Marked by the Alphas

Chapter 76: Chapter 76

Kane POV

“Do you really think bringing Mason back with us is a good idea?” Axel asks as we drive to pick up our estranged brother.

I have been waiting for that question. Axel made it abundantly clear that he thinks it is a terrible idea.

“Think about it, Kane,” he continues. “We’re bringing a rogue with a revenge plan into our home. We could possibly endanger our pack.”

“Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer,” I reply. “He is much more dangerous out of sight than under our roof. Besides, what’s done is done. He’s waiting for us.”

“Well, pick up a phone and cancel,” Axel huffs. “It’s as easy as that.”

“Look, I don’t know if this is a mistake or not,” I sigh. “Sue me for feeling sorry for the guy. Dad’s an asshole, and he deserves the same right as us to tell him that to his face.”

“Kane,” Axel exhales deeply and looks at me with concern. “What if he’s the biological father of Alice’s children? Will the twins somehow know when they meet him? Will they be more bonded to him than to us?”

“Whoa, whoa,” I say, holding up a hand. “They’re newborns. I doubt that would even happen. Especially after all the time they’ve spent with us.”

“You better be right,” Axel grunts, staring out the window.

“So do I,” I mumble. Honestly, I have no idea what is in store for us, but we will cross that bridge when we get there.

“I’m more worried he’s going to bring that woman Katie with him,” I grunt.

“I thought you said you couldn’t leave without her,” he teases.

“That was Hunter talking,” I growl. “It’s been too long since he’s had a she-wolf. Goddess knows what he would do if she were around us all the time.”

“Same here,” Axel grimaces. “Blade clawed at me as if his existence depended on it.” freeweɓnovel.cøm

“Fuck,” I mutter, wiping a hand over my face. If she were hanging around all the time, I had no idea how we would control ourselves.

Katie POV

The wind is blowing viciously when I wake up, which seems fitting because my emotions are just as stormy.

I get out of bed with a groan. I hardly slept last night. I was tossing and turning, debating with myself whether I did the right thing when I told Mason yes yesterday afternoon.

Lily was insistent that I go, but in the end, it was sleeping in Mason’s arms that convinced me. The overwhelming sadness and emptiness I felt when I thought of him leaving proved to me that I should go.

Stella watches me with interest while playing with her tiny feet, as I pack our bags. I know it is crazy, but her calmness soothes my nerves, convincing me I am doing the right thing.

A fancy black SUV parks in front of my cottage, and instantly, I am nervous. What the hell am I getting myself into?

Well, it is too late now. I said yes, and I do not know how my mother raised me, but I would like to believe she taught me to never quit.

I placed Stella in her stroller, grabbed our suitcase, and shuffled down to the waiting car. Mason immediately jumps out and runs towards me.

“Thank you,” I smile when he rescues me from the suitcase.

“Are there more?” He asks.

“Yes,” I nod. “I’ll ...”

“No, I will,” he cuts me off, smiling, turns around and jogs towards the house.

Kane and Axel get out, and my heart rate picks up when they walk towards me. Nervously, I push my hair out of my face.

“I don’t know why you call this place Stillwood.” Axel smiles politely at me, and I am once again in awe of how much they look like Mason. “With all this wind, you should call it Windy Woods.”

I smile awkwardly at his attempt at an icebreaker. It will cost more than a lame joke to forget our encounter in the street. I can already see their wolves flashing in their eyes, and it looks like they want to eat me alive.

“Are there more things I can help Mason with?” Kane offers, and I am surprised that an Alpha is willing to do mediocre tasks.

“No,” I shake my head, acutely aware of the awkwardness between us. “It’s only one more suitcase.”

Stella’s chipper mood from earlier turns sour, and she lets out an ear-piercing wail. But before I can react, Kane scoops her up and cradles her in his arms. Stunned by his reaction, I watch him gently rocking her, cooing softly. Almost immediately, she calms down ... and smiles! Her first smile, and at a stranger no less.

I blink to make sure my eyes are not deceiving me. This is Kane holding her, not Mason. What the hell?

Maybe she recognises that they are brothers. Which is ridiculous, because she is a baby. Quinn’s words flood my mind, and I look from Stella to Kane. There seems to be some resemblance, but maybe it was only because I am looking for a reasonable explanation.

I step closer to get a better look, but a low warning growl echoes from behind me, and I freeze.

I swing around and see Mason glaring at Kane. His eyes are wide, as if he does not realise what he is doing. Kane returns a glare, his eyes flashing dangerously at Mason.

Are they fighting over my child right now?

“What are you trying to do?” Mason asks, his voice shaking with anger.

I guess that is a yes.

“I’m helping Katie,” Kane growls. “I’m not trying anything.

“Okay, enough,” I snap, surprising myself that I have the guts to intervene. “I realise you have issues, but you’d better put that aside when I’m around, and you are not going to fight over a baby. She’s my daughter.”

“I’m sorry,” Kane mumbles, handing Stella to me. “Your daughter is beautiful.” fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

“Thank you,” I reply stiffly, holding Stella closer.