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Chapter 31
Blossom POV
Just as Caleb moved to pull me into another embrace, believing he'd glimpsed tears in my eyes, I gently pulled back. I wasn't entirely sure why I stopped him from embracing me again, but instead, I quietly thanked him for his comforting presence. Reaching up, I straightened the tie that had gone askew during our earlier hug and offered him a sweet, grateful smile. Caleb was a nice, handsome he-werewolf, I realized, even if I didn't feel any romantic attraction toward him. He might not possess the same charisma as Dean, but he had his own appeals, and I found myself wondering for the first time why Caleb hadn't yet chosen a mate.
Meanwhile, I remained acutely aware of Dean's presence approaching from behind me. I could always sense his nearness, both through his distinct scent and some inexplicable connection in my mind. Despite knowing he was there, I refrained from turning around; I acted oblivious to his presence. I was still hurt by his behavior the prev
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Alpha's Substitute Bride Chapter 32
Dean POV.I hadn't endured such a sleepless night in years—certainly not since the days when my beloved Eliza had first been taken from me. Back then, I could hardly eat or sleep for days on end. I felt like a completely different person. Even when we finally found her, guilt and regret tore me apart. I should have protected Eliza, but I let her down. Now, I feel like I've been given a second chance with Blossom, and I can't afford to fail her too.I've always considered myself strong—stronger than most, in fact. It's been part of my identity as the alpha werewolf my entire life. Alongside my physical strength, I've prided myself on the emotional resilience I possess. That emotional strength has made me a better leader, something I strongly believe. Regardless of what I'm going through, I've never allowed my personal struggles to impact my leadership. Yet since Eliza's death, maintaining that balance has become increasingly difficult. Quincy has pointed out
Alpha's Substitute Bride Chapter 33
Blossom POV.I watch as Caleb pulls the glass door shut behind him. He remains so calm that I can't help but think he doesn't feel threatened by Dean. I wonder why Dean didn't come right after him; instead, he lingers in the room with me. I had assumed he would speak to his brother before approaching me, but instead, he's left him waiting.With Caleb gone, I sense a shift in the atmosphere, even if it's just slight. I turn to face Dean and am instantly reminded of how incredibly handsome he is. The moment my eyes land on him, my mind drifts back to last night. I felt so connected to him then; somehow, he made me feel confident, and I was surprisingly unafraid and unshy—things I had worried I might feel.As he approaches, I can feel his piercing gaze penetrating my skin, as if he's trying to read my soul. His ice-blue eyes have captivated me since the moment I first saw him a day ago, and nothing has changed. I still feel myself warming up as he draws closer.I can't let him or those m
Alpha's Substitute Bride Chapter 34
Blossom POV.Dean never breaks his stride as he approaches the entrance to the meeting room. He understands what his brother, Caleb, is attempting to do—to lift his spirits and distract him from his inner turmoil—but it simply isn't working. Nevertheless, he appreciates Caleb's efforts, reminded that his brother has been the one constant in his life, sharing many of the same experiences since their childhood.Caleb knows Dean better than anyone else. However, at times like this, when Dean feels the urge to close himself off until he can figure things out, it becomes annoying to hear Caleb say things he already knows but refuses to acknowledge. He senses a conversation approaching in their near future, and frankly, he dreads what Caleb will have to say. Yet, a part of him anxiously awaits his brother's advice on what to do next.They reach the meeting room entrance, and Caleb steps ahead to swing the door wide open. The noisy chatter of the gathered men floods through the entrance, jol
Alpha's Substitute Bride Chapter 35
Blossom POVI knew every word I spoke was true. I had every right to be upset, and I saw Dean grappling with the weight of my feelings. I speculated whether he had heard about Liza's attempts to seduce him, which would surely infuriate him more than I was already. But how could I possibly know? What exactly did I know?It could have been Liza, I thought. She wouldn't hesitate to fill my head with lies if she had encountered me in the corridor. I didn't know when that might have happened, but I made a mental note to assess the situation. Dean needed to ask Liza to leave the villa, a clear sign to me that he was serious about our marriage, whether I referred to it as "contractual" or not. Hearing that phrase come from my lips made me realize I no longer viewed our relationship that way. When had that changed? It was certainly how I had thought of it from the beginning, but somewhere along the line, my feelings had shifted. Was it after our lovemaking?"I'm sorry you had to go through t
Alpha's Substitute Bride Chapter 36
Dean POVI found myself hardly surprised when Caleb interrupted the proceedings we were engaged in. On some subconscious level, I might have even welcomed his interference as a lifeline out of the quagmire I'd found myself in, knowing I wasn't handling things as effectively as usual. As the others quickly scattered, Caleb took the lead, guiding me away from the business complex and back towards the villa, where the privacy of my office awaited our candid conversation."Let's be honest, brother. You need to get a grip on what's happening. What was going on in there?" Caleb queried as we walked. "I've observed as you meticulously laid the groundwork for this meeting over the months, strategizing intelligently at every turn. But today, instead of leading with the decisiveness you're known for, you appeared uncertain and hesitant. That's not the Dean people rely on.""I know," I muttered in return, not meeting his eyes. "You don't have to tell me.""I
Alpha's Substitute Bride Chapter 37
Dean POV "I suggested, would it truly be such a challenging admission to acknowledge within yourself the need for love, a genuine yearning for someone who can reciprocate those feelings? You long for a presence to hold once more, brother. I've observed the way your eyes trace her every movement, the anticipation that fills you when she enters a room. In the relatively brief period that Blossom has been here, she's managed to turn your world completely on its head. She's the sole catalyst making you question your steadfast resolution to never fall in love again," Caleb continued earnestly. "I realize this might not be the message you expected or even wanted to hear from me, but no one understands you quite like I do."I fixed my gaze directly on Caleb, who met my eyes confidently without flinching."I suppose," I began, only to pause and release a heavy sigh. "I suppose it all caught me off guard. I never anticipated it would become an issue. Declaring my
Alpha's Substitute Bride Chapter 38
Blossom povDean remained utterly captivated by the mere sight of me. The fact that I turned around both times he silently implored me to confirmed a deep, undeniable connection between us—a realization that we could communicate telepathically. This development came as a surprise, happening much sooner than either of us had anticipated, yet it brought Dean a sense of assurance about the feelings he found increasingly difficult to suppress. Such a rare form of communication, he had mused, couldn't possibly stem from mere lust. It had to signify something deeper and more profound about our burgeoning relationship.He had shared with me before how this type of connection took much longer with Eliza, causing a strain between them. Eliza's frustration had been palpable, her words echoing in his mind as she accused him of "not trying hard enough." But here, with me, everything seemed effortless.The other members of the pack who had been milling around the court
Alpha's Substitute Bride Chapter 39
Blossom POVDespite his insistence, I hadn't moved a muscle, and neither had Dean, who remained standing right behind me, his body nearly brushing against my bare skin, exposed beneath the strings of my bikini.Of course, it was more likely that he simply wasn't comfortable with the idea of his mate being dressed so scantily in public. The thought delighted me momentarily, almost akin to sparking a flare of jealousy in him. It reminded me of the morning when he saw me with Caleb and had to digest the discomfort of feeling he had to share me with others. In those moments, Dean experienced a vulnerability similar to what I often felt.Yes, I reasoned, while it may not precisely mirror the envy he felt after witnessing me with Caleb, it was gratifying nonetheless. By now, he must have realized that any romantic implication between Caleb and me was nothing more than an elaborate ruse.Dean was growing visibly impatient. "Blossom, I said get back to th
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