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

Chapter 11 Next morning , I woke up wrapped in Ryder's arms . Felt warm . Safe . Impossibly content . Slipped out of bed carefully - trying not to wake him - and headed downstairs for coffee . Knox and two other guards waiting in the kitchen . Grinning like idiots . " Good morning , Luna , " Knox said cheerfully . Blinked . " Uh ... good morning ? " " Just wanted to say thank you , " one of the others said . " Alpha Ryder told us you're the reason we're all getting year - end bonuses and raises . " Laughed . " Oh . Yeah . You're welcome . " Knox leaned in conspiratorially . " And , uh ...

we may have some info you'd be interested in . " Raised an eyebrow . " What kind of info ? " Grinned . " Little secrets . About Alpha Ryder . And his ... feelings for you over the years . " Eyes widened . " Oh ? " " Oh yes . " Knox pulled out his phone . " For example - did you know he used to rearrange his entire schedule just to ' accidentally ' run into you ? " Another guard chimed in : " And he kept every single birthday gift he ever bought you . Even the ones Mr. Grayson was supposed to give you but didn't . " " And , " Knox added with wicked grin , " he once almost challenged Mr.

Grayson to a dominance fight ' cause Grayson made you cry . " Stared at them . Heart swelling . " He ... really did all that ? " " And more , " Knox said warmly . " Alpha Ryder's been in love with you for years , Luna . Just never thought he had a shot . " Felt tears prickling corners of my eyes - but happy tears this time . " Thank you , " whispered . " For telling me . " Knox grinned . " Anytime , Luna . " Didn't take long before Mr. and Mrs. Thornwolfe showed up at my parents ' place to officially lock down our engagement . Ryder and I set the wedding for early summer .

Day we were supposed to do engagement photos , Aurora hit me up . Wanted to grab coffee . Walked into the café - Aurora was already there . nathar Marked Me First ! 80 % But she looked ... different , Not wrecked or broken like I'd expected . She looked lighter , Like she'd finally dumped a ton of baggage she'd been hauling around forever . " Grayson and I broke up , " she said the second I sat down , Took a sip of my latte . Kept my tone even . " You never really liked him anyway . " Aurora let out this short , kind of bitter laugh . " Nope . Really didn't .

" Leaned back in her chair , twirling her cup absently . " Owe you an apology , Freya , Only reason I ever got close to Grayson was ' cause of you. " Raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything . " Had a crush on Ryder for years , " she admitted - tone super casual , like she was talking about the weather . " And I noticed he used to drive to campus all the time . Just to watch you from a distance . Never approached . Never interrupted . Just ... watched . " Shook her head , wry smile tugging at her lips . " Drove me insane . Known Ryder since we were kids , and he's always been cold to women .

Completely indifferent . But with you ? You were the exception . " Met my eyes - expression clear , unbothered . " So I decided to take something you cared about . Thought if I stole Grayson , maybe it'd hurt you the way you hurt me just by existing . " Laughed now - genuinely amused . " But all I did was shove you straight into Ryder's arms . Karma's a bitch , huh ? " Took another sip , totally unfazed . " Worst part ? Actually agreed to date Grayson . Thought ... if I couldn't have Ryder , at least I could marry his brother . At least I'd see him at family dinners .

" Rolled her eyes at herself . " Pathetic , right ? But here's the kicker - we were together for months . Three full moons passed . And he didn't touch me . Not once . " Leaned forward , eyes sparkling with something like dark amusement . " Both Thornwolfe brothers are completely obsessed with you . And you know what ? Done being jealous . " Blinked . Surprised by her tone . Aurora grinned - sharp , self - aware , free. " Applied to study abroad . My mom told me something that finally clicked : when you're young , it's okay to have a few relationships that crash and burn .

Helps you get over being ' boy crazy . "" Stood up , slinging her designer bag over her shoulder with effortless confidence . " Turns out , life gets way better once you stop treating men like they're the main event . They're just ... accessories . Nice to have , but not Ti Alnha Brother Marked Me First ! Chapter 11 necessary . " Gave me this genuine smile - no bitterness , no regret . " Congrats on your wedding , Freya . Seriously . You won . Enjoy it . " Found myself smiling back . " Thanks , Aurora . And ... good luck . With everything . " She winked . " Oh , don't need luck .

Got a full ride to Oxford and a therapist helping me unpack my daddy issues . Gonna be fine . " And with that , walked out - head high , shoulders back , completely unburdened . Sat there for a second , genuinely impressed . Good for her . ( 0 ) ( 0 ) Sara Lili Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland's breathtaking cold.