Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 86

I tried my best to give Knox a warm smile but knew it came across forced. “Morning.”

“Morning, Ro.”

He’d been the first to use my nickname here in Cloverdale. In some ways, it felt like it belonged to him. “You get some sleep?” He hadn’t come back to the room last night, but I hadn’t asked him to either.

“I got enough.”

The deepened circles under his eyes told another story. I bit my lip. “I know there’s not a lot of room in here, but maybe you could stay here tonight?”

Something that looked a lot like hope lit in his gaze. “We have air mattresses we were sleeping on before. I can bring one of

those in.”

Caspian smacked Anson with a pillow, sending a few feathers flying. “Anson can sleep on it.”

“No way. I’m sleeping next to Senna tonight.”

I flopped back against the pillows with a groan. Figuring out sleeping arrangements was going to be interesting.

***

I hovered at the top of the stairs. I could hear a few voices filtering up from below, but I couldn’t seem to make myself take the first step. I’d taken more than my sweet time showering and getting ready. I’d slipped into Lacey’s jacket hoping it would feel

as if her arms were around me, whatever came my way.

Knox appeared at the bottom of the stairs. He took one look at me and was bounding up them. “What’s wrong?”

I twisted the strand of my bracelet around my fingers, absently thinking that it must’ve somehow stayed in place during my

shift. “Nervous, I guess.”

A single finger came to my chin, lifting my face to his. “About what?”

“Everything.” I still hadn’t been with the entire pack since our bond had been announced. I wasn’t sure I was ready for the attention. And I knew I wasn’t ready for any judgment about not being good enough for the guys.

Knox wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into his side. “Most of the pack is already done with breakfast. There are just a few stragglers left. And trust me, people are in awe of you. They’re grateful you risked yourself to save Vaughn.”

I let his warmth seep into me. “Okay.”

“I won’t leave your side. Promise.”

I looked up at him. “Thanks.”

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

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Chapter 86

“Whatever you need. All you have to do is ask.”

It was more than just the right now in those words. He was asking what I needed to let him back in. “I need the truth. And I need you to stay.” Two simple requests, yet they could be impossible to give for some people.

Knox’s hands cupped my face. “I can give you that.”

“Good.” I itched to stretch up on my toes and brush my lips against his. Yet I couldn’t bring myself to close the distance. Fear still railed against my brain.

Knox pressed his lips to my forehead. “We have all the time in the world.”

“Thanks,” I whispered.

Knox released me but immediately took my hand, leading me down the stairs. As we reached the bottom, a couple with a little girl appeared. The couple dipped their heads in our direction, but the little girl stared at me in wonder. “You’re her.”

My cheeks pinked, but I gave the little girl my warmest smile. “I’m Senna. What’s your name?”

“I’m Lucy. I don’t think I have any special gifts, but if I did, I’d want to be a healer just like you.”

Her mother tugged her back. “Sorry about that. Not a lot of filter with this one.”

“That’s okay.” I sent Lucy a wink. “We should always say what’s on our minds when it’s kind.”

Lucy beamed. “I’m always kind.”

“It’s the best thing you can be,” I assured her.

Knox gave me a little nudge. “We need to get going.”

“Nice to meet you, Lucy.”

“You too, Senna,” she called as her parents pulled her in the direction of the door.

We started towards the dining area but drew up short as we almost walked into Jasmine and Coby. Jasmine’s eyes zeroed in on Knox’s and my joined hands, and her lips thinned. “I heard you were awake.”

“Jaz,” her mother warned.

A muscle in Jasmine’s cheek fluttered. “Glad you didn’t kick the bucket.”

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