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.

18:14

116

174 Chapter 174

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

I could protect myself.

me feel strong. Empowered. Instead, it just made

still missed

Morrison house appeared around a bend in the road,

tires crunching loud in the quiet

burst open.

“SERA!”

nature, already halfway down the porch steps before

messy bun, flour dusting her apron, her

at you!” She grabbed me the second I

lungs. “You’re here! You’re

breathe…” I gasped, but

to breathe less and eat more!” She pulled back, her hands on my shoulders, eyes scanning my face with

You’re so thin! Don’t they

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

feeding her.”

back, giving me room to breathe. “Though

touched my face self–consciously. The fighting had changed

Robert’s been pacing for

and cinnamon and something baking that made my mouth water. The

warmth that made you feel welcome

his hands on a dish towel. His hair was grayer than I remembered,

just as warm. “Our prodigal

Robert.” I let him pull me into a gentler hug. “Sorry it took

apologize. You’re here now. That’s what matters.” He stepped back, studying me

City life agrees

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

12:18

214

174 Chapter 174

warned–a war zone of ingredients and

smelled incredible. A massive salad sat half–assembled

is…

myself stationed at the counter beside Caleb, who

dawn,” he muttered. “I tried to tell her you probably weren’t that hungry, but she

on the carrots.

at me. “So how

Smooth sailing.” I focused on my chopping.

Margaret’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “Tell us everything.

my eyes on the carrots. “I moved to a better apartment last year.

doorman.”

Margaret sounded delighted.

just nods at me.” I

he was setting the table.

the lecture about

Robert just nodded. “Making

down the knife, turning to face them. “I’m doing okay. Better

said

carried everything to the dining room–a cozy space with a table that