Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

174 Chapter 174

174 Chapter 174

Seraphina’s POV 1

The highway stretched out before me like a promise I wasn’t sure I could keep.

My hands gripped the steering wheel of my Honda Accord–two years old, cherry red, bought with fight money and pride. This car had working air conditioning. A sound system that didn’t randomly cut out. Seats that weren’t held together with duct tape.

This car was proof that I’d made it. 2

I glanced at the GPS. Two hours to the Morrison house. Two hours to face the people I’d been avoiding. Two hours until I had to pretend I had my shit together.

The city disappeared behind me, replaced by stretches of empty highway and rolling hills. The landscape got greener, wilder. More like the territory I’d left behind.

My chest got tighter with every mile.

I turned up the music, letting the bass drown out my thoughts. But it didn’t work. Nothing ever worked when I was trying not to think about things.

Three years of fighting had taught me a lot. How to take a punch. How to give one back harder. How to walk into a ring full of people

screaming for my blood and walk out victorious.

But it hadn’t taught me how to stop feeling like I was constantly running from something.

My phone buzzed in the cup holder. I glanced down at the screen.

*Caleb: Mom’s vibrating with excitement. Fair warning.*

I smiled despite myself. Texted back at the next red light: *Tell her to save some energy for the party.*

*Caleb: Impossible. She’s been cooking since 6 AM. The kitchen looks like a war zone.*

*Me: Should I be scared?*

The highway gave way to smaller roads. I’d forgotten how quiet it was out here, How the silence felt almost alive.

My thoughts drifted to Ayla. They always did when I got too close to wolf territory. Like some part of me still expected her to be there, just under my skin, ready to surface and protect me.

But she was gone.

Three

years gone, and sometimes I still reached for her in moments of panic. Still expected to feel her presence, her strength, her fierce certainty that we could handle anything.

Instead, there was just… me.

Except I wasn’t as fragile as I used to be.

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I flexed my hands on the steering wheel, feeling the calluses from years of training. My arms were lean and muscled now. My core was

solid. My reflexes sharp.

Ayla to protect me

I could protect myself.

should have made me feel strong. Empowered. Instead, it just made

missed her.

bend in the road, exactly as I

driveway, my tires crunching loud in the quiet afternoon. Before I could even turn off

burst open.

“SERA!”

appeared like a force of nature, already halfway down the porch steps before

dusting her apron, her

me look at you!” She grabbed me the second I stood up,

“You’re here!

breathe…” I gasped,

eat more!” She pulled back, her

you! You’re so thin! Don’t they have food

grinning. “You saw her three seconds ago. Let her actually

feeding her.”

to breathe. “Though you do

I touched my face self–consciously. The fighting

squeezed my hand. “Come inside! Robert’s been pacing for

cinnamon and something baking that made my mouth water. The

warmth that made you feel welcome the second

she is!” Robert emerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dish towel. His hair was grayer

as warm. “Our prodigal daughter

him pull me into

now. That’s what matters.” He stepped back, studying me the same

City life

“Come on, you’re helping with dinner. I won’t take no

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had warned–a war zone of ingredients

the oven smelled incredible. A massive salad

is… a

counter beside Caleb, who was wrestling with what looked

“I tried to tell her you probably weren’t that hungry, but she

terrifying,” I agreed, starting on the carrots. “I wouldn’t

“So how was the drive? Any

sailing.” I focused on my chopping. “Nice to see the old places

“Tell us everything. How’s city life treating you? Making

good.” I kept my eyes on the carrots. “I moved to a better apartment

doorman.”

doorman!” Margaret sounded delighted. “How

nods at me.” I

was setting the table.

lecture about how dangerous it was.

just nodded. “Making

to save. Build up a cushion.” I set down the knife, turning to

Margaret said

the dining room–a cozy space with a table