Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 6

Grayson whistled low, clearly intrigued.

“Alright, alright. Won’t interrupt your fun, bro. But yeah, tomorrow I definitely wanna meet whoever finally melted that permafrost personality.”

Sounded genuinely interested–maybe even impressed. Like this was the first fascinating development all evening.

Then irritation crept back:

“But seriously, where is Freya?”

Heard him bark at someone: “Call her. Right now.”

Tyler’s voice floated through, teasing: “Thought you didn’t want her coming? Something about not ‘wasting your first mark“?”

“What happened to that whole speech? Folding already?”

Grayson’s laugh turned defensive, almost panicked.

“Not folding. Shit. Just–what if something happened? What if she crashed?”

Voice wavered–barely perceptible.

But there.

“Just keep calling till she answers.”

Evan: “Going straight to voicemail.”

“Then keep trying.” Rising frustration bleeding into actual fear. “Call till she picks up. All night if you have to.”

What Grayson couldn’t possibly know–my phone was still buzzing relentlessly in my pocket, vibrating against Ryder’s hip.

And every single buzz made his arms clamp tighter around me. Like terrified I’d vanish if he relaxed even slightly.

When I finally pulled back gasping, Ryder withdrew just enough to meet my eyes. Still glowing crimson, pupils massively dilated.

Voice came out raw–but something fragile lived underneath:

“Answer it.”

Thumb ghosted across my swollen lips, gaze never wavering.

“Maybe he changed his mind.”

But even saying it, his body pressed against mine–burning hot, shaking with barely leashed hunger.

Offering me escape… while silently praying I wouldn’t take it.

Heat flooded my face as I whispered–voice teasing, breathless:

“Baby… seriously? You’re killing the vibe right now.”

11:41

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

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Chapter 6

Snatched his phone, stabbed the end call button, and flung it onto the nightstand without looking

Then wrapped both arms around his neck, dragging him closer, lips grazing his ear:

“Ryder… quit holding back.”

“Tonight? I’m all yours. Whatever you want.”

Ryder’s breath stuttered–sharp, strangled–like I’d just torched every last thread keeping him together. Voice came out wrecked:

“Treya… Moon Goddess, you can’t just say things like that,”

Already kissing down my collarbone–urgent, frantic. Breathing ragged, uneven.

Peeked up through my lashes, going for innocent. “You don’t like it?”

“I love it.” Voice cracked completely, “That’s the whole damn problem.”

Pulled back enough to look at me, eyes dark and torn.

“Feels like some fever dream. Like any second I’ll wake up and you’ll be gone.”

“And I know–I know you’re only here because you think you owe me something.”

Hand came up, cradling my face, thumb ghosting across my cheek with this aching gentleness.

“But I’m selfish as hell, Freya. Don’t want your gratitude. Want everything.”

The raw loneliness in those words gutted me.

Chest squeezed tight. Didn’t know what to say. So instead asked what’d been eating at me since yesterday:

“Ryder… why’d you do it five years ago?”

“You sacrificed half your life. Even Grayson–who literally grew up with me, who I thought gave a damn–wouldn’t do that.”

“So why? Why chain yourself like that? Why condemn yourself to suffering through every full moon, craving someone you thought you’d never actually have?”

Didn’t answer. Just kept kissing me–slow, worshipful, like I was something holy he didn’t deserve to touch.

Finally spoke:

“Not just the full moons.”

Voice barely audible.

“You’re in my head constantly. Every single day.”

“But you always bolted. Every time you spotted me, looked absolutely terrified.”

Bitter laugh escaped him.

“What’d I even do to freak you out that badly?”

Arms locked around me–almost bruising, like trying to merge our bodies into one.

11:41.

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

Chapter 6

“But after tonight? Don’t care if you’re scared. Don’t care if you try running.”

“Because I’m done letting you go, Freya. You started this. Dragged me in.”

Eyes blazed into mine–wild, territorial, completely feral.

“Now you’re stuck with me. Forever. Got it?”

Breath caught. Heart slamming against my ribs like it wanted out.

Wait. Has Ryder been… in love with me this whole time?

Weirdest part? Wasn’t scared anymore,

Was… thrilled.

The guy who terrified grown men–the Ice King himself–had been secretly, desperately obsessed with me?

Ridiculous little rush of excitement shot through me.

That’s… actually insane.

Tightened my grip around his waist–careful around those bandages–and tipped my head back, baring my throat.

“Ryder,” whispered, “Not running.”

“Know you don’t buy it yet. But just wait. I’ll prove it.”

“Gonna tear Grayson completely out–every single trace–and fill that space with you instead.”

Kissed his jaw, then lower, trailing down his neck.

“Only you.”

Something detonated inside him.

Kissed me like I was air and he’d been suffocating for years. Hands everywhere–shaking with need but still so careful, so reverent.

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