Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 78

My pencil slipped, sending a black line across the paper. I fought the urge to growl. There was no way to erase it without taking intricate pieces of the drawing with it.

I stared out at the lake. It was away from the lodge and other populated areas, but still firmly in the heart of the compound. This was as alone as I was going to get. But I needed even this illusion of solitude.

I couldn’t take much more of the guys‘ pitying looks and the whispers as I’d pass other people in the pack–everyone wondering why Abigail had given me up.

I closed the sketchbook and hugged it to my chest. As if that could somehow give me comfort. There was a tugging sensation in my chest, and I knew my time was running out. It wasn’t just my body telling me I needed to seek out my bond, it was my heart too. Only an hour or so away from them and I missed their comforting presence.

I shoved my belongings into my bag and climbed to my feet. A rustling sounded in the woods and I paused, straining to listen. There was nothing.

I slid my bag over my shoulder and started down the path towards the lodge and the center of the compound. The sun was low in the sky, and I knew I needed to hustle to make the walk back before it got dark.

I picked up my pace, stepping over tree roots and around rocks. Maybe this would be my new place. It wasn’t as peaceful as the raging creek, but that was outside the compound bounds. This lake would have to be it for now.

Voices caught on the air and my footsteps slowed.

“Knox, please. Look at me. You know it’s good between us. I’m what you need. Senna is too weak to lead this pack. It’s not her fault, but that doesn’t change the truth.” Jasmine’s voice took on a tone I’d never heard from her before, soft, almost

submissive.

“You have to stop. This is going to happen, Jaz. Senna is my mate. You know everything changes when a wolf finds that.”

I stepped forward as quietly as possible, knowing that their shifter hearing would pick up on any little sound. The path curved in front of me, and I stepped behind a tree, peeking to the side of it. Jasmine/stood close to Knox, almost touching, and I had to swallow back a growl.

“You don’t have to accept the mate bond,” Jaz urged. “We have free will for a reason. You need to make the hard choice for the good of the pack. For the good of us.” She rested a hand on his chest, over his heart. “I haven’t forgotten that night. I know you

felt it too.”

Air whooshed out of my lungs as she pushed in even closer to Knox. He laid a hand over hers. “That kiss was a mistake, Jaz. It never should’ve happened. I’m sorry if that hurts you, but it’s the truth.”

Pain shot along my sternum. That kiss. I thought of all the times Knox had sworn to me there had never been anything but friendship between him and Jasmine. How easily the lies had slipped from his tongue.

She closed the distance. I watched as if it were happening in slow motion, her lips meeting his. He was pushing her away but not before I let out a pained sound. It was so soft, I barely heard it myself, but Knox’s head whipped in my direction. “Senna-”

“No.” My voice didn’t shake even though the rest of me trembled. “Stay away from me.”

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

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Chapter 78

There was no excuse or pretty lie that would be good enough. I couldn’t even bear to look at him. So I took my only option. I turned and fled.

Branches slapped my face as I ran through the woods. It was dumb, completely idiotic, running with no idea of where I was going. All I knew was that I needed to get away. From the secrets and lies. From one life–altering bomb after another.

I dodged trees as best I could, my lungs burning. I caught sight of the pond again, but at a different angle than where I had been before. Just as I was about to break through the trees, I slammed into someone.

Hands came to my shoulders, steadying me. “Whoa there.”

Sam’s concerned face came into focus in my vision. “Sorry, I…” My words trailed off. I had no idea how to finish that sentence.

“No apology needed. Are you okay?”

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