch your tone. You have a choice here. You have a chance to rule alongside me. To have a bond truly worthy of your power. I have chosen wolves who will turn you into the ultimate weapon. No one will stand in our way.”

My throat tightened as my mouth went dry. A tool to hurt people. That was all he wanted me for. To use me until I had nothing left. Then he would cast me aside like so many others had.

The only people who hadn’t were my bond. River. Caspian. Anson. Vaughn. Knox. My heart ached as I held their names in my mind. “I will never betray my bond. Never.”

A look of disappointment filled Kaleb’s expression. “I was afraid you’d say that. You’ll come to see things my way. It just may take a little convincing.” He turned towards the hallway. “Garrison.”

lah Brother Marked Me First!

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Chapter 148

More footsteps echoed in the room and Rezah let out a faint whimper. A hulking man appeared, and I swore the floor shook with each vi steps. Garrison came to a stop in front of Kaleb.

“I’m afraid my daughter isn’t seeing things our way just yet. You may proceed with your first session.”

A grin spread across Garrison’s face. It was nothing short of gleeful. “Level authorization?”

“She is my daughter. Let’s keep it at a five for now. I’d like a full report when you’re finished.”

“Of course, Alpha.” Garrison pulled a sort of baton from his tactical pants.

Angie let out a small, strangled sound and hurried down the hall and disappeared.

I stared straight ahead. I wouldn’t let them see me cower. Wouldn’t give them the gift of my fear. I met my father’s gaze. “You show your weakness by trying to force your will on others.”

A muscle in his cheek fluttered. “I’m showing my dominance.”

“If it were true dominance, you’d fight me one–on–one. You wouldn’t try to dull my powers and strip me of everything fate has given me.” I had no idea how things would turn out if Kaleb and I went head–to–head, but I knew I’d have a better chance at surviving that than staying in this dungeon.

Kaleb tipped his head back and laughed. “Oh, Senna. This is a kindness I’m showing you. If you and I fought, I’d rip you apart.”

“Prove it.”

His mouth pressed together in a thin line. “Killing you would be such a waste. You have so much to give to our cause. You simply don’t know it yet.”

It would never happen. Never. I’d find a way out. Even if it took years.

Kaleb’s lips twitched. “That fire will be fun to break and remold. I can’t wait to see it pointed at an appropriate adversary.”

“I think I’m seeing one right now.”

He chuckled. “I have a feeling you’ll be singing a different tune rather soon. Remember, your gifts don’t work down here. My shields have imbued the walls and bars with their gifts. But you still have your shifter healing. We’ll break you again and again. As many times as it takes.”

Kaleb turned to Garrison, the amusement falling from his expression. “I’m counting on you.”

“I won’t let you down, Alpha.”

Kaleb gave him a curt nod, turned on his heel, and left.

A feral smile stretched across Garrison’s face. “I like the fiery ones. The ones that cower shatter too easily.”

He punched a code into the door, and it swung open. I stood my ground. I kept my stance loose, my weight on the balls of my feet. I played Anson’s self–defense lessons over and over in my mind.

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