Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I known Mr. and Mrs. Thornwolfe my entire life.

But they’d never expected this.

Think everyone–including them–had just assumed when one of their sons finally brought me home as a girlfriend, it’d be Grayson.

Not Ryder.

Was a nervous wreck the entire drive.

“What if they don’t approve?” Whispered, twisting my hands in my lap. “What if they think I’m… I don’t know, wrong for you? Or just… rebounding?”

Ryder reached over, lacing his fingers through mine, thumb brushing soothingly over my knuckles.

“They won’t think that,” he said quietly. “My parents are reasonable. They’ll see how happy we are.”

Glanced at me, expression soft.

“And besides–Grayson has Aurora now. No reason for anyone to object.”

Mrs. Thornwolfe handed me a thick red envelope the second we walked through the door–traditional gesture of welcome and blessing.

Then pulled me down onto the couch beside her, chatting like old friends, asking about work, family, future plans.

Just starting to relax when heard the front door open.

Grayson and Aurora arrived right as dinner was being served.

Throughout the entire meal, Grayson was overly attentive to Aurora.

Piling food onto her plate. Refilling her wine before it was half–empty. Laughing too loud at her jokes.

Felt performative. Forced.

Noticed his eyes kept flicking toward me when he thought no one was looking.

Wanted to laugh.

Did he seriously think I’d get jealous?

Ryder carefully cracked open a crab, extracted the delicate white meat with surgical precision, placed it on my plate.

Mrs. Thornwolfe noticed, smiled warmly.

“First time I’ve ever seen you take care of someone like this,” she said, tone affectionate and teasing. “Was starting to think you’d stay single forever.”

Ryder looked at me, expression unguarded, impossibly soft.

“First time being in love,” he said quietly. “Just trying to make sure I do everything right.”

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nathar Marked Me First!

Chapter 9

Then turned to his parents, voice steady and serious.

“Mom, Dad–I’d like your help arranging a formal proposal. Want to ask for Freya’s hand in marriage.”

Paused, eyes never leaving mine.

“Sooner the better.”

CRASH.

Across the table, Grayson’s wine glass shattered in his grip.

Red wine and jagged shards scattered across the white tablecloth, staining it crimson.

Blood welled from a deep cut on his palm.

But he didn’t seem to notice.

Just sat there, staring at me with wide, disbelieving eyes.

No one else reacted.

Mrs. Thornwolfe just beamed at me, completely ignoring her younger son’s outburst.

“Of course! Let’s pick a lucky date. Your father and I will visit Freya’s parents personally to arrange everything.”

Reached over, squeezed my hand warmly.

“Freya, dear–ask your parents when they’re free, will you?”

Grayson shot to his feet so abruptly his chair toppled backward with a loud crash.

“I’m done eating.”

Voice tight, strangled.

Again, no one reacted.

Mr. Thornwolfe kept cutting his steak. Mrs. Thornwolfe smiled serenely. Aurora looked down at her plate, uncomfortable.

And Ryder just looked at me, eyes full of quiet devotion.

My face was burning, heart racing.

“Okay,” whispered, smiling shyly at Ryder. “I’ll ask them.”

That night, Mrs. Thornwolfe insisted I stay over.

Around midnight, went downstairs for water.

Found Grayson sitting alone in the darkened living room.

Three empty whiskey bottles on the coffee table. Fourth clutched loosely in his hand.

At Uis Alnha Brother Marked Me First!

Chapter 9

Drunk, Very drunk.

Ignored him, filled my glass at the sink, turned to head back upstairs to Ryder’s room.

But Grayson’s voice stopped me.

“Treya,”

Didn’t turn around. Voice flat, emotionless,

“Move.”

Didn’t.

Heard him stand–unsteady, stumbling slightly.

“The night of the full moon,” he said quietly. Words slurred, but something raw and desperate underneath. “Didn’t touch Aurora.”

Finally turned to face him, expression carefully blank.

“Don’t care.”

But he stepped closer, blocking my path.

“You should care,” he said, voice cracking. “Because it matters. Means something.”

Crossed my arms, tone cold and cutting:

“No, Grayson. Doesn’t mean jack. Not to me.”

“What you do or don’t do with Aurora is none of my business. You made that crystal clear.”

Took a step forward, forcing him to back up.

“So move. Going back to your brother’s room. You know–the guy who actually wants me.”

Grayson flinched like I’d slapped him.

But still didn’t move.

“Pathetic, isn’t it?” Let out this bitter, self–deprecating laugh. “Thought… thought if I could just have her, I’d finally be satisfied.”

Voice dropped to a hoarse whisper.

“Aurora’s everything I said I wanted. Beautiful. Popular. Perfect.”

Looked up at me, eyes glassy with unshed tears.

“But when the moment came–when I could’ve marked her, made her my mate for life, bound her to me forever–I hesitated.”

Hand shot out, grabbing my wrist–not hard, but desperate.

“Because all I could think about was you.”

“Guess I finally fucking get it.”

Chapter 9

Grayson’s voice was slurred–thick with booze and something that sounded way too close to grief.

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