Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Vaughn’s gaze swept over the crowd, and I saw the wince, the flicker of unease, in his eyes, I was moving before I could think about it, weaving through the crowd until I reached him. I came to a stop just one step away, unsure of what to do now that I was actually here.

“Hey,” Hey? Seriously, Semma?That was the best that I could come up with?

Vaughn’s eyes tracked over my face, as if he were committing each feature to memory. “How have you been sleeping?”

“Better. No more scary dreams.”

“Good.”

I shifted on my feet. “You’re here.”

Vaughn grimaced as he took in all the eyes focused on us. “I’m regretting that decision.”

“Vaughn.” Caspian looked back and forth between us as he walked up with Riverand Anson in tow.

Vaughn lifted his chin in greeting but didn’t say anything. His gaze held on Anson for a few beats, assessing. Anson met his stare dead–on, not looking away.

I sent Rivera pleading look. He was the one who was always the best at breaking tension.

He cleared his throat. “Why don’t we go get some food? Or we could give Senna a tour of the compound?”

“Oh, no,” Cassidy called as she walked up. “You guys always keep Senna to yourselves. I promised our girl that I’d give her a tour. You guys can go help with the grilling.”

Caspian opened his mouth to argue, but Cass sent him a withering stare. He sighed. “Thirty minutes. If you don’t bring her back by then, we’re coming to find you.”

“I’ll need over an hour if I want to show her all the good stuff,” Cass argued.

“Forty–five minutes,” Caspian countered.

“Oh, fine.” Cass linked her arm with mine and tugged me away. “Let’s go before one of them follows, thinking they’re being stealthy.”

I choked on a laugh. “A forty–five–minute rule does seem a little ridiculous.”

Cass shrugged and led me away from the lodge. “They’re a little territorial with all the guys around.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from asking what she meant by that. I wasn’t sure I was ready for the answer. Things were changing so fast, I

felt like I could barely hold on.

“So, you saw the lodge. That’s one of the main hangouts. But the lounge over here is the other. There are games and a massive TV. There’s another one for the younger kids too, with practically a whole fun zone of stuff.”

“Wow.” I wasn’t sure what else to say.

Cassidy’s steps slowed as she turned to me. “You okay?”

“There’s just been a lot lately.”

She gave me a kind smile and reached out to squeeze my arm. “I can only imagine. Just remember, you only have to put one foot in front of the

18:46 O

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

41.1

Chapter 47

other. And you can ask nu anything you want. I’m an open book.”

I fought the urge to squirm. “With Ridge, Jack, and Cooper, how does that work?”

Cass grinned. It’s easter than you think. There’s a period of adjustment while you’re working out the kinks, and it takes open and honest communication, but now it’s as easy as breathing. I couldn’t imagine not having each of them. They balance me.”

But why would they want to share one girl?”

Cass put a hand on her hip. “Senna Caldwell. Are you doubting my ability to charm three guys into falling in love with me?”

My cheeks heated. “No, 1 just ”

“I’m kidding. It’s normal for us. There are more men than women here. And we believe that some of those bonds are destined.” She met my gaze. “Are you really going to tell me that you haven’t felt a pull towards some of those guys at our lunch table?”

I liked the idea of having partners who were destined for me. Like somehow, we would make each other the best versions of ourselves. But I wasn’t sure how realistic that was. “Couldn’t it just be hormones and chemistry?”

“That certainly plays a role, but it’s more than that. You’ll see.”

Jasmine stepped out from the trees by the lounge. “She won’t see. Because she doesn’t belong here. And Senna knows that. Don’t you?”

I didn’t let Jasmine’s words hit, refusing to give her that kind of power. Instead, I rolled my eyes, leaning towards Cass. “She’s pretty dramatic, huh?”

Cass giggled. “Her one–woman shows are epic.”

“Laugh it up all you want, but I saw how everyone treated you when you walked in. Like a pariah. You’ll always be an outsider, never trusted to truly be one of us. And Knox needs someone who is woven into this community. He’s going to be our next leader, and he can’t do that with you by his side.”

Little embers of doubt pricked at my skin. So much of what Jaz said, I had no idea about. Knox hadn’t once mentioned taking over for his father one day. And I couldn’t help but wonder if he hadn’t shared that with me because I wasn’t a part of his world.

Jaz’s mouth curved. “I see you putting together the pieces. The sooner you do, the better it’ll be.”

(0)