Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

We followed Anson as he wove through the space. “Maxi?” he called.

“In here, doll,” a voice answered.

We came to a stop in what could only be described as a chef’s kitchen. It was impeccably designed with every gadget and gizmo someone could want.

A woman who looked to be in her early sixties turned around at the sound of our footsteps and her face lit up as she took us in. “Oh, how lovely, you brought friends. I’m Maxine, but you can call me Maxi.”

“Hi, Maxi. I’m Senna.”

“Lovely to meet you, dear.” Her smile was warm and genuine, and I found myself feeling relieved that at least Anson had her at home.

The rest of the guys introduced themselves as well, and then Maxi was shooing us on. “Go on down to the basement. I’ll fix you

up some snacks.”

Anson wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Thanks, M.”

“Get going, you big flirt.”

I couldn’t hide my chuckle, and Anson sent me a mock glare. We went back out into the hall, and I tugged on Anson’s shirt. “Is

there a bathroom I can use real quick?”

“Sure. Right there.” He pointed to a door on the right side. “The stairs to the basement are just a couple of doors down.”

“Thanks.” I ducked into the bathroom and shut the door behind me. I needed a minute, just a second to catch my breath and get my rapidly beating heart under control. Something about being near all the guys at the same time had my pulse doing

acrobatics.

I ran the water as cold as it would go and then splashed it on my face. I pulled one of the rolled–up hand towels from the stack and patted my skin dry. As I met my gaze in the mirror, my cheeks were flushed, and my eyes were a little glassy. “Get it together, Ro. They’re just attractive guys. They’re your friends. Nothing more.”

I tossed the towel into the basket on the floor–apparently rich people only used towels once before washing them–and headed for the basement. As I started down the carpeted steps, I froze at the sound of Anson’s voice.

“Four bond mates? I’ve only heard of that happening twice in pack history. Are you all sure? Maybe you just thought you felt the pull.”

Knox let out a low growl. “Do you really think I’d mistake that? That I don’t know what it means, feeling like my chest is being ripped to shreds when I have to be apart from her all night?”

“Dial it back, guys,” River interjected. “We’re all sure. It means she’s powerful.”

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

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Chapter 37

“And that she needs to be protected,” Caspian cut in.

“With that much power coursing through her, she’ll have all the other packs out to get her,” Knox said.

What the hell were they talking about?

The stairs creaked as I moved closer to the voices. I barely heard the slight groan, but four pairs of eyes swung to me. I gave a little wave. “Hey.”

“Hey, Ro,” Knox said, forcing a smile. “This basement is sick, right?”

I looked around the space, taking it in for the first time. There was a U–shaped sectional that looked like a cloud big enough for twenty people. It faced a massive TV, and there was a coffee table in the middle. On the other side of the room were a bunch of games. A pinball machine, air hockey table, a ping–pong table.

“Whoa,” I muttered.

“Want something to drink? We’ve got every soda under the sun,” Anson offered as he moved to a little kitchenette behind the sectional.

“Diet Coke would be great.” The enormity of the room and its contents had distracted me for a moment, but now I focused on the guys in front of me. Knox was uneasy, River looked guilty as hell, and Caspian avoided my gaze altogether.

I knew the three of them were a part of a community that was different from how I’d grown up. Maybe there was a simple explanation that tied back to that. Then I heard Knox’s voice in my head, “That I don’t know what it means, feeling like my chest is being ripped to shreds when I have to be apart from her all night?”

I rubbed a spot along my sternum. The same place I’d been feeling the tugging sensation. I gave my head a little shake. I wasn’t experiencing pain there.

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