Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 76

“It’s not your fault.”

There was doubt in Knox’s expression, and I shifted in my seat so I was facing him. “It’s not.”

He traced a line on my palm with his thumb. “We could’ve let you be, then you wouldn’t be mixed up in this mess.”

My ribs tightened around my lungs, making it difficult to take a full breath. “Don’t say that.”

“Shit,” he muttered, pulling me into his arms. “We’re not going anywhere. Don’t worry, Ro.”

The tension in me eased a fraction, but not enough. Knox rubbed a hand up and down my back as Anson drove. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I just hate how fixated people have become on you.”

“I can deal with it. What I can’t handle is you bailing on me.”

Caspian twisted in his seat, glaring at Knox. His expression softened as he focused on me. “Never gonna happen. You’re stuck

with us.”

“I like being stuck with you.”

“Good,” Anson grunted, and I couldn’t help but smile.

We were quiet the rest of the drive, all of us lost in our own worlds, trying to process everything that was changing so rapidly. When Anson pulled up in front of the lodge, Mason stepped out with four people in tow. Coby, Sam, and two people I didn’t recognize–a man and a woman. The man wrapped his arm around the woman, pulling her into his side.

“Those are my parents,” River said softly.

I straightened immediately, looking down at my outfit. Was this appropriate? Had I spilled something on myself at lunch? I could be a clumsy eater.

River pressed a kiss to my temple. “You look beautiful, and I already told you that they’re going to love you.”

Anson studied the group through his window. “This looks pretty damn official.”

Knox straightened. “My dad said he has something to talk to us about.”

“I don’t know if I can take many more bombs being dropped,” I said quietly.

Caspian turned, pressing his forehead to mine. “Yes, you can. You’re stronger than you know.”

A flash of movement caught my attention, and Vaughn stepped out of the woods, striding towards the SUV. “Why do I feel like I’m in trouble?”

“I think it’s hard for him to be away from you all day. Makes his wolf edgy,” Caspian explained.

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

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Chapter 76

I motioned for River to let me out. He opened the door and jumped out. I followed but kept moving, going straight for Vaughn. A slight shudder ran through him at my approach. I didn’t let the hesitancy in his gaze stop me. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed my cheek to his chest.

His arms came around me quicker this time, and I swore I felt him sigh. “Caspian said people were mean to you today.”

I mentally screamed at Caspian. Vaughn would probably come to school as my bodyguard tomorrow, ripping the heads off anyone who looked at me sideways.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not. I can feel it.”

I tilted my head back so that I could see his face. “You felt it?”

He nodded. “I knew you were hurting somehow.” There was confusion in his expression, wariness, but also, a fierce protectiveness. “They need to shield you better.”

My hands fisted in Vaughn’s T–shirt. “They do, but no one can stop words.”

“I could,” he grunted.

“But I really don’t want you to go on a murderous rampage to stop a few mean girls.”

Vaughn’s lips twitched. “Noted.”

That slightest moment sent a pang of heat to my belly. Vaughn’s dark and broody look worked for him big–time. But Vaughn with a hint of a smile? Catastrophic.

Our lips were so close, just a breath away. It would be so easy to close that distance. Everything in me was crying out for more from Vaughn.

Heat flashed in those ice–blue eyes. Then, without warning, he released me and stepped back.

I tried not to take it personally. I knew that there were more than a few demons making a home inside Vaughn’s head, but that didn’t change the fact that his retreat killed something in me.

“Senna,” Mason called from the steps. “We need to talk.”

“Great,” I muttered under my breath.

I started towards the lodge, Vaughn at my back and the rest of the guys moving in to flank me.

River‘ mom sent me a smile. It looked as if she wanted it to be reassuring, but the movement wavered, as if she couldn’t quite hold it. “I’m Lara. It’s so lovely to meet you.” I took the hand she extended. Lara didn’t shake my hand but took it and held it between hers. “You’re a blessing to us. I’m so glad Luc found you.”

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